A Review of Intrigued by Z.L. Arkadie

This is the first time I’m reading anything by Z.L. Arkadie.  So, let’s meet the Christmases, a powerful and rich family full of secrets, lies, and deep dark secrets. Bryn Christmas invited Holly Henderson, an investigative reporter and her college roommate to write an investigative story about her family. That meant interviewing Bryn and her three brothers: Jasper, the oldest brother; Asher, Bryn’s twin brother; and Spencer, the quintessential playboy. Then there is Randolph, their elderly father who is stashed away in his sick bed…dying and the mystery of his much younger wife Amelia’s death. 

The entire time Holly was at the Christmas estate, she was immersed in bickering between all the siblings, outright lust from Spencer, and sexual trysts with Jasper. She couldn’t resist Jasper and although she had a story to investigate; she couldn’t help but wonder if there was more to Jasper than being bedded by him. Holly learned quite a few things too about the Christmas men (except for Jasper) including their father and their affinity for prostitutes. Then there was a debt their father owed to Arthur Valentine, a former mobster, that Jasper was supposed to make good on.   

Overall, this was a fun read. There were lots of twists and turns to this story and I was definitely intrigued. The characters were well developed and the dialogue was spot on. However, I really wanted to find out what the Christmas siblings were hiding, especially the debt owed to Arthur Valentine, and the death of Amelia Christmas. Everything was shrouded in secrecy even Bryn’s answers to Holly’s questions were not always straightforward. Unfortunately, the book ended in a cliffhanger and unless I read the other books in the series, I will not know how everything shakes out. Otherwise, this was a good read! 

Rating: 3.5 stars  

Some of my favorite lines: 

           “What about your brother Jasper?” I asked. Just saying his name made my heart flutter. I wished I knew why he had such an effect on me.

Her eyebrows furrowed. “What about him?”

“He warned me to stay out of your family affairs.” She twisted her mouth, showcasing enough anxiety to make me feel worried.

“Am I going to end up at the bottom of the ocean or something?”

“I’m not going to downplay his bark; it does have a bite. But Jasper is very cautious about who he sinks his molars into.”