Review: Unique
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 23, 2013
What a gem of a book. I love this author and I look forward to reading more of her work.  Ives’ “Wicked Little Secrets” is also another gem, and what led me to read this one. I agree that the title “Rakes and Radishes” is a bit absurd, but something about it drew me to give it a chance, and I am so glad I did. The title conveys the author’s ability to inject humor into her stories, and while this was a tough story to read at times (as in heart-wrenchingly tough), the humor was well done, and probably kept this from being a story too sad in it's telling.Henrietta and Kesseley have been friends since childhood, and he has loved her for most of that time. They have a deep and loyal friendship, which is the basis for the dedication they carry for each other.Henrietta falls in love with Edward, who leaves her in the lurch and ungraciously attaches himself to the “incomparable” Lady Sara. Edward is truly a schmuck, but not so much a villain as he is just very opportunistic, self-important and cowardly. Henrietta has misinterpreted what she thinks is Edward’s temporary distraction, and will do anything to win him back. She convinces her devoted and generous friend Kesseley to stage a ruse and try to win Lady Sara’s hand, thereby freeing up Edward, who Henrietta is sure will then return to her. Kesseley, in the meantime, reluctantly agrees to the “plan,” even as dishonorable as he feels it is, because he loves Henrietta deeply and would do anything to make her happy.  Kesseley’s mother, in the meantime, sees through Henrietta, aware of her son’s unrequited love, and tries her best to protect him from heartbreak.Kesseley is a gem of a man and a friend, but Henrietta is not always a likeable heroine. Her quick and easy reliance to use her best friend (a man who adores her) to win back an undeserving man is difficult to read, and I didn’t care for her for much of the book.  I truly thought Kesseley deserved better, and that was what intrigued me about this story. At times, there does not seem to be a possible resolution – right up to the end – and I was impressed with the way the author kept the story moving and how the characters evolve. They are certainly flawed – Kesseley could be described as a “chump” at times, and I wanted to knock some sense into him each and every time he allowed Henrietta to stomp on his heart.  And Henrietta – well, she was heavy on the selfish side, and I did not regret her need for a painful evolution.  Kesseley’s mother turns out to be a fantastic secondary character – she has some very significant scenes in the book. Her side story (another romance) is a bit jumbled and causes a bit of a mess in the story-telling, but she is essential to Henrietta’s story.I needed to decompress a bit when this book was done – there was so much to think about. It’s a bit of a painful romance, but still a lovely resolution and a very unique story. This one is worth the time.