Hope Dunne is no stranger to heartbreak and pain. In fact, thanks to some Buddhist teachings, she has even managed to find peace. Today, she is an independent and self-sufficient woman living a solitary life as a famous photographer in New York City. When she agrees to shoot a portrait of award-winning author Finn O’Niell for the cover of his latest book, it is with great surprise that she feels the pull of attraction./p>
After a whirlwind courtship, Hope finds she cannot resist Finn’s boyish charms and agrees to an extended stay at his ancestral home in the Irish countryside. At first, Hope is overjoyed and excited at this chance at happiness, and she dives headfirst into helping Finn restore his palatial family estate. But before long, irregularities begin to surface, and his stories and background don’t seem to be as he claims. A few innocent lies turn into big deceptions, and as Hope’s suspicions are confirmed and his jealous bouts and physical confrontations escalate, she becomes fearful of the man she loves. Is there a way to escape from this cunning and magnetic sociopath?
Matters of the Heart is New York Times bestselling author Danielle Steel’s one hundredth novel. Although the story is good, there are times when the repetitive notion of their “loving” relationship is overdone. The strength of the main character also begins to lose credibility as she blindly gives in to each obvious deception, dragging the tale along much farther than it needs to go. However, if you have ever been in or know someone involved in a destructive relationship, this book will strike a chord.
For all the Danielle Steel fans out there, this may not be her best, but it is still a worthy read. Besides, she is the master, and there’s always her next book to look forward to.