Jan Lesoing

One thing that endeavored me to this romance more than most is the plot itself. The first half doesn't focus on the romantic relationship, but rather the main characters misfortune and ill treatment. She spends much time in a mansion as a lady's maid, wrapped up in the lives of some unique paper-people, then transferred through a deceitful manner to her new home, where of course the main romantic aspect of the story takes off.

This may sound as if it's taking it's sweet time to get to the punch, but quite the contrary: everythings interesting. The romantic story itself wasn't all doey eyed either, but filled with logical struggles and resistance. This of course helps keep the story readable until the hero and heroine ultimately submit to their hearts. There was even a side-love story going on, which is unusual, that instead of being described as icky and not-right, was sweet and I almost applauded for it to go in that direction instead. There's even some suspense scenes that were genuinely suspenseful, as in how the truth comes out and when it does. My eyes were glued during this scene!

Not weighed down by stereotypical scenarios, the characters had much to work with. Anne as the heroine is sweet and hard-working, maybe a little too so to where it's almost realistic. Her motivations make sense, spurred on by offenses met in a former life. 'Hero' Eastman has more hangups than most of them, and he thankfully doesn't forget half of his dilemma's seriousness as soon as he sets his eye on Anne. Bonuses include Eastman's father, who was at the top of my list of who to love in the story, as well as Carter, the other potential love twist.

At 373 pages, enough drama happens to keep the pace breathing without much struggle. Sometimes things grew mildly repetitious but the different tests Eastman threw to chase Anne off were amusing. LeSoing took a different approach with this one, which was a wonderful change. Injected with different touches, she kept the story even in pacing and mildly funny in atmosphere, choosing the right dialogue to fit in snugly. I'm curious to read more from this author.

The romance, once they succumbed, was sweet without being cloying. Eastman's protective stance once he finally made up his mind made my heart sing (yes, gag me with a spoon but this is really what I felt!), and in regard to intimacy, what a surprise. I guarantee you won't guess the small twist that's very abnormal in romance novels when that 'first night' finally rolls around. Sexually, Forever Yesterday is not steaming off the pages in any way, shape or form, but the story draws you in and holds you there from the start.… (més)