One of the most universal truths people must face is the fact that everyone, truly everyone, has a secret they keep hidden from the world. Some are pretty minor, but some can be life changing. Yet the need to hold onto these secrets is a necessity in life, as every person in this life needs a piece of their life to be a place of their own to keep to themselves and out of the hands of the world around them. The severity of those secrets is what separates the harmless from the dangerous secrets.
That universal truth has never been more evident than in author Kasalaini Sauvou’s Secrets of Karolina. The story follows a young and beautiful American girl named Savana, whose newfound love for a young boy turns dark when his mother, Karolina, shares her hatred for Savana. Soon Karolina’s dark secrets of the past begin to spill out in the beautiful vineyards of her land, and Savana finds herself torn between the family vineyards of Italy and the old money of Sicily, as she searches for her own identity and seeks to tear down the old-world rules which continue to dominate the Italian countryside she finds herself in.
The author did a fantastic job of crafting a fast-paced and engaging narrative. The instant tensions which arise when Savana, Karolina, and Jasen meet are thick and atmospheric, allowing the reader to find the heat and passion between Savana and Jasen immediately while the venomous nature of Karolina’s view of Savana only intensified as time went on. The wonderful and creative writing style allowed the author to bring a great sense of imagery into the story as well, allowing the reader to feel transported into the Italian countryside and feel the emotional depth of these character’s arcs.
This is the perfect read for those who enjoy romance novels, especially those that infuse drama, action, adventure, and mystery into the narrative. The book does an incredible job of highlighting both the Italian culture and history in this book, specifically how families and generational drama can impact new relationships. The infusion of Gabriele into the narrative, as well as other prominent figures, showcases the depth of both the mystery surrounding Karolina and the shocking revelations which were to follow.
Thoughtful, entertaining, and haunting, author Kasalaini Sauvou’s Secrets of Karolina is a must-read mystery romance novel. The twists and turns this story takes readers on is as jarring yet mesmerizing as a roller coaster ride, and the gripping and tense character arcs and interactions will keep readers hooked onto the author’s every word.
