Book Review: Cascade

When I saw Cascade by Maryanne O'Hara on the list of TLC Book Tours available, I was instantly drawn - first by the cover art, and secondly when I saw that it was set during the 1930s as that is an era that has always fascinated me.  Cascade, in my opinion, has two main stories:  first there is the story of a young artist, Desdemonda (shortened to Dez), who marries a man she really does not love for financial security (and to satisfy her dying father's wishes), and second story is the story of the battle to save the town of Cascade from being flooded to create a reservoir which will supply water to a larger city in close proximity.  Early in the book, we learn that Dez has met her temptation in the form of a fellow artist, Jacob, who seems to be a perfect match for her, and she must choose between the vows she made and the life she pictures with Jacob.

When I started this book, I honestly thought it would be a book that I would struggle to finish, but this did not end up being the case at all.  It did take a good 100 pages for me to get into it, but once I got caught up in the story of the town of Cascade and the internal battle that Dez was fighting in deciding to stay with her husband or persue her dreams, it became a page turner for me.

Dez was not the most likeable character, but I did sympathize with her position as dire financial straights drove her to marry the man she chose, and it was clear that it was a forced, loveless marriage.  In this day and age, she likely would have had other choices, but I know that things were different in that era and she likely did not really feel she had any other choice than to marry this man - especially given the fact that it would satisfy the wishes of her dying father. It definitely makes me thankful that we live in a different era with more choices and freedoms!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from TLC Book Tours. I was not compensated for this review, and the opinions are my own.