Time's Forbidden Flower by Diane RinellaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Eternal Stars!!!!!
Once you know how it feels to have your soul satisfied, it’s hard not to crave it, let alone resist caving to it’s temptation.
Some people just belong together. They have an undeniable connection, a pull towards one another. They can’t fight it... they are just meant to be. What if you felt this way towards another person? You needed them like you needed air. They completed you. But you couldn’t be together without sacrificing everything... Love’s Forbidden Flower is one of the best forbidden love stories I have ever read. I felt such a connection to Donovan and Lily, I loved them both and I was so looking forward to the continuation of their story. It didn’t disappoint.
Years have passed. Donovan and Lily are in two different places in their lives. Lily is living her dream. She owns her own bakery, is happily married with children, but something is always missing from her life. Or someone. As happy is she is with Christopher and her family, without Donovan in her life, things just aren’t complete. She still see’s him, just not all the time. It’s easier that way.
‘I feel so much more complete when you’re around.’
Donovan has always known that Lily is the only one for him. There will never be anyone else. He is willing to do anything, sacrifice anything to give her what she needs. If thats a normal family with a normal husband, than so be it. Donovan has worked hard to overcome his issues. He is now a psychologist, married to Anna with a daughter of his own. He loves Anna, but it is a different kind of love.
‘I’ll never be in love with anyone the way I am with you.’
After only seeing each other on holidays and vacations for years, they start to spend more time together when their mother is ill. They are there for each other. They stick together.
You and me, forever.
Fate takes a turn and brings the two of them together, in the same city, for the first time. Donovan gets a great job opportunity and moves his family to the same city that Lily lives in. They are now less than an hour apart. Everything that was ever ‘missing’ in their lives is now coming together, making them whole.
It is not all easy, however. It is a struggle. Lily is committed to staying faithful to her husband... but being around Donovan all of the time makes it difficult. To have the person that owns a part of you always around, and not be able to act on it is hell. They spend a lot of time together, trying to be normal. Have family dinners, bring each other lunches at work, etc. They both struggle at times, but they can’t ever forget their feelings. Can’t ever let go of what they had.
‘Please, Lily. Don’t ever let what’s left of us go.’
‘I can’t. I’ll always love you.’
‘And I’ll always love you.’
As time goes on, it gets harder and harder not to cross that line. When things change, revelations are made, what will happen with the relationship between Donovan and Lily? Will they be able to stay behind the line they crossed? Will they do as planned, stay with their spouses through better or worse, live their lives as brother and sister... Or is it inevitable that these soul mates end up together?
The characters in this book are wonderful. My sweet Donovan... I love this man. He has lived such a tortured life, but he is still such a beautiful soul. No matter what, he is always putting Lily first. He is the greatest. There were moments... a few, that just broke my heart. I shed some tears for Donovan... (view spoiler) ‘We could have had it, Lily. It was in our hands, and I don’t understand why we were robbed.
‘I swear Lily, give us another chance and I will never let you go.’
(hide spoiler)]
. Lily... I love Lily as well. Though I understood all the choices she made, I’m not sure I agreed with them all. I guess I am still too stuck in the ‘what could have been’ mind set- (view spoiler). I’m not sure how I felt about Christopher in this book... It’s hard for me to like him, because I am still sour about how things went down. Now Anna on the other hand... I have very clear feelings about that one. And they are not happy feelings... the same with their mother. Worst parent ever. I loved Eric, he was great. And the kids, especially Anotina. The end scene with her had me in happy tears.
I know not everyone does, but I so do believe in soul mates. Maybe thats why I love these books so much. Going back to all the ‘past stories’ of Lily and Donovan was intense. It made things clearer. This a couple that are truly made to be together. Their journey was not an easy one, not by a long shot, but through it all, they always had each other.
The writing in this book is stunning. The author has such a way with words. Truly beautiful. Lily and Donovan’s story has touched my heart. It’s one I won’t be forgetting. The journey of these two soul mates is incredible, heart breaking, inspiring and fulfilling. The ending left me a little conflicted, but overall, I was satisfied with how it ended. There is only one thing I wish was different(view spoiler) but I do understand why it didn’t go that direction, and I am still happy with the way it turned out. I hope more people will give this beautiful, unconventional, forbidden love story a go.
(view spoiler)View all my reviews
Check out Diane Rinella's Forbidden Flower series!
Love's Forbidden Flower:
The heart cares not what society forbids.
Lily nurtures a secret love for a flawless man—the one who is her soul mate. Donovan is gorgeous, charismatic, and delights in all of Lily’s talents and quirks. Their innate knowledge of each other is almost telepathic. Together they interlock like fine threads creating luxurious silk.
But society dictates this picture-perfect adoration is the ghastliest of all possibilities.
As Lily embarks on a quest for the romance the heavens intended, her suitor turns reluctant. Desperate to uncover why Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hiding decayed from a tender-hearted gentleman into a ferociously self-serving, cocky bastard, Lily is prepared for battle when it comes to the salvation of her soul mate. However, Donovan traps Lily in a mental game of chess, leaving her to question his sanity. When Lily’s revelations about Donovan’s destructive alter ego lead to an inconceivable truth, can she help Donovan survive fate’s cruel joke?
Impassioned, witty, and deeply moving, Love’s Forbidden Flower is filled with stunning controversies that will forever haunt your heart.
Lily nurtures a secret love for a flawless man—the one who is her soul mate. Donovan is gorgeous, charismatic, and delights in all of Lily’s talents and quirks. Their innate knowledge of each other is almost telepathic. Together they interlock like fine threads creating luxurious silk.
But society dictates this picture-perfect adoration is the ghastliest of all possibilities.
As Lily embarks on a quest for the romance the heavens intended, her suitor turns reluctant. Desperate to uncover why Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hiding decayed from a tender-hearted gentleman into a ferociously self-serving, cocky bastard, Lily is prepared for battle when it comes to the salvation of her soul mate. However, Donovan traps Lily in a mental game of chess, leaving her to question his sanity. When Lily’s revelations about Donovan’s destructive alter ego lead to an inconceivable truth, can she help Donovan survive fate’s cruel joke?
Impassioned, witty, and deeply moving, Love’s Forbidden Flower is filled with stunning controversies that will forever haunt your heart.
Love's Erotic Flower:
Society’s torch only illuminates our path.
Very disturbing or somewhat intriguing? That is the question Donovan asks himself over his soul mate’s latest idea for bedroom antics. Undecided, he enters into a bet. If Lily wins, Donovan will become a willing participant in an unsettling new adventure. If she loses… Well, does Donovan really want her to lose?
Love’s Erotic Flower is an erotic, stand-alone, short story featuring the characters from the controversial New Adult Romance novel, Love’s Forbidden Flower. This piece is approximately 8000 words.
Warning: This title contains graphic language and raunchy sexual situations. It is intended for those 18 years of age and older.
Very disturbing or somewhat intriguing? That is the question Donovan asks himself over his soul mate’s latest idea for bedroom antics. Undecided, he enters into a bet. If Lily wins, Donovan will become a willing participant in an unsettling new adventure. If she loses… Well, does Donovan really want her to lose?
Love’s Erotic Flower is an erotic, stand-alone, short story featuring the characters from the controversial New Adult Romance novel, Love’s Forbidden Flower. This piece is approximately 8000 words.
Warning: This title contains graphic language and raunchy sexual situations. It is intended for those 18 years of age and older.
Time's Forbidden Flower:
An eternity of passion cannot be quelled by society.
Once upon a time Donovan assured Lily all of her dreams would come true. But how could he keep the promise of a fairy tale when her truest goals could not involve him, though her deepest desires did? Now, Lily has it all—love, passion, a family, and the career of her dreams—with Christopher. But something is lacking. She and Donovan have spent the last ten years living apart, and the soul mates are eager to reunite. Can Donovan keep his promise to give Lily all she desires, even with Christopher in the way?
For Lily and Donovan, the past is a mirror to the future that cannot be shattered.
Donovan is convinced Lily has been his love for all eternity. Determined to unravel the past, they embark on a journey to discover where it all began. For centuries Donovan has stolen Lily’s heart while forced to suffer for his love. How much can a soul endure before the breaking point is reached and a monster emerges? Can the demons of the past be combated to pave the way for happiness in the next life? Or has the abuse suffered in this life already turned Donovan hell bound? Time and again, one woman has destroyed their happiness. It’s time to silence her once and for all.
Once upon a time Donovan assured Lily all of her dreams would come true. But how could he keep the promise of a fairy tale when her truest goals could not involve him, though her deepest desires did? Now, Lily has it all—love, passion, a family, and the career of her dreams—with Christopher. But something is lacking. She and Donovan have spent the last ten years living apart, and the soul mates are eager to reunite. Can Donovan keep his promise to give Lily all she desires, even with Christopher in the way?
For Lily and Donovan, the past is a mirror to the future that cannot be shattered.
Donovan is convinced Lily has been his love for all eternity. Determined to unravel the past, they embark on a journey to discover where it all began. For centuries Donovan has stolen Lily’s heart while forced to suffer for his love. How much can a soul endure before the breaking point is reached and a monster emerges? Can the demons of the past be combated to pave the way for happiness in the next life? Or has the abuse suffered in this life already turned Donovan hell bound? Time and again, one woman has destroyed their happiness. It’s time to silence her once and for all.
Author Bio
Enjoying San Francisco as a backdrop, the ghosts in Diane’s 150-year old Victorian home augment the chorus in her head. With insomnia as their catalyst, these voices have become multifarious characters that haunt her well into the sun’s crowning hours, refusing to let go until they have manipulated her into succumbing to their whims. Her experiences as an actress, business owner, artisan cake designer, software project manager, Internet radio disc jockey, vintage rock n’ roll journalist/fan girl, and lover of dark and quirky personalities influence her idiosyncratic writing.
Christy, I just adore this review! I can't believe how much time and love you put into it. It really gets to me. I can't read it without tearing. Thank you, so, so much!
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Diane