
Fiona does come across a bit Mary Sue-ish, and there are too many turns of chance - for good or ill - that move the plot along rather than any organic feel to it. Still, I found myself drawn to the book and for all the dramatics, the story is so brimming with passion and exuberance that I couldn't help but to be dragged along with it. For everything else, The Tea Rose is not a boring story. I enjoyed this book thoroughly, flaws and all, but I can't help but wish that it could have been a little bit more. A little more thoughtfully plotted, a little more tightly edited, and a little bit more within the realms of credibility. I read to be swept away, though, which this book certainly did, and if you enjoy a sweeping, epic novel that succeeds despite it's weaker moments you will most likely enjoy this book as much as I did.