I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
This review contains a LOT of spoilers !!
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The plot of the book began with an epilogue that for me somewhat ruined my reading experience because it put me in a constant state of suspicion. Because of the epilogue I did not believe in Will, I did not believe in the relationship between Eva and Will and I was not surprised when everything exploded. I think it was right to let this be revealed in a more implicit and sophisticated way.
The rest of the plot was uneven in it's level.
There were a lot of sex scenes that were actually well written but I got tired later on because they repeated themselves .
The description of the event production was very interesting and it was evident that research was done on the field of event productions at the highest level, but unfortunately this aspect of the plot also became annoying due to Eva and Will's unprofessional behavior as a couple.
Violent events that were described as difficult and shocked me at first, turned out to be not terrible at all because otherwise how is it possible the next day to have wild sex on tables ?!
*** I must point out that this is one of the things that makes violent offenses against women seem not serious enough and that is not ok !
The plot towards the end was twisted and tangled in so many lies and secrets that it was too tiring and too busy for me.
The Characters:
Eva, a young single mother is rebuilding her life after coming out of a very destructive relationship. I really appreciated the author for finding a way to show that Eva really is a very serious, dedicated and professional businesswoman so I was very disappointed that later in the story she allowed herself to become a woman who acted like an uncontrollable and disrespectful hormonal teen to her subordinates, clients, parents of her daughter etc.
If I were a service provider or anyone else coming to a business meeting and finding the person, I was meeting with straddling her partner's lap and kissing passionately, I would turn around and go. This is not a professional behavior. I was very embarrassed and very ashamed for Eva that this is how she finds it appropriate to behave.
I loved the fact that Eva is raising Summer as an independent, brave girl (climbing trees, experimenting) with an exemplary admired character (Katniss Averdine)
It reflected her way of thinking about how a woman should feel in this world. That’s why I was very disappointed in a lot of the choices Eva chose to make throughout the story.
I think there is a lot of problem in men that Eva surrounds herself with .
She allows herself to succumb to slippery words and expressions of affection when in practice she notices warning signs but prefers to ignore them.
For example - after Eva is injured Will insists on taking care of her . when she decides to go back to work the following sentence comes out of his mouth: "Eva, I agreed that you work from home. Do not push your luck" Eva turns to him in a rage ( good for her ) but hey, he's shirtless , so it’s ok if talks to her Like he talks to a little girl .
There were many more warning bells ringing in my head about Will and Eva's relationship but the last seal was in the romantic scene at the foot of her tree where he propose marriage and wants her signature on the girls adoption documents.
and what does she do? she signs it Without thinking twice ! This is a major issue ! think about the consequences, the commitments, such important things are talked about before and decided together!
Unfortunately, I was left with the impression that Eva is putting herself in an unhealthy and unequal relationship and this is just another type of abuse sponsored by a lot of nice words and good sex that will pass with time.
Will's character was poorly written. He was portrayed as a dream man but in practice I felt he was obsessive, creepy and overbearing not to mention his booming business (where is the honor in that?)
He imposes himself on Eva at every opportunity. Yes, he does it sweetly (after all, he is an expert at it) under the cover of “taking care of her “ ( nobody asked you dude ! )
His personal story did not impress me because it was exaggerated, and in no way justified his way of behaving.
Note – whispers and murmurs in a way only the partner hears, are a good way to create intimacy and closeness, but when it becomes the main means of communication it becomes meaningless annoying and creepy .
Also , I want to comment, when spouses say to each other "I love you" it should be meaningful, special and powerful.
The number of times Will says to Eva "I love you" in a month of dating is greater than the number of times my husband told me this all the years we've been together ( 26 years but who is counting ) . Again , It becomes completely meaningless.
I’m sorry but I didn’t like the book. There was potential in the plot and the characters but it had a lot of problems I could not ignore .