Beneath The Marigolds by Emily C. Whitson

Release: September 21st 2021
Format: Ebook
Publisher: CamCat Books
Source: Suzy approved Book Tours
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, Kobo

When her close friend, Reese Marigold, goes missing after attending Last Chance, an exclusive singles’ retreat on a remote island off the coast of Hawaii, no-nonsense lawyer Ann Stone infiltrates the retreat.

Ann quickly realizes there’s more to Last Chance than meets the eye. The extravagant clothes, never-ending interviews, and bizarre dates hint that the retreat is a front for a reality dating show. Could Reese be safe, keeping a low profile until the premier, or did something sinister occur after all?

Torn between the need to uncover the truth and her desperate desire to get off the island, Ann partakes in the unusual routines of the “journey to true love” and investigates the other attendees who all have something to hide. In a final attempt to find Reese on the compound, she realizes that she herself may never get off the island alive.

About the Author:

Emily Whitson received a B.A. in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She worked as a marketing copywriter for six years before pursuing a career in fiction and education. Emily is currently getting her M.Ed. at Vanderbilt University, where she writes between classes. She is particularly passionate about women’s education and female stories. This interest stems from her time at Harpeth Hall, an all-girls college preparatory school in Nashville, Tennessee.

When she isn’t volunteering, writing, or in the classroom, Emily can usually be found with her dog, Hoss, in one of Nashville’s various parks. Beneath the Marigolds is her debut novel..

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Beneath The Marigolds Review:

“Beneath the Marigolds” is a suspenseful tale of twists and turns set on an exotic island that will keep you guessing.

This book was so entertaining and suspenseful. The author blended romance with suspense and intrigue so beautifully. I loved how the story toggles between Ann and Reese, where Ann’s storyline occurs in the present and Reese’s in the past. As Ann investigates what happened to her friend, we also see the events that transpired with Reese at the resort.

As the story progresses, we see how the author intricately deepens the plot when she adds characters like Luca. Similarly, I also liked Rhea and Trixie and found their moments with Ann riveting. The author paces the story nicely, where the chapters are short, but there is drama in each chapter where you cannot even skip one line. There are also some shocking, graphic moments that I was shocked to read.

While I enjoyed Ann and Reese, I must say that Reese intrigued me. At times, she comes across as a naive girl, but there are times when she impulsively punches someone. Similarly, Nick was also mesmerizing where you know he knew something about Reese but was reluctant to tell Ann. However, I did enjoy the moments that Nick shares with Ann, like when they go on the helicopter ride. Christina gave me the creep right initially, and I was curious to learn about her backstory.

Moreover, I need to applaud the author for the location. The story takes place on a remote island that sets the perfect theme. The author beautifully adds the tranquility of the beaches, with the chaos of the jungle into the character’s personalities as Ann roams around the island trying to piece everything together. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this tale end to end!