The Winter Rose

Jennifer Donnelly

Jan 2008 · Sold by Hachette Books

About this ebook

It has been twelve years since a dark, murderous figure stalked the alleys and courts of Whitechapel. And yet, in the summer of 1900, East London is still poor, still brutal, still a shadow city to its western twin. Among the reformers is an idealistic young woman named India Selwyn-Jones, recently graduated from medical school. With the help of her influential fiancé--Freddie Lytton, an up-and-coming Liberal MP--she works to shut down the area's opium dens that destroy both body and soul. Her selfless activities better her patients' lives and bring her immense gratification, but unfortunately, they also bring her into direct conflict with East London's ruling crime lord--Sid Malone. India is not good for business and at first, Malone wants her out. But against all odds, India and Sid fall in love. Different in nearly every way, they share one thing in common--they're both wounded souls. Their love is impossible and they know it, yet they cling to it desperately. Lytton, India's fiancé, will stop at nothing to marry India and gain her family's fortune. Fractious criminal underlings and rivals conspire against Sid. When Sid is finally betrayed by one of his own, he must flee London to save his life. Mistakenly thinking him dead, India, pregnant and desperate, marries Freddie to provide a father for hers and Sid's child. India and Sid must each make a terrible sacrifice--a sacrifice that will change them both forever. One that will lead them to other lives, and other places...and perhaps--one distant, bittersweet day--back to each other.

Ratings and reviews

The main idea of the story is fine but the telling is too melodramatic and long-winded, even predictable. I found I could skim many pages and never lose the plot. Not as enjoyable as the first book.

Wonderful I really liked how I could never predict what would happen next. Could not put it down.

I love the plot. Also the characters in the book are very well known and India Jones is very good at the life she is living. But the way India met Sid was great.

About the author

Jennifer Donnelly is the author of The Tea Rose, The Winter Rose, the children's book A Northern Light, and a young adult novel, Revolution. She lives in Tivoli, New York, with her husband and daughter.