Review: A gentle and heartfelt read
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 5, 2012
I jump at each and every chance to read a Helen Scott Taylor book. After her success in the paranormal genre, Ms. Taylor is branching out into contemporaries. I always love her characters, who draw me into their lives, and the magical worlds they live in in her previous books. So I have to say, I was curious to see what happens in this new contemp world she's decided to try.As usual, I really like the hero, Andre, in this book. He's a strong man whose dreams had to change after the death of his grandfather. He's also gentle and tender when faced with the unexpected arrival of a past young love, along with her sweet little bundle. What's unusual is that I didn't warm up to Kate until really late in the book. I sympathize with her to a point, but things get too out of control on her part for me.Kate has just left the father of her newborn daughter, a man on his way up in the television world, and suddenly he's a man she doesn't know anymore. Her stepfather turned her away at her mother's door, and after a brief stay with the gypsies who took her in, she's now heading toward Andre, the boy she hasn't seen in eight years. The boy who left her behind without a word, never to return for her as he promised. Knowing Andre may not be happy to see her after all this time doesn't stop Kate. She has her daughter to look out for now, and running from the paparazzi, who want the scoop on her little girl's birth and parentage, has frayed her nerves nearly to the breaking point. Andre is her last hope.Andre is surprised to see Kate back at the Caspian Manor Hotel, where they romped as children and fell in love as teens. He's been in charge since his grandfather's death, taking the job of making the place one of the premiere hotels in the world quite seriously, just as he promised his mentor. Surprised or not, he takes Kate and Keiko in, offering her the job of creating a redesign for the Caspian, something he's been unhappy about with other designers. Kate agrees, and so starts the process of their getting to know one another again.Being a talented artist and designer, Andre encourages Kate to change her look and hobnob with the rich to make her place in the industry, as well as to make a living for herself and her child. Kate, however, takes exception to this. She feels Andre is trying to change her, he doesn't want her for who she is. I feel she's a tad hypocritical because she's having a hard time seeing Andre as a grown man and not the sixteen-year-old she remembers. Why this bothers me is the fact Kate keeps on and on about Andre's motives in this regard. By the time she looks at his side of it all, it's nearly too late to appreciate the actual change in her.Though Andre also eventually questions himself about his "suggestions" to Kate, I have to say I agree with him on all counts. He's only trying to help her. She's outgrown the childish apparel and hairstyle she's worn since childhood. The way to take care of your child is to be responsible. He does think about all of his requests later in the story, perhaps he is pushing his way of life on her, not letting her be with what she's comfortable with. But if she wants to be part of Andre's life, she does have to stand by his side. What she does reflects on him. Maybe it's my age. These two are in their mid 20s. My mindset is way beyond that age, so perhaps I'm not being fair. I even agree with Andre's way of taking care of the paparazzi. Another strike against him as far as Kate is concerned.So while I have an issue or two with the heroine, our hero saves the day all the way around. I love his acceptance of Keiko, his gentleness and generosity toward her. Of course, his patience with Kate goes without saying. This is very much a character-driven story, so for me Kate needs a bit of compromise a little earlier than she actually finds it.All in all, though, a job well done.See my complete review at [...]