Obsession Wears Opals by Renee Bernard
Jaded Gentleman, Book 5
Berkley
Historical
ISBN: 978-0-425-25981-8
Reviewed by Vanessa




Scholarly Darius Thorne belongs to a secret group of gentlemen known as the Jaded.  Working at his home in Edinburgh, he is roused to the plight of an individual who has collapsed upon his land.  Darius is drawn to the scared young beauty, and he vows to protect her at all costs.  However, the husband seems to have more rights than the wife, and Darius must call on his superior intellect in order to outsmart this bully and save the day.

Isabel Netherton believed she had achieved her fairy tale until she was pronounced the wife of Richard Netherton, that is.  Once that bond was made, the gloves were off, and she quickly learned that Netherton was not a Grey!! Seeing the only way to save herself is flight, she flees without truly thinking of a plan.  Collapsing on Darius’ land was the stroke of luck that Isabel needed, but will she open herself up to his assistance or maintain her fear that was imbedded in her over the course of her marriage?

Obsession Wears Opals was a riveting read that showed that sometimes not everyone is willing to play that game!  Ms. Bernard did NOT sugar coat what Isabel was made to endure, even if she didn’t fill in all the details.  Just some of the adjectives that she used made the reader understand the tone of those situations in Obsession Wears Opals.

I found that Darius was a refreshing hero who didn’t have to use his brawn to save the day in Obsession Wears Opals—sometimes brains are better!  He was no bully and I liked the gentleness that was imbued within him.  Isabel truly had a lot of hardships to overcome in Obsession Wears Opals, and I felt that given the strength of her character she overcame them beautifully.  She could have closed off and continued to endure, but her instinct was to pursue an alternative.

Obsession Wears Opals is a part of a series, but it really is a stand-alone read.  The whole tone of the story was wonderfully done, and I didn’t feel as though I was missing out on anything because I didn’t read the other books in the Jaded Gentlemen series.  I have to add that the secondary characters, Darius’ servants to be exact, were a joy to read about as well.  His friends in Obsession Wears Opals are well worth the title of being called friends, and I look forward to reading about them in the other books of this delicious series.   I also have to second Darius comment that “sometimes it takes courage to simply walk away.”  The depth and enjoyment that I found between the covers of Obsession Wears Opals, makes this a Joyfully Recommended read.