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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Joely is sure she can uncover the truth but as the story unravels, she is spun deeper and deeper into a world of secret and lies. Susan Lewis is the bestselling author of over forty books across the genres of family drama, thriller, suspense and crime.
Firstly the difference between paedophilia and haebophilia, when all interest in anyone underage is simply considered to be the former.
They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. I’ve known this happen twice (only one was regarded as Statutory rape) and in both cases the couples ended up married.
Given the subject matter, some parts were uncomfortable to read, but overall the book was captivating. It started so well, The story captivated me, I could not wait to read until about three staves from the end. Joely has had her share of personal problems so when she gets a chance to take a job away from home, she jumps at it. This 'couldn't help it' crap is a lie rapists tell to excuse their utter disregard for the emotional and physical safety of women. The story is told primarily through Joely's eyes in the third person, as as occasionally Freda and Joely's mum, Marianne.Overall, it felt great to read a Susan Lewis book as the author had kept me captivated over the years with her compulsive stories. It carried on being interesting with the introduction of Freda, a formidable elderly woman, virtually living as a recluse in the Valley of Rocks at Dimmett House. I will warn you, this review comments on the themes and issues raised in the book — namely sexual abuse of a minor — please consider this your warning as it is important to mention in this review.
Yes there were uncomfortable parts, a 25 year old teacher grooming his 15 year old pupil and the abuse that followed but in some ways it alerts the reader to how the abuser snares his young victim and remember she was a child even though she was promiscuous and fell in love with him. One of the things this author does really well is create complex situations which are incredibly realistic and very easy to feel involved in. It tells both sides of a story and no matter how much sympathy if any you have for David or Sir , having sex with a fifteen year old is a crime and irresponsible. And then Freda LOCKS JOELY IN A TOWER WITHOUT FOOD and disappears to confront Freda's mother (Marianne) because she ruined her brother's life 50 years ago.There are even love letters at the end of the book, from David in prison to Marianne like this is the loviest love affair of all time. But Freda keeps harping on this idea that David 'never raped' Marianne so should not have been punished in any way and that Marianne 'lied'. The story covers two timelines that are easy to follow once you get past the first third of the book where the storyline is hard to get into.
I'll be clear, Marianne 'consented', she was in love with David (or 'Sir' as he is referred to throughout, like this is an ageplay BDSM novel), but that does not make it ok that David had sex with her. And interspersed with her story is a narrative from 1968 that slowly unfolds to reveal another story. The story begins with Joely, a former journalist who is dealing with the fact that her husband has moved in with her best friend, Martha the meat-eating man stealer.
The case here is obviously haebophilia and while it is still a disturbing thought to most, it is quite often an accepted practice in many cultures. Everyone in book club finished this book, especially given all the twists and turns we found it hard to put down. For all ebook purchases, you will be prompted to create an account or login with your existing HarperCollins username and password. Up until that point, the story was clever and poignantly touched on mental health, but the ending felt a bit rushed and the happy ever after vibe almost felt a bit amateur. Can you imagine an abuse survivor stumbling upon this book and reading it only to discover the whole thing serves as a defense of paedophilia?
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