Review: Brilliant!!!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 11, 2013
Eva Márquez has simply out-done herself with Tainted Love and if I loved the first book in the series, Sweetest Taboo, I love this one even more.  This story is so beautifully written, describing all the angst and the love that has never died between Isabel and Tom.  Tainted Love is a captivating and heart-breaking story about love and if it’s built on a fragile foundation of trust, the relationship might not survive.  This is that story.The story picks up where it left off in Sweetest Taboo and Isabel is no longer a minor.  She’s a freshman in college and has blossomed into a young woman.  When she reunites with Tom all the familiar feelings of love overwhelm them both, reminding them that their feelings are still very much alive.  And as the story progresses, white lies become deception and appearances become an illusion.  Not to mention, Tom’s reputation catches-up with him regardless if the evidence is accurate or not.One of the many things I loved about this book is that I was privy to Tom’s thoughts because of the alternating POV between Isabel and Tom.  This answered a lot of the questions I had in the first book and this allowed me to develop stronger feelings him and not judge him too harshly.  Tom is a complex character filled with depth, we learn why he married in the first place; I’m not saying they were smart choices but I understood him more because of those choices.  Isabel is equally as complex, if not more.  I’ve always understood her behavior but this time I did struggle with it because ultimately her immaturity left me speechless.  If I could reach through the book and shake her I would have.I was an absolute mess reading this book because I was stressed-out the entire time.  A new love interest is introduced, Marcus.  I prefer not to comment too much on him as I could potentially give away some of the plot but he’s not someone I care for in the least.  It’s safe to say that I despise him!  But as Isabel discovers in spreading her wings, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and realizes just how wonderful Tom truly is.  Once she comes to that realization she also knows that her relationship with Tom is still a dirty secret which places a huge strain on their relationship.Not only does Eva Márquez weave the alternating POV of Isabel and Tom seamlessly but she created a brilliant story that is tangled with deception and half-truths.  She allows the reader to experience their relationship from a different perspective.  This is the type of book that will generate discussions upon discussions and if you haven’t read this series yet, you are missing out big time!My final two cents: A brilliant story about love, doubt and the unfortunate circumstances when outside influences are involved.