I will admit, I had some little frustrations with this book. Verity's issues I can sympathize with and they seem believable. Her eating habits (and likely PTSD) are to be expected when you put them into the context of what she went through. And if you remember that in the context of those times those issues were barely talked about, let alone treated, as we would today it is admirably realistic.
Max's issues I had a little more frustration with. The whole vow to himself for Richard seemed believable enough, but the vow to his mother (while still pretty believable) made me want to smack something (preferable Max or his mother). But I don't think that detracts from the book. Anything that is written, the reader may have some problems with, and as long as they are realistic enough I don't think they make the book any less enjoyable to read. After all, if the characters made no mistakes, it would be a REALLY short story!
Max's behavior towards Verity is, while somewhat realistic considering this is a guy that's been through the horrors of war, a little less forgivable. However, the reader's ability to see that he really does regret and hate himself for it, softens it. I don't know if its just me, but the angsty parts where he realized his mistakes made me cry. Whether or not Verity should have forgiven him, at least Max realizes his errors, doesn't try to justify or rationalize them, and really does try to make up for them. And his approach to everything didn't make me squirm or cringe like SOME books...cough cough TWILIGHT!
Max and Verity geniunely care about and love each other, and while like any marriage they argue and even hurt each other (note: Max NEVER actually hurts Verity physically!) with their words and actions, I think its a little overkill to say that their relationship is abusive.
The things I liked most about this book were the characters: Max, Verity, Richard, and (suprisingly) Alemeria. Alemeria is a character that you LOVE to hate. Some of the thing she says and does are so infuriatingly outrageous that you're caught between wanting to smack her or laugh until you cry. Max, despite his demons (and acting like a "damned fool"), is funny and fiercely protective. Verity is sweet, loyal, brave, and awesomely actually has a temper that can stand up against the male ones in the book. I am SO tired of meek girls, that Verity temper (and her cutting Celia's hair off) were some of my favorite moments! Despite some of her actions, she has a greater sense of self-respect than most heroines that made her refreshing. And my favorite, Richard, was an AWESOME supporting character. One that I am SOO glad that got a book for himself! While he was rather awful to Verity at the beginning (and only out of a sense of loyalty to Max, NOT selfishness), he saw the error of his ways early on and WAAY before Max! After that he became the brother-in-law that ALL of us want to have!
So, this book while I admit to having some frustrations with it, these issues were only ones that were realistic and/or believable and in some cases, actually added to the book rather than taking away from it! This is a really good book, and I think the best thing I can say about it is that it is SOO good that (unlike in most romance novels that I've seen) the plot is so good that, even though the sex scene fit in with it and are some really good sex scenes, they almost not needed to make this book an amazing read. I recommend this book to EVERYONE!
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- Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2010
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- Amazon CustomerReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2011
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