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Tuesday, May 7, 2013

MICHELLE'S REVIEW: Temptation by Karen Ann Hopkins

Title: Temptation
Author: Karen Ann Hopkins
Format Acquired: Paperback
Publication Date: June 26, 2012
Publishing House: Harlequin Teen
ISBN: 9780373210541
Source of Copy: Purchased from Fully Booked

Summary:

Your heart misleads you. 
That's what my friends and family say. 

But I love Noah. 
And he loves me. 

We met and fell in love in the sleepy farming community of Meadowview, while we rode our horses together through the grassy fields and in those moments in each other's arms. It should be 


Rose & Noah 

forever, easy. 



But it won't be. 



Because he's Amish. 

And I'm not.

(Image and information courtesy of Goodreads; Summary lifted from actual book)

Review:

Rose and her family have just transferred to Meadowview. When a flood makes their journey to their new home rather difficult, their Amish neighbors, eager to make an acquaintance out of Rose's doctor father, step in to help them. But Rose gets more than help when her eyes land on gorgeous Noah, who seems to can't leave the English girl alone either. When their secret romance turns into something more serious, Rose and Noah have to make a choice to either stay together against their respective societies or go back to their own kind, because a love like theirs isn't an easy one, and they may have just took on more than they thought they could.

Hopkins' characters seem to have a mind of their own as character flaws are very obvious. There are just some things that I cannot let go of. As it is, I am critical about teenage romance, especially those that believe that they will be together forever and ever. Any teenager who claims to "cannot live without the girlfriend/boyfriend" earns a raised eyebrow and a harsh bark of laughter from me. But when Rose and Noah lock eyes on each other and decide that they're meant for each other straight off the bat is a bit over-the-top. 

Noah got on my nerves at times, especially when he was okay with Rose take the brunt of it. As far as the relationship goes, I seem to see that Rose is doing most of the giving, and Noah is more than content with all the taking. Since Noah is Amish, I get that he will have a lot more to lose as compared to Rose, such as familial and community ties, and financial security. If things won't work out with Rose, Noah will practically be a lone drifter, very much alien to the workings of the modern world. But does he really have to be that controlling of Rose?! Also, Rose's wild spirit is the reason why he was so drawn to her in the first place. If he's going to even attempt to somehow tame subdue her "Englishness", Rose wouldn't be any different from the horses he takes care of. 

Rose, on the other hand, is only too happy to spoil Noah. She loves him so much that she's willing to turn back on  the convenience of the modern world, her family, and even on her passions in life, like dancing. That is a huge, HUGE sacrifice to make for a guy you've only just met, even if said guy is scorching hot and an exceptionally good kisser. Rose is just sixteen, mind you, and she has her whole life ahead of her. She can't seriously be contemplating turning Amish and getting married, just because it's the only way they can be together. Rose isn't even entirely sure where the relationship is headed, although Noah is convinced that it's headed to the altar.

But despite the fact that the only reason why they're convinced they belong together is because of their intense chemistry and the heat that always seems to radiate off them when they're next to each other, I can't seem to look away! I swear I am getting such a kick out of this book for reasons I cannot absolutely pinpoint. Maybe it's the fact that I am a sucker for "forbidden" relationships. Or maybe it's because I found myself fascinated at how different the Amish are. Or even maybe because I keep guessing how long this obsession will last. 

But even if the relationship is shallow and off-putting, I am weirdly intrigued enough to read the next book.

Rating:
          


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