Review: Hard to Stomach Subject Matter but Beautifully Written
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 25, 2014
If I were simply to give you a brief synopsis of the plot to this book you would think there is no way you could ever believe that Alexandros and Catriona should be in a relationship, or feel any sympathy for Alex.The story begins in New Zealand where Kate has been living and working after "escaping" from Alex years earlier. He eventually tracks her down and tries to face up to the past, and become a part of their daughter's life, however hard that may be for her.We gradually find out about the past and how they met, as the book progresses, and it's very difficult to feel anything but revulsion for Alex. I don't want to give any spoilers, but in his favour is the fact that he is extremely repentant for what happens and knows what he has done is pretty unforgivable (and he shows this in the best way an Alpha Greek male can), he recognises that Kate is suffering depression and refusing to face up to reality so he forces her to deal with that and start living again, and later in the book we discover that his own extended family does not respect him for his actions, which is not easy for the head of a Greek family.That said, your sympathies will definitely veer more towards Kate as Alex's methods, even when he is attempting to do the right thing, are sometimes harsh.The themes of the book are revenge, taking responsibility for your actions, and whether reconciliation is ever possible in a relationship that has suffered so many horrible twists and turns. Shirley Wine handles it beautifully.