Review - Grave Consequences (Grand Tour Series #2) by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Title: Grave Consequences

Author: Lisa T Bergren

Series:2nd (Glamorous Illusions)

Pages: 448

Published: March 1st 2013 by David C. Cook 

ISBN: 9781434764324

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description:  For Cora Kensington, the journey of a lifetime takes unexpected twists. And her future—her very life—depends on the decisions she’ll make at each crossroad. As her European tour with her newfound family takes her through Austria, France, and Italy, an unseen enemy trails close behind. Meanwhile, a forbidden love continues to claim her heart, putting everyone’s plans in danger. And as Cora stays one step ahead of it all, what might need the most protection is her own heart, torn between the dramatic pursuit of a dashing Frenchman and a man who has been quietly staking claim to her affections all along. Love has dangers all its own. She must escape the bonds of the past and discover the faith to make the right choices, as each one has grave consequences.
I Give This ...
 

I have mixed emotions when it comes to this book.  On one hand I like the characters overall and I really love their Grand Tour journey.  On the other hand, I felt this book was really pulled down with Cora's indecisiveness and her naivety.

I was a little put off by Cora and her ability to string both men along.  Maybe it's the fact that she's never really been courted and the idea that now two men are vying for her affections is appealing to her.  There were times I think she was just enjoying the attention lavished on her.  Ass in the fact that both men are from so different backgrounds, that I think it was hard for her to know which one might be better suited to her.  She has to find her own place in this new world she has found herself in.

I also thought she was really naive when it came to several things.  First, did she really think that she would be able to go on this trip and then just go back to her old life?   Despite her instance that nothing has changed, I guarantee that she has grown accustomed to certain aspects of being wealthy. And there were times I could not believe her thought process when it came to Will.  For being so prime and proper all the time, she really didn't seem to care what his position was in the whole matter.  There was a whole lot more at stake for him.

Despite these drawbacks, I still enjoyed the book.  The story takes a journey throughout countries at a time that I'm just not a familiar with.  I think it shows a slightly different perspective plus at times shows how different life was in Europe than America at the time (especially in Cora's case).  I also find some of the women's equal rights discussions interesting.  Cora's never believed in a man's vs women's world and that's certainly not about to change.  But her new family definitely has different views on that.  

Add it some intense events scattered throughout the story, and there was never a moment that I wanted to put the book away for awhile.  I just kept reading.  And, its a long one at almost 450 pages.  I'm looking forward to see how the story ends!