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A review by sammy234
Lily by Patricia Gaffney
4.0
I couldn't put this book down and I adored the heroine, so I'm going to give this story a higher rating than it probably deserves. Despite being so well written, the conclusion of this romance didn't feel entirely believable to me.
The reconciliation between Devon and Lily needed at least a hundred more pages to fully develop, considering all the trauma Lily was put through. Devon's first noble act of
Still, with all my complaints, I found this love story fascinating and I would recommend it if you don't mind unlikable main characters. Lily is a saint, to be perfectly honest, but Devon is flawed and ignorant and sometimes cruel. His development is a major part of the novel, and he ends up better than what he started out as personality wise, but he's definitely not your traditional romance hero or even dark romance hero. I really felt for him because he's a very traumatized person who is obviously driven by all his negative emotions. He won't be for everyone though, so I do get the low ratings.
The first half of this novel showcases the beginning of a tender and funny romance, while the second half is dark and angsty and heartbreaking, which is another reason why this story could be polarizing to some readers. I enjoyed it all (even if I did find the Judith McNaught type of big misunderstanding plotline aggravating, to say the least) and the side characters were all so memorable, especially Devon's sweet younger brother and the evil domineering housekeeper Mrs. Howe. She was so freaking terrifying.
TW: lots of dubious consent, with some brief non- consent in the latter half of the novel, attempted assault, and graphic physical abuse
The reconciliation between Devon and Lily needed at least a hundred more pages to fully develop, considering all the trauma Lily was put through. Devon's first noble act of
Spoiler
setting her free didn't have the emotional gravity it should have because Lily doesn't ever try to experience that freedom. She went from enraged and despairing at Devon's betrayal, to completely forgiving in just a couple pages. I would have liked for her to have actually left him and then returned to him after realizing that she couldn't live without him. That would have been a more profound ending, in my opinion.Still, with all my complaints, I found this love story fascinating and I would recommend it if you don't mind unlikable main characters. Lily is a saint, to be perfectly honest, but Devon is flawed and ignorant and sometimes cruel. His development is a major part of the novel, and he ends up better than what he started out as personality wise, but he's definitely not your traditional romance hero or even dark romance hero. I really felt for him because he's a very traumatized person who is obviously driven by all his negative emotions. He won't be for everyone though, so I do get the low ratings.
The first half of this novel showcases the beginning of a tender and funny romance, while the second half is dark and angsty and heartbreaking, which is another reason why this story could be polarizing to some readers. I enjoyed it all (even if I did find the Judith McNaught type of big misunderstanding plotline aggravating, to say the least) and the side characters were all so memorable, especially Devon's sweet younger brother and the evil domineering housekeeper Mrs. Howe. She was so freaking terrifying.
TW: lots of dubious consent, with some brief non- consent in the latter half of the novel, attempted assault, and graphic physical abuse