Header PromotionPast All Forgetting by Sara Craven (HP 243)
Seven years ago, Janna Prentiss was a spoiled teenage girl, who though the world was her oyster and getting her desire her right – and what she wanted was the nephew of a neighbor, Rian Tempest. Rian was older than Janna by almost 10 years, and knowing she was still not quite 17 he was naturally quite resistant to getting involved with her. But Janna was very seductive and persistent and managed to get into his bedroom, only to be found by the aunt and uncle. Scared, Janna cried rape and Rian was disowned and left town, pursuing his journalistic career. For seven years Janna has regretted what she did and known in the back of her mind she would have to pay sometime.
She's tried to go on with her life, becoming a teacher and getting engaged to local businessman Colin Travers. Then Rian returns, bringing with him a little half Vietnamese girl, Fleur, to enroll in Janna's class...and cracks start to appear in Janna's engagement. Colin wanted to buy the Tempest house and blames Janna for losing it – Colin wants Janna to quit her job when they marry so she can entertain their guests but won't discuss finances – Colin's father decides Janna and Colin will live in his house without consulting her... Janna begins to realize that what she felt for Rian all those years ago might not have just been lust and might not have just been temporary, but her mother has gone social status crazy and is trying to manipulate her back to Colin...and Fleur's beautiful and talented mother comes to town...
The society depicted in this book is definitely historical at this point (like watching an old movie) but that doesn't detract at all from the story which is really well done. I ached for both Rian and Janna and in particular loved the letter he had sent her. Real issues are also handled here, such as the racism directed at Fleur and the small minded town society, in a very natural way. Will definitely reread many times!
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