Review: Compelling Story of Opposites Attracting
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 3, 2014
I've always been drawn to the theme of opposites attract and in this story the couple in question couldn't be more opposite as they not only come from two very different social circles but from opposite sides of the globe.  In this story money can't buy you everything, particularly love.  Rich playboy Sebastian soon learns that lesson in a most unexpected way which leads to a journey of self-discovery and ultimately happiness.Sebastian grew up with an uncaring mother and a father he never knew.  The only person to love him unconditionally was his nanny.  His life was set out before him giving him no choice but to rebel.  Too much drugs, sex, and a friend's death lead to a desire to change (along with his mother's banishment of him) and in America he finds the will to change as well as some heartache.  He goes from an irresponsible boy to a man in a few short months.  He learns self-worth and that he can make it on his own.  With the love and support of a good girl he becomes the man we knew he could be behind the facade of anger he surrounded himself with.  Sebastian is a charming character, even when he's being bad.  He truly cares for those closest to him and it's those caring glimpses that endears him to me and has me rooting for him.  Seeing him become the voice of reason amongst those still partying showed even further how much he's matured and that he is something beyond his mother's name and wealth.Tess is a truly good and studious girl....almost too much so at times.  It's hard for her to let her hair down and when she does so for all the wrong reasons it's a disaster and a disappointment.  She's a bit naive as well when it comes to matters of love which felt a bit unrealistic as she's heading off to college.  She certainly makes Sebastian wait which was new for him but showed the importance of their relationship.  She's a kindhearted soul though, supportive of him and it was sweet watching their relationship evolve.  She knew all the dark parts of him and accepted him nonetheless.From start to finish this was an emotionally engaging story with compelling characters.  It was interesting seeing how the rich live in vivid detail and how meaningless and superficial their lives are.  Sebastian was a delightful character who never hid his past but accepted it and moved on to become a better person, a more real person.  Though Tess's immaturity bothered me at times I still appreciated her ability to bring out the real Sebastian, one less angry and happier in his own skin.  The secondary characters are equally as colorful, Sebastian's friends Penny and Alistair especially, and I'd be interested in seeing their evolutions from such a tragic event as they both are carrying emotional baggage.  This was my first book by Ms. Troutman but won't be my last.