Review: Loved it!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 28, 2014
TEoS review:Oh I can not believe they ended it there. But I am so glad to see the story will be continuing!I was recommended this book by a friend and am so glad she did so!The Education Of Sebastian was a brilliant story about self discovery and love.Carolina is a 30 year old woman in a very unhappy, loveless marriage with David. He is a horrible man who hasn't the time of day for her, unless it is to order her around like a slave. And not the sexy kind of slave either!One summer they find themselves moving back to San Diego, a place they lived when Carolina was 21. Whilst at the beach she discovers a handsome young man coming towards her as if he knows her.. Little did she know she did. It was her 8 year old neighbour grown up into a young man!What happens next is a passionate love affair between Sebastian and Carolina. It's full of heartache, love and lots of sex.I thoroughly enjoyed this story and was rooting for Carolina and Sebastian the whole way though. They deserve their HAE.This is the first book in a series and I can't wait for the next one to come out!TEoC review:The Education of Caroline was an incredible way to finish up the series. I fell in love with Caroline and Sebastian in the first book and was devastated when it ended and I couldn't wait to get back in to their world. Jane delivered, and in a big way!The Education of Caroline takes place a shockingly long ten years after the ending of The Education of Sebastian. After their dramatic parting both Sebastian and Caroline haven't heard a word from each other, much less seen each other. Half of Caroline's dreams had finally come true and she was currently a well respected journalist, on her way to Afghanistan to write a series of papers on servicemen and women being deployed to Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Sebastian is 9 years into the marines having signed up as soon as he reached 18.A chance meeting at training program for journalists in Geneva caused Caroline and Sebastian to finally face the hurt that was their past and see what, if anything they could salvage from it. Unfortunately for Caroline it wasn't as easy as that, their first few meetings were less than easy and she began to think maybe nothing could come of their second chance meeting - Sebastian was far too angry and hurt."My beautiful boy, my lover, my friend. The man I thought I'd never see again. Sebastian."What started off as a drink in a Switzerland hotel soon turned in to more and before we knew what was happening Sebastian and Caroline were off on the road trip of a life time - travelling across France and Italy on the back of Sebastian's motorbike.The first half of this book was absolutely wonderful for me. I loved seeing the new, sexy, older Sebastian trying to win back the love of his life and rekindle some form of relationship with her. I also liked how Caroline wasn't quick to jump in to anything without really thinking about it first. It would have been so easy to just say yes and let it be, but then there wouldn't be much of a story.The last half of the book was where it really got interesting and nail biting for me. Caroline and Sebastian are both in Afghanistan together, on the same team, facing the hard war together. Both for very different reasons. I was completely glued to my Kindle for the last 50% of the story and I couldn't have put it down if you begged me. Everything they went through, I felt, everything that tore them and made them grow closer was completely believable. My heart broke for them at times and I couldn't try and predict the ending if I wanted to, but it was the uncertainty that kept me glued the whole way through."Caro... I don't understand - why do you love me?""Just because... because the sky is blue and the sea is green."There is so much I could say about this book and the series but the bottom line is it is wonderful and I highly recommend them. The series has a great mix of all my favourites - forbidden love, second chance love, military and most importantly real and honest characters. The author had done an amazing job and I can't wait to read more by her."Thank God for you, Caro."Altogether review:In summary, this series is one of my favourite. With a mixture of forbidden love and second chance love, The Education of.. series is a brilliant blend of the angsty sort of series' that I love. The troubles and pain that Seb and Caro went through over the course of their relationship is both heartbreaking and joyful. The series is a truly enjoyable read.With the two books easily being 5 stars for me, this book was easily going to be the same, thanks to the original story and bonus chapters.I love the stories that Jane has created here, and reading extra material was such a treat. Not only do we get a deeper look in to the future of Seb and Caro, but we are also treated to extra chapters in Seb's POV, right from the beginning of their story."But the truth is, home could be anywhere, as long as I'm with Caro. I am one lucky bastard."If you loved the series already, there is no way you aren't going to love this, thanks to the added material. If you haven't read if yet, prepare to go on a journey. A journey of growth, heart break, a ton of pain, but eventually a beautifully ending love story.