although the basic plot of the story (in theory) promises a lot of interesting twists and turns which are necessary if the two protagonists are to find happiness, this novel never really gets going. everything always seems to be the end of their love, or the new beginning. there is no real peak. i read the whole book in no time, mostly thinking "now it's gonna happen", "it" being the turning point of the story. it didn't. furthermore, one cannot help but be astounded at just how stupidly a human being can behave. most of the time, a child of eight would show more maturity and capacity of linear thought than our heroine, Nicole. of course, she is supposed to be unconventional, even somewhat wild, and madly in love, but i don't believe anyone can be so insensitive, emotionally insecure, willful and, well, just plain stupid. i am profoundly disappointed. after reading Brenda Joyce's phenomenal later novels, Splendor, The Finer Things, etc, i expected better.
