Happily Ever After Book Club discussion

I just finished reading For Elise and I'm dying to discuss it. There will be spoilers, I'll mark them, but you may want to read the book before joining the chat.

Has anyone else noticed that Eden's newer books seem to be a little heavier and deal with more serious subject matters? I admit, I was a little hesitant to start this one. I normally can't wait to jump into an Eden book, but I was looking for more of a cute, light regency and this definitely had a heavier feel than I wanted. I guess Elise's secret right off and it put a damper on the whole book for me.

I think part of the problem is her secret isn’t ever really addressed. We know what happened (literally no details whatsoever) and we know it obviously changed her, but it’s never really talked about. Even from her POV we don’t get any insight into what happened or what she is thinking. I think if you’re going to have that happen to a character then you need to really address it head-on.

(view spoiler)[When Elise is fifteen she witnesses the murder of her father and his friend (Mile's father). It's hinted at and never really addressed, but she was sexually assaulted and then shot and left for dead. I hate rape and I hate reading about it. But a part of me wanted to know what happened and how she got away, etc. We learn the motives of why the villain killed the fathers, but not why he attacked her (besides the obvious reasons). He could have easily waited for a time when the two men were alone, so did he purposefully wait for her to be present as well? Did he have designs on her before the attack? Or was it just that an opportunity presented itself? And how did she get away? I know he shot her and thought she was dead, but it sounded like he shot her while she was attempting to get away. So, yeah I had a lot of unanswered questions. Not that I really wanted to know though, again I hate when that plot device is used.

I also wasn’t sure why it had to go that far. I think witnessing the murders would have been enough. I could see her feeling threatened and still have the need to run away, so for me the rape wasn’t necessary to the story at all. Especially since it wasn’t really addressed. Being a young unwed girl she still would have needed to marry Jim. He seemed like an awesome guy and it would have been a sweeter story if Anne had been his daughter and the rest of the story could have unfolded the same. I thought maybe it would be addressed when the villain shows himself at the end, but he never mentioned it either. When he kidnaps her at the end, I thought that now he would talk about what happened (he never mentioned in his many threatening letters) or talk about Anne being his. Nope, nothing. So, I’m personally left thinking it was completely unnecessary to the plot. Neither Miles or Elise address it and all it did for me was put a damper on the whole story that didn’t need to be there.

I’m glad we didn’t get the exact details of the attack, but at the same time I was left with a lot of questions. I think the story would have been better without it. I think part of my problem was not knowing how that plot would be worked into the story and how detailed it would get. So, I suspected what happened to Elise really early on and had my guard up the rest of the time. I think re-reading it and knowing that there is no detail and seeing how she is able to heal and open herself up will make me like it better the second time around. (hide spoiler)]

I did enjoy the overall story. I love when characters are reunited and how their relationship had to be rebuilt. I thought Miles relationship with Anne was sweet and there were a lot of nice moments between Miles and Elise. The mystery added a nice level to the story. It was just that stupid plot device that kind of ruined it, at least for me.

I agree but I also understand why. I enjoyed it like the characters and the relationship were sweet. I don't think it was addressed because she didn't want it addressed, I wouldn't. More later got to go.

I wish that she hadn't used that plot device either. Her more recent books are a bit heavier. I did enjoy the reunion and redeveloped relationship between Elise and Miles. I loved the glimpses into their childhood. But I did long for one of Sarah Eden's lighter regency novels. I hope she goes back to writing more of those.

I enjoyed this book and really liked Miles and Elise and their relationship as children and adults. For Elise was self-published several years ago, it was just re-published with a new cover. I didn't like what happened to Elise and wish it had a little different plot line, but it was still a great read.

I loved the relationship between Elise and Miles too, they really have a sweet story. I can see how being so young she would be hurt and run away, but it was also frustrating that she didn't take a little time to make a plan and to maybe approach him when he wasn't right in the middle of something. I also thought it was a bit odd that he didn't remember that conversation at all. She disappeared shortly after and you'd think a normal person would try and think back to the last time they saw that person. At the time, he had to have remembered her coming to him and how he handled it. I also thought it was weird that he went off to India, did he even try that hard to find her? I don't remember, but did it ever say he went looking for her or had others looking for her?

Anyway, I did like the book and may read it again down the road.

I just finished this book last night, and I agree that I wish that one aspect of the plot had been left out. It made it feel that much more heavy and sad. However, I am glad that the author showed that terrible things can happen and it can be overcome. But it's just so horrible that I hate to even think of it.

Chrissy, I agree I like seeing people overcome stuff like that and have happy lives. I guess I'm just too sensitive a reader. :)

Kathy, I am sensitive too. I totally agree with your review at the top of the discussion. I read to escape so my favorite books are the happy ones.