Unknown is a gripping romantic suspense with fleshed out characters and plenty of twists.
Book Blurb
He knew there was a cost. He just didn’t know how great it’d be.
Gabriel Kelly returned to Russia for one reason—to bury his parents. After ten years in the United States, he hadn’t expected to return to his childhood home in the face of tragedy. However, after short days in Moscow, he begins to consider if the same call that cost his parents’ lives is now upon him.
Sofia Rykova’s dreams finally came true when she became a principal soloist with the Bolshoi Ballet. One night, though, an old crush walks back into her life, making her wonder if there is more to life than ballet. Gabe Kelly is just as she remembered, just as she longed for—yet religion stands between them.
Unknown to Gabe and Sofia, danger lurks closer than either would have guessed. The deaths of Gabe’s parents grow more suspicious by the day, and Gabe and Sofia are drawn into the midst of a plot neither can escape. Will obedience to God’s call—in spite of their fears and desires—result in a price too steep to bear?
My Thoughts
Most romantic suspense novels I’ve read feature at least one character who is in law enforcement. Unknown differs from that, which is a change I did not mind. In fact, Gabe’s uncertainty whether or not he can trust the cops added to the suspense. And then the villain’s scenes had me flipping pages to see what he would do next.
But while the villain added to the suspense, he never took away from the main characters. In fact, I think I would have enjoyed the novel just as much if it had been a regular romance between a missionary and a ballerina. Their character arcs made the book. Gabe’s struggles to have the faith of his parents is something I think many Christians can identify with. And I enjoyed Sofia’s faith journey and watching as she realized ballet couldn’t offer her ultimate fulfillment.
I especially appreciated Gabe’s struggle with his attraction to Sofia, an unbeliever. I think this was handled well and realistically, which made the resolution all the much sweeter.
The setting was a new one for me, but Hall did a great job orienting me in this place I’ve never been. She had plenty of descriptions that helped set the mood and gave me plenty of fodder for my imagination.
Overall, Unknown is an exciting read with great characters and well-written spiritual elements.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy for review. All opinions expressed are my own.)
Further Information
To order your own copy of Unknown, click the book cover image above.
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