I Know My Love would be a sweet enough story, were it not ruined by an inexplicably weak doormat of a hero. The basic plot is that Jo has always nursed a bit of a teenage crush for older man and family friend Gervase. So when she’s finally 18 and he shows up with fiancée Sandra, she has to hide her heartbreak.
There are other Sara Seale themes here: Jo does all the work for the house and the godforsaken farm they live on, Jo is plain but her sister Polly is beautiful, the father is feckless and lazy, etc etc.
The Other Woman is the literal villainess of villainesses. Let’s just detail some of her escapades:
1. The Other Woman is clearly a gold-digging bitch
Gervase knows this, but still plans to marry her
2. The Other Woman isn’t in love with Gervase and they don’t really get on or have anything in common
Gervase knows this, but still plans to marry her
3. The Other Woman is continually a bitch to everyone in the house
Gervase knows this, but still plans to marry her
4. The Other Woman expects to be waited on hand and foot by an already overworked, exhausted Jo
Gervase knows this, but still plans to marry her
5. The Other Woman has no desire to live in the area but wants a flat in London
Gervase knows this, but still plans to marry her
6. The Other Woman repeatedly declares she will never live in the country house the hero has bought
Gervase knows this, but still plans to marry her
7. The Other Woman dresses to humiliate the sister Polly
Gervase knows this, but still plans to marry her
8. The Other Woman deliberately ruins Polly’s birthday by going off with her fiancé Stephen
Gervase knows this, but still plans to marry her
9. The Other Woman cheats on the hero with Stephen at least twice
Gervase knows this, but still plans to marry her
In fact, it’s only because the Other Woman finally runs off with another man (not Stephen – he’s back with Polly, more fool her) – on page 182 out of 191 pages – that the hero finally decides to hook up with Jo (on page 188). Colour me underwhelmed.
“Jo,” said Gervase softly, and in the darkness she felt his hands groping for her. “What a fool I’ve been, haven’t I?”
YES, GERVASE. YES, YOU HAVE.