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A review by labwa_0712
The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh
3.0
I read a couple of Mary Balogh books before. So I did expect her writing to be quite slow-burn. And it was. But the book surprised me at different points.
The story was great and I was more excited since this was a forbidden romance. The beginning was slow. I had some difficulties connecting with the characters. The story was progressing but I still felt that something was missing. Probably the chemistry between the characters felt weak to me. But I was definitely not prepared for what the last 20% of the book entailed. That's when the true nature of the characters' feelings came out. It was obvious that Adam was taken with Fleur but until the last 20% of the book, I didn't feel their connection. I was ready to give it 3 stars but then I loved the last past of the book and the angst it delivered. After all the problems in Fleur's life were resolved, the real highlight of the story came. The struggle that Adam was facing, the dilemma that was tearing him apart. He knew that he loved her but he could not admit it to her. He was torn between preserving his daughter's happiness and choosing the love of his life. Adam was such an amazing person. He was kind and selfless. He gave up so many things in his life to make others happy. And even though they loved each other, they accepted their fate and went their separate ways because they thought it was the right thing to do. As fate would have it, they were destined to be happy together. I loved the ending of the book. Whatever indifference I had towards the characters, especially Adam at the beginning of the book was completely erased and I absolutely loved him then. Altogether, I really loved this book.
The story was great and I was more excited since this was a forbidden romance. The beginning was slow. I had some difficulties connecting with the characters. The story was progressing but I still felt that something was missing. Probably the chemistry between the characters felt weak to me. But I was definitely not prepared for what the last 20% of the book entailed. That's when the true nature of the characters' feelings came out. It was obvious that Adam was taken with Fleur but until the last 20% of the book, I didn't feel their connection. I was ready to give it 3 stars but then I loved the last past of the book and the angst it delivered. After all the problems in Fleur's life were resolved, the real highlight of the story came. The struggle that Adam was facing, the dilemma that was tearing him apart. He knew that he loved her but he could not admit it to her. He was torn between preserving his daughter's happiness and choosing the love of his life. Adam was such an amazing person. He was kind and selfless. He gave up so many things in his life to make others happy. And even though they loved each other, they accepted their fate and went their separate ways because they thought it was the right thing to do. As fate would have it, they were destined to be happy together. I loved the ending of the book. Whatever indifference I had towards the characters, especially Adam at the beginning of the book was completely erased and I absolutely loved him then. Altogether, I really loved this book.