Robert Thier

Family - the most important thing in the world, right? If it's your own, maybe. But if it's the family of the incredibly powerful, incredibly alluring businessman with whom you've been conducting a secret office affair, and they don't yet know about the affair, things are a little bit different. Life is about to get real for Lilly Linton. All those stolen moments behind closed doors, those secret kisses and whispered words are about to catch up with her. As she and her boss, business-magnate Rikkard Ambrose, travel north to his parents' palatial estate, she is about to discover whether she has the strength to step out of the shadows and change her fate forever. Volume four of the award-winning Storm and Silence series.

Silence Breaking

sani

…if I ever planned to claim a woman as my own, I would not waste my time with kissing her hand. I would pursue a very different strategy.’

‘Such as?’

‘Well, to begin with,’he growled against my ear, I would lure her into my room under some pretence, like, for instance…a business discussion.’

GOD I LOVE THEM SO MUCH? they're insane.

Vicky (A City Girl's Thoughts)

Robert Thier does an excellent job at pulling readers into his books and holding them captive until they finish it! I only know one other author who can do that, so if you come across an author like that you KNOW they're good! However, I was disappointed with this novel. We finally get a glimpse into Rikkard Ambrose's childhood home and past - sort of. 

Rikkard can't avoid his family anymore, so along with Lilly and his bodyguard Karim they travel to the senior Ambrose's residence. Here Lilly plays an interesting role; she dresses as a man under the name of Victor Linton, secretary of Rikkard Ambrose, then switches inconspicuously to Lilly Linton, sister of Victor and lover of Rikkard. This was done to protect Lilly from Lord Dagliesh, Rikkard's enemy, who tried to kill her twice. While Lilly and Rikkard are watching their backs, they express (out loud, finally!) their love for each other, although Rikkard is a little stubborn to say it. Here we also learn what caused Rikkard to hate his father and avoid his family for ten years, and what role Dagliesh played in it. 

Now I was looking forward to some action and answers about Rikkard's past and his feud with Dagliesh, but all Thier gave us is vague information. I don't know what Dagliesh did, neither do we learn what the huge fight between Rikkard's and his father was about. All I learned was that Rikkard looked up to Dagliesh as a big brother/mentor when he was a child, only to have it crashed when his trust was abused. Afterward, Rikkard and dad fought, verbally, with such anger that his dad kicked him out. 

And that is it. That is all I learned. 

The abovementioned info was shared to Lilly by Rikkard's sister Adaira and - surprise, surprise! - Dagliesh himself, after he kidnaps her, but nothing more. No detailed information at all. Instead Thier focuses on Lilly and Rikkard's romance, almost fully. Rikkard suddenly pops the question of marriage to Lilly, trying to get her to run away with him to Scotland to secretly wed, but she refuses, asking instead to live in sin, meaning all she wants is sex.

This part bothered me, because Lilly, who claims she's in love, doesn't want marriage but just sex. No commitment, just intercourse. And she literally says that (not forthrightly, but you'll get the message). That's just lust, not love, and I expected her to know that and NOT go down that route! Rikkard also bothered me by suddenly popping a question like that out of nowhere, right after he saves her! At that time, suitors were to let their intentions towards a woman known by visiting her parents (in this case it will be Lilly's aunt and uncle), courting her at balls for awhile until he finally proposes, of course after he let's his love's parents/guardians know, but Rikkard didn't visit her family ONCE! Neither did he attend any balls with Lilly, except for one in the first book of this series. So I don't understand why he suddenly has the urge to marry her, especially if he can't say he loves her out loud! But then again, if you read the books in this series you'll understand Rikkard bullies his way into getting something without explaining why. Wisely, Lilly turns down his proposal, probably cause she knows Rikkard will bully her around into doing and saying things she doesn't agree with.

Ah yes, the alpha, macho Rikkard, who has a hard time parting with chauvinism. He rules his business like a tyrannical dictator, scaring his employees into obedience, plus he's used these tactics with Lilly before (during their relationship), so why would it be different in marriage? I'm glad Lilly refused his proposal (and finally learns feminism isn't about man-hating) but I wished she would forget his sexiness and quit her job with him. That way she would be rid of his toxic behavior, but since we're in Victorian-Era England, Lilly will have a hard time getting a job, especially one that pays as well as Rikkard's. 

Yes, Rikkard is sexy, and yes, there are touching moments (no pun intended) in their relationship, but I wanted answers about his past, especially his feud between him and Dagliesh! Between this book and the one before (Silence is Golden) I feel like Thier is focusing too much on the romance. I don't mind romance, but I'm also into the James Bond-esque action! A romance with a thriller is my type of story; I'm just not into full romance novels! I'm guessing I'll get answers (and hopefully action) in the last book ☹

As I said earlier, while this book lacks in action, you'll still be drawn into the story without boredom, so yes, four stars for you Mr. Thier! 

P.S.: *whispers* BRING BACK MORE ACTION!

dija

AHHHHHH I CANT WAIT FOR THE 5TH BOOK!! i will never get enough of Lilly & Rikkard

Aayusma Aryal

Lyndsey McIntyre 

I loved this. The fourth book of the storm and silence series and wow it was so amazing. I loved how it this one we got to meet Ambrose’s family, see a jealous Lilly and Amby, a whole lot of craziness happens, and remember guys don’t forget your gloves ;) I absolutely loved this book and I am so ready to read the fifth one. I don’t want this series to ever end

Silence Breaking

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