Helpful Score: 1
What I liked so much about this story was that neither James nor Rose were aristocrats. She was a destitute gentleman's daughter trying to make ends meet while working as a prostitute one week a month, and he was a wealthy shipping merchant miserably married to a titled lady. The story was almost entirely focused on the main couple with necessary--and refreshingly short--scenes involving secondary characters to give the reader an understanding of what motivated James and Rose.
I was unsure how the author was going to proceed with a plot that involved a married man becoming emotionally attached to another woman, especially since this can be such a delicate subject for a variety of readers, but I thought the subject was written with sensitivity and strong emotions that truly melted my heart. This story was a fine reminder that there are certainly gray areas to almost every situation. I did wonder if James was ever going to realize that being happy must become a priority in his life at some point rather than remaining miserable, lonely, and emotionally abused. However, he comes through in the end with a most satisfying set down to the one most cruel to him.
Of course, Rose had to overcome her own obstacles regarding her self-value and also to realize when self sacrifice becomes unhealthy. And however much she loved James and wanted to remain with him, she stood fast to her values and had the strength to do what was necessary for herself.
Throughout their growing mutual attraction, Rose and James often tripped over each others' insecurities which inevitably caused the typical misunderstandings and, therefore, stupid behavior that has almost become a mainstay in historicals; luckily, this couple works them out quickly so that we don't have to tolerate these unproductive scenarios.
This was a beautiful love story between two unlikely and lonely hearts longing for a certain happiness in their dreary and seemingly hopeless lives. It was wonderfully romantic and I enthusiastically give it 4.5 stars.
I was unsure how the author was going to proceed with a plot that involved a married man becoming emotionally attached to another woman, especially since this can be such a delicate subject for a variety of readers, but I thought the subject was written with sensitivity and strong emotions that truly melted my heart. This story was a fine reminder that there are certainly gray areas to almost every situation. I did wonder if James was ever going to realize that being happy must become a priority in his life at some point rather than remaining miserable, lonely, and emotionally abused. However, he comes through in the end with a most satisfying set down to the one most cruel to him.
Of course, Rose had to overcome her own obstacles regarding her self-value and also to realize when self sacrifice becomes unhealthy. And however much she loved James and wanted to remain with him, she stood fast to her values and had the strength to do what was necessary for herself.
Throughout their growing mutual attraction, Rose and James often tripped over each others' insecurities which inevitably caused the typical misunderstandings and, therefore, stupid behavior that has almost become a mainstay in historicals; luckily, this couple works them out quickly so that we don't have to tolerate these unproductive scenarios.
This was a beautiful love story between two unlikely and lonely hearts longing for a certain happiness in their dreary and seemingly hopeless lives. It was wonderfully romantic and I enthusiastically give it 4.5 stars.
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