Review: An emotionally raw and very intense book.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 7, 2014
This was a very emotional, intense and steamy book and a hard book to review without spoilers.The main characters in this book, were not all that likeable (Arsen & Cathy) but I sure felt their intense relationship.I was so disappointed in Cathy's actions, especially since the author treated us to flashbacks on how Cathy and Ben's love story began. I found myself shaking my head, saying Cathy, Don't Do It. Please listen to your friend, Amy. Amy advise was right on target: "It always starts as a fun way to pass the time, light banter, innocent flirting...until it is not."I have to admit, it took me until the end of the book to even find any redeeming qualities in Arsen. I usually am drawn to the "bad boy" in romance novels, but Arsen just did not do it for me, which made it that much harder to understand Cathy's desire for Arsen. I found Cathy to be very selfish. Come on, she had Ben at home, who was a real catch!I know Cathy and others saw Ben as the "perfect husband", but he had a major flaw- his blind love for Cathy. Ben really let himself, Cathy and his marriage down, by not acknowledging the fact that Cathy needed professional help. Certainly, Arsen was not the answer for Cathy's grief, as adultery can only bring more heartache and not heal a broken heart. You just knew there could not be a happy ending to this mess Cathy created. Cathy's deep thoughts, which the author shared so beautifully with us, really said it all, as her pain was so raw. The author told a very powerful and sad story, that provoked memories I had buried decades ago. Reading Cathy's thoughts, opened up some old wounds for me.The last few chapters are the most intense and prepare yourself for a few tears. Ben's emotions are almost too painful to read about. Then just when you think, everything is finally settled, the author shocks you with the most heartfelt admission of love. Cathy experienced much pain and lost everything including herself, and had to literally start over. And yet, this woman was so blessed with the gift of true love from all the men in her life ---her dad, her husband and Arsen.Over-all, I rate this book, a 4.75 and not a 5, as I thought the mid-section of the book, had one too many sex scenes, while the end of the book was rushed.I would recommend any bored housewife to read this book, before making a mistake that most likely will result in irreparable damage to all those involved.