One of my favorite authors, Danielle Steel spins a story about a woman who had grown ahead of her age (as all the female leads in her stories), and had to confront her true feelings for a man while waiting for her husband during the war period.
Liane Crockett, was the young and only daughter of the famous Crockett Shipping merchant, Harrison Crockett when she caught the attention of the de Villiers; the French ambassadors' Armand and his wife, Odile. Back then, she was being treated like their daughter; particularly by Odile, who doted on her. Following the wife's death, she even entrusted her husband to Liane for her to accompany, and this led to the blossoming of the love between the duo despite the huge age difference (also another commonality in DS's novels).
She was happily married to the French ambassador, Armand who loved her more than anything in the world and the due had two daughters, much to Armand's delight after unable to conceive with his first wife.
Then in a twist of fate, Armand was requested to be back in France, his homeland again which sent the whole family on their journey on the famous and beautiful Normandie (a famous French ship).
On board, they met Nick Burnham and his spoilt wife, Hillary, whom Liane and Armand could tell were not in a happy marriage.
Liane became close to Nick and realized how unhappy he was with his wife, whom he loved dearly but she, due to her pampered ways at home, tried to dodge her responsibilities in the marriage and even cheated on him by sleeping with other men.
At the same time, Liane felt neglected by her husband while on the ship due to his time being occupied with work. It became worse when they landed in Paris and Liane found herself often wondering about Nick and his wife.
When war struck, where Paris was suddenly attacked by the German Nazis, Armand had to arrange for his wife and daughters to be sent back to America. On the ship, Liane met Nick again and their teamwork in helping to save the victims brought them to realize their feelings for each other and love blossomed on the ship.
However, they made a pact that all must end upon reaching America.
Fate decides the better for them when they constantly crossed paths with each other, and Liane has a hard time dealing with everyone accusing her husband as a traitor to his own country when Liane knows the truth about Armand.
Nick was also having a hard time fighting for the custody of his son; while parting ways with his temptress of a wife who finally re-married after their divorce.
Will they get back together?
As usual, DS concocts a tale of dilemma and tough decisions between the two protagonists of her stories and make their love story so hard for each other.
However, it will all end well as you go through the story, but no doubt, you will always end up feeling so much emotion for the characters and yearning for them to be with each other.
DS remains one of my favorite authors :)
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