⭐⭐⭐⭐☆★
Kate and Tilly attended the same
Catholic school as kids where they shared a dorm room and also a few kisses.
But that was twelve years back. At that time Tilly was determined to become a
nun. Twelve years thence, both of them are back in the same school as teachers
now, sharing their living quarters once again. Their respective terms overlap
for only three terms after which Kate plans to move out. Tilly is also now
engaged to a Vicar with two little kids. During the twelve years, Kate has also
embraced her sexuality and finds that she is as attracted to Tilly as she was
when they were sixteen.
The book is written entirely from
Kate’s PoV. So we are with her every faltering step in navigating her
relationship with Tilly, every tortured thought of tamping down her want and
her love, every inconsolable feeling regarding Tilly. It is easy to understand,
empathise with and ache for Kate. The book is written for that.
However, in their current reality,
Tilly is the only one who is taking all the risks, who is laying herself out
and bare for the relationship. She has to reconcile her feeling for Kate with
her faith, discover her sexuality – in fact, she has never been touched by
anyone till now, struggle with changing her beliefs and realities. And she has
to do this all entirely by herself, because Kate has a sense of victimhood as
she carries her own feelings for Tilly like a chip on her shoulder. It is like Kate
feels that because she is out and willing, carrying a flame for Tilly forever her commitment
is obvious. But it really isn’t.
Tilly is tentative and timid but she is
the one who initiates conversations and contact. She carries a whole world of
greater emotion and depth of emotion for Kate. Kate doesn’t particularly answer
any of Tilly’s words or emotions. In fact, the only thing Kate responds to and with
is lust. When Tilly needs Kate to fight for her, Kate says Tilly needs to
figure out things for herself – a constant refrain from Kate. We can’t imagine
how scary and lonesome this whole relationship must’ve been for Tilly and the
courage and bravery it must’ve taken to make the leap of faith and commit
herself to Kate who has not overtly done anything to make Tilly feel
wanted or secure (as a reader we see where she is, but she doesn’t let Tilly
know any of it).
But this is just our rant of protectiveness for Tilly. If a book can evoke such strong emotions, it is quite a read. And this one just draws you in totally.
But this is just our rant of protectiveness for Tilly. If a book can evoke such strong emotions, it is quite a read. And this one just draws you in totally.
This is a long book but makes you
actually live the story. The slow burn creates constant eroticism in
every touch and look that the MCs exchange. The bubbling sexual tension has you
longing for the first kiss to happen already. It is a great read and highly
recommended.
PS: This would’ve been a five but loses
a star because of Kate’s unspoken (and sometimes spoken) demands from Tilly
while giving nothing. Kate’s approach towards Tilly really hurt us.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆★
