Heart of Stone (The Stone Series: A Billionaire Romance)

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The things I struggled with the most with this one is purely personal – I thought it had too many plot points. I tend to prefer more simple books that focus on a couple plot points that are really developed deeply and the relationship growth and focus takes over most of the book. To me, there was a lot of stuff going on and I don’t think it all was needed – Sparks had some really great relationship dynamics and plot points going and I think it took away from some of the build up or the strength of some of those themes by adding more in. (But again, that’s just my opinion). I would have preferred that time spent on their relationship. There are just so many details I loved, from Theophilus’s love of the rain to the cat interrupting an almost kiss to Henry’s care and concern about power dynamics and consent in all areas of his life. This is closed door, which feels true to the characters, but there are also erotic drawings and dreams. This is a lush, deeply realized world with chemistry and feelings galore. The ending made me smile so big. Just a perfect epilogue in every way. I did struggle some with the trust issue. While Krys eventually shared her secret, Alex did not, would not. And yet, he was the one who continued to remind her that their relationship required trust. That didn’t really work for me especially as he would demand it from her, and trust cannot be forced, it is earned over time. Vampire Henry hires Theophilus as his personal secretary. Henry is lonely and touch-starved but also a completely vivacious, lively character. He’s intensely interested in Theophilus’s opinions, whereas Theophilus is completely baffled by this and wants to maintain propriety. We get different vignettes of their interactions as their relationship grows from employer-employee to friends to (much later) something more. The story focuses on small intimacies and I ate it up. There are lingering gazes upon wrists and contemplation of faces.

I also love how Rem's faith evolved, especially through this story. You could see through each story that Rem is being pulled in so many directions, but Hope is what seems to elude him. I appreciate how the authors incorporated God revealing himself to Rem through so many situations and people! To start with the positives, the worldbuilding is pretty great. I loved the take on vampires in particular, it’s classic and yet with a few twists. Another thing I appreciated is the ADHD (Henry) and autism (Theophilius) rep, all very well done. It also helps that the POV alternates between both of them.But, as much as this book asks some of the deeper questions of life...it's also entertaining as all get out. There were so many twists and turns in Heart Of Stone that I wondered a time or two if even James Rubart, Susan May Warren, and David Curtis Warren could possibly bring it all around to the ending I wanted and one Rem could live with. I loved seeing all of the various threads from each of Rem's time travel timelines in the previous books finally come together in one, slightly gritty, and riveting conclusion. This book felt revelatory. There’s something deeply loving about all of the characters, in and of themselves but also the way they look out for each other. It has a broader sense of community than your typical historical romance. Then there’s the writing itself, utterly gorgeous prose. It has an old-fashioned, otherworldly feel. Finally free, Warren’s only goal is to enact revenge on the man responsible for ruining his life. A twist of fate made him a billionaire, but ruthless tenacity will ensure he gets what he wants. It shows how independent publishing can support a wider range of story structures. I think it would be hard (not impossible, but challenging) to get a traditional publisher to go for something with this low level of drama, but it's sweet, intimate, and perfect in its way. Krystina Cole is a recent college graduate living in NYC & is determined to be independent. She has struggle to find a job since graduation that will utilize her education. Alexander Stone is a NYC real estate billionaire who is set in his way. Alexander is completed intrigued with Krystina from the first time they met. He finds himself attracted to her in a way that he has never been before. Alexander wants to have a casual relationship with Krystina & introduce her into his world. He is aware that she is naive but he cannot help wanting her. And he is a man that is use to getting what he wants. But Krystina is not what he expects & she has him bending his own rules to make accommodations for her. They both find themselves unexpectedly in a battle of tug of war. He wants more, seeing her as someone who could be a long term commitment. She wants to keep it casual, so she doesn't fall & lose herself. But what is truly keeping them at an impasse is the secrets they keep from each other. Neither of them knowing how to trust or be honest about their pasts make it impossible to move beyond the pain that hold each of them in its grip. When Krystina is exposed to understand Alexander's needs & her past collide at the same time, she is left questioning what she really wants.

I was SO ready for this story, but I was was NOT ready for this series to be done. This past year tagging along with Rembrandt and all of the other characters has been quite the ride! My heart rate was always high as I dove into each new story. Same went for this one! Kate is 22, I didn’t see the hero but he’s a bit older because he was friends with the heroine’s older brother The plot was ok. If I had to rate the plot alone I would rate the plot a 3.5. Again, originality is key when writing a book. But what really got me was the outcome of the characters. If you want to know what outcome I'm talking about, your just gonna have to read the book! Alexander Stone, is enigmatic, passionate, and fierce, and sexy as all hell. He is Billionaire real estate tychoon and has a masters degree in psychology!! He's smoking hot and bossy smartypants. Just the way I love it ;).This is an excellent example of a queer story written well in part because it's by a queer author. It's easy for a cishet author to try to queer a traditional romance story by taking classic beats like a meet-cute and a third-act breakup and making them between people who are not cishet -- taking the old thing and giving it a new paint job. But the beats of a queer romance may be quite different, especially in a historical setting. There's a subtle process of not only finding out whether the other party is queer, but also finding out whether they even know that queer is an option. I have read some lovely gay romances by straight writers, but there's a fundamental truth to stories written by people who inhabit the experiences they are writing that is nigh-upon impossible to duplicate from the outside. The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone is, without a doubt, my favorite series of 2021. Drop whatever you're doing and read these books - you won't regret it! Otherwise, I actually loved this couple. They were like my jam. I like sweet heroines who are soft in character (not weak doormats) and heroes who want to protect and provide for the heroine. I found both of these with Krystina and Alexander. I enjoyed that what Alex initially meant to be an occasional thing a few nights a week suddenly became a need to have her with him always. That right there…more jam. That being said, if you do decide to take this fast-paced, heart-pounding adventure, you won't hate the ending. I'm not going to spoil anything, because after all this time there's no telling which iteration of his life Rem will discover. But the weeping that I talked about? Yeah. This is where it happened. Despite this being a long book, it maintained its momentum throughout and the story built to its conclusion which sets the scene for the next instalment. I'm not a huge fan of BDSM themed books but this is subtly explored and despite a visit to a sex club, the author didn't over emphasise the experience and, despite Krys’s innocence, the scene did not make me feel uncomfortable. Yes, this book ended on the inevitable Cliffe which came after an intriguing night out and an unexpected confrontation. The next instalment is already calling to me and I can't wait to see what's in store next for Alex and Krys.

The language is luxuriously chosen -- I found myself looking words up, and that's not common for me. I adore the fact that the vampires play long-outmoded musical instruments, having hung onto their theorbos and dulcians. There's also extensive and loving description of artistic pigments (Theophilus, the secretary, is an artist). Readers are encouraged to start with the first book, Cast the First Stone, as each book builds on the previous book.I also veryyy charmed by Bartholomew Desfrene, the secondary character who flirts with Theophilus and gets Henry jealous. He was very charming and genuinely good and it made Henry's subborn pettiness so much more fun haha. a b " Heart of Stone". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022 . Retrieved November 27, 2022. Kroll, Justin (March 8, 2022). "Sophie Okonedo, Matthias Schweighöfer, Jing Lusi And Paul Ready Round Out Cast Heart Of Stone Starring Gal Gadot For Netflix & Skydance". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022 . Retrieved March 8, 2022. Fleming, Mike Jr. (January 15, 2021). "Netflix Wins Auction For Skydance Spy Thriller Heart Of Stone; Gal Gadot Starring & Tom Harper Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022 . Retrieved January 15, 2021.