Forbidden Love

It was love at first sight, but they could never be together...

Lisa never realised the true extent of her family’s financial situation until her father died. Her mother was used to living a luxurious lifestyle and saw no need to limit her expenditures. She refused to allow Lisa to work, instead telling her that it was time to find a wealthy husband.

The first time Lisa saw Owen Cardiff was when he came to make a payment on land purchased from her late father. His appearance was striking, and his muscular, worker's physique unmistakable. Lisa met him again at her weekly reading group. They became close friends quite quickly. Although Owen was not expecting to ever see Lisa again, he had not forgotten her. She was so obviously a lady and out of his class, but during their brief meetings he daydreamed that they could be together. He was paid a decent wage, but was only a steelworker with hopes of a higher education. He was saving to put himself through university. The day Lisa told Owen that she was to marry; he knew that he had lost his chance forever.

William Enright was a wealthy man with sexual perversions. He had married Lisa for her value as a wife and hostess but could never consummate the marriage, preferring a variety of loose women and mistresses. Lisa has always been willing to learn to love her husband and does not understand his coldness. She is naļve but soon learns that hers is an empty marriage. Her thoughts constantly return to Owen.

Owen is pleased to see Lisa back at the literary group and surprised when she arranges a clandestine meeting at the theatre. When the opportunity arises, neither is willing to overstep the boundaries of propriety. Their passions remain unspoken and both will sadly regret the missed intimacy. Owen believes that Lisa could never life her life as the wife of a steelworker; Lisa regrets her cold marriage but divorce is out of the question, even if she must live her life loving a man that she can never be with.

Owen and Lisa both seem trapped. Their bittersweet meetings provide brief moments of ecstasy, and are poignant reminders of what could have been if not for society and financial hardship. This is a love story that will enthral readers; I found myself sharing Lisa’s longing for more time spent with Owen. I admired her strength not to break her marriage vows even when faced with the truth of her husband’s indifference and cruelty.

The smoky steel mill setting and strife between the wealthy owners and struggling union workers provides much drama, and highlights the social differences between the couple. Although I found some sections were drawn out, the hardships faced by the workers and their families certainly will cause readers to reflect on how working conditions have changed due to the worker’s unions. The novel is reminiscent of an old-time movie that will take you back to another time, another place. Forbidden Love is a true old-fashioned romance that you are sure to remember fondly for its honesty.

Shirley Martin also has many published romances under the name S.A. Martin. I have found that her books are always page-turners, no matter what genre.

Reviewed by: Naomi