Book Review: Enchanted Afternoon
This book review is for Enchanted Afternoon, by Susan Wiggs. It is a historical romance set in Saratoga Springs in the eighteen hundreds. The story starts out with a very solid beginning. Just after reading the first sentence, I was pulled into the world the author had created.
I immediately was drawn to the main character, Helena, who was in mourning over her father’s death, dealing with an abusive husband – who is also a Senator – and was reintroduced to her true love from almost a decade ago. The said true love also happened to be the real father to her son. All of these dynamics were introduced in the first two chapters. It was enough to keep me enthusiastically reading for more.
As the novel progresses, the level of intensity continues to roller coaster in up and down motions, which is as a novel should be – no matter the genre. I enjoyed reading about a woman from that time period trying to become independent and raising her son on her own. I also liked the side characters, who were mostly other battered women dealing with the blows that life had dealt them. It gives the reader the ability to ponder on what women in general had to deal with in those times, especially since women’s rights were minimal at that time.
I liked the overall story, even the side plots that I usually to refer to as “fillers”. Fillers are used when the main story is not quite enough to keep a reader enticed or to help lengthen the book. My main dilemma in loving the book was with the slowly rekindling romance between Helena and Michael, her lover from nine years ago. I understand that Helena would be extremely cautious to jump into another relationship after leaving her abusive husband.
I even understand that trusting a man who broke your heart once already is to take a rather large risk. However, the way the story and characters were written, I felt that Michael had redeemed himself rather quickly and Helena was being too stubborn to see it.
There were also the “convenient dilemmas” that occur in almost any romance novel. You romance readers know what I am talking about: just when the hero/heroine is about to forgive their true love for whatever had been keeping them apart, some little “convenient dilemma” pops up that makes them distrust their lover once again.
This draws out the story a bit longer and keeps the readers held in exasperation and anticipation. For me, sometimes this method can work, but generally I feel that the happenstances are just a little too convenient. With Enchanted Afternoon, I would have to go with the latter opinion. It just did not quite work. I thought the couple could have reconciled a little sooner in the story and still kept the same climax in the end without it becoming too cheesy. So the big question is, will I add this book to my library? While it was an enjoyable read, I doubt I will read it again. Therefore, no. I will not be keeping this novel.
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