Review: Heroine is too weak
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 04 7, 2012
Jack Chabrol is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, a French Canadian teen new to Bright River Massachusetts. He comes from a large family with a drunken father employed by the mill. This hero in the beginning of this novel is quite likable. He is misunderstood and lonely but gifted with athleticism.Jessica Portman's father owns the Mill and about everything else around Bright River. He is raising two daughters alone and he is very protective of Jessica. He has planned her entire life. Jessica is captivated by Jack though and they have a sweet passionate teen romance. But when Jessica's father discovers the young couple and Jessica's secret everything falls apart for these two love struck teens.Ultimately this novel is about lost love and the opportunity for two lovers to find each other again. Jessica broke Jack's heart and worse kept secrets from him for years. So when Jack returns to Bright River with plenty of cash, he wants revenge against Jessica and her father. At times this novel works very well; Jack's hurt is palpable and raw. The reader understands his pain. Jessica was harder to fathom. Her loyalty to her father was misplaced and she had the power to change her destiny.These leads do not seem to like each other much when they meet in the future. It takes some time for them to be civil and Jack's deep resentment and hurt caused him to lash out more than he needed to with the heroine. I found both these leads to be too secretive with facts and feelings and the heroine especially comes across as too weak to make her own choices.