Question F

[Jonetta]

Did you notice any difference in Sebastian's characterization of his current feelings for Kat? What about with Hero?

[Veronica]

It still bugs me that a part of him is still playing the "what if" game with regards to Kat. I want him to reach a point where he realizes that even if he could go back in time he wouldn't change a thing because he wouldn't trade his life with Hero for anything or anyone.

There was that line in the book where Hero goes downstairs and finds Sebastian smelling of oranges (clearly indicating that he'd been to the theater to see Kat) and her thoughts betray her pain at loving a man who lost his heart to someone else long ago. I absolutely hate the idea that Hero might think of herself as second choice or a consolation prize. I'm not sure if this line is about the author saying that Sebastian hasn't given his whole heart to Hero, and maybe never can, or if it's just a glimpse into Hero's own insecurity about the matter. I can't blame her. IMO Sebastian went on a little too long when he was telling Hero about how long he's loved Kat and how Hendon's lies were the only sure fire way to drive him from her. I wouldn't want to hear my husband talk about another woman that way.

[Charlene]

The only positive I can get from this is Sebastian's effort to be transparent with his wife. While this is a desirable thing in most areas, I think his own need blocked him from seeing how he hurt Hero.

[Veronica]

That's a good point, Charlene, and definitely something to consider.

All the "Katness" of this this book is why I didn't rate this one five stars. Her presence just left too much of a bad taste in my mouth.

[Jonetta]

I gave Sebastian a pass on that interlude where he was, at the same time, being open with this woman who is slowly capturing his mind and heart, and being reflective. He speaks now of Kat with something like nostalgia. I'm not sure if he's aware that his feelings are transitioning. When he looks and thinks of Hero, it's with warmth and anticipation. He really likes this woman, enjoys her company.

Many of us would probably think of old loves and "what ifs" similarly. I didn't sense any pain in Sebastian's reflection this time. I agree with you, too, Charlene.

He's almost there.

[Phrynne]

I'm with you Jonetta. I felt that Sebastian was trying to be open with Hero as he knows he is not always so. I think for him it is a question of honouring her with the truth even if it does hurt. I like the way the author is slowly bringing them together.

[Jonetta]

Their level of trust in each other is so admirable given her father. They're doing the work!

[Lauren]

I'm really glad that Sebastian opened up to Hero and told her everything. I hate the keeping secrets trope and its one of the reasons I despise Kat.

I agree with Veronica that there was "too much Kat" in this book and it decreased my enjoyment of the developments in Sebastian and Hero's relationship. It annoys me that Sebastian is still so attached to Kat emotionally even though he realizes he doesn't trust her or believe a word she says.

The romance between Hero and Sebastian is going from strength to strength though and I'm hoping that it will eventually eclipse the youthful infatuation that Sebastian had for Kat.

[Veronica]

Lauren wrote: "The romance between Hero and Sebastian is going from strength to strength though and I'm hoping that it will eventually eclipse the youthful infatuation that Sebastian had for Kat."

Yes, this! Kat's continued presence and Sebastian's love for her, "that still courses strong and deep", detracts somewhat from his relationship with Hero for me too. I'm looking for those feelings to turn into nostalgic fondness, or the love one would feel for an old friend, but for it to lose any romantic flavor.

[Lauren]

I really cannot understand what he sees in her *sigh*
I'm chalking it up to raging hormones :0(

[Joanna]

He told Hero in a round about way before Yates died that he might be falling in love with her. Or at least that's how I interpreted it. But after Yates died and Kat told him that she suspected Jarvis was involved, his attitude towards Hero has me reconsidering.
I agree with Veronica about Hero thinking she comes in second. How can she not? I mean, he pretty much told her that her love towards her father didn't matter.

[Veronica]

Joanna wrote: "I agree with Veronica about Hero thinking she comes in second. How can she not?"

This is the thing that bothers me the most. It doesn't help that Sebastian still seems so angry at Hendon for costing him Kat, for hitting on "the only thing" that would have driven Sebastian away from her.

[Jasmine]

I agree that Sebastian was a bit long-winded in his explanation to Hero. But I liked that his desire to not keep secrets from her seemed to follow from the conversation with Kat wherein Kat pointed to her own keeping secrets as a weakness in her relationship with him. That seemed like a way that Harris was pointing to Sebastian's relationship with Hero as one that was more mature and developed--where he was learning from past mistakes so to speak.

[Jonetta]

You know, no matter how it ends, that first love is always going to have a permanent imprint in your heart, even when you don’t desire that person any longer nor want to pursue them. That makes it hard to describe to the current person you love without making more of it than it really is. I think that’s the reason for his long-windedness (don’t think that’s a word).

Make sense?

[Jasmine]

Yup. Also, I think Sebastian is such a truth-seeker that he wants to make sure he's fully explaining the truth of what happened. But I think Hero is smart enough to get a lot of it without that much explanation! :)

[Veronica]

Jasmine wrote: " But I think Hero is smart enough to get a lot of it without that much explanation! :) "

Haha, that's true.

Jonetta wrote: "You know, no matter how it ends, that first love is always going to have a permanent imprint in your heart, even when you don’t desire that person any longer nor want to pursue them. That makes it ..."


Also true.

[Sharon]

I have to agree with Veronica on this one. My rating for this book dropped big because of the Kat musings and conversations. The explanation to Hero wouldn't have bothered me as much if it were more...but what I have with you is better, different, something.

I was thinking of an old Garth Brooks song, Unanswered Prayers, when Sebastian started his talk with Hero. In the song, a man meets his old high school sweetheart, the one he prayed God would give him as his HEA. The more he talked to her the more he realized that he is grateful for God's unanswered prayer because his actual life is his HEA.

Sebastian doesn't acknowledge that Hero is his possible true love. He seems to stress how Kat is the one who got away and whom he still loves. I completely get that Hero feels like his second choice. The whole scene made me sad instead of feeling like revealing secrets is opening up to his wife.

Add to that he keeps comparing Hero to her father, a man he hates. The whole think bothers me.