One of my NY Resolutions is to start reviewing for GoodReads. Hopefully, unlike other NYR initiatives, I will be able to make this a regular weekly feature of this blog. Wish me luck. With that in mind – here is my first effort. Be nice.
The Education of Sebastian by Jane A.C. Harvey-Berrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jane Harvey-Berrick takes a difficult moral tale and tells it with great sensitivity. Even though the story deals with an older woman falling for a yet-to-be-legal young man, the reader is left feeling great empathy for both of the characters who are emerging from very difficult personal circumstances. The principals are extremely likeable and I couldn’t help but want them to succeed. Their physical relationship is enhanced by a more than believable emotional development that is truly touching.
The slightly rigid and all-encompassing military base setting contrasts nicely with the laissez-faire lifestyle of the surfing beach, creating a nice metaphor for the lives that they both want to escape and lead. Harvey-Berrick is an intelligent writer who doses the story with humour – the sex scenes don’t always go to plan and some end up downright messy.
The next installment, The Education of Caroline is out in 2013 and it will be interesting to meet a more mature and, I suspect, alpha-ed up Sebastian.
Sasha Cameron - Writer 