ARC Review + Tour: Sins of Sevin by Penelope Ward

“SINS OF SEVIN packs a high angsty punch!”
~ Under the Covers

Wow, SINS OF SEVIN packs a high angsty punch!  I feel worn out after reading it.  This was so different than most things I’ve read in part due to the world and lifestyle this is set in.  Both Sevin and Evangeline’s families are very religious.  They follow the rules of the church and their specific community to a fault.  When Sevin’s father passes away and he’s left in the care of his not so wonderful step-mother, he is given the choice to move away and marry the daughter of one of his father’s friends (whom he hasn’t met before).  This is how their courtships work.  A man is selected to be part of a family, who was raised with the same values and can be a good member of their society.  And that’s why they’ve come to Sevin.

But before Sevin moves in with his new fiance Elle and her family, he meets a girl that captivates him in every way.  A girl that quickly turns into his own personal addiction.  And that girl just happens to be Elle’s sister, Evangeline.

I don’t want to give more than that away because it was a very entertaining read not knowing what would happen and what twists they would experience next.  Sevin and Evangeline have an immediate connection and I was sold on that from the get go.  I was rooting for them to have an HEA because as much as Sevin was engaged to another woman, it was always a business transaction not one of love.  They hadn’t even seen each other more than a few minutes!  But their relationship, as you can expect, is not easy.  It’s riddled with obstacles they have to overcome.  And a lot of them are very difficult.  I liked that the author brought that real life element to their story instead of making it all roses.

I was very excited to dive into this one because it’s my first Ward solo book.  I’ve only read her release with Vi Keeland and I couldn’t wait to see her writing style independent from Keeland.  I saw a lot of the things that I liked about that book but I also felt the pace of this book was too slow for this particular story in my opinion.  There’s almost a before and after feel to the story where the first half of the book tells us one situation leading up to one pivotal moment in the characters lives and relationship, and then the second part which is the aftermath of that and how they can reconnect through their loss.

I just had such a hard time understanding their decisions, or lets be more specific Evangeline’s decisions.  As much as Sevin was perfect and willing to fight for their young love, Evangeline was too deep rooted in her believes and responsibilities and couldn’t find solutions that made sense to me.  I know these kids were all very sheltered growing up and there might’ve been things they didn’t understand about life, but at some point self preservation has to kick in.  I just wish we would’ve seen a stronger Evangeline.

SINS OF SEVIN doesn’t lack in situations that can go wrong for these two as they go through so many ups and downs, and when they hit downs they are rock bottom.  It was nice to see how even through heartache they could help each other heal.  Because their love was even bigger than their hurt and they could still care for the other person.

All that being said, I loved the ending!  We fast forward a few years and realize where their lives are now, but the best part is it gives some closure to the big issue that almost tore them apart.  Very happy the author didn’t leave that unanswered.  And I’m excited to see what’s next from Ms. Ward!

Excerpt

Copyright © 2015 by Penelope Ward

He quietly followed me into the dining room, carrying the flatware. The tension in the air was thick as he walked behind me around the oval table, setting down silverware after each plate I’d put down. It was like some weird game of musical chairs where awkward silence replaced the music. The hairs on my back stiffened. We weren’t saying anything, but it was as if I could feel the weight of a thousand words along with the heat of his body so close behind me.

When I noticed he’d just put a fork where the spoon was supposed to go, I switched it. “The forks go on this side, actually.” My hand was shaking. I couldn’t believe how little control I had over myself.

Noticing my nerves, he suddenly placed his hand over mine and whispered, “Stop.”

Chills ran through me. My heart started to beat faster. My nipples hardened. I hated my body for responding to him with equal amounts of fear and lust.

I turned to him, his hand still over my knuckles. It felt like I couldn’t breathe as he just looked at me.

My mother’s footsteps caused Sevin to move his hand off mine with lightning speed.

Mama entered, and we continued setting the table as if our stolen moment hadn’t happened.

Teasers

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[about-author author=”Penelope Ward”]

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