A review by women_using_words
Loyalty by E.J. Noyes

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

The allure of a romantic thriller series lies in its ability to seamlessly blend heart-pounding, thrilling suspense with a captivating love story. E. J. Noyes has easily proven she knows how to do this; her Halcyon Division Series has shown itself to be a solid-gold winner. Books one and two were met with high praise, leaving readers wanting more each time. Book three, Loyalty, with its well-mapped, intricate storyline and heart-stopping, high-stakes action, looks destined to be a home-run hit too.

Noyes is a master storyteller. She understands that the core of a successful romantic thriller must encompass a gripping and charged plot, one filled with surprising twists and turns. While every book in the Halcyon Division Series offers readers suspense and thrills, Loyalty is unexpected and top-shelf in every way. It never lets off the accelerator. As readers eagerly turn the pages to uncover clues and insights, they are led to some very surprising and jaw-dropping revelations. With her talent shining brightly on every page, Noyes gives her readers some A+ dramatic and tense moments, all leading to the ultimate climax. This is Tom Clancy-James Bond stuff and should not be missed.

This series is all about complex relationships. Noyes’ exploration of these relationships is layered, dynamic, and sometimes unsettling, but it adds an overall depth that’s beyond compelling. This, combined with the romance between Lexie and Sophia, provides the storytelling with a sense of danger, creating a real emotional rollercoaster for readers. Furthermore, the dynamics between all of Noyes’ characters are multifaceted, making the narrative ripe for character growth. As readers follow their journey—especially Lexie and Sophia’s—they develop a sense of attachment and connection to them. And because Noyes’ character arcs are so well-developed, readers cannot help but become emotionally invested. They root for their success, even amidst the challenge and chaos.

Even though this story is fast-paced, it’s well-balanced. That’s essential for any romantic thriller. Noyes understands this and offers readers a mix of fast-paced action with slower, more intimate moments. It works to achieve two things: 1) It gives readers a moment to digest everything that is happening in the story, and 2) It helps to deepen the romance between Lexie and Sophia. However, these slower scenes never disrupt the story’s underlying tension. Noyes is careful to craft the pacing in such a way that it ensures reader engagement. She strikes the right balance between heart-pumping action and steamy romance, tightly hooking readers into a vibrant story world.

Final remarks…

Loyalty, the latest installment in the Halcyon Division Series, is just another shining example of Noyes’ storytelling prowess. Her exhilarating narrative simply solidifies her place as a master writer and queen of sapphic romantic thrillers. However, to fully appreciate Loyalty, one must read the whole series; there is no way around it. Each book contributes to the overall narrative arc and works to build Loyalty’s climactic moment. With its intricate, surprising plot twists and well-developed, complex characters, this book is guaranteed to blow readers’ minds. They will eagerly devour each page as the rollercoaster ride of danger and romance culminates in a big finish.

Strengths…

  • Engaging storyline 
  • Captivating characters  
  • Balanced pacing
  • Strong, appealing romance
  • Captivating story world 
  • Nice wrap up to a fantastic series