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Betrayal
On a golden day in early summer, two young boys meet in the crowded streets of Florence and change the lives of a man and a woman forevermore...
For seventeen years Ash has been eaten up alive by bitterness and hatred, caught fast in the clutches of the past. For seventeen years he has not been able to look at the boy he raised as his heir and not remember the terrible betrayal he had to endure. And yet, for seventeen years he has closed his eyes against the even more terrible truth ...
Seventeen years ago Georgina fled from England and all she ever held dear. But for the sake of her child, she must return to confront the man whom she once loved more than life itself until lies and deceit tore her life and marriage apart.
Will their love stand a second chance?
For seventeen years Ash has been eaten up alive by bitterness and hatred, caught fast in the clutches of the past. For seventeen years he has not been able to look at the boy he raised as his heir and not remember the terrible betrayal he had to endure. And yet, for seventeen years he has closed his eyes against the even more terrible truth ...
Seventeen years ago Georgina fled from England and all she ever held dear. But for the sake of her child, she must return to confront the man whom she once loved more than life itself until lies and deceit tore her life and marriage apart.
Will their love stand a second chance?
184 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2013
10 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Schwab
24 books77 followersSandra Schwab has been delighting readers with her unusual historical romances since 2005. She particularly likes the quirky bits of history, so in her books, you’ll find Roman pet eels, Regency gentlemen with green hair, and medieval tournaments in Victorian Britain. She writes both m/m and m/f historicals - happy endings always guaranteed!
She lives in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, with a sketchbook, a ukulele (well, more than one), and an ever-expanding library.
She lives in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, with a sketchbook, a ukulele (well, more than one), and an ever-expanding library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 9, 2018
Historical Parent Trap
Very well done. This time it's two boys who meet up in Venice and discover that they are twins and trade places. The hero was a total a$$ and his mother was pure evil. Same premise as the movie and done exceedingly well. No spoilers and if you have seen the movie it is the same exact plot but very well executed. I did cry. They had been apart 17 years because of a mean old woman. I had a hard time forgiving the H though. He was a jerk. The heroine was strong and resilient. Definitely not a doormat. The boys were amazing too. I felt for St.Asaph the twin the hero had 'raised'. He never knew love until he met his Mother. So sad. Loved this book.
Very well done. This time it's two boys who meet up in Venice and discover that they are twins and trade places. The hero was a total a$$ and his mother was pure evil. Same premise as the movie and done exceedingly well. No spoilers and if you have seen the movie it is the same exact plot but very well executed. I did cry. They had been apart 17 years because of a mean old woman. I had a hard time forgiving the H though. He was a jerk. The heroine was strong and resilient. Definitely not a doormat. The boys were amazing too. I felt for St.Asaph the twin the hero had 'raised'. He never knew love until he met his Mother. So sad. Loved this book.
March 19, 2020
Wow! Angst overload.
Simple enough story - a Parent Trap HR of sorts - but nicely done.
I hate wasted years as much as the next person so 17 years seems not just like a folly but a sin. But as I realised that it’s also better late than never!
The evil mother-in-law features here as well as the villain ripping apart a loving h/H and the H appears clueless and tied-to-his-mother’s-apronstrings as in few similar books, but I liked how simply and adequately it’s explained away and even how easily the h forgives everything. Yeah, so much time wasted already, get on with it!
So yes the H may not have suffered quite as much as the h does (physically and materially) in the intervening years but his pain and joyless existence is also believable. I understood his hankering for an apology - why can’t you apologise for once? - because that shows how much he needed her to feel remorse so that he could move on. Maybe even forgive her and accept her back. He was already on that track before the truth gets exposed and he realises his own culpability/stupidity in the whole wasted-life mess.
The twins are adorable - her sons bounced into the room, as gangly and eager as young hounds - a good description of them.
Separating twins at birth may be cruel but I couldn’t see the h surviving if she didn’t have a son to take care of.
And divorces were not easy or achieved within such a short period as depicted here but I can overlook that for sake of the story.
There’s an epilogue somewhere - freely downloadable - but I’m yet to read it.
Simple enough story - a Parent Trap HR of sorts - but nicely done.
I hate wasted years as much as the next person so 17 years seems not just like a folly but a sin. But as I realised that it’s also better late than never!
The evil mother-in-law features here as well as the villain ripping apart a loving h/H and the H appears clueless and tied-to-his-mother’s-apronstrings as in few similar books, but I liked how simply and adequately it’s explained away and even how easily the h forgives everything. Yeah, so much time wasted already, get on with it!
So yes the H may not have suffered quite as much as the h does (physically and materially) in the intervening years but his pain and joyless existence is also believable. I understood his hankering for an apology - why can’t you apologise for once? - because that shows how much he needed her to feel remorse so that he could move on. Maybe even forgive her and accept her back. He was already on that track before the truth gets exposed and he realises his own culpability/stupidity in the whole wasted-life mess.
The twins are adorable - her sons bounced into the room, as gangly and eager as young hounds - a good description of them.
Separating twins at birth may be cruel but I couldn’t see the h surviving if she didn’t have a son to take care of.
And divorces were not easy or achieved within such a short period as depicted here but I can overlook that for sake of the story.
There’s an epilogue somewhere - freely downloadable - but I’m yet to read it.
October 9, 2015
Sort of torn on what to rate this one. It's not "my thing" but that doesn't mean it wasn't a good book. Just maybe not quite for me. I'm not the greatest fan of the stodgy/straitlaced Regency hero, unless he happens to be Mr. Darcy himself.
Mostly, the 17 years apart is just too sad for me. Ten is about my max and that's pushing it. Also, with this being an admitted homage to The Parent Trap, it's kid heavy - also not my thing.
This was a mature book as far as how the resolution went. The h, particularly, was able to step back and see things through the eyes of the young adults they had been and forgive the hero's and her own mistakes. Her own sons are only a few years younger than she and the hero were when it all hit the fan, and she knows her sons are good men in the making... but not yet exactly men. She applies this revelation to the events of the past. This theme follows through in both the H/h's past actions and the H's cousin who is the falsely accused third party in the love triangle that was not.
All very nice and mature, but I love my wrecky crazy messes (in fiction), so I didn't get the explosive reunion I wanted. Instead, probably true to the time and position of the H/h, I got two very restrained, uptight aristocrats trying to maintain social decorum in a crazy situation. Alas, no blackmail or amnesia. Scheming mother-in-law though. She was the most OTT character.
There were definitely some real emotions felt and I cried a tear or two. Overall I'm giving it a 3, I suppose.
Mostly, the 17 years apart is just too sad for me. Ten is about my max and that's pushing it. Also, with this being an admitted homage to The Parent Trap, it's kid heavy - also not my thing.
This was a mature book as far as how the resolution went. The h, particularly, was able to step back and see things through the eyes of the young adults they had been and forgive the hero's and her own mistakes. Her own sons are only a few years younger than she and the hero were when it all hit the fan, and she knows her sons are good men in the making... but not yet exactly men. She applies this revelation to the events of the past. This theme follows through in both the H/h's past actions and the H's cousin who is the falsely accused third party in the love triangle that was not.
All very nice and mature, but I love my wrecky crazy messes (in fiction), so I didn't get the explosive reunion I wanted. Instead, probably true to the time and position of the H/h, I got two very restrained, uptight aristocrats trying to maintain social decorum in a crazy situation. Alas, no blackmail or amnesia. Scheming mother-in-law though. She was the most OTT character.
There were definitely some real emotions felt and I cried a tear or two. Overall I'm giving it a 3, I suppose.
December 7, 2017
The author can definitely craft intensity and anguish!
The Earl of Ashburnham, was 19 years old when he fell in love with 18 year-old Georgiana. Their courting was short and sweet and they were married not long afterwards. Unfortunately, their HEA wasn't meant to be as relatively shortly after the birth of their twin sons, Georgiana was wrongly accused of adultery. Unable to stand her husband's disdain, she left home taken with her the youngest son (the spare). Her escape took her to Germany where a rich tradesman widow offered her a companion position. The story starts 17 years later, when by sheer accident, two brothers met in Florence, shocked by their similarity to each other, further discovered that they have the same last name, and decided to unravel the mystery of their separation.
The author's inspiration for the story came from a German book that was adapted by Hollywood as The Parent Trap. It was not a light read (as reference to the movie would suggest) but rather a painfully intense, anguish story that kept my interest up to the end. Unfortunately, it also suffered from a weak characters development and some very unbelievable story lines.
The Earl of Ashburnham, was 19 years old when he fell in love with 18 year-old Georgiana. Their courting was short and sweet and they were married not long afterwards. Unfortunately, their HEA wasn't meant to be as relatively shortly after the birth of their twin sons, Georgiana was wrongly accused of adultery. Unable to stand her husband's disdain, she left home taken with her the youngest son (the spare). Her escape took her to Germany where a rich tradesman widow offered her a companion position. The story starts 17 years later, when by sheer accident, two brothers met in Florence, shocked by their similarity to each other, further discovered that they have the same last name, and decided to unravel the mystery of their separation.
The author's inspiration for the story came from a German book that was adapted by Hollywood as The Parent Trap. It was not a light read (as reference to the movie would suggest) but rather a painfully intense, anguish story that kept my interest up to the end. Unfortunately, it also suffered from a weak characters development and some very unbelievable story lines.
August 22, 2018
3.5/5.
On a golden day in early summer two young boys met by chance in the crowded streets of Florence... ...and changed the lives of a man and a woman forevermore.
Seventeen years ago, the distraught young Countess of Ashburnham kissed one of her infant twin boys goodbye as she bundled up his brother in her arms and left England without leaving a trace. Carving a new life for herself as a wealthy woman's companion, she and her son have been living a comfortable if mundane existence in Italy. Still haunted by her husband's angry accusations of betrayal which led to her fleeing their home, Georgina pours all her love and affection on the only child she has within her reach, ignoring the void in her heart previously filled by the son she had to leave behind and the man who broke her heart.
Against all odds, the boys meet and instantly bond, and like the twins in Parent Trap, they decide to swap identities in order to acquaint themselves with the other parent and find out the reason why they were separated all those years ago. It turns out that while Finn grew up basking in the warmth of his mother's love and affection, Gareth, the heir, had to suffer through his father's formal and distant parenting and frequent verbal cruelty courtesy of his paternal grandmother. Their different and changed personalities cause a bit of initial puzzlements at the homes of their respective parents and lead to the eventual revelation of their identity swap. As a consequence, Georgina is forced to return back to England to reunite the twins and confront her past, knowing that in doing so, she will likely lose both boys.
Ash has been stewing in bitterness and hurt these past 17 years, fueled by the continuous viperous whispers of his mother. Even divorcing Georgina did not rid him of her constant presence in his thoughts. They were very young when they married and so in love, or so he thought, until he learnt of her betrayal of their vows with his best friend/cousin. Uncertain of whether his heir is of his flesh and blood, he has not allowed himself to feel any affection or closeness to Gareth. In fact, he has not allowed himself to get close to another human being since Georgina disappeared with Finn - apart from a few hasty couplings with prostitutes, that is. And now she's back again, and although his mouth still spews vitriol at her, his heart, well, that ever-feeble organ might just be thawing a teeny bit.
Okay, so I liked the angst-driven plot. The writing was nice even if the author was sometimes over-milking the emotions a bit. The boys were cute and their instant connection was quite believable. Ash was a bit of an arse to allow his mother to poison him against Georgina and his remaining son, without any more evidence than just the mother's words. However, I dig that he was very young at the time and hence still under her thumb and influence. What I find less forgiving was his lack of paternal emotions once he found out that his long lost son is now back within his fold, but I think that might be due to the author's deficiency in showing us his inner torture. I also found it ridiculous that upon finding out the truth, his first action was not to instantly beg for forgiveness from his wife and sons but to shut himself up and wallow in self-pity with the cop-out intention of blowing his brains out. How is traumatising everyone further going to atone for his actions seventeen years ago and his emotional neglect of his heir all these years? And then when Ash and Georgina finally gets back together, it strangely lacks the tender, emotional reunion of body and heart that I was hoping for.
On a golden day in early summer two young boys met by chance in the crowded streets of Florence... ...and changed the lives of a man and a woman forevermore.
Seventeen years ago, the distraught young Countess of Ashburnham kissed one of her infant twin boys goodbye as she bundled up his brother in her arms and left England without leaving a trace. Carving a new life for herself as a wealthy woman's companion, she and her son have been living a comfortable if mundane existence in Italy. Still haunted by her husband's angry accusations of betrayal which led to her fleeing their home, Georgina pours all her love and affection on the only child she has within her reach, ignoring the void in her heart previously filled by the son she had to leave behind and the man who broke her heart.
Against all odds, the boys meet and instantly bond, and like the twins in Parent Trap, they decide to swap identities in order to acquaint themselves with the other parent and find out the reason why they were separated all those years ago. It turns out that while Finn grew up basking in the warmth of his mother's love and affection, Gareth, the heir, had to suffer through his father's formal and distant parenting and frequent verbal cruelty courtesy of his paternal grandmother. Their different and changed personalities cause a bit of initial puzzlements at the homes of their respective parents and lead to the eventual revelation of their identity swap. As a consequence, Georgina is forced to return back to England to reunite the twins and confront her past, knowing that in doing so, she will likely lose both boys.
Ash has been stewing in bitterness and hurt these past 17 years, fueled by the continuous viperous whispers of his mother. Even divorcing Georgina did not rid him of her constant presence in his thoughts. They were very young when they married and so in love, or so he thought, until he learnt of her betrayal of their vows with his best friend/cousin. Uncertain of whether his heir is of his flesh and blood, he has not allowed himself to feel any affection or closeness to Gareth. In fact, he has not allowed himself to get close to another human being since Georgina disappeared with Finn - apart from a few hasty couplings with prostitutes, that is. And now she's back again, and although his mouth still spews vitriol at her, his heart, well, that ever-feeble organ might just be thawing a teeny bit.
Okay, so I liked the angst-driven plot. The writing was nice even if the author was sometimes over-milking the emotions a bit. The boys were cute and their instant connection was quite believable. Ash was a bit of an arse to allow his mother to poison him against Georgina and his remaining son, without any more evidence than just the mother's words. However, I dig that he was very young at the time and hence still under her thumb and influence. What I find less forgiving was his lack of paternal emotions once he found out that his long lost son is now back within his fold, but I think that might be due to the author's deficiency in showing us his inner torture. I also found it ridiculous that upon finding out the truth, his first action was not to instantly beg for forgiveness from his wife and sons but to shut himself up and wallow in self-pity with the cop-out intention of blowing his brains out. How is traumatising everyone further going to atone for his actions seventeen years ago and his emotional neglect of his heir all these years? And then when Ash and Georgina finally gets back together, it strangely lacks the tender, emotional reunion of body and heart that I was hoping for.
August 13, 2013
Janine and I duke it out with no conflict whatsoever :-) : http://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/ov...
August 20, 2020
This story has a nasty mother, who is not happy with her sons wife or his friendship with his cousin. Her plotting splits a family in half. Nice read.
July 25, 2024
***2024 reread****
Had literally no memory of this book when I came across if on my kindle. Decided to re-read it to see if it I had changed my mind. Nope. Original review was accurate
_____Original 2014 Review ______
Ok, when I began this book, I thought I was going to love it. It is this author's retelling of Das dappelte Lottchen -- probably more commonly known by the name of the movie Hollywood called it, The Parent Trap.
It starts out great with the two 17 y.o. brothers discovering each other. Of course they trade places. The one who grew up with his cold father going to live with his loving, warm mother who lives on the continent and the other son kid traveling to England to masquerade as the heir.
The story does best when it is allowing the switched brothers react to their new environments and we watch as they interact with their unsuspecting stranger-parent. Predictably the more cynical Gareth blossoms under the demonstrative care of his mother, while the more sensitive Finian is bewildered by his stand-offish father. Also predictably, it is the mother Georgina who figures out that the son in front of her isn't one she's been raising for the past 17 years.
So they skedaddle to London to reunite and for Georgina to come face to face with the husband who hates and divorced her years ago.
Like I said, when the story centers on the plot of the boys is soars. When it has to address the love, marriage and romance between Georgina and her bitter ex-husband Ash, it stumbles.
Their long separation is based on a towering Grand Mis, where both of them come out looking rather stupid. Ash believes Georgina cheated on him with his cousin. Believes is the key word here because it isn't like he actually saw them doing anything. And she didn't really defend herself because...well...reasons.
But really, I can't see how such a loving mother could balance "reasons" with the abandonment of one of her children and the reality that she would most likely never see him again. Honestly, I could never reconcile that part of it in when I watched the Parent Trap movies either, but they were Disney and supposedly "feel good hijinks" so you gloss over it. This book though is all angst and despair about it.
When the truth comes out the whole things feel rather rushed and convenient and ultimately unsatisfying. Not enough time was spent on repairing the relationship, imo. It was all "Oh hey I was wrong? Well shit! I still love you, let's get back together!"
I wish it had really spent much more time on those two and let them work out their issues. As it was, I frankly thought Georgina had a bit more chemistry with the plot device man she had been contemplating marrying before she had to return to London. I would have liked to watch Ash & Georgina fall in love again and I would have liked to see all four of them integrate into a family unit. But too much time was spent on a rather cartoonish villain who was trying to keep them apart.
A bit of a disappointment.
Had literally no memory of this book when I came across if on my kindle. Decided to re-read it to see if it I had changed my mind. Nope. Original review was accurate
_____Original 2014 Review ______
Ok, when I began this book, I thought I was going to love it. It is this author's retelling of Das dappelte Lottchen -- probably more commonly known by the name of the movie Hollywood called it, The Parent Trap.
It starts out great with the two 17 y.o. brothers discovering each other. Of course they trade places. The one who grew up with his cold father going to live with his loving, warm mother who lives on the continent and the other son kid traveling to England to masquerade as the heir.
The story does best when it is allowing the switched brothers react to their new environments and we watch as they interact with their unsuspecting stranger-parent. Predictably the more cynical Gareth blossoms under the demonstrative care of his mother, while the more sensitive Finian is bewildered by his stand-offish father. Also predictably, it is the mother Georgina who figures out that the son in front of her isn't one she's been raising for the past 17 years.
So they skedaddle to London to reunite and for Georgina to come face to face with the husband who hates and divorced her years ago.
Like I said, when the story centers on the plot of the boys is soars. When it has to address the love, marriage and romance between Georgina and her bitter ex-husband Ash, it stumbles.
Their long separation is based on a towering Grand Mis, where both of them come out looking rather stupid. Ash believes Georgina cheated on him with his cousin. Believes is the key word here because it isn't like he actually saw them doing anything. And she didn't really defend herself because...well...reasons.
But really, I can't see how such a loving mother could balance "reasons" with the abandonment of one of her children and the reality that she would most likely never see him again. Honestly, I could never reconcile that part of it in when I watched the Parent Trap movies either, but they were Disney and supposedly "feel good hijinks" so you gloss over it. This book though is all angst and despair about it.
When the truth comes out the whole things feel rather rushed and convenient and ultimately unsatisfying. Not enough time was spent on repairing the relationship, imo. It was all "Oh hey I was wrong? Well shit! I still love you, let's get back together!"
I wish it had really spent much more time on those two and let them work out their issues. As it was, I frankly thought Georgina had a bit more chemistry with the plot device man she had been contemplating marrying before she had to return to London. I would have liked to watch Ash & Georgina fall in love again and I would have liked to see all four of them integrate into a family unit. But too much time was spent on a rather cartoonish villain who was trying to keep them apart.
A bit of a disappointment.
April 30, 2023
Yes I know there are some plot holes and yes I know H should grovel more but how much did he grovel during their 17 years estrangement, it made my heart ache.
He was so bitter, so sad and so irrevocably in love with the h that made me more keen on forgiving him.
I also liked about the h being feisty in spirit and wanting to have a lover and fantasising about another man before she was reunited with the H.
The boys were the cherry on the cake they were adorable.
He was so bitter, so sad and so irrevocably in love with the h that made me more keen on forgiving him.
I also liked about the h being feisty in spirit and wanting to have a lover and fantasising about another man before she was reunited with the H.
The boys were the cherry on the cake they were adorable.
August 27, 2013
I waited for the new Sandra Schwab's book for a very long time and once I saw the review from Dear Author, I went to Amazon and bought it even I do not really like to buy from Amazon (since they charged extra for international buyers).
I read it in one setting and took a sick leave the next day.
The plot was predictable since it came from German book, which inspired the movie "The Parent Trap" (and I watched "The Parent Trap" first) but that was not the problem. Actually the familiar plot made it easy for me to pay attention to the meaningful part of the story. Because the plot was just the set up for the characters and emotions that followed.
And what an emotions it was.
I cried a thousand tears, changed my pillow, continued reading, and cried some more.
Normally I really hated misunderstanding plot and this book based on the "BIG" misunderstand between the hero and heroine. Somehow the misunderstanding in this book was not the problem for me. Although several time I really wanted to go into the book and bodily attacked the hero for his cruelty. But maybe his trying too hard not to feel anything was what drawn me into the story.
I found myself emotion overwhelm by everything happened in this book. It had been so long since I invest myself that much into the "fictional world". It became like I was part of the characters' life, and had stake in their decision.
It was the best 2 hours I spent reading any books.
The only downside in this book was the ending. Georgiana (the heroine) was a better person than I was. I could understand the reason behind all the misunderstanding. I saw the reason that why Ash (the hero) thought what he thought. But for me, he needed to be more grovel. I needed more scenes of him trying to redeem. Maybe I was too invested and too unforgiving.
This was the only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 stars.
Betrayal ของ Sandra Schwab ชื่อคนแต่งอ่านจะไม่คุ้นหูหลายคน แต่เธอเป็นนักเขียนที่เราชอบมาก ๆ และด้วยเหตุผลบางอย่าง หยุดเขียนไปหลายปี จนเล่มนี้ออกวางขาย และเมื่อเราได้ข่าว ก็ห้ามตัวเองไม่ได้ คลิกกดปุ่มซื้อในอเมซอนไปซะงั้น ทั้งที่เราไม่ชอบซื้อหนังสืออเมซอนเท่าไหร (เรื่องมันยาวค่ะ) และจริง ๆ พรินต์บุ๊คก็น่าจะออกตามมาในเวลาไม่นาน
แต่หลังจากอ่านจบ (ในวันแรกที่คลิกซื้อ) เราก็ไม่เสียใจเลย และพร้อมที่จะซื้อเล่มนี้อีกรอบ หากออกขายในรูปแบบอื่น (ไฟล์ที่ไม่ใช่ใช้ได้เฉพาะกับคินเดล หรือออกเป็นพรินต์บุ๊ค) เรื่องนี้คุ้มค่าเพียงพอค่ะ
วันนึงในฤดูร้อนที่เมืองฟลอเรนซ์ เด็กชายวัยสิบเจ็ดปีสองคนพบกัน สำหรับยุโรปในยุคหลังสงครามนโปเลียน นั่นไม่ใช่เรื่องแปลกอะไรมากมายที่ลูกชายของท่านเอิร์ล และตัวเองก็ดำรงตำแหน่งไวส์เค้าท์ในอังกฤษจะได้พบปะและสังสรรกับเด็กชายที่เติบโตในเยอรมัน และทำงานให้กับพ่อค้าขายผ้า สิ่งที่แปลกก็คือเด็กทั้งสองหน้าตาเหมือนกัน แถมยังมีนามสกุลเดียวกันอีกต่างหาก
อ่านถึงตรงนี้หลายคนอาจจะพอนึกถึงภาพยนตร์เรื่องนึงที่ฉายเมื่อหลายปีก่อน เรื่อง The Parent Trap ที่นำแสดงโดยลินเซย์ โลแฮน สมัยที่ยังไร้เดียงสา แต่กระทั่งเรื่อง The Parent Trap เองก็มีเค้าโครงเรื่องมาจากหนังสือสำหรับเด็กของเยอรมันเรื่องนึง และเรื่องนั้นนั่นเองเป็นแรงบันดาลใจของเล่มนี้
ดังนั้นในส่วนของพล็อตไม่ต้องใช้สมองคาดเดาอะไรมากมายนัก เด็กชายทั้งสองสลับตัวกัน ไวส์เค้าท์เดินทางไปเยอรมัน เพื่อพบกับมารดาที่เขาไม่เคยรู้จัก ส่วนอีกคนเดินทางไปอังกฤษเพื่อพบกับพ่อ ความจริงเปิดเผย และทั้งหมดได้พบกันอีกครั้ง
สำหรับเราที่ดูหนัง และเคยอ่านหนังสือเยอรมันเล่มนั้น (ฉบับแปลเป็นอังกฤษ) มาแล้ว พล็อตจึงไม่ใช่สิ่งแปลกใหม่ แต่สิ่งที่ทำให้เราอ่านต่อโดยไม่ยอมหลับยอมนอนก็คือ ตัวละคร และที่สำคัญที่สุด อารมณ์ของเรื่อง
ขอบอกว่า อ่านไปร้องไห้ไป น้ำตาไหลเป็นทาง เรื่องราวที่บีบหัวใจ พระเอกที่น่าเขกกระโหลกอย่างยิ่ง อ่านแล้วมีอารมณ์ร่วมไปกับเนื้อเรื่องอย่างมาก
เรารู้สึกว่า คาแร็คเตอร์มีความสมจริงยิ่งนัก ชอบสองฝาแฝดที่คนแต่งเขียนให้ทั้งคู่มีความแตกต่างกันอย่างชัดเจน และเธอไม่ได้ใช้ความแตกต่างง่าย ๆ แบบในหนัง (คนนึงเป็นกุลสตรี อีกคนเป็นทอมบอย) ความแตกต่างของทั้งสองสื่อให้เห็นอย่างชัดเจนถึงการเลี้ยงดูที่ทั้งคู่ถูกเพาะบ่มมา
เรื่องนี้สนุกตลอดทั้งเรื่อง ส่วนเดียวที่เราขัดใจเราเล็กน้อยก็คงจะเป็นตอนจบของเรื่อง เรารู้สึกว่า พระเอกยังไม่ได้ทำหน้าที่ของตัวเองอย่างเต็มที่ เขาไม่ได้ไถ่บาปมากเพียงพอสำหรับเรา เพราะทั้งเรื่องเขาโหดร้ายกับนางเอกมาก เราจึงคาดหวังการไถ่โทษที่ยิ่งใหญ่ไม่น้อยไปกว่ากัน และแม้จะมีฉากนั้นในเรื่อง แต่ความโหดของเรา ยังรู้สึกว่าไม่พอ นี่เป็นเหตุผลเดียวที่เราตัดคะแนนเล่มนี้ลง
คะแนนที่ 77
I read it in one setting and took a sick leave the next day.
The plot was predictable since it came from German book, which inspired the movie "The Parent Trap" (and I watched "The Parent Trap" first) but that was not the problem. Actually the familiar plot made it easy for me to pay attention to the meaningful part of the story. Because the plot was just the set up for the characters and emotions that followed.
And what an emotions it was.
I cried a thousand tears, changed my pillow, continued reading, and cried some more.
Normally I really hated misunderstanding plot and this book based on the "BIG" misunderstand between the hero and heroine. Somehow the misunderstanding in this book was not the problem for me. Although several time I really wanted to go into the book and bodily attacked the hero for his cruelty. But maybe his trying too hard not to feel anything was what drawn me into the story.
I found myself emotion overwhelm by everything happened in this book. It had been so long since I invest myself that much into the "fictional world". It became like I was part of the characters' life, and had stake in their decision.
It was the best 2 hours I spent reading any books.
The only downside in this book was the ending. Georgiana (the heroine) was a better person than I was. I could understand the reason behind all the misunderstanding. I saw the reason that why Ash (the hero) thought what he thought. But for me, he needed to be more grovel. I needed more scenes of him trying to redeem. Maybe I was too invested and too unforgiving.
This was the only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 stars.
Betrayal ของ Sandra Schwab ชื่อคนแต่งอ่านจะไม่คุ้นหูหลายคน แต่เธอเป็นนักเขียนที่เราชอบมาก ๆ และด้วยเหตุผลบางอย่าง หยุดเขียนไปหลายปี จนเล่มนี้ออกวางขาย และเมื่อเราได้ข่าว ก็ห้ามตัวเองไม่ได้ คลิกกดปุ่มซื้อในอเมซอนไปซะงั้น ทั้งที่เราไม่ชอบซื้อหนังสืออเมซอนเท่าไหร (เรื่องมันยาวค่ะ) และจริง ๆ พรินต์บุ๊คก็น่าจะออกตามมาในเวลาไม่นาน
แต่หลังจากอ่านจบ (ในวันแรกที่คลิกซื้อ) เราก็ไม่เสียใจเลย และพร้อมที่จะซื้อเล่มนี้อีกรอบ หากออกขายในรูปแบบอื่น (ไฟล์ที่ไม่ใช่ใช้ได้เฉพาะกับคินเดล หรือออกเป็นพรินต์บุ๊ค) เรื่องนี้คุ้มค่าเพียงพอค่ะ
วันนึงในฤดูร้อนที่เมืองฟลอเรนซ์ เด็กชายวัยสิบเจ็ดปีสองคนพบกัน สำหรับยุโรปในยุคหลังสงครามนโปเลียน นั่นไม่ใช่เรื่องแปลกอะไรมากมายที่ลูกชายของท่านเอิร์ล และตัวเองก็ดำรงตำแหน่งไวส์เค้าท์ในอังกฤษจะได้พบปะและสังสรรกับเด็กชายที่เติบโตในเยอรมัน และทำงานให้กับพ่อค้าขายผ้า สิ่งที่แปลกก็คือเด็กทั้งสองหน้าตาเหมือนกัน แถมยังมีนามสกุลเดียวกันอีกต่างหาก
อ่านถึงตรงนี้หลายคนอาจจะพอนึกถึงภาพยนตร์เรื่องนึงที่ฉายเมื่อหลายปีก่อน เรื่อง The Parent Trap ที่นำแสดงโดยลินเซย์ โลแฮน สมัยที่ยังไร้เดียงสา แต่กระทั่งเรื่อง The Parent Trap เองก็มีเค้าโครงเรื่องมาจากหนังสือสำหรับเด็กของเยอรมันเรื่องนึง และเรื่องนั้นนั่นเองเป็นแรงบันดาลใจของเล่มนี้
ดังนั้นในส่วนของพล็อตไม่ต้องใช้สมองคาดเดาอะไรมากมายนัก เด็กชายทั้งสองสลับตัวกัน ไวส์เค้าท์เดินทางไปเยอรมัน เพื่อพบกับมารดาที่เขาไม่เคยรู้จัก ส่วนอีกคนเดินทางไปอังกฤษเพื่อพบกับพ่อ ความจริงเปิดเผย และทั้งหมดได้พบกันอีกครั้ง
สำหรับเราที่ดูหนัง และเคยอ่านหนังสือเยอรมันเล่มนั้น (ฉบับแปลเป็นอังกฤษ) มาแล้ว พล็อตจึงไม่ใช่สิ่งแปลกใหม่ แต่สิ่งที่ทำให้เราอ่านต่อโดยไม่ยอมหลับยอมนอนก็คือ ตัวละคร และที่สำคัญที่สุด อารมณ์ของเรื่อง
ขอบอกว่า อ่านไปร้องไห้ไป น้ำตาไหลเป็นทาง เรื่องราวที่บีบหัวใจ พระเอกที่น่าเขกกระโหลกอย่างยิ่ง อ่านแล้วมีอารมณ์ร่วมไปกับเนื้อเรื่องอย่างมาก
เรารู้สึกว่า คาแร็คเตอร์มีความสมจริงยิ่งนัก ชอบสองฝาแฝดที่คนแต่งเขียนให้ทั้งคู่มีความแตกต่างกันอย่างชัดเจน และเธอไม่ได้ใช้ความแตกต่างง่าย ๆ แบบในหนัง (คนนึงเป็นกุลสตรี อีกคนเป็นทอมบอย) ความแตกต่างของทั้งสองสื่อให้เห็นอย่างชัดเจนถึงการเลี้ยงดูที่ทั้งคู่ถูกเพาะบ่มมา
เรื่องนี้สนุกตลอดทั้งเรื่อง ส่วนเดียวที่เราขัดใจเราเล็กน้อยก็คงจะเป็นตอนจบของเรื่อง เรารู้สึกว่า พระเอกยังไม่ได้ทำหน้าที่ของตัวเองอย่างเต็มที่ เขาไม่ได้ไถ่บาปมากเพียงพอสำหรับเรา เพราะทั้งเรื่องเขาโหดร้ายกับนางเอกมาก เราจึงคาดหวังการไถ่โทษที่ยิ่งใหญ่ไม่น้อยไปกว่ากัน และแม้จะมีฉากนั้นในเรื่อง แต่ความโหดของเรา ยังรู้สึกว่าไม่พอ นี่เป็นเหตุผลเดียวที่เราตัดคะแนนเล่มนี้ลง
คะแนนที่ 77
September 20, 2013
Like earlier stated I read and reviewed this for the publisher/author for my honest and unbiased opinion.
This would be my third novel I've read by Sandra Schwab and yet again she has dazzled me. She keeps getting better and better. I'm having a hard time letting this be labeled in the Historical Romance. It was more of a tragedy with a HEA at the very, very end. It was so sad and I felt bad for both Georgina and Ash. They were torn apart for seventeen years due to betrayal and lies. It was so sad and the way Sandra Schwab made you connect with the characters.
I loved how she based this story of the famous 'Parent Trap' movies and the original German play. It was a unique and cute way to make the two separated lovers reunit. It makes me want to re-watch the movies. However, I always wonder the chances that the twins would be at the same place at the same time...it is so unlikely.
Anyways, it was a cute, but tragic book. I really wanted to punch Ash though, because he had claimed to loving her SO much, but when one person tells him that she had laid with another man HE believed it. Even when Georgina denied it, he still divorced her. There was no proof...only word of mouth...he divorced her. GAH! MEN! So bull-headed. He was lucky she didn't take both of the babies with her. >.> However, there was one way that Georgina could have avoided all that (which I can't say) but she didn't play that card, which she should have played, but she didn't. C'MON! You're marriage is going down in flames and you wouldn't do anything to save it? GAH! I just wanted to scream when I found out the card that could have saved the marriage to begin with. Tsk.
I loved everything about this book, besides for one thing...I hated the ending. Yes, I was glad they got their HEA, but it was rushed. I wanted more one-on-one between the two. I wanted more cuddling and sweet words. For heaven's sake they had been apart for 17 years. IDK. All this build up and the ending left me wanting more.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. I would really like a prequel of the couple. It would be fun to see how they got together in their youth and then the crumble of the marriage. Maybe someday. *fingers crossed*. The ending felt super rushed, but the rest of the book was great and I want more! I can't wait to read more by Sandra Schwab. ^.^ I would recommend this to those that love Historical Romances. Out of 5 stars I grant this one 5 stars. It is more like 4.5, but I rounded since I don't give decimals.
Favorite Character(s): The twins (a pair of rascals), Georgina, Frau Else and Guy
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Dowager Countess (*grumbles* bitch *grumbles*)
This would be my third novel I've read by Sandra Schwab and yet again she has dazzled me. She keeps getting better and better. I'm having a hard time letting this be labeled in the Historical Romance. It was more of a tragedy with a HEA at the very, very end. It was so sad and I felt bad for both Georgina and Ash. They were torn apart for seventeen years due to betrayal and lies. It was so sad and the way Sandra Schwab made you connect with the characters.
I loved how she based this story of the famous 'Parent Trap' movies and the original German play. It was a unique and cute way to make the two separated lovers reunit. It makes me want to re-watch the movies. However, I always wonder the chances that the twins would be at the same place at the same time...it is so unlikely.
Anyways, it was a cute, but tragic book. I really wanted to punch Ash though, because he had claimed to loving her SO much, but when one person tells him that she had laid with another man HE believed it. Even when Georgina denied it, he still divorced her. There was no proof...only word of mouth...he divorced her. GAH! MEN! So bull-headed. He was lucky she didn't take both of the babies with her. >.> However, there was one way that Georgina could have avoided all that (which I can't say) but she didn't play that card, which she should have played, but she didn't. C'MON! You're marriage is going down in flames and you wouldn't do anything to save it? GAH! I just wanted to scream when I found out the card that could have saved the marriage to begin with. Tsk.
I loved everything about this book, besides for one thing...I hated the ending. Yes, I was glad they got their HEA, but it was rushed. I wanted more one-on-one between the two. I wanted more cuddling and sweet words. For heaven's sake they had been apart for 17 years. IDK. All this build up and the ending left me wanting more.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. I would really like a prequel of the couple. It would be fun to see how they got together in their youth and then the crumble of the marriage. Maybe someday. *fingers crossed*. The ending felt super rushed, but the rest of the book was great and I want more! I can't wait to read more by Sandra Schwab. ^.^ I would recommend this to those that love Historical Romances. Out of 5 stars I grant this one 5 stars. It is more like 4.5, but I rounded since I don't give decimals.
Favorite Character(s): The twins (a pair of rascals), Georgina, Frau Else and Guy
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Dowager Countess (*grumbles* bitch *grumbles*)
August 15, 2015
A historical take on the Parent Trap. The H, Ash, for most of the book is a bitter spiteful man. He had split up with his wife, Georgina, when they were very young. He believed the worst about his wife. His MAJOR bitch of a mother, of course started the lies. Ash, is an English duke, he refused to believe Georgina. Georgina fled to Germany with one of the young twin sons. She left the older twin, the heir, with his father!
It was mostly bittersweet, showing Georgina's life as a companion to an elderly wealthy woman, while Ash, simmered and sulked in his estate. The twins, of course, are raised quite differently. One is raised with kindness, love and is unspoiled. The other is shown a short temper and aloofness. The Parent trap element comes fairly early in the book.
When the parents, the H and h meet again, it's been just over 17 years. They'd been young lovers when they were last together. Ash expects Georgina to be pitiful and remorseful. She is none of that, and stands her own when she meets up with her ex. She had given up on Ash ever believing her, so she focuses on her sons.
I took 1/2 star off for Ash, being a too OTT bitter asshole for a huge part of the story. What was the real Ash? The young man that was so tender & loving to "Ginny"? Or the sour moody man?
I did like the grovel, it was very sincere, in my opinion. The twist on how Georgina was cleared, was a clever twist-especially in a historical romance. The author has an epilogue on her website, which I plan to read.
That should have been included in the book. The author notes that she's working on having the book free-for how long, I'm not sure. The price now is .99 on Amazon, but my friend Robin loaned it to me.
Thank you Robin!
**edit. I read the epilogue that's on the author's website. OK, but it's not too far in the future.
It was mostly bittersweet, showing Georgina's life as a companion to an elderly wealthy woman, while Ash, simmered and sulked in his estate. The twins, of course, are raised quite differently. One is raised with kindness, love and is unspoiled. The other is shown a short temper and aloofness. The Parent trap element comes fairly early in the book.
When the parents, the H and h meet again, it's been just over 17 years. They'd been young lovers when they were last together. Ash expects Georgina to be pitiful and remorseful. She is none of that, and stands her own when she meets up with her ex. She had given up on Ash ever believing her, so she focuses on her sons.
I took 1/2 star off for Ash, being a too OTT bitter asshole for a huge part of the story. What was the real Ash? The young man that was so tender & loving to "Ginny"? Or the sour moody man?
I did like the grovel, it was very sincere, in my opinion. The twist on how Georgina was cleared, was a clever twist-especially in a historical romance. The author has an epilogue on her website, which I plan to read.
That should have been included in the book. The author notes that she's working on having the book free-for how long, I'm not sure. The price now is .99 on Amazon, but my friend Robin loaned it to me.
Thank you Robin!
**edit. I read the epilogue that's on the author's website. OK, but it's not too far in the future.
October 26, 2021
Another weak hero who treated the foolish heroine like dirt and after 17 years of being driven away by him and society, she takes him back straight away 😒. Let's not forget how she remained faithful whilst he didn't 🤦🏽♀️. Also a lot of repetition of inner dialogue and some flashbacks that did nothing.
Ending was rushed and HEA wasn't deserved by either the yellow belly hero or the dumb heroine.
Ending was rushed and HEA wasn't deserved by either the yellow belly hero or the dumb heroine.
January 5, 2022
It's not a bad story but by Jove, I am miffed it's so hard to get to the 'free' epilogue from the author.
December 11, 2017
Wow yet another delicious offering by Schwab but writing a review without spoilers is difficult, as the blurb does not reveal much. As the title suggests the protagonists in this tale were betrayed and obviously not by either of them. So why were they betrayed? And that may lead to by who and how? This is the provocative question. Throughout the novel, one is on tenterhooks, desperately seeking the answer. Ah yes, in true Schwabish fashion the romance in Betrayal is interspersed with suspense. One vainly presses on hoping all is revealed in the next page or perhaps the next. However, Schwab mistress of her craft keeps one in the dark until dawn is slowly rising on the horizon to reveal a regency landscape of unexpected magnitude. Undoubtedly, one is quite shocked at the revelation. Lord Ashburn or Ash and Georgina fell in love deeply and married at an early age 19 and 18 respectively. After the birth of their sons, twins they were betrayed and Georgina fled from England making a new life for herself albeit not quite what she was used to. Betrayal by the one he loved dearly left Ash bitter and hurt. Georgina equally hurt by painful memories of being letdown by a man who she thought loved her with his body, heart and soul. Yet he was quick to believe the lies regardless of her denials. Betrayed by his deception she still had those painfully loving moments spent with Ash. Of course, this is the Regency era, a society with very different moral values nevertheless fraught with hypocrisy where deceptions and lies are easily conceived and deployed. Seventeen years later they are forcibly reunited and all their personal issues surface. In Betrayal, Schwab once again deftly captures her protagonists' emotions, their angst, their misgivings, amid the grandeur and classism of the Regency era. As their tale moves between Germany and England Schwab's prose makes the places come to life. She skilfully braids all her characters delving deeply into their flaws to deliver a scintillating masterpiece. True this is a plot device used before betrayal through lies and deception and then a reunion. However, it is Schwab's treatment of a familiar trope that makes Betrayal such a mesmerising read. It was so easy to be lost in this tale, swept by the magically rapturous words and imagery, the depth of all the characters. The mature and well thought plotline makes it real and one is transported to Ash and Ginny's era. Even the 17 years of separation, though hard to swallow make it realistic, for such is life. However, the one flaw in this book is that Schwab fails to tackle how Georgina arrives at Frau Elsa's. The novel has an HEA and for those interested the authors note at the end gives useful insight into Schwab's inspiration for the novel. And for her fans, Betrayal also has an epilogue.
May 21, 2024
4 1/2 stars This book proves that a skilled author can develop intense emotion in a relatively short book (about 200 pages)
Seventeen years ago the h fled from her home with one of her twin sons, leaving behind the heir, his older brother, and the husband who accused her of adultery on the strength of his mother's accusation that she had seen the h with his cousin. The H's mother had also planted the seed of doubt that he was the father of his sons. In a coincidence that stretches belief the two brothers meet in Italy and switch places. When her son's identity is discovered, the h accompanies him back to England and confronts the husband who divorced her on grounds of adultery. With a few more coincidences, e.g., the cousin seeing a story of the return of the h in a gossip column, the truth is revealed.
Seventeen years ago the h fled from her home with one of her twin sons, leaving behind the heir, his older brother, and the husband who accused her of adultery on the strength of his mother's accusation that she had seen the h with his cousin. The H's mother had also planted the seed of doubt that he was the father of his sons. In a coincidence that stretches belief the two brothers meet in Italy and switch places. When her son's identity is discovered, the h accompanies him back to England and confronts the husband who divorced her on grounds of adultery. With a few more coincidences, e.g., the cousin seeing a story of the return of the h in a gossip column, the truth is revealed.
April 29, 2018
I have mixed feelings with the main couple of this book. I'm not sure I liked them ; he was way too intense for me, she was way too understanding. Still, they matched perfectly and they fit together. I think I prefered the secondary cast, especially the twins and the over-the-top villainous .
The whole book had a well-managed melancholic and bittersweet atmosphere. I loved the writing, it transcribed so well the nostalgia and the wistfulness in which the main characters were absorbed. Also, the incipit was outstanding.
I liked the unusual setting (part of the book took place in the Frankfurt am Main area) and the fact the plot was based on one of my favourite books as a kid, Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kastner, was a bonus.
Thus the 4,5 stars.
The whole book had a well-managed melancholic and bittersweet atmosphere. I loved the writing, it transcribed so well the nostalgia and the wistfulness in which the main characters were absorbed. Also, the incipit was outstanding.
I liked the unusual setting (part of the book took place in the Frankfurt am Main area) and the fact the plot was based on one of my favourite books as a kid, Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kastner, was a bonus.
Thus the 4,5 stars.
May 17, 2017
Wonderful!
Ash and Georgina 's story is definitely a lot like the parent trap. (One of my all time favorites ) with a lushess difference. Through heartbreak and betrayal the fates and two wonderful young boy Ash and Georgina come face to face again after 17 years. A definite must read. A tragically beautiful story!
Ash and Georgina 's story is definitely a lot like the parent trap. (One of my all time favorites ) with a lushess difference. Through heartbreak and betrayal the fates and two wonderful young boy Ash and Georgina come face to face again after 17 years. A definite must read. A tragically beautiful story!
March 3, 2023
Loved, loved the book! I had bought awhile ago on iBooks and now the epilogue link is broken. Has anyone been successful in reading the epilogue? I really need some more of that HEA. I went to website and it also would not let me get the epilogue. So if anyone has read it please give me the Cole notes version 🙏🥺
July 26, 2022
Loved it.
I wish it was an audiobook.
Great book I loved every character. They all had substance and purpose. I just wish there was an audio version. The book put me in the mind of old movies.
Loved it.
I wish it was an audiobook.
Great book I loved every character. They all had substance and purpose. I just wish there was an audio version. The book put me in the mind of old movies.
Loved it.
December 7, 2017
I really enjoy the book , it was unexpected. I liked the way it is writed and the descriptions
November 2, 2020
Although the book has flaws I really enjoyed .Very entertaining.Nice read. Lots of misunderstandings, betrayal but... beneath it is all love..
July 20, 2024
Review to follow
June 8, 2015
Reviewed by Julie
Book provided by the author
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Well, my goodness! What a story! The inspiration for the this novel came from “The Parent Trap.” Ash has a child and Georgina has a child. They are twins, but unaware of each other.
Ash has never been able to bond with his son. The doubt in the back of his mind that the boy isn’t really his heir keeps him from being able to connect with him.
When a situation occurs that brings his former wife, Georgina back to England all the sweet memories come back to Ash and Georgina, but are mixed the memories of betrayal. Ash’s sweet, beautiful, sensual wife was sleeping with his best friend. For seventeen years Ash has stewed in his anger and pain.
Georgina has tried to put the best face on her life she could. A cheerful woman that lives from one day to the next by refusing to indulge in self pity or allow the memories, both good and bad to come to the surface. When Ash and Georgina find themselves face to face after all these years, he finds that not only is he still in terrible pain, but he is still in love with Georgina.
The opportunity to finally give Georgina fits for the wrongs she committed are too great to pass up. But, she doesn’t give in to his barbs easily, making him furious. Then he goes too far and realizes he still cares for her after all.
You will not be able to read this book without a box of tissues. When one brave soul comes forward and reveals a stunning secret the realization that these two people have been robbed of so many years together is so sad. The effect it has on the children and what they missed out on and will never be able to go back and recapture is almost more than Ash can bear. If he thought he knew pain before, he really suffers when the truth finally comes out.
Many of the issues this couple endured was due to their youth. They were so young and so deeply in love with each other, but didn’t have the maturity to stop and reason out the situation. Ash’s temper was notorious, so you could imagine him at nineteen being very quick tempered. So, when someone comes to him of good authority and tells him they have seen his wife with his best friend he just reacted. Georgina’s pride caused her to refuse to give credence to the accusations. There was only one other person that knew the truth and that person was hiding an explosive secret .
After seventeen long years of dealing with pain and disgrace and disloyalty and betrayal it would be hard to just pick back up and put all that behind you. But, with a powerful love that could not be denied these two just might be able to pull it off.
Did I like the characters? Well Ash was hard to warm up to despite my feeling that I would most likely feel the same way. Georgina was a cool customer , a woman that suffered greatly for no good reason, but a woman with a HUGE heart and the courage to reclaim what she lost all those years ago.
The steam level on this one was a 2. There were some erotic suggestions, but mostly these were from memories and not too detailed. Our lovebirds are able to finally come together again after all this time and it seems the passion is just as strong even though they are older.
Book provided by the author
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
Well, my goodness! What a story! The inspiration for the this novel came from “The Parent Trap.” Ash has a child and Georgina has a child. They are twins, but unaware of each other.
Ash has never been able to bond with his son. The doubt in the back of his mind that the boy isn’t really his heir keeps him from being able to connect with him.
When a situation occurs that brings his former wife, Georgina back to England all the sweet memories come back to Ash and Georgina, but are mixed the memories of betrayal. Ash’s sweet, beautiful, sensual wife was sleeping with his best friend. For seventeen years Ash has stewed in his anger and pain.
Georgina has tried to put the best face on her life she could. A cheerful woman that lives from one day to the next by refusing to indulge in self pity or allow the memories, both good and bad to come to the surface. When Ash and Georgina find themselves face to face after all these years, he finds that not only is he still in terrible pain, but he is still in love with Georgina.
The opportunity to finally give Georgina fits for the wrongs she committed are too great to pass up. But, she doesn’t give in to his barbs easily, making him furious. Then he goes too far and realizes he still cares for her after all.
You will not be able to read this book without a box of tissues. When one brave soul comes forward and reveals a stunning secret the realization that these two people have been robbed of so many years together is so sad. The effect it has on the children and what they missed out on and will never be able to go back and recapture is almost more than Ash can bear. If he thought he knew pain before, he really suffers when the truth finally comes out.
Many of the issues this couple endured was due to their youth. They were so young and so deeply in love with each other, but didn’t have the maturity to stop and reason out the situation. Ash’s temper was notorious, so you could imagine him at nineteen being very quick tempered. So, when someone comes to him of good authority and tells him they have seen his wife with his best friend he just reacted. Georgina’s pride caused her to refuse to give credence to the accusations. There was only one other person that knew the truth and that person was hiding an explosive secret .
After seventeen long years of dealing with pain and disgrace and disloyalty and betrayal it would be hard to just pick back up and put all that behind you. But, with a powerful love that could not be denied these two just might be able to pull it off.
Did I like the characters? Well Ash was hard to warm up to despite my feeling that I would most likely feel the same way. Georgina was a cool customer , a woman that suffered greatly for no good reason, but a woman with a HUGE heart and the courage to reclaim what she lost all those years ago.
The steam level on this one was a 2. There were some erotic suggestions, but mostly these were from memories and not too detailed. Our lovebirds are able to finally come together again after all this time and it seems the passion is just as strong even though they are older.
August 1, 2013
A well-written romance. Not actually my genre, but a fun read nevertheless, well written (especially since the author is not a native speaker), witty, well-researched, with fun (German) local color elements and trivia blended into an Austen-ian world. The dialogues are smart, the steamy atmosphere proper, the in-law a beast - naturally... What else does one need to relax?!
February 15, 2015
I lurve the angst! And best groveling ever (at least compared to other groveling's that I've read). I can't understand the motivation behind the big misunderstanding but whatever. I enjoyed how it played out.
May 23, 2016
So, this is similar to Disney's plot for Parent Trap. I am not a big fan of the old stodgy English ways. I thought some parts too boring and skipped a bit here and there, but overall it was a decent read.
January 17, 2015
Almost four star. Really good version of the story I first saw in The Parent Trap. Very moving.
August 16, 2013
Almost four star. Really good version of the story I first saw in The Parent Trap. Very moving.
December 19, 2014
A short historical romance based on 'Lottie and Lisa"/The Parent Trap. Completely over the top angst, but so much fun!
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