Sarah's Child by Linda Howard

Synopsis....

 A tragic accident took everything that mattered to Rome Matthews -- his wife, Diana, and their two little boys. And it robbed Sarah Harper of her best friend. In the two years since the tragedy, Sarah has wanted to reach out to Rome, but she knew she needed to stay away, guarding the secret she had kept from him and Diana all those years -- that she was in love with her best friend's husband.

But now Rome needs her. And though another woman will hold his heart forever, Sarah agrees to be his wife, knowing that everything has a price, including love. Then something totally unexpected rekindles her hidden hope that a marriage of convenience will become a union of love. Now it all comes down to her husband. Will Rome keep fighting his own growing need for a woman who dares him to believe there are second chances in life . . . or will he give in to the power of love and miracles? 



My Thoughts...

Originally published in 1985 I thought it was a solid book that really didn't come across as too "dated". The love scenes are mild by today's standard which is a nice change of pace really. I found my heartstrings twisting while reading this book. Sarah has loved Rome for over a decade but stepped aside when he became interested in her best friend (whom he later married). As the story opens we find that the best friend has died and left a man completely broken by the loss. (not spoilers by the way this is what is included on the back blurb) After a couple years Sarah and Rome find they have a connection and Rome proposes a marriage of convenience. He makes valid points even though I don't do the plot justice it does make sense from where he is coming from. Sarah decides that even though he doesn't love her she loves him and will take him anyway she can. There is so much more that takes place but you have to read the book to get the full effect.

What I liked....Rome. He was a completely flawed man and I liked it. Not drop dead gorgeous but he had a commanding way about him that makes him very attractive to people. Although he admits he has always found Sarah attractive he never strayed from his commitment he made to his wife. His attitude was often harsh and abrasive but his emotions were so raw that even when he was being a complete jerkwad I understood where he was coming from even if I didn't agree.

What I didn't like...Sarah's unfailing dedication to her love of Rome even after he suggested that he wanted nothing to do with a baby but still wanted to stay with Sarah. Suggesting that the kid should never be near him....as a matter of fact aside from some unforeseen illness where the child should need Sarah's attention, when he gets home from work she should dedicate that time to him and make sure the child is out of his way. I am paraphrasing of course but you get the gist. Sarah would never "not" have Rome's baby nor could she give it up for adoption but to sit around and hope for a miracle is a little much. If that miracle didn't happen that child would have been put in a horrible situation of a "Flowers in the Attic" proportion. Luckily this is a happily ever after romance novel so it all worked out. I just didn't think that realistically this should have or could have happened.

Overall a good book. You are either going to love it or hate it (mostly because of Rome). Because of my frustrations with Sarah I am giving this book 4 Stars.