When Holly comes to Istanbul as a secretary, she catches the eye of the arrogant, aristocratic Arif, but social class and race stand between them and Arif must marry a rich Turkish woman that society approves of, but when they fall in love they know that they can be with nobody but each other. Holly find herself in Istanbul, Turkey as a secretary to her friend, Peter, who is a professor of languages and part of Holly's social circle back in England. Holly is young and spunky, and attracts the attention of Peter's aristocratic Turkish friend, Arif. Arif is an army officer but a wealthy gentleman first and foremost, and very arrogant. Holly takes an instant dislike to him after he sneers at her unworldly ways and questions her competence as a secretary. However, Arif is attracted to her as much as he is scornful of her, and he makes no secret of his attraction by stalking her, sniffing her neck, saying vaguely threatening things with a "predatory glint" in his eye - all the slightly-rapist behaviors that are horrifying in real life but apparently very romantic and exciting in Harlequin novels.
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Holly and Arif are repeatedly thrown together at social events and engage in a form of interaction which the author clearly meant to be verbal sparring but just comes across as a sexist douchebag and an insecure woman who thinks with her emotions getting into an immature argument. However, against her will, Holly is slowly more and more seduced by Arif after walking history tours of Istanbul, romantic horseback rides out into the country, visits to his big estate, and parties where the European expats and Turkish 1% mingle. Peter hopes that Holly will fall for a British Foreign Service officer named Charles, who is charming and pleasant, but Holly only sees him as a friend and he does not attempt to flirt with her or act outside the bounds of friendship. Holly is infatuated with Arif but he seems arrogant and hard to read.
Holly feels she sees the real Arif in his element, however, when they visit the tribes that his family have historically both ruled and been a part of, and they bond and grow closer as Holly sees Arif in this "home environment". It's pretty stereotypical, but I've reached the point where I am getting immune to it. However, Holly becomes jealous when she sees Arif at a dinner party with a beautiful, elegant Turkish socialite named Nadia on his arm, and Peter's wife Lucy (who is attracted to Arif, like all the expat women are - he has a reputation with them) says that he is intended to marry her. Holly has fallen in love with Arif, but convinces herself that he couldn't possibly love her in return and that she was just a plaything for him to amuse himself with. Her misery grows when a catty Nadia confronts her at Peter's house and tells her she should hurry up and return to England because she has no hopes of being Arif's equal. When Arif takes her for a walk in Peter's garden, she confronts him and tells him that she knows he is using her and that she thinks he is a cruel, heartless and brutal man and he coldly replies that if this is how she views him then there is no need for them to talk again. Bitter, Holly gives notice and plans to return to England in a couple weeks. However, she first returns to Arif's estate to return a book that he lent her. He is not there, so she ends up speaking to his elegant mother, who reveals to her that she is starting to doubt the wisdom of Arif marrying a woman like Nadia, who does not share Arif's sense of social responsibility and his intense involvement in philanthropy and helping the underprivileged urban and nomadic tribal communities. These are all issues that Holly cares about and bonded with Arif over but she tries to deny her feelings on the matter. She is invited to stay the night and in her grief and stress, almost faints in her bathtub - only to be protectively lifted out of the tub, wrapped in a towel and carried to her bed by Arif, his voice reassuring her that he is there.
When she wakes up he is concerned for her well-being, though still sarcastic, and insists on making her have some tea with brandy in it. She weakly accepts and asks when he plans to marry Nadia. Looking amused, Arif tells her that Nadia secretly eloped with Charles, the Englishman that Peter had wanted Holly to marry. He kisses her and reassures her that he was never in love with any woman but her, even though he tried to deny his passion for her. Holly throws herself into his arm and tells him to deny it no longer and that she feels it too, and they decide to get married.
What I liked best: The descriptions of Turkish food, clothing, and general culture. I learned a lot of things that I didn't know about previously, and once again I am amazed I learned something from a romance novel.
Best part of story, including ending:
The descriptions of Turkish food, clothing, and general culture. I learned a lot of things that I didn't know about previously, and once again I am amazed I learned something from a romance novel.
Best scene in story:
When Holly faints in the tub and Arif appears to tuck her in and take care of her.
Opinion about the main character:
I liked Arif's dedication and sense of responsibility to his people.
