From the outset these two damaged children grab your attention and demand their stories be heard. Opposites in the way their abuse has affected them, you are aware from very early on they are destined to meet, but the intricate web that is woven around them as they draw closer leaves you spellbound. For me the mark of a good book it that you are content to follow the journey without feeling the urge to skip ahead to see what happens and I can honestly say I read this start to finish without once feeling the need.

At times the two main characters are hard to feel sympathy for despite knowing their backgrounds, Alex at times can seem arrogant and Brigitte’s naivety frustrating, yet it is a true reflection of the survival mechanisms used by many abuse victims. In spite of their faults you find yourself hoping they can find a way to help each other heal while at the same time wondering if these two complex characters can ever put their pasts behind them to allow themselves happiness.watching the characters grow from children to adults you are drawn into in their worlds.  While Brigitte attempts to flee from her abuse Alex uses his to further his owm ambition.  This is in part i think due to the different form abuse takes.  The author explores the comsequences of these different forms of abuse in how the characters develop and the way she deals with their transitions from vistim to survivors.  However, she does this subtely and at times you do question where either of the two main characters can ever truely escape either pasts.  The surrounding characters are also well dealt with, it would be easy with two such strong main characters for the other to pale in the background yet they are so skillfully written you quickly get an insight into their motivations.

The two different locations of Paris and New York are perfectly suited to the character that inhabits it and reflects the question of whether destiny is being kind in bringing them together or whether their differences will be too great for them to ever be truly happy.  By using dual locations it also enhances the question of how two people fit into each others lives the ways that each must compromise to give the relationship a chance of working or whether some barriers are simply to great.  That in the context of the time when they meet Brigitte is the more successful of the two throws in an extra dynamic, Although Alex through his saving is financially perhaps better off, his aspirations have yet to be fulfilled and one cannot help but speculate how the future will play out.  You do find yourself rooting out for them hoping that they can make it work yet deep down doubting they can. 

I can honestly say I was left wanting more and was hugely relieved to see there was a sequel. I would recommend this book whole heartedly.