Title: Aren and Élise
Author: Ettenig Sayam
Publisher: Ewings Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 979-8886400984
Pages: 308
Genre: Romance
Reviewed by: Lily Amanda
Hollywood Book Reviews
“There is never a time or place for true love. It happens accidentally, in a heartbeat, in a single flashing, throbbing moment.” Sarah Dessen.
Aren and Élise is a bustling offering by Ettenig Sayam in the romance genre. The novel features Aren Karajian and Élise Douchet, an elderly couple who are sixty-two years old and fifty years old respectively. The two meet when Élise slips and falls injuring her leg during a hike on Mount Tom. Aren, an engineer, comes to her aid and cannot believe the striking beauty he has just rescued.
He woos her and the shy French teacher can’t resist this warm engineer from Armenia, especially since she has had a myriad of challenges and struggles since her tender age when her family was brutally assaulted. Consequently, a cloud of pain, stress, health challenges and anxiety doesn’t seem to go away, but she manages to stay positive and humorous even in the worst of it.
In a world where exotic love and romance have been associated with the young and vibrant, this love story takes on a different plot, real proof that true explosive love is not limited to age. The story creates tangible suspense when Élise discovers she’s expectant at fifty after having had a miscarriage during her younger years. Will it survive this time? With the trauma and gloom of her childhood hanging on her head, will she accept the unforeseen breakthroughs that could change the trajectory of her life?
Aren and Élise is a thrilling piece of ecstasy, that incorporates a foreign language which is both unique and original enhancing plausibility. This book is not only emotional but a heartwarming feel-good romance, smartly authored with great and likable characters. I particularly loved how they evolve throughout the novel. The swift pacing and intricate prose made it a delightful tale as well.
Overall, this salient oeuvre by Ettenig Sayam is a unique work of romance and drama with a striking love storyline between two lovers who meet in rather unfortunate and unforeseen circumstances. It’s a read that will fly romance-loving fans to the moon and leave them star-struck. Good work Sayam!