The Tryst (Blackburn: Bluegrass Empires 3) by Sawyer Bennett-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 29,2024

As the middle son, Trey Blackburn dedicates his days to the family business, working to ensure that they remain at the top of the saddelbred industry. His time away from the farm is another story. Not one to get tied up in a long-term relationship, he’s the love ‘em and leave ‘em sort of guy. But Trey’s hesitation to commit might be deeper than not wanting to put in the time and effort. His reluctance may have more to do with the blond beauty who just blew back into town and the things they left in the past that have been neither forgiven nor forgotten.

Holland Rhodes may not have been born into the Blackburn name, but she was once considered part of the family. Having a less-than-ideal home life, Holland spent as much time as she could with the Blackburns, the quintessential dynasty full of love and southern hospitality. Dubbed an honorary member, Holland thought their connection would last a lifetime, but one shocking revelation changed everything.

Having left Shelbyville for a fresh start, Holland has limited her time back in Kentucky for the past decade, avoiding both of her families—the one into which she was born and the one into which she was welcomed. But the death of her father and the uncertain future of the family business has brought Holland back to face her past, one Blackburn at a time.

With old feelings reignited and ready to move their relationship forward, everything crashes to a halt when tragedy strikes. Their painful history in danger of repeating itself, Trey and Holland may find that even true love can’t overcome the darkest days.

••••

REVIEW:THE TRYST is the third instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult BLUEGRASS EMPIRES: The Blackburns erotic, romance series. This is thirty-three year old rancher Trey Blackburn, and business consultant Holland Rhodes’ story line. THE TRYST can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Trey and Holland) using present day and memories from the past, THE TRYST follows the rekindling relationship between our story line couple. Eleven years earlier Trey and Holland proclaimed their love for one another but kept their relationship a secrets from family and friends. Life, and everything it had to offer, pushed Holland out of Trey’s life, and in the ensuing years Holland moved to Zurich to start a new life. Fast forward to present day, the death of her father brings Holland back to Shelbyville, Kentucky where she will face her past in the guise of Trey Blackburn. Trey has never stopped loving our story line heroine but the heart break of the past continues to push at Holland and memories she cannot forget . Hoping for a new start, Trey starts a slow seduction of the woman he loves only to find himself facing an uncertain future when agonizing guilt and grief all but shut down our story line hero.

The world building continues to focus on the Blackburn family: their lives, their loves, their history and the feud. Holland’s life at home is not what the Blackburn family knew it to be, and in this, our heroine is struggling with which path to take, going forward.

The relationship between Trey and Holland is one of second chances but someone else is vying for our heroine’s affections. Trey is determined to reclaim everything he lost when he broke Holland’s heart but reclaiming comes with more sorrow and grief than he could have ever imagined. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and charismatic secondary and supporting characters including all of the previous story line couples, as well as Trey’s brother Wade, and their parents Miranda and Tommy.

THE TRYST is a story of secrets and lies, perceived betrayal and guilt, family and friendships, forgiveness and love. The character driven premise is emotional, heart breaking and raw; the characters are determined and dynamic; the romance is captivating.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Feud
The Forbidden

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.

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