Review: An addictive page-turner
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 23, 2011
The Betrayl is the story of Darcy Weston who has been raped by her stepfather at the age of 15.  She carefully plans and then runs away from home to a spot that she hopes she will never be found - her deceased grandparent's farm.  During the bus ride to the farm a woman tries to befriend her but she resists the woman's efforts.  The woman, Anna is concerned and doesn't think that Darcy's story adds up.  When they arrive in Rockland, Anna shares her concerns with her sister Stella and after seeing Darcy head off in a taxi they decide to follow. After seeing Darcy being let off at a farmhouse, they decide to check on her the next day.  The next day the two women and Stella's 12 year old son, Jordan, head over to check on the farm house.  Although the adults don't see her, Jordan spots Darcy through a side window and tells her he'll be back.This contact  starts a friendship that continues off and on for the next 12 years.  I don't want to spoil any of the story for those of you that want to read this book - and I hope lots of you will!  This book was quite different from anything that I've been reading lately.  I thought at first that it was a YA book, but it's probably too steamy to be YA. In many respects it comes across as a general fiction book, but it definitely has a HEA at the end. It deals with difficult situations.  As you can read in the blurb, we find out right at the beginning that Darcy is raped by her step father and runs away because of it.  This is a traumatic event for anyone, especially a 15 year old who has no support at home.  She finds, Jordan, who although is only 12, serves as her confidant. Predictably, Darcy is sent home to her now separated mother, but her situation really hasn't changed much.  She has lots of money, but no support and not much guidance.  Periodic visit to Rockland and visits of Jordan to the city serve as Darcy's contact through the years.  It seems that Stella serves as the only mother figure in Darcy's life.Just when things seem to settle down in this story, there is another turn.  I couldn't predict the ending of this book even from 25 pages before the end.  It was well crafted and kept the reader turning the pages.  This book takes the reader through many emotions.  Obviously, horror at the rape of a young girl, but many others as the story progresses.  The reader cheers for some characters, boos for others.  Several of the secondary characters are exceedingly well crafted to make the story have a realistic feeling to it.  Although the reader feels a great deal of compassion for Darcy, the character of Jordan is excellent.  I loved his consistent values and the steady determination that he shows in this story.  I remember at one point thinking that Stella must be proud of her son. The remembered that this was a story not real life!All in all, a great story, very well crafted characters, twists and turns that keep the reader turning the pages and a two kleenex ending.  What more could you ask for?So.....I have to say that I absolutely loved The Betrayal. Be prepared to clear a block of time, however, as this book certainly is a page-turner!