Helpful Score: 2
Hmmm, how do I review a novel I both loved and despised? That made me so uncomfortable because of its parallels to my own life, but that I still found myself reading voraciously?
I should start by saying that I do believe that Sherry Thomas is one of my favorite historical romance novelists. She just knows how to turn a phrase, make me believe in love at first sight, and has delightfully complicated heroes and heroines who manage to be both realistic and so very different from stereotype. I've loved the two books of hers that I've read prior to this book. And I really liked the idea of the characters in this novel, the idea of someone playing an idiot for spying purposes is one of my favorite plot devices (if it worked for Zorro then it can't be bad!), and I loved the initial interactions between Vere and Elissande.
BUT, this book hit *all* my trauma buttons. I found it really hard to read and get into the romance between the two main characters when I've been in very similar circumstances to several parties. It was bad enough knowing that my reaction to certain circumstances would be completely different from the way the characters in the book acted, but it broke my heart when the characters had the exact same feelings or reactions I have.
I would really caution anyone whose had an emotionally and physically abusive past, anyone with a family member suffering from a brain injury, and anyone who has had to grow up taking care of a complete invalid all alone and to the detriment of your own health and sanity to be wary about reading this book. It is a well written book with some beautiful moments, but it is so hard to read if you've had any or all of the above happen to you.
I should start by saying that I do believe that Sherry Thomas is one of my favorite historical romance novelists. She just knows how to turn a phrase, make me believe in love at first sight, and has delightfully complicated heroes and heroines who manage to be both realistic and so very different from stereotype. I've loved the two books of hers that I've read prior to this book. And I really liked the idea of the characters in this novel, the idea of someone playing an idiot for spying purposes is one of my favorite plot devices (if it worked for Zorro then it can't be bad!), and I loved the initial interactions between Vere and Elissande.
BUT, this book hit *all* my trauma buttons. I found it really hard to read and get into the romance between the two main characters when I've been in very similar circumstances to several parties. It was bad enough knowing that my reaction to certain circumstances would be completely different from the way the characters in the book acted, but it broke my heart when the characters had the exact same feelings or reactions I have.
I would really caution anyone whose had an emotionally and physically abusive past, anyone with a family member suffering from a brain injury, and anyone who has had to grow up taking care of a complete invalid all alone and to the detriment of your own health and sanity to be wary about reading this book. It is a well written book with some beautiful moments, but it is so hard to read if you've had any or all of the above happen to you.
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