Review of Rough New Prizes, The Frailest Leaves of Me, That Shadow My Likeness

[Nzube Chizoba Okeke]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Rough New Prizes, The Frailest Leaves of Me, That Shadow My Likeness" by Mercedes-Mary McPherson.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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In Mercedes-Mary McPherson's trilogy, Rough New Prizes, The Frailest Leaves of Me, That Shadow My Likeness, the author introduced the love story of Sebastian Giordano Bonsignore and Kelly Cameron. Kelly, a literature teacher at a high school, quickly felt chemistry with the financial planner even though Sebastian did not share her love for nature and literature. However, the one thing they shared was the sexual chemistry that seemed to draw them to each other. The couple's affair soon progressed quite well. Unbeknownst to them, life had a lot of challenges and tests lurking — one that not only involved them but their friends, family, and even their dreams. Would their love survive the turbulent tides, or would it crumble?

The author took on the romance in this trilogy headlong. There was no rigmarole in the plot, which I appreciated. A little of the 'boy pursues girl' pattern when the characters first met may have added some excitement to the love story. Nonetheless, it showed that the author had created characters who not only knew what they wanted but also had no problems going for it. This was especially evident with Kelly's character. She came through as bold, strong, and loyal.

The trilogy had more than a single love story going on, especially with the first and last books of the trilogy. Initially, it seemed like a welcomed distraction from the constant sexual interludes of the central couple. However, along the line, these other stories too started to cloy. This was probably because the love stories were so similar that reading them became a monotonous, potentially boring exercise. It would have been more effective if the love stories were spread across the three different books.

The story felt a bit drawn out and almost unending. The plot seemed to have some scenes that may not be entirely necessary. It did feel like the plot was going round and round in a repetitive circle. It would have been easy for readers to get exhausted from the long read but for the sizzling sex scenes. However, some readers may see even that as too much because it appeared as though the sex overshadowed any real connection between the couples and made the story less believable. What's more? It never appeared as though the sex was an integral part of the plot development, so why the many sex scenes?

Romance stories are usually punctuated with occasional challenges to make them realistic. This trilogy features many mind-blowing challenges for its main characters. Perhaps, the author intends to show readers that the characters' lives are not all 'bed of roses' or that their love is strong enough to overcome challenges. Unfortunately, the effect is so tragic and seems a little overboard. When the positive twists arrive, the tragedies have already drained their satisfactory effect.

To make matters worse, the author creates a disturbing picture of love. Sebastian and his elder brother Raffe's unacceptable attitudes toward their spouses end up being explained away with love and sex interludes. Even Kelly's character is guilty of this.

Nonetheless, the stories in these books were about second chances and the power of love to travail over all trials. This idyllic message would be the most to be gotten from this trilogy. In addition, the trilogy was well-edited. At the very least, readers would not be plagued by distracting errors. Unfortunately, the trilogy did not leave behind that emotionally satisfying feeling that romance novels usually do.

Only readers who are more satisfied with steaming sexual interludes and not taken entirely with the plot may enjoy this trilogy. I'd rate it two out of four stars.

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Rough New Prizes, The Frailest Leaves of Me, That Shadow My Likeness
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[Patty Allread]

This trilogy sounds disappointing after having read all three. I agree with you, gratuitous sex scenes that don't forward the plot are not worthwhile reading. You did a good job on your review.

[Anthony__]

The I don't this a book for me. Great review

[Aisha Yakub]

Great review. I think I have a fair knowledge of what to expect from this book.

[nwankwo chibuchi]

I love romance books. I’d love to read more about Sebastian and Kelly’a love life

[Mmaduabuchi Eze]

I like the themes of second chances and the triumph of love over challenges. However, I am not comfortable with the many sex scenes recorded in the book.

[nwankwo chibuchi]

I'd really love to know if Sabastain and Kelly's love affair survived the storms. The story will definitely interest me.