Blog on the Run: Sylvain Reynard

, by Miriam Meza

ARC REVIEW - THE MAN IN THE BLACK SUIT by Sylvain Reynard

Hi there everyone! Today I'm sharing with you a new review to celebrate Sylvain Reynard's newest release.

This book is a contemporary romance novel, filled with suspense and passion, that will take us to experience life in Paris and Santorini among other cities while discovering the mysteries behind The Man in the Black Suit.

Cover design by: Heather Carrier

Synopsis:

Brazilian Acacia Santos excels at her job as concierge at the prestigious Hotel Victoire in Paris. When her senior colleague is attacked and sent to the hospital, she is tasked with serving one of the hotel’s most mysterious and attractive guests.

Nicholas Cassirer checks into the hotel under an assumed name every three months. Usually, he stays in the penthouse suite with a beautiful female companion but on this occasion, he arrives alone and is displeased in having to deal with someone new. A match of wits ensues as he tests Acacia’s expertise with a series of almost impossible demands. Her intelligence and creativity rise to the challenge, earning his respect.

They strike a tenuous accord until Acacia discovers a famous stolen painting in his suite. Compelled to report her discovery, she contacts a former boyfriend who works for the elite BRB, a unit of French law enforcement that deals with stolen art.

Nicholas is questioned by police and released when it is revealed the painting is a reproduction. Irked with her behavior, Acacia’s supervisor demotes her, threatening dismissal and the cancellation of her work permit.

But Acacia has already attracted Nicholas’s attention. Remorseful that she may lose her job on his account, he offers her a choice—she can wait until her supervisor dismisses her, or she can leave the city of lights behind and become his personal assistant.

Acacia initially refuses his offer, but Nicholas is persistent. He reveals himself as a man who quietly acquires stolen art in order to restore it to its rightful owners. Faced with mounting familial debts and the possibility of dismissal and deportation, she agrees to work for him.

Nicholas opens up a whole new world of beauty and intrigue to Acacia as they travel the globe. Soon the line between employer and assistant is blurred, and the two lonely people embark on a passionate relationship.

Secrets and danger abound as Nicholas and Acacia try to solve the mystery of a piece of stolen art. But Acacia may prove to be the most dangerous mystery of all.

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TMitBS by Sylvain Reynard | Teaser by Miriam Meza

My Review:

When I first read it this book, I was speechless. I was so impressed about the development of the plot and characters and how the story resolved at the end, that I was at a loss of words. It took me a few hours to collect myself and start to write down my thoughts.

My excitement about the story grew bigger , thus I started to read it for a second time. This time, I did it slowly. Enjoying the little details that I'd ignored the first time, and understanding more deeply the complexity of the story.

One of my favorite memories as kid (when I was 8 or 9 years old) is watching 'Murder, she wrote' in the TV and reading Agatha Christie's books. The books were grampa's and he lend them to me. I read them instead of doing my homework (he used to say I was weird, but I think he liked my weirdeness). I liked the mystery, the secrets, but also follow the clues to solve the cases. With this book I felt as that kid again, curious and eager to solve all the secrets behind the man in the black suit.

As the story begins, we meet Acacia Santos. She's the concierge at the prestigious Hotel Victoire in Paris. Her duty is mainly satisfy every guest need. No matter how extravagant it may be. She excels in her work. Acacia is smart, kind and discreet, cualities highly apreciated in her line of job. The author described her as a woman with "intelligent hazel eyes, (...) tan and flawless skin, and (...) black, curly hair she wore in a bob."

She's in her desk when the mysterious Pierre Breckman enters the hotel. Their first encounter wasn't exactly friendly, but Acacia wasn't the kind of person who let others disturb her inner peace. With a smile plastered on her face, she tried her best to satisfy this costumer's needs. Even if he didn't want her to make it.

But... Who's this guy?

Pierre Breckman is, according with the book, a businessman who went to Paris to have some meetings. Those meetings had to be arranged by Marcel, Acacia's coworker, but there weren't any record about it.

Despite their bad start, Pierre agrees to work with Acacia, and she's determinated to do her best to satisfy his demands. But, Pierre Breckman started to act in suspicious ways, and all the alarms in Acacia's head went off.

As the story goes on, we discover that Pierre Breckman isn't who we thought. But then again, nothing seems to be what we think.

TMitBS by Sylvain Reynard | Teaser by Miriam Meza

There are secrets and lies surrounding our characters, scars marking their souls and shields protecting them from the outside world. Acacia doesn't trust anyone, neither does this mysterious man. But they have to work together in order to survive.

One of the secrets about Pierre Breckman is his real identity. That person is just a facade to hide Nicholas Cassirer, who after a "little incident" in the hotel shows his real identity to Acacia. It's then when things start to change and the story took a fast-paced rythmn.

Action, suspense, and dangerous secrets spice up this book while the romance cooks in a slow burn.

Since the beggining there's an intense magnetism between the characteres. From the way Nicholas assesed Acacia in their first encounter, or the way the sparks fly every single time they discussed something... it's subtle but it grows stronger page after page.

TMitBS by Sylvain Reynard | Teaser by Miriam Meza

Despite the atraction, Acacia has her reservations about Nicholas. And it has nothing to do with him, but with herself. She's hiding something that has the potential to destroy her and the people she cares about. And as we reveal Nicholas mission, the secret of Acacia threatens to shake the present that she has meticulously created for herself... as also threatening Nicholas's plans.

And while this is happening, the author takes us from Paris to Geneva, and then to Santorini among other cities, describing vividly the colorful places, traditions and the emotions one person experiment while traveling.

Every place we visit with the characters is key to resolve the mysteries around Nicholas and Acacia, so pay attention to every single detail.

Also, in every destination, the feelings between Nicholas and Acacia take a point of no return, and all the passion is unleashed.

This book is, by far, one of the readings that I've enjoyed the most this year. The way the author developed the story caught me from the first page, I was unable to stop reading it. While I was turning the pages, my mind replayed the scenes as in a movie, every movement, every dialogue, every plot twist. It was awesome! I loved that feeling. I was so into the book that I skipped phone calls, social media and the (rare) knocks on my door. I missed that, turning off the world and just enjoy a book.

Sometimes life is pretty asfixiating and you just need a break, an escape. This book is perfect for that.

TMitBS by Sylvain Reynard | Teaser by Miriam Meza

Brief notes about the book:

This book was written in third person, giving you the chance to appreciate the characters better. It's also a standalone, so you don't need to have read the author previously to enjoy the story, but if you let me give you a suggestion I recomend you to read his other books too. You can do it after this one, no problem.

The Man in the Black Suit is a contemporary romantic suspense novel. It has the same title as a Stephen King short story published in 1994, even though they aren't of the same genre.

It's the first time this author writes a romantic suspense, but it's not the first time writing contemporary. As you may know, his debut novel, Gabriel's Inferno, was a contemporary romance.

TMitBS is the first self-published novel by Sylvain Reynard.

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I did more teasers about this book,featuring my favorite quotes,

if you keep scrolling down, you will see them: