Book Review: Tourist Season: The Seasons of Carnage Trilogy, Book 1 by Brynne Weaver
As an avid reader always on the lookout for stories that blend humor, suspense, and a bit of romance, I was irresistibly drawn to Tourist Season, the first book in Brynne Weaver’s Seasons of Carnage Trilogy. The title alone promised a unique twist on a cozy seaside setting, and little did I know, this book would deliver a delightful concoction of dark comedy and thrilling intrigue.
Set in the whimsically named Cape Carnage, a town where tourists visit but don’t always check out, we meet Harper Starling, a fiercely protective gardener with secrets buried deeper than her award-winning flowerbeds. I found Harper incredibly relatable, crafted with a blend of fierce independence and an undercurrent of vulnerability. She epitomizes the kind of heroine who will go to great lengths to protect what she loves, especially her aging mentor. This motherly yet steely woman quickly ingrained herself into my heart; every page I turned solidified my belief that she was a force to be reckoned with.
Then there’s Nolan Rhodes, the devilishly charming tourist with a vendetta. As a character, he flits between charming disarmament and a chilling desire for revenge. His dark past—a hit-and-run that changed the trajectory of his life—fabricates a complex web of emotions that make his encounters with Harper electric. Their initial antagonism morphs into a compelling enemies-to-lovers story that had me rooting for them despite the precarious stakes involved. Nolan’s captivating presence and the moral dilemmas he presents kept me hooked, and the line "You can hide in the farthest reaches of the deepest hell, and I will still drag you out," had me shivering with anticipation for the twists to come.
Weaver’s writing is beautifully layered, using sharp, vivid imagery to pull you into every scene. The pacing is deftly managed, marrying moments of light-hearted quirkiness with darker themes. The narrative stands out for its clear synergy between the scenic backdrop of Cape Carnage and the unfolding tension; the juxtaposition of a serene seaside town against a landscape riddled with hidden dangers is expertly done.
One of my favorite moments in the book was when Harper and Nolan strike an uneasy truce, setting the stage for a watchful partnership that deepens into obsession. Their chemistry crackles off the page, and I found myself savoring the slow buildup—this delicious tension proved to be a masterclass in the art of romance. The quote, “If Nolan helps Harper protect her town, she’ll keep quiet about his hunting habits…for now,” encapsulates their dynamic perfectly.
Tourist Season offers an enthralling mix of mystery, romance, and humor, making it a must-read for fans of small-town stories and dark comedies alike. If you’re someone who loves narratives that explore the fine line between love and obsession, or if you revel in quirky settings that are anything but ordinary, this book is undoubtedly for you.
Completing this story left me with a sense of both satisfaction and eager anticipation for what awaits in the sequels. Brynne Weaver has crafted a world that lingers in your thoughts, ensuring that you won’t forget the colorful characters or the beautiful chaos of Cape Carnage any time soon. I’m thrilled to see where this rollercoaster of love and death takes us next!
You can find Tourist Season: The Seasons of Carnage Trilogy, Book 1 here >>