Author: Jane Harvey-Berrick
4.5 Stars
Purchase Your Copy of, "The Education of Sebastian," Here
A friendship between the lost and lonely Caroline, and the unhappy Sebastian, leads to an illicit love that threatens them both.
Caroline Wilson is trapped in a cold and loveless marriage with an older man. When her husband finally wins a long sought-after promotion, Caroline feels she has little choice but to follow him to a new home in San Diego. There she meets Sebastian, a young man of 17.
For an all too brief summer, their happiness blooms.
But external pressures begin to bear down, not least from the overbearing David, and Sebastian’s parents begin to suspect that their son has a secret. Even Caroline’s new friend, Donna, realizes that dark passions exist below the serene surface.
For an all too brief summer, their happiness blooms.
But external pressures begin to bear down, not least from the overbearing David, and Sebastian’s parents begin to suspect that their son has a secret. Even Caroline’s new friend, Donna, realizes that dark passions exist below the serene surface.
My Review:
Sometimes a woman is like a wilting flower, she doesn't know who she is fully capable of being until she is pruned properly. In The Education of Sebastian the author shows us that you are able to fully bloom once you meet the right person, even if it means risking everything.
Attention wasn't something Caroline was used to, in fact she was the ugly duckling turned into the beautiful swan her senior year of High School. Caroline's mother was an awful soul; she treated her like trash and loathed the fact that her daughter was now beautiful too. This made it harder for Caroline to fight for the attention she craved from her father, since he was truly the only one who showed her any love or affection. This in turn made it easier for Caroline to walk away at eighteen and marry the only other man to show her love, David.
David was a man of few words, but his affection and love for Caroline was enough to make her marry him. At the ripe age of eighteen and fresh out of High School, Caroline was ready for a fresh start. David made this easy for her, he was a medic in the military and would bring her a life of happiness; or so she thought. After being wed, they moved to the Naval base in San Diego, CA. Being cocooned inside her family home for her whole left her to being very naive and not sure what to expect. Life was just beginning for Caroline, but was she prepared for the path paved ahead?
Upon moving to the Naval Base in San Diego a friendship was formed between an eight year old Sebastian and a twenty one year old Caroline. These two delicate souls were battling inner demons on different levels, but looked past it because they found solace in each other. A bond was made and a beautiful flower started to bloom in Caroline. Unfortunately, a time came where David had to be transferred to another base on the other side of the Country.
After nearly ten years of being gone from San Diego, David and Caroline return to the Naval base. Their marriage has been anything but fantastic. They have fallen out of love, and living in a life of nonexistent happiness. By chance Caroline meets up with a very grown up and gorgeous Sebastian. She knows she is in for it, with just one handshake he sent chills throughout her body. She is responding to a boy not yet a man; something so unfamiliar to her. Sebastian is showing Caroline what love should be, and how a beautiful woman should be treated. Over a few months a passion burns deep between Caroline and Sebastian, but can they continue risking his future and her marriage to pursue their happiness?
Why do you chase after something you shouldn't want? How many times while growing up did your mother or father tell you to not to eat a cookie, but as soon as they turned around you snatched it up anyway? Well Sebastian is Caroline's forbidden fruit. He has shown her life in new eyes, a love deeper than the Pacific Ocean, and security tighter than that at Fort Knox. These two are meant to be together, but the almighty force of life has thrown them off kilter. After everything, are Caroline and Sebastian able to find their footing into life unsure of what will come?
After I finished this book I was stunned, I thought to myself, "What just happened?" I will state that I went into reading this book with inhibitions, but finished in complete shock and awe. Jane Harvey-Berrick brought to life a connection between a boy and a woman who were both so fragile, lost, and each in their own way timid. She helped mend each of these two beautiful broken beings, find what they both needed and wanted, and brought them to a level of comfort and intimacy; all while battling the secret of their affair. I have fallen in love with Sebastian and Caroline, and I cannot wait to see what plays out in book two The Education of Caroline.
Attention wasn't something Caroline was used to, in fact she was the ugly duckling turned into the beautiful swan her senior year of High School. Caroline's mother was an awful soul; she treated her like trash and loathed the fact that her daughter was now beautiful too. This made it harder for Caroline to fight for the attention she craved from her father, since he was truly the only one who showed her any love or affection. This in turn made it easier for Caroline to walk away at eighteen and marry the only other man to show her love, David.
David was a man of few words, but his affection and love for Caroline was enough to make her marry him. At the ripe age of eighteen and fresh out of High School, Caroline was ready for a fresh start. David made this easy for her, he was a medic in the military and would bring her a life of happiness; or so she thought. After being wed, they moved to the Naval base in San Diego, CA. Being cocooned inside her family home for her whole left her to being very naive and not sure what to expect. Life was just beginning for Caroline, but was she prepared for the path paved ahead?
Upon moving to the Naval Base in San Diego a friendship was formed between an eight year old Sebastian and a twenty one year old Caroline. These two delicate souls were battling inner demons on different levels, but looked past it because they found solace in each other. A bond was made and a beautiful flower started to bloom in Caroline. Unfortunately, a time came where David had to be transferred to another base on the other side of the Country.
After nearly ten years of being gone from San Diego, David and Caroline return to the Naval base. Their marriage has been anything but fantastic. They have fallen out of love, and living in a life of nonexistent happiness. By chance Caroline meets up with a very grown up and gorgeous Sebastian. She knows she is in for it, with just one handshake he sent chills throughout her body. She is responding to a boy not yet a man; something so unfamiliar to her. Sebastian is showing Caroline what love should be, and how a beautiful woman should be treated. Over a few months a passion burns deep between Caroline and Sebastian, but can they continue risking his future and her marriage to pursue their happiness?
Why do you chase after something you shouldn't want? How many times while growing up did your mother or father tell you to not to eat a cookie, but as soon as they turned around you snatched it up anyway? Well Sebastian is Caroline's forbidden fruit. He has shown her life in new eyes, a love deeper than the Pacific Ocean, and security tighter than that at Fort Knox. These two are meant to be together, but the almighty force of life has thrown them off kilter. After everything, are Caroline and Sebastian able to find their footing into life unsure of what will come?
After I finished this book I was stunned, I thought to myself, "What just happened?" I will state that I went into reading this book with inhibitions, but finished in complete shock and awe. Jane Harvey-Berrick brought to life a connection between a boy and a woman who were both so fragile, lost, and each in their own way timid. She helped mend each of these two beautiful broken beings, find what they both needed and wanted, and brought them to a level of comfort and intimacy; all while battling the secret of their affair. I have fallen in love with Sebastian and Caroline, and I cannot wait to see what plays out in book two The Education of Caroline.
I just bought this book on your recommendation and LOVED it. Such a fantastic story. Am desperately waiting for the second book!
ReplyDeleteLaura thank you so much for enjoying my review enough to purchase this book. I have a soft place in my heart for Seb and Caro. These two melt me. It makes me very happy to know that you LOVED this book as much as I did. Continue to be on the lookout for The Education of Caroline, it should be available within the next month or so! <3
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