Helpful Score: 1
I was very disappointed by this book.
When I first started I was pleased that it took place in a different than usual setting (Minnesota, rather than the "wild west") and involved "normal people" rather than rich heiresses and gunslingers. I was also very impressed with the character of Leah, she was strong, yet knew when to compromise. She was also aware of the desires between men and women, yet she had principles. In fact I was also pleased that Gar and Leah waited until after they were married to have sex, a situation that seems rare in most historical romances today.
However, I soon found myself disappointed with Gar. He was quite manipulative later escalating into physical force to show his displeasure (he picked her up off her feet in anger and set her on a cabinet, therefore proving his control over her. A few chapters later, he squeezed her hard enough Leah thought it would leave bruises, but "since he wouldn't see them, it didn't matter." Leah seemed to be terribly preoccupied with soothing his anger not for anyone's safety but so that she wouldn't be the cause for any more of his suffering if he DID hurt her. This is not a romantic situation, this is dangerous.
I was terribly disgusted also that Gar and Leah were not embarrassed about kissing very heavily (to the point of arousal) in front of six-year-old Kristofer. This was about the point where I wanted to give up, but I struggled in the hope the book would redeem itself. It didn't, and so I gave up a few chapters later. The book also had some inconsistencies, but I think I could have forgiven those.
If Ms. Davidson had devote more time to research (or at least editing) and better developing Gar and Leah's relationship the wonderful premise of this story wouldn't have been wasted, I feel.
When I first started I was pleased that it took place in a different than usual setting (Minnesota, rather than the "wild west") and involved "normal people" rather than rich heiresses and gunslingers. I was also very impressed with the character of Leah, she was strong, yet knew when to compromise. She was also aware of the desires between men and women, yet she had principles. In fact I was also pleased that Gar and Leah waited until after they were married to have sex, a situation that seems rare in most historical romances today.
However, I soon found myself disappointed with Gar. He was quite manipulative later escalating into physical force to show his displeasure (he picked her up off her feet in anger and set her on a cabinet, therefore proving his control over her. A few chapters later, he squeezed her hard enough Leah thought it would leave bruises, but "since he wouldn't see them, it didn't matter." Leah seemed to be terribly preoccupied with soothing his anger not for anyone's safety but so that she wouldn't be the cause for any more of his suffering if he DID hurt her. This is not a romantic situation, this is dangerous.
I was terribly disgusted also that Gar and Leah were not embarrassed about kissing very heavily (to the point of arousal) in front of six-year-old Kristofer. This was about the point where I wanted to give up, but I struggled in the hope the book would redeem itself. It didn't, and so I gave up a few chapters later. The book also had some inconsistencies, but I think I could have forgiven those.
If Ms. Davidson had devote more time to research (or at least editing) and better developing Gar and Leah's relationship the wonderful premise of this story wouldn't have been wasted, I feel.
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