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To Capture What We Cannot Keep
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To Capture What We Cannot Keep by Beatrice Colin - 4 Stars
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Darn it. Sigh, another one to move up the TBR.
Thought you had it on hold?
Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl....you know the drill.
But, even though the structure is totally predictable this is just a gem of a novel even from someone who finds most romance novels trite even if they are fashioned in a historical novel with some really solid writing.
Set against the backdrop of the construction and opening of the Eiffel Tower for the 100 year anniversary of the French Revolution and in advance of of the 1889 World's Fair, Caitriona Wallace, a Scottish widow in her early 30's, has been hired as a chaperone for siblings Jamie and Alice Arrol, by their uncle for the young siblings tour throughout Europe. In France they cross paths with Emile Nouguier, an engineer second in charge to Gustave Eiffel, in a hot-air balloon ride over Paris. Emile and "Cait" are immediately drawn to each other but it is a seemingly impossible match because Emile is expected by his aging mother to marry a woman of means who can inject the needed resources into the family manufacturing business in order to modernize operations (not to mention with whom to have children). On the other hand way-ward Jamie has recognized the promising match between Emile and his younger sister.
I think what saved this read for me (apart from the solid historical tid-bits) was I loved the characters, every one of them (okay with the exception of Gabrielle and Emile's mom). I even loved Jamie, who I would despise in real life. But, his boundless enthusiasm for the hear and now was endearing. There was one exception to this rule, that was simply inexcusable. But in every other aspect including his constant match-making he was a great character. But, they were all authentic and had their flaws. I even wanted to shake Emile a time or two.
I had two quibbles. One, and this is a huge pet-peeve. I think every writer of historical fiction should provide an author's note, which was lacking here. Secondly, the ending was just too neatly tied in a bow, which I guess is the way of romances but here the metaphoric children just seemed a bit too tidy.
Other than that great, solid, and enjoyable read.