TEST
Anna DeStefano has written an overwhelming story about two people suffering in their own unique ways. The heroine suffers from post traumatic stress over a death of a close friend and the hero from a job that is slowly killing him. Neither will allow the chance to let the other into their hearts so they can start to heal, and try and find the happiness that seems to elude them. This unneeded torment continues all the way up to the final chapter, which left me unfulfilled – and not entirely convinced that an HEA was in the works for this couple.
Maggie Rivers faces so many issues I was surprised she hadn’t had a breakdown even before this story began. To put it mildly: She’s in a downward spiral. Maggie lived through her best friend’s death at the hands of drug dealers, and though this was years ago, she simply can’t move on. She works toward her graduate degree in New York City so that she can help make a better place for teenagers in constant fear of inner city gangs, all the while remaining stoic in an attempt to show one and all that she is strong and can handle anything. But she’s at the breaking point and refuses any help. Instead of reaching out to her lover, Detective Matt Lebretti, she leaves him and hides with her extended family in Oakwood, Georgia, where she spent some years as a teenager.
Matt Lebretti is one hero who fits the police officer mold perfectly. His main purpose is to serve and protect, but he goes too far when he nearly kills a gang member who shot and killed a fellow officer. The danger inherent in his job effects Maggie too; though he pretends he’s safe, each night that he works may be his last. She becomes very cold towards Matt and no longer wants to comfort him for the death of his friend. When they are intimate, he feels like she is no longer in the moment emotionally and he begins to wonder if she no longer loves him.
Maggie can no longer tolerate the situation and leaves him to try and find some sort of balance for herself and their relationship. Matt will no longer allow Maggie hide from him. He follows her to make her see reason – that their relationship is something to work for. He will also try and help her confront the demons that haunt her daily.
Heavy emotion permeates the story, and there are no easy answers for law enforcement officers and their families. Violence is a given. The question is how can someone survive the outcome of these crimes day on a day to day basis? These issues take the forefront over the romance between Maggie and Matt. The focus isn’t on lust or sex or seduction. Rather, we are shown how important family is and what one has to do to get through life. As you might imagine, you’ll feel drained by the end.
Maggie’s extended family want to support her, but she simply won’t allow their help. She refuses to see a therapist and believes all will be fine as long as she can help the local teens, who face gang problems even in their small town. In trying to forgive herself for allowing her friend to die, Maggie constantly puts herself in danger and is eventually attacked, but still won’t see reason. She continually pushes Matt away and avoids his touch. Eventually she sees the light, but I wasn’t convinced she’d ever be able to put her demons behind her. And if I were Matt, I’d have thrown in the towel long before she realizes she’s in serious trouble. As for Matt, he too has issues, and while they’re not as harsh as Maggie’s, he doesn’t really confront them either.
The result is two damaged people who emotionally can’t stabilize a loving and healthy relationship. I believe the author should have let these two go their separate ways, but of course this is romanceland, so by the epilogue Maggie has “fixed” herself through therapy, Matt has given up his job in New York to work for the police department of Oakwood, and the small town, as always, serves as their tonic.
This book has some very weighty issues that bypass the usual Harlequin mold. This is to the author’s credit – and is part of the reason The Perfect Daughter earns a recommendation from me – but it is only a qualified recommendation. I appreciated the issues and the people, but I didn’t believe that an HEA was in the cards. I closed the book feeling depressed and saddened knowing that love doesn’t conquer all.
Grade: B-
Book Type: Series Romance
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 10/05/07
Publication Date: 2007/02
Related Reviews
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.