Review: From first meeting to happily ever after, this was a serendipitous, heart-melting, and soul-warming kind of love.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 11, 2014
Dr. Selah Elmore, art history professor and pirate erotica author, is a much older and more accomplished heroine than I'm used to reading, but even younger women can appreciate her independence, her brains, and her humor. Her confidence with her body and her life experiences make her sexy in a way that would appeal to any woman. I especially loved that she owned her adulthood, but still had the humor and dirty thoughts of a young teen or twenty-something! Her little zingers were Ha! and giggle worthy!--"I hope you have the stamina to keep up with me."--"I hope you can handle me," I whispered.Before her months-long stay in Ghana, Selah stops in Amsterdam for a few days. A spur-of-the-moment setup leads her to meet Gerhard Hendriks. Gerhard is a gorgeous, wealthy suit-type, not really Selah's type, but he's well-traveled and charming enough to capture her attention. She leaves Amsterdam still interested, and her mind wanders to possibilities, but then it's all about settling into her new life in Ghana.I was completely enchanted by Daisy Prescott's portrayal of Ghana. Africa isn't your typical novel destination, but I was able to connect to this place in so many ways! It was honestly a wonderful surprise! In a way, so much of Ghana reminded me of my travels to the Philippines. The seaside beauty is juxtaposed with a scrambling city, a mixture of the historical, cultural, and commercial. I've never stepped foot in Africa, but I know what it's like when the local children flock around the strange new Westerner, when you walk through an exotic market, when you discover the differences in customs and modern amenities. The more I read, the more I was immersed in this country.Every page turn uncovered something fascinating. Wise and motherly Ama, friendly Kofi, fellow travelers...I adored the easy familiarity between Selah and these characters. The lighthearted dialogue! Incorporating the native language and local cuisine! To me, the atmosphere that Daisy Prescott created had a distinct cinematic quality, a very Julia Roberts-in-Eat Pray Love vibe.--"...let's go on an adventure."--I couldn't resist him. "Let's go."Accra, Ghana is also where Selah encounters Kai. There's an interesting catch when it comes to Kai, and you'll have to read the book to see what I mean. *evil grin* But, what I can tell you is...Kai is sweet, witty, and adventurous. He's got layers, he has a riveting past, and it was all revealed gradually. Like the vibrant Russian nesting dolls. ;)--"Play along and I'll give you everything you crave."Kai made me swoon. I AWWW!-ed out loud with absolutely zero shame. (I may have put my hand in the air and Get it, Selah!-ed a couple of times.) It was fun that he was younger and she was older! *squee* They had incredible chemistry and bedroom scenes...Hey, they were HOT together!--He was fit--swimmer or rower fit--all broad muscles at the top and narrowing down to his hips...Damn younger man.--"You planning to stare at me all night with those emerald eyes of yours?" he asked, snapping me out of my worship of the V. I wanted to pray to it with my tongue.Oh yes, they made me laugh too. Their banter and the flow of their conversations felt natural and effortless. Kai and Selah were wholly endearing characters, but not perfect or over-the-top. They felt real.--"Do you ever have perfect days? Days you don't want to end so badly it makes you sad?"--A soft, slow smile replaced his typical cocky grin. "I know exactly what you mean. Today is one of those days for me...I love making you happy, Selah."There were surprises, however...interesting twists to make your eyebrows perk up and hold your breath a little bit. Ultimately, though, I realized that I could count on Daisy to write a satisfying, "grown up", level-headed couple. There were dips in the road for Selah and Kai, but they recovered. I thought they handled themselves well enough and moved along.The romance gave me feels-attacks and just made me happy sigh, period. From first meeting to happily ever after, this was a serendipitous, heart-melting, and soul-warming kind of love. Their surroundings just added so much character and detail to their story. After everything they saw and experienced together, it gave their relationship amazing roots.--I had lovers before him. Many lovers. But I'd never had love.Selah Elmore thought she had herself and her life figured out, that she could be self-reliant without the stereotypical husband or family to feel complete, but a love and a life in Africa made her realize that she still had a little room to grow. I always cherish that feeling in book-love (heck, in real life) when unexpected encounters and friendships change a life completely, the appreciation that warms you when you look back on everything. Thank you for this beautiful story, Daisy! :)--"Many people come to Ghana, to Africa, to change things, to right perceived injustices, but Africa is ancient, mother earth, and she will change you even more."