Author: Martina Boone

Pages: 464

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release date: October 27th 2015

Relevant Reviews: Compulsion (Book 1) 

Romeo and Juliet meets The Raven Boys in the spellbinding second novel in the Heirs of Watson Island trilogy that “skillfully blends rich magic and folklore with adventure, sweeping romance, and hidden treasure” (Publishers Weekly, on Compulsion). Grieving the death of her godfather and haunted by her cousin Cassie’s betrayal, Barrie returns from a trip to San Francisco to find the Watson plantation under siege. Ghost-hunters hope to glimpse the ancient spirit who sets the river on fire each night, and reporters chase rumors of a stolen shipment of Civil War gold that may be hidden at Colesworth Place. The chaos turns dangerous as Cassie hires a team of archeologists to excavate beneath the mansion ruins. Because more is buried there than treasure. A stranger filled with magic arrives at Watson’s Landing claiming that the key to the Watson and Beaufort gifts—and the Colesworth curse—also lies beneath the mansion. With a mix of threats and promises, the man convinces Barrie and Cassie to cast a spell there at midnight. But what he conjures may have deadly consequences. While Barrie struggles to make sense of the escalating peril and her growing and forbidden feelings for Eight Beaufort, it’s impossible to know whom to trust and what to fight for—Eight or herself. Millions of dollars and the fate of the founding families is at stake. Now Barrie must choose between what she feels deep in her heart and what will keep Watson’s Landing safe in this stunning addition to a series filled with “decadent settings, mysterious magic, and family histories rife with debauchery” (Kirkus Reviews, on Compulsion).

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I received this book via Edelweiss from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. None of my thoughts or opinions are altered by that.

If you are not aware, I am a huge fan of Martina's books. I love her writing and the awesome plot and story she has come up with. I loved how in Persuasion everything came as a surprise. All these twists and turns and how all these secrets and new information was constantly being dug up. That really contributed to wanting to keep reading to find out what happens next! We got to see more of Barrie and Eight and it all made for a great read. Persuasion is a perfect mix between uncovered secrets, a mysterious curse, and a story that is more to what meets the eye. Definitely a read I would recommend for all contemporary lovers. 

Persuasion picks up right after the ending of Compulsion and Barrie is learning more about her curse and the family's past. Things are changing with Cassie, Eight, Watson's Landing, and there is this shift in energy in the book because of what has happened in Compulsion. Now that Barrie knows that there is more to the curse than what people talk about, she's curious! She wants to know more! That's what I really love about this book; how the more knowledge about a death or event was dug up, the more exciting this book got. (And let me tell you, there was a lot of that kind of stuff!)

A lot of Barrie's personality is mentioned in my Compulsion review so here, I am just going to talk about what has really changed in her. Barrie has always been a curious person but her curiosity really just goes over in this book and to the point where I do think she was getting a bit reckless. Sometimes these decisions she made would just bug me because of how reckless they were. This is what lowered my rating. Even though the things she did helped her learn more about her past, she still shouldn't have done what she did. Hopefully she does become wiser with her decisions because it has already caused certain people so much burden with them AND THEN there is me, who is slowly dying from all the damage Barrie has caused with all this damage and ah! I think the real problem with her is that she just needs to step out of the thought that she has to do everything by herself and GET SOME HELP. Or you know, at least let someone know on what she's doing!

One thing I needed to mention before I end off this review is how excited I am to get the next book. The ending left me so surprised and GAH! Really need another book because this series is starting to get sososo great. I really can't wait to uncover more about the curse and I honestly need to find out more about Barrie and Eight because to finally see these two in a "normal" relationship was the best thing ever and I honestly need more of it. 

I gave this book 4 stars because I loved everything about it except I was annoying with the decisions Barrie made in this book. 

Ugh can we please just talk about the ending of this book for a minute please. I knew Barrie shouldn't have trust Obadiah! He seemed so shady from the beginning and just gah! I really hope Barrie and Eight work things out. Barrie shouldn't have kept that damn secret from him I swear. If you only you could hear my frustration guys. It's so real.

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