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Sins of Sevin
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward, comes a new forbidden STANDALONE romance.
What happens when the one you want is the only one you can’t have?
My name is Sevin.
Homeschooled and sheltered by my ultra-religious family, I was always taught that lust was a sin.
Elle was the girl who’d been carefully chosen for me.
After a long-distance courtship, I’d be moving into her family’s guesthouse so that we could get to know each other in the months before the wedding.
Boundaries were set: no inappropriate touching, no kissing, no sex before marriage.
I’d accepted those rules and my fate.
Until I met the one I wanted to sin with.
That was when restraint became a problem…especially since THE ONE wasn’t Elle.
It was her sister, Evangeline.
You know what they say about best laid plans.
My name is Sevin, and I have sinned.
**Told in alternating points of view, Sins of Sevin is a full-length standalone novel. Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. Only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.
What happens when the one you want is the only one you can’t have?
My name is Sevin.
Homeschooled and sheltered by my ultra-religious family, I was always taught that lust was a sin.
Elle was the girl who’d been carefully chosen for me.
After a long-distance courtship, I’d be moving into her family’s guesthouse so that we could get to know each other in the months before the wedding.
Boundaries were set: no inappropriate touching, no kissing, no sex before marriage.
I’d accepted those rules and my fate.
Until I met the one I wanted to sin with.
That was when restraint became a problem…especially since THE ONE wasn’t Elle.
It was her sister, Evangeline.
You know what they say about best laid plans.
My name is Sevin, and I have sinned.
**Told in alternating points of view, Sins of Sevin is a full-length standalone novel. Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. Only appropriate for adult readers age 18+.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 14, 2015
About the author
Penelope Ward
84 books24.7k followersPenelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over 2-million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.
With over 2-million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty novels.
In 2014, Penelope’s fourth book, Stepbrother Dearest, became the #1 bestselling independently published Kindle ebook of the year on Amazon.com and was credited with igniting an entirely new subgenre of romance. Her 2016 smash hit RoomHate debuted at #2 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Penelope is an Audie Award Winner and three-time Goodreads Choice Romance of the Year Nominee. Her books have been featured in Entertainment Weekly and Publisher’s Weekly (Starred Review).
Penelope’s novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
She can often be found chatting live with her readers in her private Facebook group, Penelope’s Peeps.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,046 reviews
September 21, 2015
2.75 Stars
"He was my truth. Even if that made me a sinner."
The story as a whole,
Sevin,the hero…
The story is centered around Duggar-type Christians. Sevin gets a proposition by family friends to move to their home and court their daughter. This courting would thereafter mean marrying our hero. Elle’s father promises him a home and a bright future, as the head of his meat company. The twist to the story is the fact that Sevin falls for his other daughter, Evangeline.
”You can't choose love. It chooses you, and once that happens, it doesn't let you go. You can pretend it's not there but when you try, it only fights harder...louder...until you finally get the message and give in."
Evangeline and Sevin have a strong attraction and intense connection. Instead of coming clean from the start they try to ignore it and Sevin courts the madly in love, Elle.
Sevin strings Elle along while falling madly in love with her sister. They are hot together and the story actually is still working for me at this point.
”This was the one man my mind knew it could never fall for, and yet my heart had other ideas. It had already fallen- hard and fast.”
Evangeline can’t resist Sevin’s pleas of a future together and so they make a plan that quickly falls apart when Elle has an . Evangeline can’t live with the guilt and disappears.
The story then takes us 5 YEARS in the future. This is where the story goes totally downhill for me.
Large rant:
So basically, I pretty much HATED the whole second part of the story. Hoping this read brings the angst, love and tears for my friends.
"He was my truth. Even if that made me a sinner."
The story as a whole,
Sevin,the hero…
The story is centered around Duggar-type Christians. Sevin gets a proposition by family friends to move to their home and court their daughter. This courting would thereafter mean marrying our hero. Elle’s father promises him a home and a bright future, as the head of his meat company. The twist to the story is the fact that Sevin falls for his other daughter, Evangeline.
”You can't choose love. It chooses you, and once that happens, it doesn't let you go. You can pretend it's not there but when you try, it only fights harder...louder...until you finally get the message and give in."
Evangeline and Sevin have a strong attraction and intense connection. Instead of coming clean from the start they try to ignore it and Sevin courts the madly in love, Elle.
Sevin strings Elle along while falling madly in love with her sister. They are hot together and the story actually is still working for me at this point.
”This was the one man my mind knew it could never fall for, and yet my heart had other ideas. It had already fallen- hard and fast.”
Evangeline can’t resist Sevin’s pleas of a future together and so they make a plan that quickly falls apart when Elle has an . Evangeline can’t live with the guilt and disappears.
The story then takes us 5 YEARS in the future. This is where the story goes totally downhill for me.
Large rant:
So basically, I pretty much HATED the whole second part of the story. Hoping this read brings the angst, love and tears for my friends.
January 31, 2016
It's hard to know where to start with this one. I had a very "love/hate" relationship with this story. I wanted so badly for everything to work out for Sevin and Evangeline. Yet, I hated the way that everything played out. I haven't felt this conflicted in a long time when reading a book.
First off, if cheating is a deal-breaker for you, this story is one to steer clear of. The entire story is about the secret love affair between Evangeline and Sevin, the young man promised to marry her sister, Elle. Early-on, lines are crossed and it becomes clear that there is a lot of pain in store.
I love an angsty, forbidden love story. Add in a controlling, overbearing, ultra-conservative climate and the context of their love affair takes on an even more scandalous vibe. Given that I love all things taboo, the thought of Sevin and Evangeline rebelling against their upbringings made me giddy with joy.
What didn't work for me was the overwhelming sadness of this story. It was heartbreaking to watch tragedy strike and live with the aftermath of some rash decisions. While some of the events that transpired were completely out of their control, others could have easily been prevented if Sevin and Evangeline had just come clean. Although, I understand why they didn't, given the circumstances.
My heart went out to Elle, but I didn't think that Sevin should have been punished for things that were out of his control. His actions may have seemed kind, but I'm not sure Elle would have thought they were so kind if she knew that she were living a lie.
As far as Evangeline goes, don't even get me started with her! Could anyone have made a bigger mess of things than she did? I don't know what she was thinking, but I lost the respect I had for her as a heroine. Her actions just seemed so cowardly to me. She couldn't face her family, couldn't face Sevin, and couldn't face the consequences of her actions. What happened to the spitfire that we first met?
In the end, I was glad to see them get their HEA. I think I harbored more resentment and anger toward Evangeline than Sevin did in the end. Thank goodness the ending was uplifting and positive. I'm not sure I could've handled any more emotional agony.
Overall, it was an emotional and gut-wrenching read. I loved it, but also hated it in equal measure.
First off, if cheating is a deal-breaker for you, this story is one to steer clear of. The entire story is about the secret love affair between Evangeline and Sevin, the young man promised to marry her sister, Elle. Early-on, lines are crossed and it becomes clear that there is a lot of pain in store.
I love an angsty, forbidden love story. Add in a controlling, overbearing, ultra-conservative climate and the context of their love affair takes on an even more scandalous vibe. Given that I love all things taboo, the thought of Sevin and Evangeline rebelling against their upbringings made me giddy with joy.
What didn't work for me was the overwhelming sadness of this story. It was heartbreaking to watch tragedy strike and live with the aftermath of some rash decisions. While some of the events that transpired were completely out of their control, others could have easily been prevented if Sevin and Evangeline had just come clean. Although, I understand why they didn't, given the circumstances.
My heart went out to Elle, but I didn't think that Sevin should have been punished for things that were out of his control. His actions may have seemed kind, but I'm not sure Elle would have thought they were so kind if she knew that she were living a lie.
As far as Evangeline goes, don't even get me started with her! Could anyone have made a bigger mess of things than she did? I don't know what she was thinking, but I lost the respect I had for her as a heroine. Her actions just seemed so cowardly to me. She couldn't face her family, couldn't face Sevin, and couldn't face the consequences of her actions. What happened to the spitfire that we first met?
In the end, I was glad to see them get their HEA. I think I harbored more resentment and anger toward Evangeline than Sevin did in the end. Thank goodness the ending was uplifting and positive. I'm not sure I could've handled any more emotional agony.
Overall, it was an emotional and gut-wrenching read. I loved it, but also hated it in equal measure.
September 22, 2015
2 Stars!
Basically me the entire time while I read this book:
And to sum up my feelings for this hero:
Okay to be honest I picked this up for the whole forbidden romance thing going on based on the blurb and call me guilty on that account. I knew I was headed for disaster when the book starts off with the hero having sex on a Sunday morning service in his church. Did I also mention he was totally banging his pastor's wife on that very holy morning? It doesn't get any sinner than that!
There were just so many things going on in this book that didn't work for me and made absolute NO SENSE at all to why they happened. Actually I thought the first half was pretty okay but when bad things happened, it all just went downhill for me.
Main reason -> Sevin. First he seems very convinced that he loves Evangeline and they were willing to run away together so that he doesn't have to marry her sister, Elle. But the minute shit happens, it was almost like that proclamation of love never existed. Nope, he went on to marry Elle. Well okay, fine by me.
But what I can't believe was his attitude years after Elle died. He was PISSED at Evangeline leaving him during those years ago. LIKE HOW DARE HE!!! He acted like some damn martyr and as if he had the right to be mad at her. May I add he never even bothered about her when he was with Elle all those years?!
And then there was Nancy. Who I could have done absolute without in this story. She served no purpose at all and I don't know what Sevin was thinking when he kept her around for so long even after reuniting with Evangeline. I wouldn't be half as convinced by his love at all!! But nope, Evangeline came back and SHE was the one who had to grovel his forgiveness no less.
Sorry but this was not my cuppa at all. And thanks to Jennifer for enduring my rants while I read this one!
Basically me the entire time while I read this book:
And to sum up my feelings for this hero:
Okay to be honest I picked this up for the whole forbidden romance thing going on based on the blurb and call me guilty on that account. I knew I was headed for disaster when the book starts off with the hero having sex on a Sunday morning service in his church. Did I also mention he was totally banging his pastor's wife on that very holy morning? It doesn't get any sinner than that!
There were just so many things going on in this book that didn't work for me and made absolute NO SENSE at all to why they happened. Actually I thought the first half was pretty okay but when bad things happened, it all just went downhill for me.
Main reason -> Sevin. First he seems very convinced that he loves Evangeline and they were willing to run away together so that he doesn't have to marry her sister, Elle. But the minute shit happens, it was almost like that proclamation of love never existed. Nope, he went on to marry Elle. Well okay, fine by me.
But what I can't believe was his attitude years after Elle died. He was PISSED at Evangeline leaving him during those years ago. LIKE HOW DARE HE!!! He acted like some damn martyr and as if he had the right to be mad at her. May I add he never even bothered about her when he was with Elle all those years?!
And then there was Nancy. Who I could have done absolute without in this story. She served no purpose at all and I don't know what Sevin was thinking when he kept her around for so long even after reuniting with Evangeline. I wouldn't be half as convinced by his love at all!! But nope, Evangeline came back and SHE was the one who had to grovel his forgiveness no less.
Sorry but this was not my cuppa at all. And thanks to Jennifer for enduring my rants while I read this one!
November 21, 2016
Looking back at my reluctance of reading this book, I don't understand why I acted this way.. maybe because I've read the blurb and found out there was some cheating involved, but you know the rule: Don't judge!!
Sins of Sevin was an emotional experience for me, with mixed feelings involved: love, hate, anger, duty, betrayal and drama.
Sevin doesn't find his place in the life he has. After his father sudden death, he is faced with no choice than to leave his step-family and begin a new life. He will marry without love, only from being so desperate of escaping and being accepted in a true family. He accepts an convenience marriage to Elle, a wealthy business man's daughter, promising he will try to find a way of working things out. When heading to Elle's house, he bumps in a very beautiful but mysterious girl, who will manage to steal his heart and mind within minutes of interacting with her. When she suddenly leaves, Sevin is left confused and surprised of his connection with that girl, but unfortunately, he has a duty to fulfill and continues his journey.
As we know in Penelope's books, there is no such thing as coincidence, and soon Sevin will realize that the girl of his dreams is Elle's big sister Evangeline!!
So here you have it, sock nr. 1 and believe me the list is open until the last page.
I am a huge fan of Penelope Ward and I believe all of her books are written for a reason. I don't think she appreciates the cheating issue, but the way she defined it was admirable. I am not judgmental, I look for answers and ask myself a lot of questions and I consider that is important to put yourself in the characters position and see if you would of acted in another way.
I know this book raised a lot of issues, but despite my original opinion, after feeling and understanding this book I realize how wrong I was. Sevin and Evangeline weren't some no shame cheaters that laughed behind everybody's back and consumed their relationship without feeling a sole gram of remorse..
No!! They were against this feelings, fought them hard, making a lot of mistakes in the process, and if in the end they just gave up, it was because love became stronger than thinking rationally. I understood them, I cried with them and I hoped everything will turn out OK, that they will find a happy ending within all this drama.
I felt that when things were calm and I could see a ray of hope for them, something happened and the impossibility of their relationship slapped me again and again. It began to feel kind of frustrating because you feel like in the middle of a Greek tragedy when all the star aligned and nothing ends up in a happy place.
I enjoyed Sevin more than Evangeline, because I admired his evolution and considered him more mature in the second part of the book. He changed so much and some events in his life transformed him from the boy that was ready to face the world for his love, into a man that kept his word and fulfilled his duty. I suffered so much for him, but in the same time admired him for the person he became.
As for Evangeline, I consider that she did a lot of mistakes, took some hard and quick decisions that impacted the story tremendously, but in the end, the reality of her choices made me aware of similarities with our reality.
The heroes from our books were far from perfect, but I stand up for them and can truly say that they accepted their mistakes and tried to figure out a way of being happy.
That's the message that Penelope tried to send! If you love somebody, try to find the strength to forgive them and move on. The more you are anchored in the past, the more you will get hurt. Try to find closure for yourself and for your love one and built that love again from scratch, hoping for a better future.
This book was a wonderful and genuine lesson of forgiveness and allowing yourself the second chance that your heart craves for.
4 stars!!
Want to read
March 6, 2017
NEW COVER ALERT!
Cover model: Chase Mattson
[discreetly adds name to “to be stalked” list]
Stand-alone.
Purchase: | AMZ US | AMZ UK | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS |
Blurb:
What happens when the one you want is the only one you can’t have?
My name is Sevin.
Homeschooled and sheltered by my ultra-religious family, I was always taught that lust was a sin.
Elle was the girl who’d been carefully chosen for me.
After a long-distance courtship, I’d be moving into her family’s guesthouse so that we could get to know each other in the months before the wedding.
Boundaries were set: no inappropriate touching, no kissing, no sex before marriage.
I’d accepted those rules and my fate.
Until I met the one I wanted to sin with.
That was when restraint became a problem…especially since THE ONE wasn’t Elle.
It was her sister, Evangeline.
You know what they say about best laid plans.
My name is Sevin, and I have sinned.
April 2, 2017
SINS OF SEVIN IS LIVE on AMAZON!! *Lowest Price of 2015
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1F9tbc3
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kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1F9tbc3
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kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D
September 25, 2015
"You're my truth.Everything else is a lie"
Sevin comes from a devout Christian family.He has a lot of anger in him,he feels suffocated and is desperate to leave home.When a tragedy strikes he is more determined than ever to get away.
An opportunity comes in the form of an interesting proposition from a friend of his fathers.Move away and get trained in the business....however there is a stipulation...he must'court' one of his daughters and eventually marry her.He is conflicted but Elle is pretty and sweet and he thinks in time he could maybe grow to love her,so he agrees to the proposition.
What he hadn't expected was temptation in the form of her older sister,Evangeline.
I don't want to go into the plot too much in detail here but something happens that will alter the course of their young lives.
The story spans over many years and my heart ached for these characters.The decisions they made and how these decisions affected their lives.
This is a very emotional story with angst and drama and I had no idea at times which way the story would go.
The last 20% or so I was reading through tears and one particular thing didn't go the way I wanted but understand it was right for the story.
I would definitely recommend this one but be warned...have the tissues handy!!!!
September 20, 2015
SINS IS LIVE!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KZtW9O
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B&N: http://bit.ly/1hTKAKE
kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D
I just finished Sins of Sevin. I’ve been sitting here trying to think of words to describe what this book did to me. It’s like no other book Penelope has ever written. Words don’t do it justice. It is the most beautifully poignant book I’ve read in a long time. Yet somehow, she managed to make it a romance still.
It was devastating.
It was epic.
It was exhausting.
Downright heartbreakingly beautiful.
It was nothing that I expected. At all.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KZtW9O
iTunes: http://apple.co/1K8mzGg
B&N: http://bit.ly/1hTKAKE
kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KZtW9O
iTunes: http://apple.co/1K8mzGg
B&N: http://bit.ly/1hTKAKE
kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D
I just finished Sins of Sevin. I’ve been sitting here trying to think of words to describe what this book did to me. It’s like no other book Penelope has ever written. Words don’t do it justice. It is the most beautifully poignant book I’ve read in a long time. Yet somehow, she managed to make it a romance still.
It was devastating.
It was epic.
It was exhausting.
Downright heartbreakingly beautiful.
It was nothing that I expected. At all.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1KZtW9O
iTunes: http://apple.co/1K8mzGg
B&N: http://bit.ly/1hTKAKE
kobo: http://bit.ly/1OaGY3D
September 26, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Sevin Montgomery’s life was going downhill. To escape the rigid religious upbringing of his family, he decided to move away when an opportunity presented itself.
Even though growing up in an ultra religious family, Evangeline Sutton was a free spirit with hopes and dreams for the future. A chance encounter with a sexy stranger brought feelings she never had before. The problem was, he’s there to be her sister’ husband.
Forbidden romance has always been one of my favorite stories be it the smutty kind of the “serious” kind. This book gave me the story with a little bit of sexy with just the perfect balance.
I like his name Sevin. The name alone made him sexy lol! He definitely had his flaws but I can’t help to fall for him. He made sacrifices so another person could be happy.
What I like the most about Evangeline was how she was willing to take chances. She made choices that hurt people more but it was done with good intention. The things that she did might look cruel, but the truth, it was the noble thing to do.
I really like both of them together. The tension and the longing between them hurt in a good way. I like the storyline except for one thing – the reason why he decided to take the offer – because he was putting himself back in the situation with the exact reason why he decided to leave in the first place.
The book was actually a lot sadder than I expected it to be. It spanned through several years and it hurt to see them hurting all those years. Thank goodness for Aunt Imogene. She was like the best distraction in the book and I wish there was more of her.
Sins Of Sevin is about sacrifices and forgiveness because sometimes, it’s the best thing you can grant another person.
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Dual
Rating:
Sevin Montgomery’s life was going downhill. To escape the rigid religious upbringing of his family, he decided to move away when an opportunity presented itself.
Even though growing up in an ultra religious family, Evangeline Sutton was a free spirit with hopes and dreams for the future. A chance encounter with a sexy stranger brought feelings she never had before. The problem was, he’s there to be her sister’ husband.
Forbidden romance has always been one of my favorite stories be it the smutty kind of the “serious” kind. This book gave me the story with a little bit of sexy with just the perfect balance.
It was just unfortunate that the one woman who made me feel alive was the only person in the world I couldn’t have.
I like his name Sevin. The name alone made him sexy lol! He definitely had his flaws but I can’t help to fall for him. He made sacrifices so another person could be happy.
I couldn’t hurt the people I loved any more than I already had.
What I like the most about Evangeline was how she was willing to take chances. She made choices that hurt people more but it was done with good intention. The things that she did might look cruel, but the truth, it was the noble thing to do.
I really like both of them together. The tension and the longing between them hurt in a good way. I like the storyline except for one thing – the reason why he decided to take the offer – because he was putting himself back in the situation with the exact reason why he decided to leave in the first place.
“The truth hurts. But you know what hurts the most? After everything, I still fucking love you more than life itself.”
The book was actually a lot sadder than I expected it to be. It spanned through several years and it hurt to see them hurting all those years. Thank goodness for Aunt Imogene. She was like the best distraction in the book and I wish there was more of her.
Sins Of Sevin is about sacrifices and forgiveness because sometimes, it’s the best thing you can grant another person.
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
Want to read
March 13, 2015 Oooooh, this is intriguing!!!
From the New York Times Bestselling author of Stepbrother Dearest, comes a new kind of forbidden love story…
Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
FULL BLURB AND COVER TO COME.
From the New York Times Bestselling author of Stepbrother Dearest, comes a new kind of forbidden love story…
Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."
What happens when the one you want
is the only one you can’t have?
FULL BLURB AND COVER TO COME.
November 16, 2015
♦ 4.5 "Too Much" Stars! ♦
I had been I little bit hesitant to start Penelope Ward's new book because I saw the different and mixed reviews about it. However, I am glad I finally decided to read it because, for me, it was a gret read!
Ward's writing has become one of my favourites (especially after reading her collaboration with Vi Keeland, Cocky Bastard) and Sins of Sevin was no exception. The story is about Sevin Montgomery (a young man who hasn't experienced love and decides to marry so he can escape from his past after his father's death) and Evangeline Sutton (a young woman with ambitions and also, the sister of Elle, Sevin's new fiancé).
“You want to know my truth?”
“Yes.”
His eyes were burning into mine. “You’re my truth. Everything else is a lie.”
Well, obviously, as you can see this was not a 'super-light-and-happy' read. This is not a book for everyone: Ward's novel is full of drama, misunderstandings, betrayals, secrets, taboos... but also, love. Sevin and Evangeline get to know each other very well and their love for each other is burning hot. They fight against it (especially her) but, obviously, at the end they fall together in a secret but dramatic and smokin' relationship.
“I have so much love inside of me that’s all yours, and it’s been trapped inside. I need to give it to you, because holding it in is killing me. I know your heart belongs to me. But I’m selfish. I want all of you. I want your body before you run away from me again. Because I promise you, once we’re connected, you’re gonna know that we were meant for each other. Unless you tell me not to, I’m gonna take you. Right here. Right now, Evangeline.”
I was absolutely loving this by the 50% mark when everything went black. Evangeline makes a decision that changes everything and these two don't see each other until five years later (in a very sad and difficult situation). The two of them have changed and while Sevin portrays his love as hate, Evangeline is full of guilt. They go through very rough, difficult times and it killed me. It was so sad and also freaking annoying at the same time (there were some moments that I was like: WTF is going on?).
“Why?” he whispered over my skin.
I wasn’t able to give him that answer.
And that's why my rating is not 5 stars. Because sometimes it was too much to handle and some situations really got on my nerves (Sevin being kind of an A-hole and Evangeline.. well you have to read this to understand it). Still, I love Ward's writing and at the end, everything went well: I was crying like a baby while reading the last chapter!! (so sad and so beautiful at the same time!). However, I missed having an epilogue to finish all of it in a very good way.
So, my final rating is 4.5 STARS because as I said, I loved this but I still needed I little bit more at the end. If you are into Ward's writing I am quite sure you will like this, and if you want a different love story, definitely this is one of them, so I recommend this! ;)
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I had been I little bit hesitant to start Penelope Ward's new book because I saw the different and mixed reviews about it. However, I am glad I finally decided to read it because, for me, it was a gret read!
Ward's writing has become one of my favourites (especially after reading her collaboration with Vi Keeland, Cocky Bastard) and Sins of Sevin was no exception. The story is about Sevin Montgomery (a young man who hasn't experienced love and decides to marry so he can escape from his past after his father's death) and Evangeline Sutton (a young woman with ambitions and also, the sister of Elle, Sevin's new fiancé).
“You want to know my truth?”
“Yes.”
His eyes were burning into mine. “You’re my truth. Everything else is a lie.”
Well, obviously, as you can see this was not a 'super-light-and-happy' read. This is not a book for everyone: Ward's novel is full of drama, misunderstandings, betrayals, secrets, taboos... but also, love. Sevin and Evangeline get to know each other very well and their love for each other is burning hot. They fight against it (especially her) but, obviously, at the end they fall together in a secret but dramatic and smokin' relationship.
“I have so much love inside of me that’s all yours, and it’s been trapped inside. I need to give it to you, because holding it in is killing me. I know your heart belongs to me. But I’m selfish. I want all of you. I want your body before you run away from me again. Because I promise you, once we’re connected, you’re gonna know that we were meant for each other. Unless you tell me not to, I’m gonna take you. Right here. Right now, Evangeline.”
I was absolutely loving this by the 50% mark when everything went black. Evangeline makes a decision that changes everything and these two don't see each other until five years later (in a very sad and difficult situation). The two of them have changed and while Sevin portrays his love as hate, Evangeline is full of guilt. They go through very rough, difficult times and it killed me. It was so sad and also freaking annoying at the same time (there were some moments that I was like: WTF is going on?).
“Why?” he whispered over my skin.
I wasn’t able to give him that answer.
And that's why my rating is not 5 stars. Because sometimes it was too much to handle and some situations really got on my nerves (Sevin being kind of an A-hole and Evangeline.. well you have to read this to understand it). Still, I love Ward's writing and at the end, everything went well: I was crying like a baby while reading the last chapter!! (so sad and so beautiful at the same time!). However, I missed having an epilogue to finish all of it in a very good way.
So, my final rating is 4.5 STARS because as I said, I loved this but I still needed I little bit more at the end. If you are into Ward's writing I am quite sure you will like this, and if you want a different love story, definitely this is one of them, so I recommend this! ;)
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September 26, 2015
3.5 ★'s
This book will teach me to not be such a coverwhore and Just.Read.The.Freakin'.Blurb! Ugh...I don't think I will ever learn! ~sigh~ But to be fair...we are talking about a Penelope Ward book so I had high hopes.
Anyway, the 'weird' factor is the ultra religious practices...that would have been a big clue. Not that the religion is overwhelming...it's more into that arranged marriages, no touching and having escorts when you go anywhere. Just enough to make things awkward.
As if things are not awkward enough with Sevin falling for his intended's sister, Evangeline. Thank goodness Evangeline has some outside influences and is somewhat mature because she doesn't adhere to all the religious practices.
Sevin, however, hasn't ever really followed the practices until recently with his father passing away and with the new opportunity of marrying into Evangeline's family and helping to run their business.
Well, you know they are both going to sin...it's just a matter of when and where. And I was fine with everything especially after getting used to how things were.
But then....there was a flippin' time jump and things went to hell literally. There were just so many messed up things that were in no way logical!
Suffice it to say, a lot has happened in five years...some pretty predictable and I'm really over the whole story line. UGH!
What wasn't predictable was the ending. Did it have to be so depressing? I'm sure not everyone feels that way but it was just sad. Oh well, at least it won't keep me from reading more of PW's book...thank goodness!
Favorite quote:
♥ "You're not your mistakes."
This book will teach me to not be such a coverwhore and Just.Read.The.Freakin'.Blurb! Ugh...I don't think I will ever learn! ~sigh~ But to be fair...we are talking about a Penelope Ward book so I had high hopes.
Anyway, the 'weird' factor is the ultra religious practices...that would have been a big clue. Not that the religion is overwhelming...it's more into that arranged marriages, no touching and having escorts when you go anywhere. Just enough to make things awkward.
As if things are not awkward enough with Sevin falling for his intended's sister, Evangeline. Thank goodness Evangeline has some outside influences and is somewhat mature because she doesn't adhere to all the religious practices.
Sevin, however, hasn't ever really followed the practices until recently with his father passing away and with the new opportunity of marrying into Evangeline's family and helping to run their business.
Well, you know they are both going to sin...it's just a matter of when and where. And I was fine with everything especially after getting used to how things were.
But then....there was a flippin' time jump and things went to hell literally. There were just so many messed up things that were in no way logical!
Suffice it to say, a lot has happened in five years...some pretty predictable and I'm really over the whole story line. UGH!
What wasn't predictable was the ending. Did it have to be so depressing? I'm sure not everyone feels that way but it was just sad. Oh well, at least it won't keep me from reading more of PW's book...thank goodness!
Favorite quote:
♥ "You're not your mistakes."
March 28, 2016
DNF at about 50%
I had a feeling that reading this book would be a bad idea. I should've listened to this feeling.
In front of us another NA "masterpiece". Sinful and chiseled in every way male species who falls for his fiancée's sister, because she is so beautify and understands him better than anyone. They beat around the bush half the book, thinking how bad is to want someone you shouldn't. And all this time I couldn't comprehend why the heck not to cancel the wedding? He did not impregnate the sister (actually the sister was a nice gal). There wasn't any logical obstacles for MCs to be together. But this is fucking Santa Barbara. Finally they give in and screw each other. Then she just runs away. The sister conveniently suffers from accident and becomes an invalid. He marries her out of guilt. Five years pass. The sister dies. The prodigal daughter returns. And you know what? She was fucking pregnant back then and decided to run away without money or help. Real clever *snickers* She gave up her child for adoption, then she found herself a jerk of a boyfriend, who regularly abused her physically and morally. She endured everything, because believed she deserved it. Now she came back for her sister's funeral and everything whirled again. On this note my nerves gave up and I tossed this trash where it belonged. Right. In trash bin.
This book is fucking pathetic. The characters are morons. With every book like this I am more and more sure that NA is dead. More books like this and I will need a medicine for my nerves. So fuck it all, I am quit!
September 21, 2015
“I have so much love inside of me that’s all yours, and it’s been trapped inside. I need to give it to you, because holding it in is killing me. I know your heart belongs to me. But I’m selfish. I want all of you. I want you.”
We’re overcome with emotion! What twists! What turns! What a story! Oh our hearts! This is one of those times we are going to beg you to trust us and trust the author, to leave your preconceived ideas at the door and go into this book blind, letting the story and the author guide you. Do so and you will be rewarded!
*Sniff, sniff* you’ll have to excuse us a minute while wipe tears off our Kindles. Wow! What an emotionally charged story that was! We’re pretty sure our notes were stained with tears as we relived the story through highlighted quotes, welling up time and again as we chatted about and reflected on Sevin’s story which quite literally moved us to tears!
“I wish I could rid you from my heart, but you are my fucking heart.”
We’ve been a bit leery of picking up books claiming ‘forbidden romance’ of late because in more cases than not, the author has tended to focus on the mechanical sexual taboo factor of the story rather than the emotional pull we so desperately seek in this theme. All too often it’s the shock factor of forbidden sex that is favoured over the soul stirring emotional and personal conflict of forbidden ‘love’.
Well not so in Sins of Sevin because Penelope Ward crafted an incredibly powerful, stirring, evocative, passionate and heartbreaking story of a forbidden love between two people whose love ran soul deep and whose choices would have disastrous effects on themselves and those around them.
“You’re my truth. The only thing that has ever felt natural to me is loving you. No one is going to tell me I can’t love you.”
The sexual chemistry between Evangeline and Sevin was clearly evident and tangible from their first meeting however this took a back seat to the deeper connection we immediately felt between them. Theirs was a comfortable relationship, almost as though we felt them expel a big breath upon their first meeting. They were soulmates in every sense of the word. So comfortable with each other, their love so inevitable, it was as though they could finally just ‘be‘ with no lies or pretenses.
“I’m lucky that you’ve trusted me. I’ve gotten to see your passion and your vulnerability…your need to be loved.”
We feel to divulge anything, to even give a hint as to what unfolded in this story could lessen the emotional impact, the surprise and shocks some revelations will have on you. We will say, be prepared to experience a rollercoaster of emotion because for every up Penelope Ward delivers, there is a down, for every second of calm there is an abundance of turbulence and we felt every single moment as though we held our breaths and gripped our Kindles from start to finish.
‘There’s got to be more to life than living in fear of punishment.’
Sevin was a sensitive and lost man, a man who gave every part of his heart to a woman who was his other half, who showed him he was worthy of loving and being loved, even if he didn’t believe it himself. Their love went against their teachings, morals and consumed them with guilt and we felt it all as Penelope Ward delivered an alluring and emotive story that shook us, excited us, broke us and gave us hope. The direction she took and the manner in which she delivered her story only served to showcase the brilliant talent of this author. We just wished this beautiful story hadn’t been cheapened by ‘Abs Marketing’ – we wish that whoever made or suggested this cover had actually drawn from the incredible poignancy of Sevin’s story.
‘Evangeline could pretty much rip out my heart, stomp on it, then feed it to me, and I’d still hand it back to her. She owned it.’
A piece of advice….have tissues on hand. If you’re anything like us….you’re going to need them! LOT’S OF THEM! We can’t wait to hear what you think of this one!
“Sometimes, we don’t get over painful things, we just learn to live with them.”
**Reviewed off an ARC copy provided by the author, with thanks.**
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July 13, 2018
Actual Rating: 1 star
I did not like this novel one bit.
I found the story to be an ugly one. I love Penelope Ward's books and I was expecting a nice romance here. What I found was a painful story, full of unnecessary suffering and terrible decisions. A story with characters I couldn't respect or like because of their life choices. Then the fact that their believes and morals were completely opposed to mine, didn't help any. These characters lived miserable lives, not because of external circumstances, but because of their own choices and decisions. That is why I couldn't feel pity for them, they reaped what they sewed. So the whole thing made me so mad I couldn't like a single part of the story. They acted as if they were trapped and had no choices. They acted as victims, while they were wholly responsible for their lives and actions.
Evangeline, like a true christian, punished herself miserably because of her guilt and became a martyr. She is so incredibly weak, I just can't with her.
Sevin, also chose the martyr route, sacrificing himself because "it was the right thing to do and had no other choice" while lying to every single person.
The whole story was an example of how one should not behaved. I didn't find a single nice thing in the book. Just tragic and miserable.
I do not recommend this book at all.
I did not like this novel one bit.
I found the story to be an ugly one. I love Penelope Ward's books and I was expecting a nice romance here. What I found was a painful story, full of unnecessary suffering and terrible decisions. A story with characters I couldn't respect or like because of their life choices. Then the fact that their believes and morals were completely opposed to mine, didn't help any. These characters lived miserable lives, not because of external circumstances, but because of their own choices and decisions. That is why I couldn't feel pity for them, they reaped what they sewed. So the whole thing made me so mad I couldn't like a single part of the story. They acted as if they were trapped and had no choices. They acted as victims, while they were wholly responsible for their lives and actions.
Evangeline, like a true christian, punished herself miserably because of her guilt and became a martyr. She is so incredibly weak, I just can't with her.
Sevin, also chose the martyr route, sacrificing himself because "it was the right thing to do and had no other choice" while lying to every single person.
The whole story was an example of how one should not behaved. I didn't find a single nice thing in the book. Just tragic and miserable.
I do not recommend this book at all.
March 1, 2017
I hate crying. I'm sick of crying but still I can't stop myself reading like this stories...
Buuut I loved this book so much. That end was so freaking beautiful. Ugh it made me cry like a baby.. Dammit, I'm such a hopeless romantic... :(
Buuut I loved this book so much. That end was so freaking beautiful. Ugh it made me cry like a baby.. Dammit, I'm such a hopeless romantic... :(
September 21, 2015
Wow, this was a record read. That happens when you start skimming. I did the characters.
But ooo boy, this is seriously one most depressing story to read.
Definitely this book holds potential for book funk, so I hope I don't!!!!!
This book is big no for me.
Cheers.
But ooo boy, this is seriously one most depressing story to read.
Definitely this book holds potential for book funk, so I hope I don't!!!!!
This book is big no for me.
Cheers.
September 10, 2016
2* our love is tragedy STARS!
Aww... Sevin, you're such a naughty boy! Ms. Ward always manage to deliver bad boys in her story. Sevin? Who is he? I've been expect him for 6 months and I hate to say that this kinda sucks. Let me tell you why...
✔ Sevin Montgomery lives with his religious fanatic step-mother. When his father died, a family friend came and offer him bright future that he think it's a golden ticket out from his life.The golden ticket come with another surprise. Betrothed to Elle, the perfect daughter. Due to the religious restriction, Sevin is pleasantly polite to Elle and he couldn't feel the chemistry between them but life must goes on.
✔ Fate twisted both of them when Sevin met the older sister, Evangeline. But fate never stop screwing them. IMO the love triangle happened! Sevin loves Evangeline. Both of the sisters want him but in different way. Elle is the polite one and Evangeline is the wild one. Of course, our bad boy here chose the wild one ;) Their bond is going stronger, but Evangeline didn't wanna betray her sister so she 'sacrifice' herself for Elle's happiness. And Sevin's future in her opinion.
✔ Stupid parenthood. This one makes me so frustrated. When you have a daughter who will marry his fiance, you have to let them make bond more than having dinner. It was the opposite, the parents always order Evangeline together with Sevin. Almost for everything. Not Elle, the future wife. No wonder they always spend time together #facepalm
✔ Their hide-and-seek play bored me. Sexual tension already in high level and the sex happened. They already plan the future together and it was predictable. Evangeline couldn't take it anymore and ran.
✔ A few years later, Evangeline came home and met Sevin. This time, he's not a forgivable person. She blame herself for everything. Sevin also martyr himself and married Elle. Bla bla bla... Everybody is to blame.
OH! Another joke. Really?! Drawing nude woman and 'Rose' name? #TitanicJoke
I couldn't rant again because didn't wanna spoil the 'fun'. Yeah the rest will come with a lot of tissues. Sins of Sevin was hardly enjoyable and kinda hate it. Well-written but the flow is really messed up. The cheap thrills, the intensity, the painful memory and THE DUMBEST MOMENT . HEA for Sevin and Evangeline ? It's very big question. Sins of Sevin was not a entirely romance, part of a tragedy. Fucked up things and shit happened. There are too much to be sacrificed for something uncertain.
My conclusion for the story: everything comes with consequence. Whether you like it or not. Fate is not the one to blame because you're the person who has the control in the end. How're you gonna be? It's okay to be religious but not fanatic (I loathe in this book). Forgiveness never come with cheap price. Yet introspect yourself not to be egoist and an asshole.
There is some memorable quote, though.
“Don’t you know I’d burn in hell for a single taste of you?”
Aww... Sevin, you're such a naughty boy! Ms. Ward always manage to deliver bad boys in her story. Sevin? Who is he? I've been expect him for 6 months and I hate to say that this kinda sucks. Let me tell you why...
✔ Sevin Montgomery lives with his religious fanatic step-mother. When his father died, a family friend came and offer him bright future that he think it's a golden ticket out from his life.The golden ticket come with another surprise. Betrothed to Elle, the perfect daughter. Due to the religious restriction, Sevin is pleasantly polite to Elle and he couldn't feel the chemistry between them but life must goes on.
✔ Fate twisted both of them when Sevin met the older sister, Evangeline. But fate never stop screwing them. IMO the love triangle happened! Sevin loves Evangeline. Both of the sisters want him but in different way. Elle is the polite one and Evangeline is the wild one. Of course, our bad boy here chose the wild one ;) Their bond is going stronger, but Evangeline didn't wanna betray her sister so she 'sacrifice' herself for Elle's happiness. And Sevin's future in her opinion.
✔ Stupid parenthood. This one makes me so frustrated. When you have a daughter who will marry his fiance, you have to let them make bond more than having dinner. It was the opposite, the parents always order Evangeline together with Sevin. Almost for everything. Not Elle, the future wife. No wonder they always spend time together #facepalm
✔ Their hide-and-seek play bored me. Sexual tension already in high level and the sex happened. They already plan the future together and it was predictable. Evangeline couldn't take it anymore and ran.
✔ A few years later, Evangeline came home and met Sevin. This time, he's not a forgivable person. She blame herself for everything. Sevin also martyr himself and married Elle. Bla bla bla... Everybody is to blame.
OH! Another joke. Really?! Drawing nude woman and 'Rose' name? #TitanicJoke
I couldn't rant again because didn't wanna spoil the 'fun'. Yeah the rest will come with a lot of tissues. Sins of Sevin was hardly enjoyable and kinda hate it. Well-written but the flow is really messed up. The cheap thrills, the intensity, the painful memory and THE DUMBEST MOMENT . HEA for Sevin and Evangeline ? It's very big question. Sins of Sevin was not a entirely romance, part of a tragedy. Fucked up things and shit happened. There are too much to be sacrificed for something uncertain.
My conclusion for the story: everything comes with consequence. Whether you like it or not. Fate is not the one to blame because you're the person who has the control in the end. How're you gonna be? It's okay to be religious but not fanatic (I loathe in this book). Forgiveness never come with cheap price. Yet introspect yourself not to be egoist and an asshole.
There is some memorable quote, though.
"I'll be right here. in your heart, in your dreams, under your skin. That's how it's always been for me with you. The more we're apart, the more I long for you. Sometimes, the harder we fight something, the more it shows its power over us."
"No man had ever touched me like that before. To have my first experience be so rough and primal was unexpected. He worked my body like he owned me."
Read
September 22, 2015DNF @ 23%
My main reason for DNFing was the fact that the writing comes off as corny and explanatory. After reading something so well written before this, it's like i'm reading something my 11 year old daughter wrote.
Apart from that; clichéd characters & the expectation of the hero as a kissless virgin from the blurb.
My main reason for DNFing was the fact that the writing comes off as corny and explanatory. After reading something so well written before this, it's like i'm reading something my 11 year old daughter wrote.
Apart from that; clichéd characters & the expectation of the hero as a kissless virgin from the blurb.
September 21, 2015
Rating:
First Half : 4.5 stars
Second Half : 0.5 stars
So maybe a 2.5 ??
I did it!! I finished it! I know I can’t believe it myself..
..and while I’m not really up to a full review right now I just want to talk about some points
1- This author can really write in a way that would make you compelled to keep reading even if you're frustrated and I’m pretty sure a lot of people would LOVE this book as long as they don’t mind OW/OM present in the book (MCs sleeping with them) when they’re sure of the MCs love for each other.
2- This could’ve been a great book, so it’s really really sad that this author felt the need to involve the MCs sleeping with other people to add angst to an already angsty story. I mean the first part of the story was great, and it had enough angst to keep the story interesting without the H/h getting married or hooking up with other people. So really why ruin a good thing with that kind of BS ! And isn’t so cliched that the heroine always ends up with the abusive husband ?! Seriously! The main plot itself wasn’t overused and that’s the reason I read this book in the first place, but there were some sub-plots that were so very predictable I kept rolling my eyes till I gave myself a headache.
3- Sometimes less is more, I had no idea where the story was going when I started this, but after the 50% mark I kept getting disappointed and disappointed and then at one point I felt that the author wanted to cram in every single plot in the world in the book which just made me lose interest in the whole thing.
4- I’m honestly not sure who to blame for all the crap that happened to the MCs, they both disappointed me with their actions, at one point I would be on the heroine’s side and then I’m on the hero’s side and then I feel like they’re both victims to the circumstances and at one point I disrespected them both. So really, what helped me not feel “betrayed” in the story is because I can’t really have sympathy for the heroine when she’s the catalyst for it all. And at the same time, I couldn’t really exempt the hero from all the blame because he shouldn’t have just let the circumstances dictate his actions like that. I wanted him to be stronger. The weird thing is that the hero did A LOT OF stuff to bother me even more than the heroine at times, but to be completely honest here, I could argue his case better than the heroine’s. The things he did to bother me, meant nothing to him, it was mainly sex.. (which she already had with her husband) .. What she did on the other hand was more unforgivable, I didn’t know how he forgave her at the end but maybe like he said, he loved her that much.
5- This is just a quick question.. What the HELL was the point of Nancy ?! like she was randomly thrown in there for no other reason than just more drama on top of the already too much drama !! She had absolutely no point other than dropping points from the hero. If Nancy didn’t exist. I would’ve been on the hero’s side no question. And although I still think he “technically” didn’t do anything wrong.. it didn’t feel right and he knew it didn’t and was clearly torn up afterwards so why do it again? It just didn’t make sense whatsoever!
6- I'm not even going to talk about her idea of fighting for him, something about the whole thing didn't sit right with me.
7- The reason I’m giving this 2 stars, is because I think there were moments ( specifically in the first part ) that deserves acknowledgment and it wouldn’t be fair of me to discard the first part because of the many screwups in the second one.
For the safety gang, I guess it’s obvious the story isn’t safe, however for other readers, there was no cheating "technically" between the MCs, and I pretty much spoiled the whole thing in the comments section here.
Like I said to be fair, I wanted to include some of my fav. quotes.. it might help you understand why I felt the need to give this book an extra star despite the fact that it contained a lot of my pet peeves.
"You have me, Evangeline. You. No one else. From the moment we met, it’s been you.”
“You want to know my truth?”
“Yes.”
His eyes were burning into mine. “You’re my truth. Everything else is a lie.”
“His mouth curved into a smile. “I haven’t drawn a single one since moving here.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve tried.”
“You just can’t?”
“You’re gonna think I’m crazy.”
“Too late for that.” I grinned.
“In order for me to draw one, I have to visualize the person. They’re not real people, but I have a clear picture of her in my mind. But ever since the day we met, I can’t see any other woman in my head except you.”
“I knew with absolute certainty that I couldn’t possibly share this with anyone else. This was sacred to me. She was sacred to me. It was the purest thing I had ever experienced, and I wanted it all to myself. All of her. Evangeline didn’t know it, but that was the exact moment I vowed to do whatever it took to fight for her; even if that meant giving everything else up and suffering whatever consequences resulted.”
“I’ve only ever made love to you.”
“The only thing I’m sure of anymore is that I can’t shake my feelings for you. Lord knows, I’ve tried.”
“Try harder. Please. We have to. I refuse to hurt her.”
“I refuse to hurt you,” he snapped. “My being with her is hurting you.”
“There is nothing that matters to me more than you. I won’t let you marry him just to get away from me. And I won’t make you watch me marry your sister when I know in my heart it would hurt you beyond belief. No career in the world is worth knowing you’re suffering because of me.”
"I can’t pretend to love someone else, not when I’m hopelessly in love with you. That’s not ever going to change.”
“That night in the barn, you said you dreamt about making love in the rain. I’ll never forget that. I wished so hard that I could be the one to do that with you, thinking it would never be possible. No matter what happens, I’ll never forget this, the best night of my life.”
“From the moment we met, it was supposed to happen this way. We were meant for each other, Evangeline. It’s why God led me here. Not to find her…to find you. It was fate.”
“That time in the barn shortly after I moved in…you listed your dreams to me. Do you remember that?”
“Yes.”
“I came back here that night and wrote them down as best as I could remember them. At the time, I didn’t really understand why remembering them was so important to me. I later realized it was because I wanted to help you make them come true and because many of them were my own dreams.”
“I have so much love inside of me that’s all yours, and it’s been trapped inside. I need to give it to you, because holding it in is killing me. I know your heart belongs to me. But I’m selfish. I want all of you. I want your body before you run away from me again. Because I promise you, once we’re connected, you’re gonna know that we were meant for each other. ”
First Half : 4.5 stars
Second Half : 0.5 stars
So maybe a 2.5 ??
I did it!! I finished it! I know I can’t believe it myself..
..and while I’m not really up to a full review right now I just want to talk about some points
1- This author can really write in a way that would make you compelled to keep reading even if you're frustrated and I’m pretty sure a lot of people would LOVE this book as long as they don’t mind OW/OM present in the book (MCs sleeping with them) when they’re sure of the MCs love for each other.
2- This could’ve been a great book, so it’s really really sad that this author felt the need to involve the MCs sleeping with other people to add angst to an already angsty story. I mean the first part of the story was great, and it had enough angst to keep the story interesting without the H/h getting married or hooking up with other people. So really why ruin a good thing with that kind of BS ! And isn’t so cliched that the heroine always ends up with the abusive husband ?! Seriously! The main plot itself wasn’t overused and that’s the reason I read this book in the first place, but there were some sub-plots that were so very predictable I kept rolling my eyes till I gave myself a headache.
3- Sometimes less is more, I had no idea where the story was going when I started this, but after the 50% mark I kept getting disappointed and disappointed and then at one point I felt that the author wanted to cram in every single plot in the world in the book which just made me lose interest in the whole thing.
4- I’m honestly not sure who to blame for all the crap that happened to the MCs, they both disappointed me with their actions, at one point I would be on the heroine’s side and then I’m on the hero’s side and then I feel like they’re both victims to the circumstances and at one point I disrespected them both. So really, what helped me not feel “betrayed” in the story is because I can’t really have sympathy for the heroine when she’s the catalyst for it all. And at the same time, I couldn’t really exempt the hero from all the blame because he shouldn’t have just let the circumstances dictate his actions like that. I wanted him to be stronger. The weird thing is that the hero did A LOT OF stuff to bother me even more than the heroine at times, but to be completely honest here, I could argue his case better than the heroine’s. The things he did to bother me, meant nothing to him, it was mainly sex.. (which she already had with her husband) .. What she did on the other hand was more unforgivable, I didn’t know how he forgave her at the end but maybe like he said, he loved her that much.
5- This is just a quick question.. What the HELL was the point of Nancy ?! like she was randomly thrown in there for no other reason than just more drama on top of the already too much drama !! She had absolutely no point other than dropping points from the hero. If Nancy didn’t exist. I would’ve been on the hero’s side no question. And although I still think he “technically” didn’t do anything wrong.. it didn’t feel right and he knew it didn’t and was clearly torn up afterwards so why do it again? It just didn’t make sense whatsoever!
6- I'm not even going to talk about her idea of fighting for him, something about the whole thing didn't sit right with me.
7- The reason I’m giving this 2 stars, is because I think there were moments ( specifically in the first part ) that deserves acknowledgment and it wouldn’t be fair of me to discard the first part because of the many screwups in the second one.
For the safety gang, I guess it’s obvious the story isn’t safe, however for other readers, there was no cheating "technically" between the MCs, and I pretty much spoiled the whole thing in the comments section here.
Like I said to be fair, I wanted to include some of my fav. quotes.. it might help you understand why I felt the need to give this book an extra star despite the fact that it contained a lot of my pet peeves.
"You have me, Evangeline. You. No one else. From the moment we met, it’s been you.”
“You want to know my truth?”
“Yes.”
His eyes were burning into mine. “You’re my truth. Everything else is a lie.”
“His mouth curved into a smile. “I haven’t drawn a single one since moving here.”
“Why not?”
“I’ve tried.”
“You just can’t?”
“You’re gonna think I’m crazy.”
“Too late for that.” I grinned.
“In order for me to draw one, I have to visualize the person. They’re not real people, but I have a clear picture of her in my mind. But ever since the day we met, I can’t see any other woman in my head except you.”
“I knew with absolute certainty that I couldn’t possibly share this with anyone else. This was sacred to me. She was sacred to me. It was the purest thing I had ever experienced, and I wanted it all to myself. All of her. Evangeline didn’t know it, but that was the exact moment I vowed to do whatever it took to fight for her; even if that meant giving everything else up and suffering whatever consequences resulted.”
“I’ve only ever made love to you.”
“The only thing I’m sure of anymore is that I can’t shake my feelings for you. Lord knows, I’ve tried.”
“Try harder. Please. We have to. I refuse to hurt her.”
“I refuse to hurt you,” he snapped. “My being with her is hurting you.”
“There is nothing that matters to me more than you. I won’t let you marry him just to get away from me. And I won’t make you watch me marry your sister when I know in my heart it would hurt you beyond belief. No career in the world is worth knowing you’re suffering because of me.”
"I can’t pretend to love someone else, not when I’m hopelessly in love with you. That’s not ever going to change.”
“That night in the barn, you said you dreamt about making love in the rain. I’ll never forget that. I wished so hard that I could be the one to do that with you, thinking it would never be possible. No matter what happens, I’ll never forget this, the best night of my life.”
“From the moment we met, it was supposed to happen this way. We were meant for each other, Evangeline. It’s why God led me here. Not to find her…to find you. It was fate.”
“That time in the barn shortly after I moved in…you listed your dreams to me. Do you remember that?”
“Yes.”
“I came back here that night and wrote them down as best as I could remember them. At the time, I didn’t really understand why remembering them was so important to me. I later realized it was because I wanted to help you make them come true and because many of them were my own dreams.”
“I have so much love inside of me that’s all yours, and it’s been trapped inside. I need to give it to you, because holding it in is killing me. I know your heart belongs to me. But I’m selfish. I want all of you. I want your body before you run away from me again. Because I promise you, once we’re connected, you’re gonna know that we were meant for each other. ”
February 20, 2016
*I gave this audiobook an A- for the story and an A for Aletha George's narration and B+ for Sean Crisden's at AudioGals*
Sins of Sevin hit me right in the “feels” department. Wow, what an emotional and angst-filled forbidden love story riddled with land mines of impossible choices! I couldn’t get enough of this story and devoured it over just two short days. When it was finally over, I felt like a huge ball of tension had been lifted from heart as I was on pins and needles absolutely sure that there was no way for this story to end happily. Nonetheless, Penelope Ward found a way to make it all work and therefore has further entrenched herself even more firmly on my favorite authors list! As if the story isn’t reason enough to listen to this title, the narration by the Sean Crisden and Aletha George duo was also incredibly well matched for this touching tale, which alternated from the hero’s and heroine’s perspectives.
Sevin has been raised in an extremely conservative religious lifestyle, even if his choices have been less than pious at times. Raised by his step-mother and his father, alongside his three step-brothers, Sevin has never really felt quite at home, from his symbolic black hair, as compared to his step-siblings’ blond locks, to his general views on the morality of sex and religion. Perhaps his unusual nature stems from his hippie mother’s free spirited ways, but his ability to live a different, more typical way of life vanished the day she passed away.
See the full review at AudioGals.
Sins of Sevin hit me right in the “feels” department. Wow, what an emotional and angst-filled forbidden love story riddled with land mines of impossible choices! I couldn’t get enough of this story and devoured it over just two short days. When it was finally over, I felt like a huge ball of tension had been lifted from heart as I was on pins and needles absolutely sure that there was no way for this story to end happily. Nonetheless, Penelope Ward found a way to make it all work and therefore has further entrenched herself even more firmly on my favorite authors list! As if the story isn’t reason enough to listen to this title, the narration by the Sean Crisden and Aletha George duo was also incredibly well matched for this touching tale, which alternated from the hero’s and heroine’s perspectives.
Sevin has been raised in an extremely conservative religious lifestyle, even if his choices have been less than pious at times. Raised by his step-mother and his father, alongside his three step-brothers, Sevin has never really felt quite at home, from his symbolic black hair, as compared to his step-siblings’ blond locks, to his general views on the morality of sex and religion. Perhaps his unusual nature stems from his hippie mother’s free spirited ways, but his ability to live a different, more typical way of life vanished the day she passed away.
See the full review at AudioGals.
September 21, 2015
“I have so much love inside of me that’s all yours, and it’s been trapped inside. I need to give it to you, because holding it in is killing me. I know your heart belongs to me. But I’m selfish. I want all of you. I want you.”
We’re overcome with emotion! What twists! What turns! What a story! Oh our hearts! This is one of those times we are going to beg you to trust us and trust the author, to leave your preconceived ideas at the door and go into this book blind, letting the story and the author guide you. Do so and you will be rewarded!
*Sniff, sniff* you’ll have to excuse us a minute while wipe tears off our Kindles. Wow! What an emotionally charged story that was! We’re pretty sure our notes were stained with tears as we relived the story through highlighted quotes, welling up time and again as we chatted about and reflected on Sevin’s story which quite literally moved us to tears!
“I wish I could rid you from my heart, but you are my fucking heart.”
We’ve been a bit leery of picking up books claiming ‘forbidden romance’ of late because in more cases than not, the author has tended to focus on the mechanical sexual taboo factor of the story rather than the emotional pull we so desperately seek in this theme. All too often it’s the shock factor of forbidden sex that is favoured over the soul stirring emotional and personal conflict of forbidden ‘love’.
Well not so in Sins of Sevin because Penelope Ward crafted an incredibly powerful, stirring, evocative, passionate and heartbreaking story of a forbidden love between two people whose love ran soul deep and whose choices would have disastrous effects on themselves and those around them.
“You’re my truth. The only thing that has ever felt natural to me is loving you. No one is going to tell me I can’t love you.”
The sexual chemistry between Evangeline and Sevin was clearly evident and tangible from their first meeting however this took a back seat to the deeper connection we immediately felt between them. Theirs was a comfortable relationship, almost as though we felt them expel a big breath upon their first meeting. They were soulmates in every sense of the word. So comfortable with each other, their love so inevitable, it was as though they could finally just ‘be‘ with no lies or pretenses.
“I’m lucky that you’ve trusted me. I’ve gotten to see your passion and your vulnerability…your need to be loved.”
We feel to divulge anything, to even give a hint as to what unfolded in this story could lessen the emotional impact, the surprise and shocks some revelations will have on you. We will say, be prepared to experience a rollercoaster of emotion because for every up Penelope Ward delivers, there is a down, for every second of calm there is an abundance of turbulence and we felt every single moment as though we held our breaths and gripped our Kindles from start to finish.
‘There’s got to be more to life than living in fear of punishment.’
Sevin was a sensitive and lost man, a man who gave every part of his heart to a woman who was his other half, who showed him he was worthy of loving and being loved, even if he didn’t believe it himself. Their love went against their teachings, morals and consumed them with guilt and we felt it all as Penelope Ward delivered an alluring and emotive story that shook us, excited us, broke us and gave us hope. The direction she took and the manner in which she delivered her story only served to showcase the brilliant talent of this author. We just wished this beautiful story hadn’t been cheapened by ‘Abs Marketing’ – we wish that whoever made or suggested this cover had actually drawn from the incredible poignancy of Sevin’s story.
‘Evangeline could pretty much rip out my heart, stomp on it, then feed it to me, and I’d still hand it back to her. She owned it.’
A piece of advice….have tissues on hand. If you’re anything like us….you’re going to need them! LOT’S OF THEM! We can’t wait to hear what you think of this one!
“Sometimes, we don’t get over painful things, we just learn to live with them.”
**Reviewed off an ARC copy provided by the author, with thanks.**
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January 1, 2020
Ugh, what a beautiful book. I looooved Sevin - such a good and sweet and adorable and HOT person.
I cried sooooo much!!!
PERFECT!!!
(I'm horribly anti-religious - so a bit of the book was so not my thing - but I still loved the story!)
September 19, 2015
Emotional!!!! Forbidden and inevitable. This about sums this book up. One of the best forbidden romances I've read lately.
Sevin comes from a strict, religious family. When his father passes away, his stepmother arranges a marriage for him. Elle is beautiful and sweet. Perfect. But she is not her sister Evangeline. Attraction quickly blooms into love. Sevin is ready to sin for Evangeline and she helplessly falls for her sister's boyfriend. Boundaries are overstepped but when tragedy strikes, Evangeline will have to choose. Drawn apart, will they ever forgive each other?
The characters were just so....real. There is no other way to describe them. Real and honest. They make mistakes, they are flawed but their emotions are so raw that you cannot help but fall in love with them. I simply loved Sevin. He sacrificed a lot for Elle and took all the hurt Evangeline pierced him with. Both characters suffer and their love is built on lies and deception. Thorns path their way but they manage to carry on.
The writing was phenomenal. Excellent build-up and development. The characters grow as the story unfolds and that was magnificent to watch. The ending had me in tears. Amazing book. Do not miss this. A real page turner.
Grab boxes of Kleenex before you start this.
5 Sinful Stars!!!
ARC provided by TRSOR in exchange for an honest review.
Sevin comes from a strict, religious family. When his father passes away, his stepmother arranges a marriage for him. Elle is beautiful and sweet. Perfect. But she is not her sister Evangeline. Attraction quickly blooms into love. Sevin is ready to sin for Evangeline and she helplessly falls for her sister's boyfriend. Boundaries are overstepped but when tragedy strikes, Evangeline will have to choose. Drawn apart, will they ever forgive each other?
The characters were just so....real. There is no other way to describe them. Real and honest. They make mistakes, they are flawed but their emotions are so raw that you cannot help but fall in love with them. I simply loved Sevin. He sacrificed a lot for Elle and took all the hurt Evangeline pierced him with. Both characters suffer and their love is built on lies and deception. Thorns path their way but they manage to carry on.
The writing was phenomenal. Excellent build-up and development. The characters grow as the story unfolds and that was magnificent to watch. The ending had me in tears. Amazing book. Do not miss this. A real page turner.
Grab boxes of Kleenex before you start this.
5 Sinful Stars!!!
ARC provided by TRSOR in exchange for an honest review.
February 18, 2016
Sevin stars!
O M G where do I start? A forbidden love story is always one of my favorite reads and this book didn't disappoint, it was epic! Sevin agrees to arranged marriage and moves to his fiancé guest house to court her, thinking it was all for the best.... until he meets the gorgeous Sister Evangeline. The sexual chemistry between Evangeline and Sevin was clearly evident and palpable from their first meeting.
“Wanting someone you knew with absolute certainty you could never have was the very definition of agony.”
They tried to fight the attraction but it was to intense.
“You can’t choose love. It chooses you, and once that happens, it doesn’t let go. You can pretend it’s not there, but when you try, it only fights harder…louder…until you finally get the message and give in.”
Eventually they submit to there desires. Sevin is the perfect hero. Hot as sin and strong, doesn't have any problem expressing his emotions.
“We can’t do this. We’ll go to hell, Sevin.”
“Don’t you know I’d burn in hell for a single taste of you?”
Ahhh.... amazing read and I devoured this book in one sitting.
“You’re my truth. The only thing that has ever felt natural to me is loving you. No one is going to tell me I can’t love you.”
I loved this book and that is my t r u t h.
“I wish I could rid you from my heart, but you are my fucking heart." - Sevin
September 24, 2015
4.5 Emotionally Stunning Stars!!
“He was my truth. Even if that made me a sinner.”
I expect nothing less than total perfection from Penelope Ward and she delivers another very sexy, very emotionally satisfying story with Sins of Sevin. This book is the perfect cure for any kind of book slump you might be in. The characters are all richly written, the story is very different and creative, and the emotions this book inspires will have you wishing you there was more to this story. I did not want it to end!
Sins of Sevin, told in alternating POV’s, is about a fundamentally Christian household where the daughters must be courted before marriage by a man who has been chosen by the family. No kissing, no touching no NOTHING before marriage. The problem is, that Sevin is promised to a girl he does not love. His heart belongs to another. There are many factors at play here as to why he cannot be with the one he loves, his true soul mate, and these obstacles only make Sevin to be an even stronger, heartbreaking hero than is already is.
”You can’t choose love. It chooses you, and once that happens, it doesn’t let you go. You can pretend it’s not there but when you try, it only fights harder…louder…until you finally get the message and give in.”
I do not read many other “taboo” romance books other than Penelope Ward. She is the Queen, bar none, of the forbidden romance genre. Sins of Sevin is another fantastic forbidden romance with a hero that I fell in love with from the first page. This book is filled with lots of anguish, emotion and plenty of guilt on the part of both main characters but the writing in this book flows so beautifully that even the most cynical reader with fall in love with Sevin (and MAYBE Evangeline!).
Ms. Ward’s story spans several years in time, which adds to the richness of the story. I honestly could not tell where this story was going end up, and the ending truly did surprise me. And please, have plenty of tissues handy for the Epilogue to this beautifully sexy and very loving book.
“I have so much love inside of me that’s all yours, and it’s been trapped inside. I need to give it to you, because holding it in is killing me. I know your heart belongs to me. But I’m selfish. I want all of you. I want you.”
Sevin and Evangeline are far from perfect. Both make choices that I did not agree with. But I absolutely fell in love with Sevin and with this story. Do not miss it. Sins of Sevin is a must-read!
(ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.)
“He was my truth. Even if that made me a sinner.”
I expect nothing less than total perfection from Penelope Ward and she delivers another very sexy, very emotionally satisfying story with Sins of Sevin. This book is the perfect cure for any kind of book slump you might be in. The characters are all richly written, the story is very different and creative, and the emotions this book inspires will have you wishing you there was more to this story. I did not want it to end!
Sins of Sevin, told in alternating POV’s, is about a fundamentally Christian household where the daughters must be courted before marriage by a man who has been chosen by the family. No kissing, no touching no NOTHING before marriage. The problem is, that Sevin is promised to a girl he does not love. His heart belongs to another. There are many factors at play here as to why he cannot be with the one he loves, his true soul mate, and these obstacles only make Sevin to be an even stronger, heartbreaking hero than is already is.
”You can’t choose love. It chooses you, and once that happens, it doesn’t let you go. You can pretend it’s not there but when you try, it only fights harder…louder…until you finally get the message and give in.”
I do not read many other “taboo” romance books other than Penelope Ward. She is the Queen, bar none, of the forbidden romance genre. Sins of Sevin is another fantastic forbidden romance with a hero that I fell in love with from the first page. This book is filled with lots of anguish, emotion and plenty of guilt on the part of both main characters but the writing in this book flows so beautifully that even the most cynical reader with fall in love with Sevin (and MAYBE Evangeline!).
Ms. Ward’s story spans several years in time, which adds to the richness of the story. I honestly could not tell where this story was going end up, and the ending truly did surprise me. And please, have plenty of tissues handy for the Epilogue to this beautifully sexy and very loving book.
“I have so much love inside of me that’s all yours, and it’s been trapped inside. I need to give it to you, because holding it in is killing me. I know your heart belongs to me. But I’m selfish. I want all of you. I want you.”
Sevin and Evangeline are far from perfect. Both make choices that I did not agree with. But I absolutely fell in love with Sevin and with this story. Do not miss it. Sins of Sevin is a must-read!
(ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.)
September 19, 2015
**༻Complimentary Copy༺** Provided by the author "Penelope Ward" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE:
AUTHOR:
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: September 21st, 2015
MY RATING:
Cray Cray love this author so I have high expectations for this book..This was such an unexpected crazy ride of a read.will write my full review for the tour..
TITLE:
AUTHOR:
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: September 21st, 2015
MY RATING:
Cray Cray love this author so I have high expectations for this book..This was such an unexpected crazy ride of a read.will write my full review for the tour..
October 14, 2015
"I want to live the truth. And you're my truth."
I withheld my review until the release hype was over, simply because I didn't want to be a Betty Downer. I expected a different story when reading the synopsis and teasers - don't get me wrong, the story was okay, her writing flowed, but it wasn't like My Skylar or Stepbrother Dearest wow.
I adored Sevin. He is everything I wish for when reading about a guy in books, not so much Evangeline.
"Look how you react to me. Just a simple touch. You think we can stop this? Neither one of us can resist each other."
Until around 75% I loved this book and it would have been a straight 4 - 4.5-star read for me.... if Evangeline hadn't decided to turn Sevin's and my reader life upside down. After that, I kinda lost my earlier enthusiasm about the book. I still loved Sevin, though, but besides feeling sorry for him and being annoyed, angered and very frustrated by Evangeline's poor judgement, decisions and ugh, just everything, I couldn't further sympathize with the story.
Needless to say, the last 25% of the book were a downer and I wished it'd have been different. Penelope is and will alway be one of my favorite authors and her books are def top of my recommendations - just not this one.
But please don't let my review hinder you from picking this book up. Sevin is def worth meeting ;)
*** ARC received in exchange for honest review ***
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I withheld my review until the release hype was over, simply because I didn't want to be a Betty Downer. I expected a different story when reading the synopsis and teasers - don't get me wrong, the story was okay, her writing flowed, but it wasn't like My Skylar or Stepbrother Dearest wow.
I adored Sevin. He is everything I wish for when reading about a guy in books, not so much Evangeline.
"Look how you react to me. Just a simple touch. You think we can stop this? Neither one of us can resist each other."
Until around 75% I loved this book and it would have been a straight 4 - 4.5-star read for me.... if Evangeline hadn't decided to turn Sevin's and my reader life upside down. After that, I kinda lost my earlier enthusiasm about the book. I still loved Sevin, though, but besides feeling sorry for him and being annoyed, angered and very frustrated by Evangeline's poor judgement, decisions and ugh, just everything, I couldn't further sympathize with the story.
Needless to say, the last 25% of the book were a downer and I wished it'd have been different. Penelope is and will alway be one of my favorite authors and her books are def top of my recommendations - just not this one.
But please don't let my review hinder you from picking this book up. Sevin is def worth meeting ;)
*** ARC received in exchange for honest review ***
___________________________________
✦ Read all my review (A-Z) on the blog
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December 9, 2016
Trying to hold back my tears. OMG This book was amazing... Beautiful. LOVE IT. I.. don't know what to say. I'll write something later 'cause if I do it now i'll probably start to cry...
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5 estrelas mais lindas!
Que livro!
Wow!
Esquece essa sinopse, esquece essa capa. Elas passam uma ideia errônea do livro. Quando você foca neles, acredita que este será nada mais do que somente mais um livro de sexo com amor proibido. E SINS OF SEVIN é muito, muito mais que isso.
Sevin era um garoto que cresceu numa família religiosa e que tentava proteger demais. Até ai tá igual a sinopse. Ledo engano, já que o fato de ser proibido de fazer as coisas instigava mais ainda o personagem a ir atrás do perigoso. Ele estava longe de ser o certinho, mas ninguém o descobrira. Entretanto, uma tragédia muda sua maneira de ver o mundo. Ele perde o pai e acha que deve a ele viver uma boa e respeitosa vida de acordo com os ensinamentos de sua família. Então, Sevin é apresentado a Elle, uma garota que foi escolhida a dedo para ser sua esposa. Ele decide que iria ser esse cara e acaba mudando para a casa de hospedes dos pais de Elle. Apesar de já ter conversado bastante com ela por telefone, esse era o momento de conhecer sua noiva de verdade. Entretanto, no momento que Sevin conhece Evangeline, irmã de Elle, o amor que ele achava que nunca ia aparecer, chega dando porrada e o derrubando no chão.
Sevin era totalmente diferente do que achei que seria pela sinopse. Achei que ele seria tímido, quieto e uma pessoa inexperiente. Na verdade, ele era completamente o oposto.
Evangeline amava sua família, mas não acreditava que o amor deveria ser escolhido pelos seus pais. Eu pude sentir o conflito dela durante o livro em questão a isso: não decepcionar seus pais, mas também não se perder.
O amor entre esses dois aconteceu tão naturalmente e eles fizeram realmente de tudo pra não deixar isso ir pra frente que foi sofrido de assistir. Entretanto era visível em cada palavra, em cada pensamento que aquilo ali era amor verdadeiro e não luxúria. Para Evangeline foi ainda mais difícil porque ela e a irmã eram muito amigas.
A autora escreveu de uma maneira que envolveu bastante e não foi nada piegas. Esse livro é um drama. Um drama bastante real e sofrido, mas que faz o leitor torcer para que tudo dê certo. Com o prólogo eu já soltei meu primeiro OMG!! e já informo que não foi o único. Ali a gente já sabe que foi enganado pela capa.
SINS OF SEVIN é narrado tanto por Sevin quanto por Envageline e é dividido em duas partes. A primeira parte você acha que, como leitor já sofreu o que tinha que sofrer com esse livro.. mas ai... vem a parte dois, que pra mim, foi a pior. Foi muito mais difícil. Eu, que sou manteiga derretida assumida, confesso que estava lendo em um local público e foi muito.. mas muito difícil segurar o choro. Principalmente no final. Quando eu li a última linha... PQP! Valeu a pena. Foi lindo! Apesar de não parecer, tem sim um final feliz. E eu amei.
Não tem nada que a gente nunca tenha visto. Não tem nada cabuloso. É uma história por muitas vezes triste, mas muito real e muito bonita.
Eu adorei STEPBROTHER DEAREST e ri muito com COCKY BASTARD, mas putz, esse se tornou o meu livro favorito da autora e me fez colocá-la na minha lista de autoras favoritas.
De muitas maneiras, a vida era como uma rosa - linda, mas não sem as vezes o doloroso caminho espinhoso que nos leva até a maravilhosa flor vermelha.
Pick a Book - facebook page
-----
5 estrelas mais lindas!
Que livro!
Wow!
Esquece essa sinopse, esquece essa capa. Elas passam uma ideia errônea do livro. Quando você foca neles, acredita que este será nada mais do que somente mais um livro de sexo com amor proibido. E SINS OF SEVIN é muito, muito mais que isso.
Sevin era um garoto que cresceu numa família religiosa e que tentava proteger demais. Até ai tá igual a sinopse. Ledo engano, já que o fato de ser proibido de fazer as coisas instigava mais ainda o personagem a ir atrás do perigoso. Ele estava longe de ser o certinho, mas ninguém o descobrira. Entretanto, uma tragédia muda sua maneira de ver o mundo. Ele perde o pai e acha que deve a ele viver uma boa e respeitosa vida de acordo com os ensinamentos de sua família. Então, Sevin é apresentado a Elle, uma garota que foi escolhida a dedo para ser sua esposa. Ele decide que iria ser esse cara e acaba mudando para a casa de hospedes dos pais de Elle. Apesar de já ter conversado bastante com ela por telefone, esse era o momento de conhecer sua noiva de verdade. Entretanto, no momento que Sevin conhece Evangeline, irmã de Elle, o amor que ele achava que nunca ia aparecer, chega dando porrada e o derrubando no chão.
Sevin era totalmente diferente do que achei que seria pela sinopse. Achei que ele seria tímido, quieto e uma pessoa inexperiente. Na verdade, ele era completamente o oposto.
Evangeline amava sua família, mas não acreditava que o amor deveria ser escolhido pelos seus pais. Eu pude sentir o conflito dela durante o livro em questão a isso: não decepcionar seus pais, mas também não se perder.
O amor entre esses dois aconteceu tão naturalmente e eles fizeram realmente de tudo pra não deixar isso ir pra frente que foi sofrido de assistir. Entretanto era visível em cada palavra, em cada pensamento que aquilo ali era amor verdadeiro e não luxúria. Para Evangeline foi ainda mais difícil porque ela e a irmã eram muito amigas.
A autora escreveu de uma maneira que envolveu bastante e não foi nada piegas. Esse livro é um drama. Um drama bastante real e sofrido, mas que faz o leitor torcer para que tudo dê certo. Com o prólogo eu já soltei meu primeiro OMG!! e já informo que não foi o único. Ali a gente já sabe que foi enganado pela capa.
SINS OF SEVIN é narrado tanto por Sevin quanto por Envageline e é dividido em duas partes. A primeira parte você acha que, como leitor já sofreu o que tinha que sofrer com esse livro.. mas ai... vem a parte dois, que pra mim, foi a pior. Foi muito mais difícil. Eu, que sou manteiga derretida assumida, confesso que estava lendo em um local público e foi muito.. mas muito difícil segurar o choro. Principalmente no final. Quando eu li a última linha... PQP! Valeu a pena. Foi lindo! Apesar de não parecer, tem sim um final feliz. E eu amei.
Não tem nada que a gente nunca tenha visto. Não tem nada cabuloso. É uma história por muitas vezes triste, mas muito real e muito bonita.
Eu adorei STEPBROTHER DEAREST e ri muito com COCKY BASTARD, mas putz, esse se tornou o meu livro favorito da autora e me fez colocá-la na minha lista de autoras favoritas.
De muitas maneiras, a vida era como uma rosa - linda, mas não sem as vezes o doloroso caminho espinhoso que nos leva até a maravilhosa flor vermelha.
Pick a Book - facebook page
October 1, 2015
I'd like to begin with a side comment: I absolutely hate it when authors rate their own work, as Penelope Ward continuously does. Do. Not. Rate. Your. Own. Books. It's like masturbating in public. Do not rate it 5 stars. Do not rate it 4 stars. Do not rate it at all. I cannot stress enough how put off I am by this. It is the viral equivalent of:
Now, let's get to the point: I loved Sins of Sevin's premise. The whole biblical, "promised-to-one-sister-but-fallen-in-love-with-the-other" a-la Jacob/Leah/Rachel triangle got me instantly interested. While the premise was good, so was the writing (Penelope Ward knows how to write, even though her books are a hit or miss for me). The combination of a good idea and stellar writing should have delivered at least four stars, and some scenes were actually accurately written and poetically beautiful. Unfortunately, some chunks of the novel fell flat for me and were too distracting to overlook.
For instance, the fact that Sevin was, essentially, one hell of a douchebag to both sisters.
Or, the fact that there was a majorly convenient deus ex machine moment in which something terrible happens that, luckily, untangles the dilemma and solves the two lovers' problem.
Or, the fact that yet again, Penelope Ward writes really friggin' annoying heroines who do stupid sh** and make you want to smash your head against sharp objects.
This book was far from perfect, but I'll give Ms. Ward this - it was a huge improvement from Jake Understood/ Jake Undone. I was so smitten with her characters and writing in Stepbrother Dearest, I patiently waited for her to wow me again. She almost managed to do it, if not for the abovementioned problems. The thing I do enjoy about Ward's writing is that she always delivers a *full* story, spreading on usually five or more years, so the characters actually grow on you.
This was an OK read.
Now, let's get to the point: I loved Sins of Sevin's premise. The whole biblical, "promised-to-one-sister-but-fallen-in-love-with-the-other" a-la Jacob/Leah/Rachel triangle got me instantly interested. While the premise was good, so was the writing (Penelope Ward knows how to write, even though her books are a hit or miss for me). The combination of a good idea and stellar writing should have delivered at least four stars, and some scenes were actually accurately written and poetically beautiful. Unfortunately, some chunks of the novel fell flat for me and were too distracting to overlook.
For instance, the fact that Sevin was, essentially, one hell of a douchebag to both sisters.
Or, the fact that there was a majorly convenient deus ex machine moment in which something terrible happens that, luckily, untangles the dilemma and solves the two lovers' problem.
Or, the fact that yet again, Penelope Ward writes really friggin' annoying heroines who do stupid sh** and make you want to smash your head against sharp objects.
This book was far from perfect, but I'll give Ms. Ward this - it was a huge improvement from Jake Understood/ Jake Undone. I was so smitten with her characters and writing in Stepbrother Dearest, I patiently waited for her to wow me again. She almost managed to do it, if not for the abovementioned problems. The thing I do enjoy about Ward's writing is that she always delivers a *full* story, spreading on usually five or more years, so the characters actually grow on you.
This was an OK read.
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