editio's review
4.0
I’m torn about this book. On the one hand I’ve felt deeply sympathetic with the story and I have seen enough abuse in my life to perfectly understand the reactions of the characters, all of them. On the other hand there are things I cannot fully understand, and I think it is because I am a woman, and a sentimental one at that. I love romantic love stories. I love moving love stories. Maybe I also have a masochistic streak, because I’m totally happy with a love story when it makes me shed plenty of hot tears. I’ve not cried while reading this book (on the contrary I remember I had my Kindle soaking wet while reading “Nothing Ever Happens”), nor I have I once felt angry at James for his choices. But going back in topic, what are the things I have not understood? I’ve not understood the initial scene under the table during the meeting. I’ve not understood why James was taking so many risks. Later on he explains it, but I don’t know, in my point of view he should have been terrified at even looking at other men, so I’ve felt strange that move under the table. And then the scene at the club. Why was he there alone? Wasn’t he supposed to be crushed under Clay’s iron hand (and not only figuratively). Was it because of that death wish Ethan accused him of? Maybe, but I would have liked to better understand this part - may be a need another reading. One that is not urged by the ‘what happens now?’. It has also crossed my mind that I’ve not fully caught on these parts because I’m a woman, and I do not think with my lower parts (not as a criticism, but there’s no arguing that men and women feel different when we come to that). And if this is the reason, I just feel like expressing all my admiration to the author for her ability to enter so deeply into the dynamics of a man’s mind. Usually we say that the best romances are those written by male authors because they are more realistic; well, I think this book is pretty realistic under this point of view.
Ethan. I feel torn about him too. Strangely enough I’ve liked him most of the book – not a crazy love, but I liked him – but during the last chapters I’d so gladly killed him. I don’t know exactly why, but I felt much more that he was cheating on James during the period they were apart, than James cheating in Clay while they were still married. I know that they had told themselves they were free to ‘see’ other men, but I really didn’t expect him to experiment so wildly. And what about his uncertainty when James comes back? Again, I guess this is my romantic side kicking forcefully in, but I’ve really hated Ethan while reading that chapter.
Despite all this, I’ve enjoyed immensely the book, and it has been another demonstration that when Sue Brown faces difficult and uncomfortable themes she’s at her very best. Really well done Mrs. Brown.
Ethan. I feel torn about him too. Strangely enough I’ve liked him most of the book – not a crazy love, but I liked him – but during the last chapters I’d so gladly killed him. I don’t know exactly why, but I felt much more that he was cheating on James during the period they were apart, than James cheating in Clay while they were still married. I know that they had told themselves they were free to ‘see’ other men, but I really didn’t expect him to experiment so wildly. And what about his uncertainty when James comes back? Again, I guess this is my romantic side kicking forcefully in, but I’ve really hated Ethan while reading that chapter.
Despite all this, I’ve enjoyed immensely the book, and it has been another demonstration that when Sue Brown faces difficult and uncomfortable themes she’s at her very best. Really well done Mrs. Brown.
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