I was highly anticipating this story as it’s written by one of my favourite authors. I’ve loved her other 3 novels very much and this one did not disappoint.

Book Blurb:

On a snowy night in 1914, Hugh Von Kessel meets a lovely blonde girl at a dance, whose aloof beauty reminds him of a valkyrie in one of his German mother’s Wagnerian operas. Millie Holtz is likewise impressed by the handsome young man with the slightly European manners and aura of glamor. Hugh’s older brother, Nicholas, cautions him to stop treating women as playthings, but Hugh wants the valkyrie and pursues her relentlessly. Millie has always lived according to the rules—until she met Hugh—and she’ll bear the consequences of that lapse in judgement for a lifetime.

Two brothers and the woman they both desire form a hopeless triangle that governs the choices they each make throughout their lifetimes. This is their story—spanning the first half of the 20th century. But love never dies—it goes on forever. 

My Review:

A story of love, betrayal, and second chances

I loved how this story was set during historical times – in the 1920s to the 1950s. As always, Gates didn’t disappoint with her gift of story telling. At the start, we see Hugh (Who’s the definition of a scoundrel) try to win over a young tall blonde Mille. Though smitten with him, she feels there’s something not quite right. While he’s bright, charming, and ambitious, at the core he’s self serving. When she becomes pregnant, she ends up marrying him, all the while Hugh’s journalist brother Nick secretly loves Millie. It’s not an easy marriage for the couple as Hugh continues to have dalliances with other women and Millie becomes progressively unhappier. This is a story of love, betrayal, family, and second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed the end of the story and it was a twist I wasn’t expecting. You’ll definitely want to check this story out!

My Ratings: 5/5 stars

You can check out where to buy this book on Goodreads.