Veena’s review of For All Time (Nantucket Brides Trilogy, Book 2) by Jude Deveraux
Paranormal Historical Romance published by Ballantine Books 01 Jul 14
I’ve followed the Montgomery Taggart saga from the beginning and was thrilled when the author introduced us to yet another undiscovered branch of the family with the launch of her Nantucket Island trilogy, bringing back fond memories as I got the opportunity to catch up on some of the characters that I had almost forgotten. I absolutely couldn’t wait for this next book in the series to come out to refresh my memories with more members of the Montgomery/Taggart and Lanconian families, but……..
Toby Wyndam is fated to be Graydon’s true love because she can tell him apart from his twin, but there are no orange blossoms and wedding bells in their future because not only is Graydon the crown prince of Lanconia, but he’s duty bound to marry the woman hand picked by his family to be his future queen. Graydon is serious and disciplined and as different from his mischievous twin as chalk from cheese, but, for the first time in his life, meeting Toby causes him to put duty aside and take time for himself and Toby, even switching places with his twin to make it happen.
The story starts off on a very promising note as they spend time together on simple pleasures like going to the beach together or him cooking her breakfast and making thorough inroads into her heart. Life would be quite perfect, except they both know they can never have a future together – until one day they walk through the open doorway of an old house right into their past lives to discover that they’ve loved and lost each other before in a previous incarnation. By this time in the story I’m all revved up and ready for some excitement and some horizontal time between them and hearing the wedding bells in my ears, but, alas, I am doomed for disappointment.
It’s odd that they consider they have more control over the past than the present, because they determine to give themselves the happy ending in their past life that is being denied to them now. I’m thoroughly confused with all the back and forth stepping into the present and the past at will, as they try to slowly change the unfolding events in their past lives to ensure a happy outcome. It’s also interesting that the honorable Graydon, who refuses to indulge in a physical affair with Toby in the present time, has no qualms about it in the past to the extend of impregnating her. I just find all of this quite confusing and kept getting lost in all these twists and turns.
My biggest turn off to this story is that on the one hand Graydon is so honorable and so determined to do the right thing, even to marrying this other woman and sacrificing his love for Toby, but, on the other hand, he deliberately turns a blind eye to the fact that he knows his twin is in love with this woman. I don’t see honor in this type of blind obedience to duty.
The author presents an ingenious solution to all this conflict that comes out right for all concerned, but I think it’s too late to redeem the story in my eyes.
Grade: C
Summary:
New York Times bestselling author Jude Deveraux returns to the magnificent, sunny island in For All Time, the second novel in her Nantucket Brides trilogy—this time featuring the next generation of her beloved family of Montgomery-Taggerts.
The wedding of Alix Madsen and Jared Montgomery is a glorious affair at an elegant little chapel in the woods, followed by dinner and dancing, all while moonlight blankets the festivities in a romantic glow. While most guests are fixed on the happy couple, Jared’s cousin Graydon can’t look away from a bridesmaid, Toby Wyndam. It’s not just her quiet beauty that enthralls him or the way she makes him laugh. Toby possesses the truly remarkable ability of being able to distinguish Graydon from his identical twin brother, Rory. According to family legend, such a gift marks her as Graydon’s True Love.
But Graydon knows there is no possible way that they can ever be together, for he is heir to the Lanconian throne and is to marry a noble woman who has been chosen for him. Yet, intrigued by Toby, he asks her to help him hide on Nantucket for a week away from regal responsibilities. In exchange, he’ll assist her with planning acclaimed novelist Victoria Madsen’s lavish wedding. Since they both know their union is impossible, the pair promises that they will never be more than just friends.
But there’s more going on between Graydon and Toby than her unique power to tell him apart from his twin. At work are forces beyond their control, which are ruled by time itself. Combine that with the magical island of Nantucket, and a seductive spell is cast over Graydon and Toby. If they are to be together, they must change what once was, as well as what will be.]
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
