Review: A tale of true love, despite the circumstances
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 12, 2014
Complimentary copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.Lena is the daughter of a rich Russian oligarch. She is studying in Switzerland and about to finish her degree when she decides that she needs to make a change. After splitting with her boyfriend (if you can really call it that) she heads to Paris, looking to start a new life. She has studied the translation of Russian poet Marina Tsvetaeva, and her thesis has been an exploration of her own translations from Russian to French. She is interested in working in the field of translating texts, and hopes to make a fresh start in Paris, hopefully a little less under the thumb of her somewhat controlling father.Rob is a waiter at La Bohème, a trendy Parisian café. He too is finishing up his studies, having trouble making ends meet, despite the amount of hours he puts in. So when a stranger approaches him about spying on Lena for information about her father, who has become a regular at the café, he sees it as an opportunity to get the money he needs in order to finish his degree. But when he begins to really get to know Lena, he calls off the agreement, but is it too late to salvage his relationship with Lena? Will she ever be able to trust him again?I loved the relationship between Lena and Rob. What begins as a slow simmer quickly becomes molten between the two of them, but it’s not just in the bedroom that they sizzle. They just seem so perfect for each, knowing and understanding each other on a different level. The supporting characters, that are being set up for follow on novels, I’m sure, are also engaging and interesting, adding a fun group dynamic to the mix.My only issue with the storyline is that I would have liked to see more of the espionage angle with Lena’s father. I don’t think that was explored particularly in depth, especially given the dream Rob had early on. I think I was expecting a little more intrigue in that department. Other than that, the storyline is quick paced and easy to become absorbed in with characters that were relatable, each with their own quirks.What If It’s Love is a love story that spans the course of a couple of years, with ups and downs, heartbreaks and misunderstandings along the way. You couldn’t help but root for Lena and Rob as they try to make their way back to each other and find the true happiness they deserve. It is well written and Ms. Nichols obviously did an extensive amount of research, given the amount of knowledge she has of Marina Tsvetaeva and the mechanics of translation. It made the story all the more believable. I’m comfortable giving it 4  stars and am definitely looking forward to the next installment of the series, Under My Skin.