Laura T. reviewed on
Helpful Score: 3
Story: 5
Romance: 4.5
Overall rating: 4.75
I write this review having just moments ago finished this book. I am surprised to find myself choked with emotion. I was not enjoying this book as much as The Lover until about midway through the book. It is hard to read about Gabriel's pain yet I felt compelled to know what he had been through and if he could put his demons behind him. (By the way, I was very glad I had just finished The Lover last month so the references to the villains and the devastating history of the two men made sense. I strongly recommend reading them in order.)
Halfway through the book, I thought I preferred The Lover, but by its conclusion, I knew I preferred this story. Both are haunting, riveting, disturbing, passionate and erotic. Perhaps it is the intensity of Gabriel's rage and heartbreak that make his journey so gripping.
This style of writing is very raw--not at all like a sweet Regency romance novel. The graphic portrayals of desire, sex, revenge and catharsis may make some readers uncomfortable. Her writing is so gut-wrenching that I admit I could not read Ms. Schone every day--it would be too draining.
If a great writer is one who can grab the imagination of the reader and take her to places she never even knew she wanted to go, Ms. Schone is a great writer. I am already placing my order for the next Schone book on my list...
Romance: 4.5
Overall rating: 4.75
I write this review having just moments ago finished this book. I am surprised to find myself choked with emotion. I was not enjoying this book as much as The Lover until about midway through the book. It is hard to read about Gabriel's pain yet I felt compelled to know what he had been through and if he could put his demons behind him. (By the way, I was very glad I had just finished The Lover last month so the references to the villains and the devastating history of the two men made sense. I strongly recommend reading them in order.)
Halfway through the book, I thought I preferred The Lover, but by its conclusion, I knew I preferred this story. Both are haunting, riveting, disturbing, passionate and erotic. Perhaps it is the intensity of Gabriel's rage and heartbreak that make his journey so gripping.
This style of writing is very raw--not at all like a sweet Regency romance novel. The graphic portrayals of desire, sex, revenge and catharsis may make some readers uncomfortable. Her writing is so gut-wrenching that I admit I could not read Ms. Schone every day--it would be too draining.
If a great writer is one who can grab the imagination of the reader and take her to places she never even knew she wanted to go, Ms. Schone is a great writer. I am already placing my order for the next Schone book on my list...
