Review: The Finish Line by Kate Stewart

The Finish Line by Kate Stewart
Series: The Ravenhood #3
Published by Self-Published on January 26, 2021
Format: ARC
Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense


Amazon

Secrets and Lies...

I’ve lived the entirety of my life wrapped up in subterfuge for one purpose—revenge.

Through the years, I lived more as an enigma than a man.

For so long, I denied I had a beating heart of my own.

Until her. Until she unearthed the starving vessel inside, forced me to acknowledge it, forced me to understand that I’m capable of bleeding the same as any other.

For that, we paid. We're still paying.

Yet, she demands it still, the useless heart of the ruthless thief and shameless villain she fell for. My fear is, I’m no longer that man.

With the lies I’ve told, the life I’ve led, my mistakes are beginning to catch up with me, day by day, one by one.

This is my last chance, and I have no intention of losing her again, but as the deception of my past starts to unravel and close in, shedding my humanity may be the only thing that can save us both.

Maybe it’s already too late.

The Ravenhood series was only intended to be a duet. I devoured Flock and Exodus. The plot is unique, riveting, and twisted, but they are not easy reads. I managed to keep my sanity intact, however, with the help of some Tums, screamed obscenities, wine, and therapy sessions courtesy of Facebook spoiler groups. The Finish Line was going to be an extended epilogue but it  turned into a full-length novel. Some epilogues are simply a nice bonus, but this book? I had no idea just how much I needed to read it. 

 

 

We experience the events of the first two books through Cecelia’s eyes. The Finish Line adds Tobias’s point of view as well, and it fills in a lot of the missing pieces. It is a cathartic read that really helped me come to terms with the four main characters and their actions — particularly Tobias, who I viewed as a villain. The story is deeply emotional and driven by an urgency and unpredictability that kept me absorbed.

 

 

My main take-aways:

1. I freaking love the Frenchman, and that’s something I never thought I’d say.
2. I questioned Cecelia’s decision-making many times in the past, but the woman is an absolute queen now. She’s strong, perceptive, defiant, and knows her worth.
3. I don’t care for the interspersed flashbacks. It interrupts the flow of the story and I found myself frequently confused (also see #4). I would have preferred to have all of Tobias’s history explored in Part 1 and then continue with the rest of the story.
4. You absolutely must read the books in order. I would have benefited from a binge re-read before diving into this book. There are just too many players and events to keep track of.

 

 

Stellar writing, passionate characters, and an unpredictable plot combine to make The Finish Line a real gem and a must-read in the series. 

Recommended for fans of:
Second chance romance
Robin Hood
Reformed bad boys
Romantic suspense
Frenchmen

** I received an early version to voluntarily read and review **

 

The Finish Line Spotify Playlist

Purchase the entire Ravenhood series or read for free in Kindle Unlimited.

The books must be read in order.

Flock

Exodus

The Finish Line

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