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mephala's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s been a while since I’ve read Elisa Braden and her special brand of emotional angst. I admit, after reading one of her books years ago I wasn’t that impressed, but now I can safely say I was wrong.
On the surface Ever Yours, Annabelle is a story of second chance romance featuring a childhood friends, and promising some emotional redemption arc. Surprisingly it is, but not in the way I expected.
This book’s plot took me by surprise; I honestly prepared myself for a story of troubled hero, who, for most of the book would (rightly or not), blame the heroine for basically destroying his life.
But that didn’t happen.
It was refreshing to read a story with main hero like Robert Conrad, who was definitely in his own right to feel resentful toward Annabelle, butnever truly did. His self-imposed separation from her and her family (sans her brother) happened because he didn’t want to burden her or put her reputation in danger. His life definitely didn’t turn out like he thought it would, but I never felt his delve on that. Yes, he needed a nudge from his grandfather to find new purpose for his life, but I felt his depressive state was not solely due to him losing his commission and never becoming a soldier. Maybe I’m reaching, but for me it was him severing his connection to Annabelle that weighted on his mind the most.
I also really enjoyed he was a blend of duty-bound gentleman and fierce warrior.
There was this rather wonderful scene when our hero explained to our heroine he was never truly the honorable knight she saw him to be when she was a mere girl, but a passionate, possessive warrior. The juxtaposition of a girlhood (almost) innocent fantasy and real life man was very well done there.
Moving on to the heroine, Annabelle was fun and unique character. I enjoyed she never lost her mischievous spark even after Robert’s accident, even though it was definitely dimmed. Her secret job of drawing caricatures was great plot point. She had an amazing comedic timing and one of the BEST scenes in the book was a hilarious conversation she had about measuring livestock (with pretty amazing call-back to it, later in the story). Absolute. Brilliant. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard while reading a book.
The main couple had a lot of chemistry; there was a lot of great banter and beautifully build tension. I loved how emotional some of the scenes were, especially one when both characters experienced sort of catharsis about their past and their future together.
The last thing I want to mention are letter the heroine wrote to the hero. It was sweet a lovely little detail that made the story really sweet and romantic.
Really enjoyable and romantic, Ever Yours, Annabelle, delivers a romantic and emotional story about redemption, but with an unique twist.
4/5 stars
On the surface Ever Yours, Annabelle is a story of second chance romance featuring a childhood friends, and promising some emotional redemption arc. Surprisingly it is, but not in the way I expected.
This book’s plot took me by surprise; I honestly prepared myself for a story of troubled hero, who, for most of the book would (rightly or not), blame the heroine for basically destroying his life.
But that didn’t happen.
It was refreshing to read a story with main hero like Robert Conrad, who was definitely in his own right to feel resentful toward Annabelle, but
I also really enjoyed he was a blend of duty-bound gentleman and fierce warrior.
There was this rather wonderful scene when our hero explained to our heroine he was never truly the honorable knight she saw him to be when she was a mere girl, but a passionate, possessive warrior. The juxtaposition of a girlhood (almost) innocent fantasy and real life man was very well done there.
Moving on to the heroine, Annabelle was fun and unique character. I enjoyed she never lost her mischievous spark even after Robert’s accident, even though it was definitely dimmed. Her secret job of drawing caricatures was great plot point. She had an amazing comedic timing and one of the BEST scenes in the book was a hilarious conversation she had about measuring livestock (with pretty amazing call-back to it, later in the story). Absolute. Brilliant. I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard while reading a book.
The main couple had a lot of chemistry; there was a lot of great banter and beautifully build tension. I loved how emotional some of the scenes were, especially one when both characters experienced sort of catharsis about their past and their future together.
The last thing I want to mention are letter the heroine wrote to the hero. It was sweet a lovely little detail that made the story really sweet and romantic.
Really enjoyable and romantic, Ever Yours, Annabelle, delivers a romantic and emotional story about redemption, but with an unique twist.
4/5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death
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