I enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy much more than this one. I NEVER read pure romance fiction. For me to enjoy a romance, it has to have an element of mystery, suspense or adventure. This book was nearly pure romance fiction until the last 20 percent. In the first two books, there were three main characters - Tatania, Alexander and WWII. This book didn't have that extra element until Alexander went to save Anthony.

On a personal level, there were certain choices the writer made about Alexander's character during the 1950's that made me like him less. The not so subtle message that if Tatania would just stay home and bake bread and cater to him they would live happily ever after didn't resonate well with me at all.

On the other side of the coin, the writer showed that WWII veterans and their families suffered from PTSD, just like some current veterans do. I'm of Anthony's generation and far too many Viet Nam veterans were criticized and ridiculed because they suffered from PTSD after they returned home. WWII veterans suffered too but we just didn't know it. Vietnam Veterans were told that WWII veterans came home and adjusted with no problems, why can't you. If you read the memoirs of WWII veterans, you will find they suffered too. They just hid it better.

Having said all this, I would recommend people read these books. Perhaps the things that bothered me about the third book won't bother you.
( )

My god this series. I can't even and doubt I will ever be able to articulate how this series ravaged me.

The story and writing is full of emotion -love, hate, jealousy, sadness, anger, joy. Emotions of life.
The story and writing is full of actions -heroic, cowardliness, moral, immoral, right, wrong, gray. Actions of life.
Tatiana and Alexander's story is full of what other's have called "mundane details". I call it the details of life, or you know the little and big things that make us who we are. Soooooo mundane ;)
Look I get it this series is long, beautiful, and ugly. Just like life. It certainly is epic and requires a certain fortitude to get through.
It's real, it's reality and some don't want that from their books.
Tatiana and Alexander didn't always do what I wanted them to do but it's their story not mine and frankly the story was better for it.
I know some other's also complained about the flashbacks saying they were unnecessary. However, I read these books all together one after the other and when I read the flashback where Pasha is told to fear rust, I freaking lost it, cried forever. Could that been left out of the story, yes, but did it add a serious, crazy dimension, YES! All the flashbacks not only brought the ghosts back but gave me a deeper understanding of the characters which made me miss them even more and understand Tatiana even more because of this. (I lost a lot of my anger towards Dasha during the 3rd book flashbacks).
The characters from this series are going to haunt me for a long time.

*Sidenotes*
My god how much research do you think Paullina Simons did for these books! From WWII to Vietnam guns and politics, detail,detail,detail!

This series must, I demand it, be made to film. Maybe not movie but perhaps a Thorn Birds like format? They can't leave anything out, once again I demand it.

Whose naming the next goldfish they get Shura? I know I am. ( )

I love Paullina Simmons's work. Her prose is some of the best around and she really knows how to capture a moment or feeling in prose. The Summer Garden is a perfect reflection of her writing prowess.

Of course, I was already fully involved with the characters given that I had already read the two previous books in the series. In fact, The Bronze Horseman will forever be one of my most favorite historical fiction novels.

The conflicts in this book were so different than the first two. Yet, it felt so right for the 3rd installment. I breezed through this book in no time. I loved it! ( )

disappointing

Alexander & Tatiana' Barrington's love story continues. War is still a huge part of this family's make-up. Another generation, Anthony is in Vietnam. Gruesome, heartwrenching detailed chapters. I am surprised at how Ms Simons is able to capture the war scene so well. Mesmerizing details. I am glad on how the Trilogy ended, hoping that a new chapter, with the children of these Russian Lover's will continue. There are so many more stories to tell! Loved it! ( )