Review: Good book but not a romance book - review contains spoilers
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 19, 2014
This book was recommended on a romance forum.  While some readers may disagree, in my opinion, it was not a romance, which I had been expected.SPOILERSWhat I liked:  I liked that it was a good story that kept my interest.  Despite it not being a short book, I read it in one sitting, not taking any breaks.  Like some of the reviewers, I teared up during certain parts of the book.  I really appreciated and loved that Travis, the H, remained faithful to Jessie, the h, despite a 2 plus year separation and 3 years of doing without.  I liked Travis a lot.  He was instrumental in saving her from her monster father and getting her the help she needed even though it meant a lengthy separation.  I liked that she healed and was able to be happy.What I disliked:  While I understood why, I did not like that Travis was not attracted to her  for quite awhile.  I understood it was because she was too damaged but still not did not like it.  He saw her naked many times including in her s-x video but that did not even elicit a reaction other than pity and disdain. I did not like that he was attracted to her sister and kissed her.  I did not like that he essentially forgot about he when he was on missions, even after he married her.  Therefore when all of a sudden he "realized" that he loved her I did not believe it was romantic love but more like brother sister.  I did not like it when he saw her 2 years later that she had replaced food for s-x and therefore, according to her, was fat.  Jessie felt self conscious being with him sexually because of  her weight.  She later lost the weight but the author did not have to have another impediment to her not feeling good about herself and being self conscious about having s-x.  I did not like that Travis blew hot and cold, even after 2 year separation.  He wanted her but then then his career was more important.  Therefore even though he waited 2 years to see her again and was with her intimately, he told her that they would never see each other again and should divorce him.  In fact, he signed and sent her divorce papers. I disliked that he did not really get upset about the idea of her being with another man, but rather encouraged it.  While I understand it might be "pure" kind of love, I hate when characters are like that.  I want them to at least feel a little possessive and jealous. Travis was not.  It would have been better if he was her brother or friend and stayed that way.  For a while I thought she would end up with someone else.  I read a lot and this is one of the few times that I have felt that way, especially when there is no OM already involved - in other words no love triangle.