Last week I was blog hopping and came across an interesting review of Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas. The post, positive in nature, largely reflected my own reaction to the story. It wasn’t until I began reading through the comment section that I realized a plot point was holding back several potential readers from even purchasing the book. It shocked me because normally it would have also stopped me dead in my tracks. Within this story a young newly married couple agree to a platonic relationship for the first eight years of their marriage. Since they are virtual strangers, they both have reasons for not wanting to jump into an intimate relationship without the benefit of an established friendship. Their pact includes an understanding that the husband will likely seek sexual fulfillment outside the marriage while the heroine will remain chaste (by choice).
Infidelity. Awful, right? As a reader I would definitely be tempted to judge this story by the back cover blurb (or by the reviewer synopsis). After all that’s one of the most common ways to determine if a book will be worth your time and money. In this case I would have missed out on a book that turned out to be an emotionally powerful, highly satisfying read.
I started thinking about other books that I might have automatically passed over because of the potential ‘ick’ or ‘odd’ factor. Ironically several of the books I came up with landed on my keeper shelf:
- Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (heroine gets involved with her best friend’s fiancée)
- Fools Rush In by Kristan Higgins (heroine falls in love with her former brother-in-law)
- According to Jane by Marilyn Brant (heroine spends much of the book conversing with Jane Austen in her mind)
Has this happened to you? Are there books that you took a leap of faith with that really paid off in the end?
About Rita Oberlies
I’ve not heard of this book but ya know what? It wouldn’t put me off. I’d be intrigued to see how the author pulled it off. Thats not to say that I wouldn’t throw the book at the wall at some point but that’s a risk with ANY book. Since I’ve become a published writer I’ve been very “leery” of people who won’t read stuff because it breaks the “rules” for some reason. I’m prepared to let an author tell the story, no matter how scandalous, her way. And judge whether I like it or not as I’m reading. If it doesn’t work for me for any reason THEN I’ll throw it against the wall.
thank you!
Think I’ll go and download this one pronto
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Rita Oberlies Reply:
July 18th, 2012 at 7:02 am
Hi Amy! Since I was a fan of Sherry Thomas prior to her latest release I definitely had some built in faith in her ability to execute this storyline well. In the hands of a great author anything is possible. I think I’m also less inclined to follow reading ‘rules’ since becoming published – although I never thought about it until you mentioned it
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I know a lot of people who won’t read – or write – about infidelity, just as a matter of principle. That’s a case where I, personally, draw a clear line between fiction and IRL: if my husband cheated, he’d be outta here so fast his head would spin. In fiction, I’ll go with it to see where it goes. Sometimes it works out and I don’t mind; other times, I mind bigtime. Depends on the book and the writer. And I did write an unfaithful hero once, but only from the heroine’s POV – first person – so I didn’t delve into his psyche as he did it. Within the story, it was all in a day’s work. One day I might like to try, just to see if I can pull it off.
There are things that turn me off, personally. I will never read Fifty Shades. Anything to do with SM is an immediate turnoff for me. And I also don’t read the more heavy serial killer thriller types of books, with graphic violence. Just not my thing. None of this is because of “rules” though, just personal preference. If the story sounds intriguing enough, I’ll pick it up.
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Rita Oberlies Reply:
July 18th, 2012 at 8:21 am
Same here on Fifty Shades. Certain genres don’t hold my interest. Within genres I like, I’m willing to take a chance and see how well the author is able to execute the storyline. Sometimes it pays off and sometimes it’s an epic fail.
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Sherry Thomas is an auto buy for me so I wouldn’t care about the cover! I haven’t read her new one, but I can’t wait. I used to be amazed how LaVyrle Spencer could make me buy her plots. A man asks his brother to get his wife pregnant since he is infertile. The Fulfillment worked simply because of her writing. Infidelity is usually a hard subject for me to take!
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rita Oberlies Reply:
July 18th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
When an author can make me love a book that contains tough subjects like infidelity I always walk away amazed and impressed with their talent. BTW, I just want to emphasize that the Sherry Thomas book never felt like a case of marital infidelity for me as a reader (others may have a different view on that though).
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Hi Rita!
The hunger games is that book I refuse to read. Yes it has a message against the violence in it, but kids dying as a sport isn’t something I care to read. The story maybe the best out there but when I heard the little girl died, it’s not for me.
Kym
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Rita Oberlies Reply:
July 18th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
I downloaded Hunger Games on my Kindle months ago…but have never read it (which is odd because normally I read everything I buy within days). At some point I’ll either have to read it or delete it. Not sure which way I’m leaning.
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I can’t get into Emily Griffin. I’ve tried, I just can’t. As far as infidelity goes? Eh I’m like Jenna there’s a big difference between IRL and what I’ll read in fiction. IRL as my hubby puts it “She (I) doesn’t believe in divorce. Widowhood maybe but not divorce”. In fiction? I’ll give the author a bit of room to see where it goes.
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