by Tamera Alexander
Once again, I found a book where I didn’t know how things could end well. In this case, the main character, Olivia Aberdeen. She had a dilemma. An abused, shamed, but upper-class widow posed quite an intriguing character. A somewhat helpless woman in post-civil-war times worked my empathy.
I liked Ridley Cooper from the start. What a great romantic rogue interest. Yet, a vulnerable side surfaced that I didn’t expect. He quite surprised me. Olivia, on the other hand, took some time for me to embrace. Yet, I grew to love her courage as the plot developed. I found myself cheering for her strength, and I kept reading. Yeah, Olivia!
I think one of the things that worked so well was the charming likable, and antagonizing dislikable side characters. I’m amazed at how T. Alexander created these rich people. Their virtues and flaws gripped my heart. The author creates characters that change and develop, so you must keep reading!
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. I love historical fiction, and this book satiated that love. Although it was a labored read for me, I kept picking it up each night before bed. Definitely not one of those stay-up-all-nighters, but not all good books are. I enjoyed strolling through the story. It felt like taking a walk in the old south. Yet as I wandered through the pages, the story unfurled, and I found secrets around each bend.
Ms. Alexander’s beautiful settings placed me in the deep south, where the landscape’s breathtaking beauty rolled out like the green hills. Yet she depicted well the ugliness of the times. Every description had me transported.
I am looking forward to reading more of Tamera Alexander’s books, but I’ll schedule more time to meander through the next one. If you love getting lost in a beautiful setting and don’t mind a little extra time for the characters to reach their full potential, this is the book for you!
