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Sweet Everlasting
The novels of Patricia Gaffney have enraptured countless readers. The New York Times bestselling author of The Saving Graces tells the tale of a small-town doctor and the healing power of love...
581 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
30 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Gaffney
40 books320 followersPatricia Gaffney was born in Tampa, Florida, and grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, and also studied literature at Royal Holloway College of the University of London, at George Washington University, and at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
After college, Gaffney taught 12th grade English for a year before becoming a freelance court reporter, a job she pursued in North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., for the next fifteen years.
Her first book, a historical romance, was published by Dorchester in 1989. Between then and 1997, she wrote 11 more romance novels (Dorchester; Penguin USA), for which she was nominated for or won many awards. Many of these previously out of print classics are available again today as digitally reissued classics, including the author's most recently re-released and much beloved novels in The Wyckerley Trilogy.
In 1999, she went in a new direction with her hardcover fiction debut, The Saving Graces (HarperCollins). A contemporary story about four women friends, the novel explored issues of love, friendship, trust, and commitment among women. The Saving Graces enjoyed bestseller status on the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and other lists.
Circle of Three (2000), Flight Lessons (2002), and The Goodbye Summer (2004) followed, all national bestsellers. Gaffney’s most recent novel was Mad Dash (2007), a humorous but insightful look at a 20-year marriage, told from the viewpoints of both longsuffering spouses.
More recently, Pat's been indulging her purely creative side in a brand new format for her -- novellas. With friends including J. D. Robb, she has contributed stories to three anthologies, all New York Times bestsellers. In "The Dog Days of Laurie Summer" (The Lost, 2009), a woman in a troubled marriage "dies" and comes back as the family dog. "The Dancing Ghost" (The Other Side, 2010) brings together a pretty spinster and a shady ghost buster in 1895 New England. And in "Dear One" (The Unquiet, 2011), a fake phone psychic (or IS she?) meets her match in a stuffy Capitol Hill lobbyist -- who couldn't possibly be that sexy-voiced cowboy from Medicine Bend who keeps calling the psychic line.
Patricia Gaffney lives in southern Pennsylvania with her husband.
After college, Gaffney taught 12th grade English for a year before becoming a freelance court reporter, a job she pursued in North Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C., for the next fifteen years.
Her first book, a historical romance, was published by Dorchester in 1989. Between then and 1997, she wrote 11 more romance novels (Dorchester; Penguin USA), for which she was nominated for or won many awards. Many of these previously out of print classics are available again today as digitally reissued classics, including the author's most recently re-released and much beloved novels in The Wyckerley Trilogy.
In 1999, she went in a new direction with her hardcover fiction debut, The Saving Graces (HarperCollins). A contemporary story about four women friends, the novel explored issues of love, friendship, trust, and commitment among women. The Saving Graces enjoyed bestseller status on the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and other lists.
Circle of Three (2000), Flight Lessons (2002), and The Goodbye Summer (2004) followed, all national bestsellers. Gaffney’s most recent novel was Mad Dash (2007), a humorous but insightful look at a 20-year marriage, told from the viewpoints of both longsuffering spouses.
More recently, Pat's been indulging her purely creative side in a brand new format for her -- novellas. With friends including J. D. Robb, she has contributed stories to three anthologies, all New York Times bestsellers. In "The Dog Days of Laurie Summer" (The Lost, 2009), a woman in a troubled marriage "dies" and comes back as the family dog. "The Dancing Ghost" (The Other Side, 2010) brings together a pretty spinster and a shady ghost buster in 1895 New England. And in "Dear One" (The Unquiet, 2011), a fake phone psychic (or IS she?) meets her match in a stuffy Capitol Hill lobbyist -- who couldn't possibly be that sexy-voiced cowboy from Medicine Bend who keeps calling the psychic line.
Patricia Gaffney lives in southern Pennsylvania with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
March 18, 2013
This is a book that I should have liked better than I actually did.
Upon reflection I think that much of this had to do with the fact that the heroine was simply too sweet and self sacrificing for her own good.
Warning spoilers:
Dr Tyler Wilkes moves to small town Pennsylvania where he comes across the pretty but mute Carrie Wiggins, who lives up the mountain with her drunken step father.
There is initial relationship building with Carrie presenting as shy and retiring. She is socially isolated due to her muteness and has to communicate via letters. Of course, she also falls into a Disney stereotype of communing with all wild life, running her own animal hospital ( hidden from the evil step father) and refusing to kill so much as a fly. It turns out that although she is presented as uneducated, she is actually writing her own naturalist book as well. It is all a little too much and I had the unfortunate image of birds tweeting and circling the h's head, a la cinderella/ snow White...
Of course there is a snake in paradise and it turns out that the heroine can talk after all. The step father is a sinister figure from the start and it becomes clear that he has abused Carrie and this is why she lost her voice at the outset and then came to believe that he would not attack her again provided she did not speak. She has been pretending not to be able to speak for the last 4 years so as to help assuage his guilt for the rape - Yes it is that ridiculous ...
He attacks her again and she flees to the hero. She is in a bad way but this doesn't stop him from seducing her within a matter of hours.
At this stage it is hard to have much respect for Tyler. He knows what is right and wrong; he does not regard the h as his social equal and does not want to marry her; he knows he is leaving for good within 2 weeks; he knows that she loves him but whilst he is attracted to her, he does not regard himself as being in love; he knows she has just been attacked and is vulnerable ; despite all of this he proceeds to sleep with her on multiple occasions over the course of 2 days.
Unfortunately the step father is found shot dead and Carrie is arrested for the murder which she could not have committed as she was with Tyler. She lies about her whereabouts in order to protect Tyler rather than her own reputation. Of course the dirt comes out and she is then regarded as the town pariah.
Tyler asks her to marry him, but he doesn't really want her to say yes and she relieves him by turning him down.
He goes off to Cuba, where he writes her ongoing letters, once more failing to declare his love until he has some kind of epiphany . By this stage due to financial constraints Carrie has agreed to marry another man. However it then emerges that she is pregnant.
There is a whole load of angst between Carrie, Tyler and Eugene: who should she marry, which promise should be abided by, which man really loves her, who will use her as a human shield ( honestly) etc etc. By the end of all this, It was hard to care...
Tyler and Carrie have their hea and go off to live in domestic bliss with the book ending with Carrie enumerating how lucky she is and that she has everything she ever wanted and more, and feeling kind thoughts to everyone....
As stated above the heroine was too self sacrificing for words and by the end she just seemed very unrealistic. That said, there was a manipulative quality to some of her actions both re lying to everyone about her muteness and her actions re the pregnancy and all the angst. However, I suppose it was all done for the greater good of perpetuating her victim hood. Her gratitude to the hero for giving her the time of day was somewhat overpowering.
the hero was also problematic as I didn't like him very much. He presented as an uptight hypocritical prig. Tyler views himself as too good for Carrie but is content to sleep with her. He is ashamed at having this revealed, not only because of her loss of reputation, but more importantly because he also loses respect within the community whilst at the same time he is worried that she will take him up on his offer of amends and actually marry him. It suits him rightly to go off to Cuba and concentrate on his career. even his reaction to news of the baby is underwhelming.
I know that some people really loved this book but in all honesty I just found it a bit of a struggle.
Upon reflection I think that much of this had to do with the fact that the heroine was simply too sweet and self sacrificing for her own good.
Warning spoilers:
Dr Tyler Wilkes moves to small town Pennsylvania where he comes across the pretty but mute Carrie Wiggins, who lives up the mountain with her drunken step father.
There is initial relationship building with Carrie presenting as shy and retiring. She is socially isolated due to her muteness and has to communicate via letters. Of course, she also falls into a Disney stereotype of communing with all wild life, running her own animal hospital ( hidden from the evil step father) and refusing to kill so much as a fly. It turns out that although she is presented as uneducated, she is actually writing her own naturalist book as well. It is all a little too much and I had the unfortunate image of birds tweeting and circling the h's head, a la cinderella/ snow White...
Of course there is a snake in paradise and it turns out that the heroine can talk after all. The step father is a sinister figure from the start and it becomes clear that he has abused Carrie and this is why she lost her voice at the outset and then came to believe that he would not attack her again provided she did not speak. She has been pretending not to be able to speak for the last 4 years so as to help assuage his guilt for the rape - Yes it is that ridiculous ...
He attacks her again and she flees to the hero. She is in a bad way but this doesn't stop him from seducing her within a matter of hours.
At this stage it is hard to have much respect for Tyler. He knows what is right and wrong; he does not regard the h as his social equal and does not want to marry her; he knows he is leaving for good within 2 weeks; he knows that she loves him but whilst he is attracted to her, he does not regard himself as being in love; he knows she has just been attacked and is vulnerable ; despite all of this he proceeds to sleep with her on multiple occasions over the course of 2 days.
Unfortunately the step father is found shot dead and Carrie is arrested for the murder which she could not have committed as she was with Tyler. She lies about her whereabouts in order to protect Tyler rather than her own reputation. Of course the dirt comes out and she is then regarded as the town pariah.
Tyler asks her to marry him, but he doesn't really want her to say yes and she relieves him by turning him down.
He goes off to Cuba, where he writes her ongoing letters, once more failing to declare his love until he has some kind of epiphany . By this stage due to financial constraints Carrie has agreed to marry another man. However it then emerges that she is pregnant.
There is a whole load of angst between Carrie, Tyler and Eugene: who should she marry, which promise should be abided by, which man really loves her, who will use her as a human shield ( honestly) etc etc. By the end of all this, It was hard to care...
Tyler and Carrie have their hea and go off to live in domestic bliss with the book ending with Carrie enumerating how lucky she is and that she has everything she ever wanted and more, and feeling kind thoughts to everyone....
As stated above the heroine was too self sacrificing for words and by the end she just seemed very unrealistic. That said, there was a manipulative quality to some of her actions both re lying to everyone about her muteness and her actions re the pregnancy and all the angst. However, I suppose it was all done for the greater good of perpetuating her victim hood. Her gratitude to the hero for giving her the time of day was somewhat overpowering.
the hero was also problematic as I didn't like him very much. He presented as an uptight hypocritical prig. Tyler views himself as too good for Carrie but is content to sleep with her. He is ashamed at having this revealed, not only because of her loss of reputation, but more importantly because he also loses respect within the community whilst at the same time he is worried that she will take him up on his offer of amends and actually marry him. It suits him rightly to go off to Cuba and concentrate on his career. even his reaction to news of the baby is underwhelming.
I know that some people really loved this book but in all honesty I just found it a bit of a struggle.
March 17, 2013
This is the third book by Patricia Gaffney that I've read and loved.
Carrie (h) at 18 she is a loner,recluse and a mute. She lives high up on a mountain with her abusive stepfather. Most people in town either tease her or don't under stand her,she has very few friends and she keeps to herself . When a new doctor comes to town she's intrigued by him , he's nice to her and it didn't seem to matter to him that she can't talk.
Tyler (H) has decided to take up residence as the country doctor,not exactly what his mother wanted for him. He's from a very influential family in Pennsylvania,she wants him in politics but it's science that interests him. After surviving Yellow Fever he needed to slow things down a bit, and the country seemed to be the right fit. There are a few peculiar characters in this little town but it's Carrie Wiggins that really interests him.
While I read some reviews where readers thought that Carrie's character was just too good, too perfect, I enjoyed her. I thought she was refreshing. I loved both Tyler and Carrie and I thought that they were great together.
Carrie (h) at 18 she is a loner,recluse and a mute. She lives high up on a mountain with her abusive stepfather. Most people in town either tease her or don't under stand her,she has very few friends and she keeps to herself . When a new doctor comes to town she's intrigued by him , he's nice to her and it didn't seem to matter to him that she can't talk.
Tyler (H) has decided to take up residence as the country doctor,not exactly what his mother wanted for him. He's from a very influential family in Pennsylvania,she wants him in politics but it's science that interests him. After surviving Yellow Fever he needed to slow things down a bit, and the country seemed to be the right fit. There are a few peculiar characters in this little town but it's Carrie Wiggins that really interests him.
While I read some reviews where readers thought that Carrie's character was just too good, too perfect, I enjoyed her. I thought she was refreshing. I loved both Tyler and Carrie and I thought that they were great together.
December 14, 2022
re-read time!
I stand by original review. The first part of this book is magic. Just magic! But the MCs are both way too stubborn and both royally screwed themselves by being so inflexible. Last part of the book will have you pulling out your hair. First part will have you falling in love.
I love this freaking book. I do feel like the book could have been trimmed down a little, there towards the end the drama kinda drags, but other than that this is one of my top 10s!!! So sensual, so romantic, so everything!
I stand by original review. The first part of this book is magic. Just magic! But the MCs are both way too stubborn and both royally screwed themselves by being so inflexible. Last part of the book will have you pulling out your hair. First part will have you falling in love.
I love this freaking book. I do feel like the book could have been trimmed down a little, there towards the end the drama kinda drags, but other than that this is one of my top 10s!!! So sensual, so romantic, so everything!
January 24, 2014
This is the first Patricia Gaffney book that I have read, and I really, really liked this story. The storyline and setting were so different from the majority of other historical romances being put out these days. I absolutely loved the personality of the characters. They all seemed very realistic... the hero was actually a nice guy and the heroine was just so innocent and sweet. It was such a nice break for me, instead of the typical ice princesses, super annoying leading ladies, cheating arrogant heroes, etc that I seem to constantly find in today's books. The only part that I did not like was the last chapter, in which the heroine was being extremely stubborn about an important decision.... but having said that, this is the first book in many years that I have read that I actually want to keep and read again in the future.
November 20, 2011
The book starts out great with two perfectly nice people gently falling in love with each other. Then before I know it spirals into this extremely angsy, soap opera-ish drama. The exclamation at the end by the hero himself sums it best, what a circus.
July 21, 2023
It took me a little bit to really get into this book, but then I was enthralled. The story takes place mostly in a small Appalachian town at the turn of the 20th century, and the setting is developed very well. (Maybe there are inaccuracies that I wouldn't recognize, but it's written in a way that feels realistic.) The heroine is an amateur naturalist and there's some great nature writing as well. I just really enjoy Patricia Gaffney's writing style.
The romance is slow, and we get a good sense of each character and how they fit into the community before they get together. There's a creeping sense of unease throughout much of the book (a lot of it surrounds the heroine's stepfather ), but also around the romance, because of the class difference that puts an indefinite limit on their relationship. The heroine is a poor country girl who has no prospects , while the hero is a doctor from a wealthy and well-connected Philadelphia family. The class barrier is written really well -- despite the hero's struggle with his mother's expectations and the views of the society he comes from, he's still shaped by his privileged background and it takes time to get past that.
One of the most interesting aspects of the story imo was the heroine's relationship with the wannabe-OM. He's a jerk who clearly has a crush on her or something like that from the start, but they have a fascinating emotional connection/investment in each other which makes their interactions feel like they're always on the edge, like they could take a dramatic swerve at any moment. We learn more about their history -- -- and
So, there are many things I liked about this book, but even so at the end I was unenthused about the main characters ending up together. I'm not sure what exactly my problem was, really, because I did like both of them, and I liked reading about their relationship . I guess part of it is that the atmosphere of suspense just drops away after the dramatic climax, but when we see the protagonists being blissfully happy afterwards part of me is still wondering when the other shoe will drop. I don't know.
The romance is slow, and we get a good sense of each character and how they fit into the community before they get together. There's a creeping sense of unease throughout much of the book (a lot of it surrounds the heroine's stepfather ), but also around the romance, because of the class difference that puts an indefinite limit on their relationship. The heroine is a poor country girl who has no prospects , while the hero is a doctor from a wealthy and well-connected Philadelphia family. The class barrier is written really well -- despite the hero's struggle with his mother's expectations and the views of the society he comes from, he's still shaped by his privileged background and it takes time to get past that.
One of the most interesting aspects of the story imo was the heroine's relationship with the wannabe-OM. He's a jerk who clearly has a crush on her or something like that from the start, but they have a fascinating emotional connection/investment in each other which makes their interactions feel like they're always on the edge, like they could take a dramatic swerve at any moment. We learn more about their history -- -- and
So, there are many things I liked about this book, but even so at the end I was unenthused about the main characters ending up together. I'm not sure what exactly my problem was, really, because I did like both of them, and I liked reading about their relationship . I guess part of it is that the atmosphere of suspense just drops away after the dramatic climax, but when we see the protagonists being blissfully happy afterwards part of me is still wondering when the other shoe will drop. I don't know.
June 11, 2023
First read 6/11/23.
This was a frustrating read. It started beautifully - two people making their way in the world and healing from their previous emotional and physical traumas. The love that grew between them was truly beautiful and I couldn’t put down the book.
And then we got to the last 25% of the book and it was just page after page of idiocy.
Tyler, our “hero,” sleeps with Carrie, our heroine, after plenty of back and forth internally on taking advantage of her. At the same time, her abusive stepfather is shot so they need to expose their affair to the town to get her out of jail.
He proposes 4x, she says no 4x. He’s a little bit relieved because he has big dreams that apparently would be ruined by a hick wife 🙄
So he goes on and researches the yellow fever - the whole time sending her letters selfishly explaining his feelings even though she’s ignoring him and has made it clear she just wants to move.
Annoying, but not that bad so far. IT GETS WORSE.
She realizes she can’t afford to live by herself so she accepts the proposal of Eugene. The same man that has spent years bullying her and harassing her and almost one time gang raped her with his friends. Because he stopped them, she decided he’s good now. Oh and he also called her a whore multiple times and pushed her and ignored her boundaries. But he’s a good man11!1!1!!!! Plenty of people are offering to help her but apparently charity = bad and marriage to an abusive man = okay.
She goes to tell Tyler she’s preggo and is scared away by his fancy mother. He shows up and is like hey ily marry me? She says no again. LIKE FR. This dumb ass can marry shit head Eugene but slightly less shit head Tyler is out of the question?
So during her wedding, a side character pulls a gun on Eugene and this shithead of a guy pulls pregnant Carrie in front of him. Despite all of this, she still continues to think he’s changed and is happy for him finding a new wife after her. Girl, he didn’t find a new wife, he found a new victim.
Tyler and Carrie end up married but at this point, I hate Tyler. And Carrie needed years of intense therapy, not a man.
This was a frustrating read. It started beautifully - two people making their way in the world and healing from their previous emotional and physical traumas. The love that grew between them was truly beautiful and I couldn’t put down the book.
And then we got to the last 25% of the book and it was just page after page of idiocy.
Tyler, our “hero,” sleeps with Carrie, our heroine, after plenty of back and forth internally on taking advantage of her. At the same time, her abusive stepfather is shot so they need to expose their affair to the town to get her out of jail.
He proposes 4x, she says no 4x. He’s a little bit relieved because he has big dreams that apparently would be ruined by a hick wife 🙄
So he goes on and researches the yellow fever - the whole time sending her letters selfishly explaining his feelings even though she’s ignoring him and has made it clear she just wants to move.
Annoying, but not that bad so far. IT GETS WORSE.
She realizes she can’t afford to live by herself so she accepts the proposal of Eugene. The same man that has spent years bullying her and harassing her and almost one time gang raped her with his friends. Because he stopped them, she decided he’s good now. Oh and he also called her a whore multiple times and pushed her and ignored her boundaries. But he’s a good man11!1!1!!!! Plenty of people are offering to help her but apparently charity = bad and marriage to an abusive man = okay.
She goes to tell Tyler she’s preggo and is scared away by his fancy mother. He shows up and is like hey ily marry me? She says no again. LIKE FR. This dumb ass can marry shit head Eugene but slightly less shit head Tyler is out of the question?
So during her wedding, a side character pulls a gun on Eugene and this shithead of a guy pulls pregnant Carrie in front of him. Despite all of this, she still continues to think he’s changed and is happy for him finding a new wife after her. Girl, he didn’t find a new wife, he found a new victim.
Tyler and Carrie end up married but at this point, I hate Tyler. And Carrie needed years of intense therapy, not a man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2025
It was absolutely beautiful! I loved how the little plot twists were woven into the story, they added so much depth and kept me engaged the entire time. The way the characters were written felt so natural, and I really enjoyed their personalities. Their dynamic was especially compelling, that push-and-pull between wanting to be together but also hesitating, unsure if they should take that step. It made their relationship feel real and emotionally complex.
By the end, I have to admit I was a little frustrated with Carrie’s reluctance, but at the same time, I completely understand. Living as an outcast for so long can really shape a person’s mindset, making it hard to trust or embrace change, even when it's right in front of them. That internal conflict was portrayed so well that, despite my frustration, I could still empathize with her.
Overall, this was such a wonderful and beautifully read. The emotions, the depth, the little twists, all of it made for an unforgettable experience. I truly enjoyed every moment!
By the end, I have to admit I was a little frustrated with Carrie’s reluctance, but at the same time, I completely understand. Living as an outcast for so long can really shape a person’s mindset, making it hard to trust or embrace change, even when it's right in front of them. That internal conflict was portrayed so well that, despite my frustration, I could still empathize with her.
Overall, this was such a wonderful and beautifully read. The emotions, the depth, the little twists, all of it made for an unforgettable experience. I truly enjoyed every moment!
November 1, 2025
I don't post reviews often, but I was so emotionally invested and then it ended in frustration and I needed to rant.
I think a my high opinion of this book is tinted by the fact that this is the first historical romance I've read in a long time. I'm sick of contemporary romances about macho alpha men and fiery girl-bosses. The gentle and humble characters in this book really made me love them and their historical setting.
FIRST HALF
I can't remember the last time I was so immersed in the slow burn stage, and not itching to just skip to the more interesting parts. In the beginning each of their interactions felt so magical and their chemistry so tangible. I've never read something like this before, where with every conversation, every interaction between them, I hung on to every word. I normally like to bookmark my favorite parts of a book, but the whole first half was all so so good. From all their mundane conversations where he actually enjoys to her trivial chit-chat, to all those ethereal visits in nature where nothing really happens, they just spend time together letting their feelings bloom. I could really feel the enchanting dreaminess of slowly falling in love, without it dragging on for the sake of it. Maybe because it lingered in the first stages of a very pure kind of puppy love, shared kisses and touches, flirting but not escalating into a full on relationship yet. I savored those kind of warm but unsure moments, they felt so precious and real.
The parts not developing their relationship together were not too long (in the first half), so it was the perfect balance of the world/character building and the romance.
Carrie: She is truly a gem, how she finds kindness for each person she meets (like the blind lady she didn't even know for whom she left nice-smelling flowers). Maybe she was a tad too forgiving of the people who wronged her, but I can see that being the societal norm in those times, women didn't really get to stand up for themselves, they just had to accept a lot of things. But her true strength was how she overcame all her difficulties/trauma on her own and still came out choosing to be kind to people.
Tyler: I loved how gentle he was with her without any ulterior motives. Without the stereotypical "he already wanted her from the beginning but just taking it slow for her sake". He genuinely became her friend and grew to know her first, and that's something I find rare.
My favourite moment was when he first touches her throat softly to examine why she might be mute, she falls in love with him at this point and not gonna lie, so did I.
What really tugged my heartstrings was how he had a way of just saying "hello" to her. A "hello" followed by nothing, no expectations. I like to believe he was just attentively observing how she was doing, how she was feeling. His "hello" was not just an introduction into talking about what HE wanted to talk about. It was like he listened to her even when she couldn't talk. I found that so heartwarming and charming.
I saw some comments about his struggle between choosing love versus social status, him seeing her as "below him". I found that true to the time period, and he never treated her differently. He just had to take time to overcome that in regards to marriage, which makes sense realistically.
Eventually though, I had the same issue with him that I do with a lot of MMCs; his emotions were too shallow/underwhelming or just inexplicable. Examples:
There's more instances but these ones that detracted from him the most.
Maybe I gave him too much credit at first because I rarely find truly humble, gentle, attentive MMC.
SECOND HALF
At first I found it refreshing how realistic they were, not diving straight into obsession and passion. But then his love never really grew, or increased. He just went from not in love to in love,
After that turning point, it was ruined for me. It felt like an entirely different book. Stereotypical drama, predictable plot twits, angst just for the sake of it. Obviously the lowest point was when she chose to There was nothing after that that redeemed it for me.
Missed Opportunities:
-I wish there was some story points about the fact that they had similar interests, that she was a doctor of animals and he was a doctor for humans, they both had a mission of helping others. They could have also bonded over their love of seeking knowledge, for him it was about disease/medicine and for her it was nature.
Summary
So overall I enjoyed their interactions, their chemistry, the setting, and the build up in the beginning but not the second half where the actual plot happens.
When I was first getting into the book, I actually found myself planning to reread it in the future, it had so much potential, but now I know I should stop reading after I get to the middle.
First half 5 stars, second half 1 star.
Overall score is because I can't get over how beautiful their love was in the first half.
I think a my high opinion of this book is tinted by the fact that this is the first historical romance I've read in a long time. I'm sick of contemporary romances about macho alpha men and fiery girl-bosses. The gentle and humble characters in this book really made me love them and their historical setting.
FIRST HALF
I can't remember the last time I was so immersed in the slow burn stage, and not itching to just skip to the more interesting parts. In the beginning each of their interactions felt so magical and their chemistry so tangible. I've never read something like this before, where with every conversation, every interaction between them, I hung on to every word. I normally like to bookmark my favorite parts of a book, but the whole first half was all so so good. From all their mundane conversations where he actually enjoys to her trivial chit-chat, to all those ethereal visits in nature where nothing really happens, they just spend time together letting their feelings bloom. I could really feel the enchanting dreaminess of slowly falling in love, without it dragging on for the sake of it. Maybe because it lingered in the first stages of a very pure kind of puppy love, shared kisses and touches, flirting but not escalating into a full on relationship yet. I savored those kind of warm but unsure moments, they felt so precious and real.
The parts not developing their relationship together were not too long (in the first half), so it was the perfect balance of the world/character building and the romance.
Carrie: She is truly a gem, how she finds kindness for each person she meets (like the blind lady she didn't even know for whom she left nice-smelling flowers). Maybe she was a tad too forgiving of the people who wronged her, but I can see that being the societal norm in those times, women didn't really get to stand up for themselves, they just had to accept a lot of things. But her true strength was how she overcame all her difficulties/trauma on her own and still came out choosing to be kind to people.
Tyler: I loved how gentle he was with her without any ulterior motives. Without the stereotypical "he already wanted her from the beginning but just taking it slow for her sake". He genuinely became her friend and grew to know her first, and that's something I find rare.
My favourite moment was when he first touches her throat softly to examine why she might be mute, she falls in love with him at this point and not gonna lie, so did I.
What really tugged my heartstrings was how he had a way of just saying "hello" to her. A "hello" followed by nothing, no expectations. I like to believe he was just attentively observing how she was doing, how she was feeling. His "hello" was not just an introduction into talking about what HE wanted to talk about. It was like he listened to her even when she couldn't talk. I found that so heartwarming and charming.
I saw some comments about his struggle between choosing love versus social status, him seeing her as "below him". I found that true to the time period, and he never treated her differently. He just had to take time to overcome that in regards to marriage, which makes sense realistically.
Eventually though, I had the same issue with him that I do with a lot of MMCs; his emotions were too shallow/underwhelming or just inexplicable. Examples:
There's more instances but these ones that detracted from him the most.
Maybe I gave him too much credit at first because I rarely find truly humble, gentle, attentive MMC.
SECOND HALF
At first I found it refreshing how realistic they were, not diving straight into obsession and passion. But then his love never really grew, or increased. He just went from not in love to in love,
After that turning point, it was ruined for me. It felt like an entirely different book. Stereotypical drama, predictable plot twits, angst just for the sake of it. Obviously the lowest point was when she chose to There was nothing after that that redeemed it for me.
Missed Opportunities:
-I wish there was some story points about the fact that they had similar interests, that she was a doctor of animals and he was a doctor for humans, they both had a mission of helping others. They could have also bonded over their love of seeking knowledge, for him it was about disease/medicine and for her it was nature.
Summary
So overall I enjoyed their interactions, their chemistry, the setting, and the build up in the beginning but not the second half where the actual plot happens.
When I was first getting into the book, I actually found myself planning to reread it in the future, it had so much potential, but now I know I should stop reading after I get to the middle.
First half 5 stars, second half 1 star.
Overall score is because I can't get over how beautiful their love was in the first half.
January 26, 2015
A autora neste romance adentrou num mundo montanhoso de Wayne's Crossings, e em meio a uma florestas luxuriante ela juntou Carrie, uma garota inteligente e aparentemente muda, profundamente infeliz que vivia em meio a pobreza com seu odioso padrasto que era um aficionado religioso, além de bebum e violento - e Tyler, médico rico que foi lutar em Havana(Cuba) e lá contraiu a Febre Amarela, e porque que não gostava de atuar no meio social do qual viera, ou seja, uma rica e tradicional família da Filadélfia, resolveu ir clinicar neste vilarejo cheio de hipócritas, vide o pastor, o padrasto dela,etc. Contra todas as possibilidades, eles se apaixonaram, embora nenhum deles se achassem dignos um do outro: ela, por se achar aquém do mundo dele; ele, por se achar que ela não se encaixaria no ambiente dele. Ainda assim os sentimento que nasce entre eles é bastante profundo.
Ambos cheios de nobres sentimentos pelo próximo, e ajudam a quem pode sempre. Aos poucos eles se aproximam e se tornam amantes e quando Carrie é acusada de assassinar o padrasto, Tyler, mesmo arruinando-a perante uma sociedade que a despreza, fala que eles passaram a noite juntos, o que a salva da prisão. Assim entre idas e vindas, erros e acertos, alguns acontecimentos inesperados vão provocar um profunda ruptura entre esse dois seres que o destino insiste em separar e unir.
Ambos cheios de nobres sentimentos pelo próximo, e ajudam a quem pode sempre. Aos poucos eles se aproximam e se tornam amantes e quando Carrie é acusada de assassinar o padrasto, Tyler, mesmo arruinando-a perante uma sociedade que a despreza, fala que eles passaram a noite juntos, o que a salva da prisão. Assim entre idas e vindas, erros e acertos, alguns acontecimentos inesperados vão provocar um profunda ruptura entre esse dois seres que o destino insiste em separar e unir.
August 25, 2023
Self note
Loved it 10yrs ago, was one of my fav books from this author, but I probably won’t now because of the H. He loved her too late in the book, and he thought he deserved better than her🤬, because of his social status. h was complete selfless, but even by todays standards I wouldn’t consider her a doormat. She just had a huge heart.
Don’t re-read.
Safety
Safe
Om drama
But there’s rape (not by the H). Happens before they met.
There’s lots of angst and it made me teary.
Loved it 10yrs ago, was one of my fav books from this author, but I probably won’t now because of the H. He loved her too late in the book, and he thought he deserved better than her🤬, because of his social status. h was complete selfless, but even by todays standards I wouldn’t consider her a doormat. She just had a huge heart.
Don’t re-read.
Safety
Safe
Om drama
But there’s rape (not by the H). Happens before they met.
There’s lots of angst and it made me teary.
April 21, 2016
O M G, Gaffney is the best there is
The people are real in this wonderful book, the story flows naturally, the emotions are strong and true, but there is a flaw, because it ends when you just want it to go on and on. I will read everything she has written, because she is the best romance writer there is.
The people are real in this wonderful book, the story flows naturally, the emotions are strong and true, but there is a flaw, because it ends when you just want it to go on and on. I will read everything she has written, because she is the best romance writer there is.
August 18, 2013
Pure sap. Why do I keep picking up used books like this? I'm always disappointed. I have lists of award winners and I should stick to those lists.
November 4, 2014
There was no connection to the characters or the story. Simply indifference
September 24, 2023
Ahh Patricia Gaffney has done it again, another heart-wrenching tale that feels as if someone takes a pole, prods my innards and twist them around. Well, for the lack or a better word. The same effect when reading her other work ; To Have And To Hold which is one pf my favourite HR of all time. Honestly, I would never get enough of her writings. Her books are so emotionally compelling and so vastly different than other HR novels put out there. The characters, the storyline, the settings remind me a lot of Maggie Osbourne and Catherine Anderson. Most of her heroines are visibly broken with a tortured past. Something I can relate on a very personal level hence a lot of their works resonate deeply with me. I get why the reactions can be so divided when it comes to the ratings. Her stories are not meant to pander on our easy-swept-off-the-feet-blow-our-socks-off-romance whims. They are meant to make you feel uncomfortable and on the edge. Because they are realistic. The story reads like an official account of a true life story.
I love all the characters portrayed within this book. Each one one of them breaks my heart into tiny pieces in many different ways. Carrie Wiggins with her muteness and giving nature that make her prone to the taunts from the people in the town. Brooms (ohh my heart really goes out to this boy a lot, I love him so much) with his unyielding loyalty towards Carrie for every danger coming in her way despite his autistic-like nature. Ty Wilkes, a promising young doctor who have just moved into Carries’s town who suffers from a limp due to a bullet lodged within his knee during a war. They all make a refreshing change from the rakes, scoundrels, elegant duchesses, countesses that we are accustomed to in HR. They feel real. My favourite parts of the story will always be the ones where it is just Ty and Carrie together. Especially when she gives him bouquet of flowers and name each one of them to him so he always remembers which scent belongs to which type. And of course, as an ode to the title of this book, the title actually alludes to one of the flowers Carrie has given to Ty ; a white flower called Sweet Everlasting.
I won’t trouble much into more details and spoilers but however unsettling this book may be, Gaffney has certainly done her job well. Please give this book a try, you won’t regret it.
I love all the characters portrayed within this book. Each one one of them breaks my heart into tiny pieces in many different ways. Carrie Wiggins with her muteness and giving nature that make her prone to the taunts from the people in the town. Brooms (ohh my heart really goes out to this boy a lot, I love him so much) with his unyielding loyalty towards Carrie for every danger coming in her way despite his autistic-like nature. Ty Wilkes, a promising young doctor who have just moved into Carries’s town who suffers from a limp due to a bullet lodged within his knee during a war. They all make a refreshing change from the rakes, scoundrels, elegant duchesses, countesses that we are accustomed to in HR. They feel real. My favourite parts of the story will always be the ones where it is just Ty and Carrie together. Especially when she gives him bouquet of flowers and name each one of them to him so he always remembers which scent belongs to which type. And of course, as an ode to the title of this book, the title actually alludes to one of the flowers Carrie has given to Ty ; a white flower called Sweet Everlasting.
I won’t trouble much into more details and spoilers but however unsettling this book may be, Gaffney has certainly done her job well. Please give this book a try, you won’t regret it.
October 19, 2020
Dr. Tyler Wilkes comes from old money and an aristocratic upbringing in Philadelphia. Against the wishes of his mother, Ty becomes a physician in a tiny town called Wayne's Crossing. He buys the practice from an old doctor dying of consumption. Ty really wants to study diseases instead of treating patients but he feels an obligation to the people he serves.
Carrie Wiggins is dirt-poor and living with a violent, abusive step-father, who lusts after her. Carrie has created a life for herself by treating animals (in her own 'hospital') and writing about her treatments and the birds that surround her. From the time that Ty meets Carrie, he wants to help her because she doesn't seem to be able to speak. However, Carrie has lots of secrets.
When Carrie lets Ty into her world of wonder and little miracles, he falls in love with Carrie but knows he cannot marry someone of such a low social class. The author helps the reader see the uniqueness of each character and how their interaction changes them.
This is a well-written story but I thought it dragged at points and had too many internal conversations. On the positive side, the plot was interesting. Sometimes I complain that the end is too short; one cannot complain about that in this novel.
Carrie Wiggins is dirt-poor and living with a violent, abusive step-father, who lusts after her. Carrie has created a life for herself by treating animals (in her own 'hospital') and writing about her treatments and the birds that surround her. From the time that Ty meets Carrie, he wants to help her because she doesn't seem to be able to speak. However, Carrie has lots of secrets.
When Carrie lets Ty into her world of wonder and little miracles, he falls in love with Carrie but knows he cannot marry someone of such a low social class. The author helps the reader see the uniqueness of each character and how their interaction changes them.
This is a well-written story but I thought it dragged at points and had too many internal conversations. On the positive side, the plot was interesting. Sometimes I complain that the end is too short; one cannot complain about that in this novel.
November 29, 2021
I was really enjoying it, right up to the bit near the end where Our Hero, in an attempt to convince the heroine that he really truly does love her, comes perilously close to raping her. Doesn't matter that her body was responding, that he knew she cared for him, that she's already pregnant with his child--she was crying, saying "no", and literally begging him to stop and he refused to stop. Only the intrusion of the heroine's friend prevented it from happening.
Not a good look, hero. And now that this--sex or almost-sex while the woman is explicitly saying "no" and not consenting--has happened in two Gaffney books, I believe I am done reading Gaffney.
Not a good look, hero. And now that this--sex or almost-sex while the woman is explicitly saying "no" and not consenting--has happened in two Gaffney books, I believe I am done reading Gaffney.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2020
163/375 h is a veritable Snow White, surrounded by animals she heals, childlike and vulnerable. H is a big city doctor with a priveleged upbringing. She is 18 going on 14. He is a worldly cynical exhausted 29 year old. The power play did not work for me from the beginning, as he knows exactly what he is up to, no redeeming HEA in this story. Ouside of the protagonists, it's got Gaffney's engrossing writing style, atmospheric and emotionally powerful.
May 28, 2020
Still my favorite romance novel, of all time. The romance was sweet, and the setting was nicely detailed. The characters are very memorable and you can't help becoming invested in their lives. It would have been nice if the heroine was a little stronger of a female role; but then again this is a vintage romance and overtly forward women were not written as much. Still a great book, regardless.
September 8, 2021
Very poor writing and plot
Ugh. Some books I read to get away from the world. Then books like this just ruin the whole escapism because nothing happening in the world can be as bad as this writing. It was so poorly done. The last 30% of the book just dragged. None of the characters made smarts logical choices. It was a hot mess from beginning to end
Ugh. Some books I read to get away from the world. Then books like this just ruin the whole escapism because nothing happening in the world can be as bad as this writing. It was so poorly done. The last 30% of the book just dragged. None of the characters made smarts logical choices. It was a hot mess from beginning to end
June 5, 2017
Rich vocabulary.
October 16, 2019
In my "forever" shelf...
July 15, 2021
The last 90 were hard to get through
I'll marry Eugene if she doesn't want to
Also the smut was confusing, dont ask me how it just was
I'll marry Eugene if she doesn't want to
Also the smut was confusing, dont ask me how it just was
Read
September 6, 2021Read 2021
September 26, 2022
The first half of this book was too boring for me. So I skipped to the middle and it got better enough for me to finish reading it.
July 5, 2023
This was my first book I've read by this author and it was exceptional. Her writing reminds me of LaVyrle Spencer's style.
December 29, 2024
I think I'll call this... a "beautiful" read. I'll give this a 3.75 because the Eugene shit annoyed me so much.
Read
August 2, 2025DNF.
August 10, 2025
DNF at 40%
Akh Patricia, after your masterpiece that was “to love and to cherish”, unfortunately I am unable to enjoy any of your other books.
This book felt meh I couldn’t keep going.
Akh Patricia, after your masterpiece that was “to love and to cherish”, unfortunately I am unable to enjoy any of your other books.
This book felt meh I couldn’t keep going.
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