Book description:

Grey Janeway had no past, at least one he could remember. But in the new West, a man’s past didn’t matter. What he made of himself did. And in the glittering gold -rush city of San Francisco, Grey was on his way to building his empire as the owner of a prosperous gaming house and hotel. When he encountered the spellbinding psychic whose eyes – and dazzling beauty – penetrated his soul, he knew he’d just struck gold. For while her special talent could draw more crowds to his hall, her tenderness helped fill another void. But as Grey was about to learn, everything had a price, including love.

Berkeley Shaw had the gift of second sight. Hired by Colin and Decker Thorne to find their missing brother, Berkeley left Boston and headed West – only to arrive in a city without mercy, where her abilities made her vulnerable to other people’s greed. But when fate swept her to Grey Janeway, a man with a reputation for getting everything he wanted, Berkeley not only discovered what she’d set out to find, but also a love that would demand all of her courage…and heart.

While this isn’t quite a lightening review, nor is it a “full” review.

This book had two storylines that I really dislike. The first one is amnesia. Generally, I really hate the amnesia storyline. There are exceptions of course (i.e. Mirror Image). The second storyline is specifically in historicals. The heroine, for one reason or another, is dressed up as a boy. I really dislike this storyline more than the amnesia one. Unfortunately there were both in this book. As I was reading it, I really wondered if the third (and final) book of the Thorne Brother Trilogy would be as good as the first two.

I’m happy to answer that with a resounding yes. It was everything that I’ve come to expect from Jo Goodman, even if I had my doubts while reading it.

Berkley Shaw was hired by Colin and Decker Thorne to find Graham Denison. Believing that Graham is the baby brother that they were separated from over 30 years before, they place almost all their hope in Berkley to find him. Though they are at first leery and suspicious of Berkley’s “skills”, she soon makes a believer out of both Colin and Decker when she recounts what happens in Cunningham’s Workhouse as Grey was adopted.

Berkley has long since wanted her psychic gift to remain secret. Unfortunately for her, her husband sees Berkley for the goldmine that she is. When they travel to San Fransisco in search of Grahan Denishon, Berkley finds herself abandoned when her husband greed forsakes all else. Fending for herself for weeks, she doesn’t quite believe her luck when faith places her in the path of Grey Janeway. Barely believing that he could actually be Graham Denison, Berkley accompanies Grey back to his hotel, The Phoenix.

Though the romance between Grey and Berkley does develop, I had problems with how it developed. It seemed at first as though Grey looked upon Berkley as a sister. Or a child. So I initially had a problem when he developed more carnal feeling for her. It seemed kind of yucky. What made me get past that yucky feeling is the time that passed between Grey’s parental and carnal feelings for Berkley.

Grey was highly doubtful of Berkley’s gift, though he wasn’t above using it for the good of his hotel. I thought this was highly believable b/c Grey was nothing, if not a business man.

I really liked how Goodman wove the tale of Grey and Berkley. Berkley kept her secrets, while Grey kept his. They soon both realize that keeping secrets is not worth the effort it takes, especially when there is so much to lose.

The reunion between the brothers was very satisfying to me. After reading the whole series, I was very happy with how it came to end.

I highly recommend this series (read in order, of course)

4.5 out of 5.