August 20, 2011 / Leslie

Review: The Things We Cherished

The Things We Cherished
by Pam Jenoff

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Doubleday
Publish Date: July 12, 2011
Format: Hardcover | 304 pages
Rating: 3½ of 5

Charlotte Gold is happy as an attorney in the public defender’s office working with challenging juvenile cases. A very different job than the one she had as an associate at a large New York firm. She thought those days were behind her now but out of nowhere Brian, a man from the past who had broken her heart, shows up in her office to ask a favor. A wealthy client of Brian’s firm, Roger Dykmans, has been accused of WWII era crimes and he needs her to assist with the defense. Charlotte has a background in these types of cases and her expertise would be invaluable.

Charlotte agrees to help with the case for one week. She arrives in Germany only to find that the client will not cooperate in his own defense other than to say the proof of his innocence lies in an antique clock. To further complicate matters the attorney that Charlotte is assisting in Germany is Brian’s brother, whom with she finds herself becoming romantically involved.

In alternating chapters we go back to the turn of the century Bavaria to learn the history of the clock and it’s significance in Roger’s defense. I like the use of this technique to interweave a story from the past to the present. I found the story of the clock and it’s various owners to be more interesting than Charlotte’s story in the present.

It’s not believable that Charlotte would drop everything and run off to help someone that she had not spoken to in years and when she last encountered him he was telling her to get lost and that he had replaced her with a new girlfriend. Within a short period of time he married that new girlfriend. No, that is not someone I would dash off to another continent to help. I also had trouble believing that Charlotte would fall for the brother so quickly, after all she was there to work not on a holiday.

If you’re looking for a fast, light read and a fantasy romance this book would be a good choice. The tale of the clock added a mystery and there was an interesting twist with the story lines neatly tied up in the end. I don’t read a lot of romances; I picked this one up because of the historical and mystery angle. As far as the romance, if you like Danielle Steele novels you will probably love this book.

Two Copies to Giveaway

Thanks to Doubleday Books, I have two copies of The Things We Cherished to give away to my readers. There are still a few more days to enter. Fill out the form for a chance to win a copy. I will draw the winners using random.org when I turn on my computer Monday morning, August 22nd. US addresses only as the books are shipped by the publisher.

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Review copy provided by Doubleday Books.