Indiscretion: Review

Author: Hannah Fielding

Genre: Romance, fiction

Pages: 489

Originally published in: 2015

Who doesn’t love a bit of historical romance set in sunny Spain in the 1950s? I am definitely up for a bit of that, especially since I am going to Spain again later this summer… So, let’s get to it!

Indiscretion is the story of a young girl – Alexandra de Falla. Half-English, half-Spanish, Alexandra has spent the first 20 years of her life between London and Kent, living with her aunt. Even though it is the 50s and a woman is expected to be focused on marrying well and settling down, Alexandra is quite modern – she is a successful young writer, with a book or two behind her back, and she has also recently rejected a marriage proposal. However, there is something missing from her life and when her father finally comes to visit her in England and invites her to see her estranged Spanish family, she immediately jumps on the offer. Alexandra yearns to learn more about her Spanish roots, hoping to learn more about herself and to find a sense of belonging in the hot country, but what she discovers there is very different from what she expected. A big family, controlled by a strong mother figure and contrived by an even stronger sense of tradition, a spiteful stepmother, a jealous stepsister, and one notoriously handsome cousin, prove to be more than a handful. Is Alexandra ready to live in a country where the heat of the weather is almost as strong as the heat of the people?

This was a vibrant, passionate land: the heat, the colours, the flamboyance of the people, the wild and mythical feel of the mountainous scenery, even the spectacular rise and setting of the sun.

The book is an easy read and a page turner. If you love your romantic novel, you are definitely in for a treat – Indiscretion provides this mix of forbidden love, complications, beautiful people and heated arguments that no such book is full without. As most of the story is based in hot Spain, Indiscretion also makes for the perfect summer read that is bound to put you in the holiday mood (personally, it definitely made me look forward to my time in Madrid even more). There are also a lot of long descriptive paragraphs that really set the mood and create a good sense of the region, setting each scene quite nicely. 

Bright purple bougainvillea cascaded down walls and honey-scented jasmine spilled out of windowboxes, their aroma mingling with the distinctive salty tang of the sea, invading Alexandra’s senses.

It is probably important to point out that the story is dominated by quite a lot of superstition, gypsy curses, and foreshadowing, but this is Spain in the middle of the century after all! It is here where the colourful history of the country shines through – a lot of the characters give some nice insight into the history of the region, peppered with a few local legends that are definitely quite interesting. Anyway, the "superstitious part" of the book was my least favourite as it did not make a lot of sense to me...

On to the characters, Alexandra is definitely written as this young, well-educated, sophisticated, intelligent, beautiful and modern woman (she is basically perfect?). Coming from the nicest parts of London, with a suitcase full of tailored Yves Saint Laurent pieces, she is this independent girl that might be fascinated with Spanish traditions, but is not completely prepared for living within their rule. I have to say I did have a few issues with her character. Even though she is constantly referred to as being highly intelligent and very forward-thinking and independent, she did not really come across as such as the book progressed. Granted it is only the 1950s, but this woman bursts out crying on so many occasions at some point in the second half of the book she started crying every time Salvador (the love interest) confronted her! This definitely got on my nerves *a lot* – she was almost this damsel in distress that constantly needed saving. Not to mention she was really unprepared for the real world, something that might be due to her sheltered upper-class upbringing, but still… Leading on a man, who was obviously pretty violent is not a smart move, Alexandra! Yes, she was supposed to be quite naïve, but this is not an excuse for some of her actions. Frankly, she was acting as an immature teenage girl obsessed with the hot guy at school (I cannot put it more plainly).

And what about the main stallion? Salvador might have been a character that appealed to me when I was a teenager – tall, dark stranger with strong arms, beautiful eyes, and sun-kissed tan… just an all-round sexy Spanish man. However, this man was acting so ridiculously with his crazy superstitions that even his hotness could not save him in my eyes! Not only this, but he was quite frankly leading our heroine on and she was falling for him with such an ease that it was almost pitiful. Yes, he is this mysterious, sexy man that a lot of women dream about – but is it a good idea to fall in love with him? Not so much. Frankly, I think if Alexandra was this smart, strong woman she believed to be, she should have just slept with him once or twice, and then went on with her life (okay, it is the 50s, so maybe she could have just flirted a little and left it to that – mind you, even that would be considered brave and careless at the time, so I might be asking a bit too much from her). My point is, Katy Perry sang Hot and Cold for a man like Salvador! Jumping all over you with passionate kisses and embraces at one moment, ignoring you and sleeping with other women (but never with you) in the next. (Alexandra thinks this means that he loves her but he is scared because of those aforementioned superstitions and curses – because apparently a man cannot just feel attracted to you without being deeply in love?). Next, please!

Basically, I did enjoy reading Indiscretion – it is a nice, long romantic novel full of passion and intrigues, and this is definitely something I like reading about. It is very girly and admittedly a bit clichéd, but it is quite entertaining as well and the well-researched region compensates for the flaws of the plot. Granted the main heroine annoyed me and I could not quite connect with her due to her dubious decisions and drama-queen attitude, but the story as a whole was still quite addicting and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a bit of historical romance. The richness of the descriptions successfully sends the reader on a journey through sunny, passionate Spain, and makes him want to learn more about this heated culture.  But for god's sake, girls, do not fall for the guy who keeps awakening your emotions and then leaves you with nothing but a hot paella and a cold bed!

Thanks to the lovely Hannah Fielding for sending me a copy of her book in an exchange of an honest review! I enjoyed reading it enormously and could not put it down until I finished it!

Now tell me, would you be interested in reading Indiscretion?

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10 Books for Every Valentine's Scenario

No matter if you are single or taken, engaged or emotionally unavailable, if you have a boyfriend or a cat, if you are in a serious (although quite unsustainable) relationship with a fictional character…Whatever your situation is, here are ten books that are going to get you through Valentine’s Day. Love it or loathe it, it is just one day of the year, and it is another excuse to spoil yourself or your loved ones with chocolates, sweets and presents. Here are ten books that are going to be perfect for your situation, whatever it is.

1.     If you are in love: Pride and Prejudice

Romantic books and especially period pieces make a perfect read if you are already happily and blissfully in love. Anything by Jane Austen might usually feel too optimistic (and to some people that means not realistic enough), but it is Valentine’s Day and you are in a happy relationship, so reading about other happy people being in love should be the ultimate romantic experience. I would go for a book that has your favourite romantic hero in it, as a girl with a major crush on Mr Darcy, I definitely recommend Pride and Prejudice (however, if we go out of the Austen domain, I would choose Mr Thornton, naturally).

2.     If you are single: The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl by Belle De Jour

Being single on Valentine’s should not be something to bring you down. This is a day for love in general. So, get out of your moody behaviour, stop making fun of the couples in love you see on your news feed, don’t start binge watching some soap that’s going to make you cry, and pick up one of Belle De Jour’s books instead. The original one, The Intimate Adventures of a London Call Girl, is the best one – Belle is funny, refreshingly honest and quite informative even. Not only is her book going to take your thoughts away from Valentine’s, but it is also going to entertain you so much, you will forget why you were moody at the first place.

3.     You have just gone through a divorce? The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

A divorce, or a nasty break-up, is never great, but it is even worse if you are presented with your first Valentine’s as a newly divorcee. Staying in with a book and a glass of wine might be more enjoyable than you thought, especially if you do it with The Paris Wife. The story about Hemingway’s first marriage is told from the perspective of his first wife, Hadley. Beautifully written and mesmerizing, this is a story about love that was not to be. However, a disastrous first marriage, does not mean that Hadley’s life did not get better after Earnest.   

4.     You are feeling lonely and a little bit lost, basically you begin to believe you will be forever alone: Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote

The star of Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the charming Holly Golightly embraces her freedom as the independent woman she truly is. Forget about the film for a second and reach for the book as the plot is quite different to what you have seen on the screen. The movie is a masterpiece in its own terms, but if you are feeling rather lonely, the novel is your better option. Holly is a heart-breaker, a perplexer, a traveller, a tease, an inspiration. Because Holly Golightly does what she wants.

5.     If you just got engaged: Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard

If you are happily engaged, there is one book I would definitely recommend and that is Elizabeth Bard’s Lunch in Paris. A delicious love story about American girl (Bard) who falls in love with a gorgeous Frenchman (Gwendal), moves in with him in Paris – “a heavy mix of blood sausages, pains aux chocolats and irregular verbs.” You not only get to read a real, and very romantic, love story, but you also get a few recipes along the way (there are three at the end of each chapter), making this one of the best recipe books, too!

6.     You just had your heart broken: Starter for Ten by David Nicholls

 A broken heart does not need dramatic tear-jerkers that are going to have you stuffing your face with Ben & Jerry’s and drowning your sorrow in cheap red wine. Say no to that cliché now, please, for your own good. Instead, pick up something funny and interesting enough to keep your mind away from that nasty heart-breaker. Enter Starter for Ten – a well-written book, full of humour that is bound to at least bring a smile to your face. Situated in 1985, the story is about Brian who has just started his first term at university and is looking forward to fulfilling one of his biggest dreams – appearing on quiz show University Challenge. Do yourself a favour and opt for this one – it will make you laugh and that is all you need right now.

7.     You hate men: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas

It could happen to anyone – you are just at this phase in your life when you, quite frankly, hate men. No judging here, each to their own. You probably cannot be bothered with Valentine’s anyway, so why don’t you spend it at home with a novel as humongous as The Count of Monte Cristo? You get bonus points for choosing a classic here. As you might already know, it is about Edmond Dantès, who is wrongly imprisoned for a crime he has not committed. Determined to escape and to bring the three men who plotted against him to destruction, Edmond is the ultimate romantic hero. Now, in this one, you get to see a lot of men getting what they deserved for all the wrongdoings in their life – you, being the ultimate man-hater, should love it. Who knows, you might even completely disagree with the Count’s ways, and hate him as a bonus, too?!  

8.     You suffer from unrequited love: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Another classic on this list, The Age of Innocence is not about unrequited love, though I do recommend reading it if you are in this situation. The beautiful, blooming love between Newland Archer and Countess Ellen Olenska is deemed impossible from the beginning as Newland is set to marry her cousin May. On the border between surrendering to their passions and keeping their duties, these two are living in the unforgiving society of Old New York, where scandal is the biggest crime. It is a great novel that is going to take your mind off the object of your affections. However, it will also show you, that even if two people are in love with each other, that does not mean that everything will be cream and peaches.

9.     Happily married: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

You do not need an excuse to read this book but being happily married, you might enjoy it even more. “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” A tragic love story, a brilliant novel, a spot on study of human nature, Anna Karenina has everything you will ever need to know about life. Anna Karenina is life. You will not be able to put it down or to let it go, its characters are going to haunt you as you slowly grow attached to them. Ultimately, you are going to care about each and every one of them. Why to read it now? Because why not.

10.  Playing the field, no strings attached: Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence

There is certainly nothing wrong with playing the field, especially not in this day and age. However, you might not be in the mood for dating on Valentine’s Day of all days, so staying in with a book as hot and scandalous as Lady Chatterley’s Lover should be able to compensate for your staying in. What’s the big deal with the novel famous for scandalizing people with its explicit sex scenes and daring language? Read it and find out for yourself. 

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The Husband's Secret: Review

Author: Liane Moriarty

Genre: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit

Originally Published in: 2013

Pages: 406

"People thought that tragedy made you wise, that it automatically elevated you to a higher, spiritual level, but it seemed to Rachel that just the opposite was true. Tragedy made you petty and spiteful. it didn't give you any great knowledge or insight. She didn't understand a damned thing about life except that it was arbitrary and cruel, and some people got away with murder, while others made one tiny careless mistake and paid a terrible price."

Based in Australia, The Husband’s Secret tells the story of three quite different women, whose fates are bound to meet due to one significant event.

Cecilia might be seen as the typical housewife – mother of three, heavily involved in the school’s committee, busy taking care of the whole household, popular among the whole community. One night, however, she finds an old envelope in her husband’s writing, which reads “to be open only in the event of my death.” Of course the problem is her husband is still very much alive. So, Cecilia begins to wonder what could be in that letter and should she open it anyway?

Tess is happily married to Will, has a cute little boy, and her own company with her husband, and cousin Felicity. That is, until one night Will and Felicity admit that they are in love with each other. Ouch.

Rachel is the oldest out of the three and the least happy one. She has lost her daughter when she was brutally killed at the tender age of 17, she has lost her husband a few years later, and now her only happiness in life comes from her little grandson Jacob...Until one night her son and his wife, present her with the news that they are all moving to New York.

Yes, all these women’s lives completely change due to events that happen on the same night, but what is going to bring them together eventually is the husband’s secret. John-Paul’s secret is so great it has the power to impact a lot of people’s lives. So, when Cecilia opens the letter she has to make the greatest decision of her life – to stick to her principles, or to save her family.

The plot of the book is quite intriguing. However, “the husband’s secret” is not that hard to guess once you are a few pages in the book. So, the novel turns out to be quite predictable although there are a few surprises here and there.

A book and a dessert for breakfast!

What the book lacks, however, is a great literary style. Moriarty is not a bad writer but there is definitely space to improve. There is some repetitiveness and the style as a whole needs some polishing. It is not great literature by any means, but for a chick lit – it is still one of the better ones as it is quite funny, yet sad and compelling. A common theme that goes through the whole novel is also the fall of the Berlin wall. It might sound a bit strange and as if it does not make any sense but it somehow works as often different people's lives can be marked by the grand event of the days. Even if they do not realise it at the time.

I have to admit it is quite catchy and despite its flaws, I could not put it down and read it pretty fast. So, although it is predictable, the story manages to also be quite engaging, mostly due to its characters. A lot of readers might not find them exactly likeable but this does not prevent a book from being enjoyable. Personally, I thought they all had their good sides and eventually found myself caring for them. Plus, the book reflects on some quite dark matters such as loss and murder – the way its characters deal with them is the novel’s biggest strength, and where its humanity lays. The choices some of this characters make can be sometimes questionable and yet they feel very much real and believable. Especially when dealing with any kind of loss, there is rarely a right or wrong way to deal with it, which makes some of these people's mistakes easier to comprehend, if not to excuse.

Ultimately, The Husband’s Secret is a good read as it offers some interesting ideas on life and marriage. Even though it lacks in some departments, it is still a book that you can easily enjoy in your leisure time.

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