Review: The Exception to the Rule by Beth Rinyu

AMAZON | KINDLE

The Exception to the Rule by Beth Rinyu
Contemporary
Beth Rinyu (December 19, 2012)

Rating: A-
Heat: Warm

Heroine: Kat Vallia – Doctor, Wants a Family 
Hero: Julian Kiron – Doctor, Career Driven

 

 

 

Synopsis:

When Katrina “Kat” Vallia, an idealistic if somewhat naive 20-something American pediatrician travels halfway across the globe to volunteer in a poor African village, she looks at it as a means of closure. Following a bitter breakup with her unfaithful boyfriend, she decides to throw herself into her work without any distractions from a man. That’s until she encounters Dr. Julian Kiron, a handsome, career driven pediatric oncologist. Even though she tries to fight it, Kat finds herself falling deeply for him; until she painfully realizes that they both want totally different things from life. Not willing to compromise for the other, they sadly say goodbye, cutting all ties. Five years later, Kat’s happy world is turned upside down when she is given devastating news. She must now confront her past and the secret she’s harbored for years. But will saving the one she loves most also rekindle the love she let slip away?

Review:

“You were the the exception to the rule. You were the one person who made me rethink everything I ever believed in and I’m so happy that you did.”

Katrina “Kat” Vallia is a young, optimistic pediatrician, who volunteers to help sick children in Africa after catching her boyfriend cheating on her. She not only hopes to be able to do some good for these children, but she hopes by getting away, she can move on from having her heart broken.

While in Africa, she meets Dr. Julian Kiron, a sexy, career driven pediatric oncologist, who is completely devoted to his patients. His job is his life and he has made it clear that he will never get married or have children. Kat, who lost her mother at a young age and being raised an only child, is the complete opposite. She hopes to have a family someday.

Kat and Julian become friends immediately. Something between them just clicks. There is an instant attraction between them, but Kat fights her feelings towards Julian since he has no plans to ever settle down with a family. Sometimes, though, you just have to take a leap. And that’s how Kat ends up giving in to her feelings for Julian, even though she knows this relationship will end with possible heartache.

But, when Kat had to suddenly return home with a family emergency, she thinks she will never see Julian again. Julian is full of surprises though and he shows up on Kat’s doorstep to comfort her during a time in her life when she needed him the most. They realize during this time, they’ve both fallen in love with each. Kat wants Julian but she also wants a family. So she lets Julian go. They say their heart-breaking goodbyes thinking they will never see each other again.

Five years later, Kat needs Julian’s help when she receives some devastating news. Kat has a doozy of a secret she’s been keeping from Julian. And, while asking for his help, she has to tell him about her secret… that will change both their lives forever.

Phew. Let me tell you, this story is loaded with surprises. I feel like this book is broken up into two parts. The first half is Kat finding herself in Africa after having her heart broken. Her eyes are opened wide after seeing the way the people live and seeing how the doctors are completely devoted to their jobs helping these children. She didn’t care for Africa, at first, but then she grew to love it. And found a kind of happiness and companionship she’s always wanted in Julian, right before she suddenly had to leave. The second part of the book is about second chances and fighting desperately for someone you love. Kat and Julian both go through so many life changes and realize a lot of things about themselves as the story progresses.

I refuse to delve too much into the plot for fear of giving away too much. I think this book needs to be experienced the same way I did – not knowing anything besides what the book blurb says going into it. Not knowing made this book so much more special. I will say this--the story has romance, a very sweet and tender and soul-crushing romance, but it’s so much MORE than just a romance. There are so many twists and turns that I never saw coming. There is something I’m leaving out of my review that is a huge part of Julian and Kat’s story. I love this part of the book. This element of the story is a huge chunk of the plot that makes this story so much more heartbreaking and beautiful and life changing.

The characters in this book are simply wonderful. I fell in love with each and every one of them. They each bring something different to the story. My heart ached for Julian and Kat over and over and over. I have never cried so much while reading a story. I have never wanted for a group of characters to have a happy ending so bad in my life. To say I was sad when the story was over is a massive understatement. I wanted more!

Now, here is where I would like to apologize to the book. I did a disservice to this book by putting it down. I made a huge mistake thinking that there wasn’t enough interaction between the heroine and hero about 30% into the story. What I didn’t realize is that this story has many layers that make up such an intense and beautifully written story. Where I stopped reading, the story was only beginning to take shape. So, when I put the book down for two days, read another book, and then started this one again, I realized what a huge, HUGE mistake I made. I’m so glad my inner voice kept bugging me to pick this book back up because it’s absolutely awe-inspiring. This story is not only about romance, it’s about family, love, forgiveness, second chances, devotion, finding oneself, and so much more. It’s thought-provoking. It has HEART. It’s difficult to find the right words to describe my feelings since all of my words feel inadequate with the way I feel about this story. I can’t explain in detail how much this book truly means to me. It emotionally impacted me and I’m still thinking about it days later.

The Exception to the Rule is an honest, heartwarming, and amazing story with a perfect ending. This story will tug at your heart strings. You will sob continuously so, arm yourself with lots of tissues. But, despite all the crying, you will also laugh and smile and swoon. This book will make you feel a gamut of emotions! I will definitely be reading more from this author. I really hope my review does this book justice and everyone reads this story. It’s absolutely stunning!