When she awakens in the hospital, the man who looks exactly like her abusive husband claims to be his twin brother, Alex. The same Alex she enjoyed talking to over the phone, really her only enjoyment during those times. At first, she thinks she's safe...until Alex tells her that not only does Cole know she's alive, but he also knows he has a son. Alex insists on helping her flee from Cole, even while hoping his brother isn't as deranged as Jessica tells him.

Cain & Abel, at first, sounds like a somewhat typical woman-escapes-evil-husband plot. But where it drastically differs from every other book I've read with similar plots is in Jessica's abusive husband. He isn't shown as plain evil without a reason, or a power junky. Instead, the author gives him as much consideration and characterization as Alex and Jessica, slowly giving me insight into how he became the way he was. There were many times when I felt strong sympathy for the boy Cole had been, enough to bring tears to my eyes. It's pretty rare for me to see an author craft a villain so well, and I am actually awed by the skill it took to make Cole both the villain, and a character one could sympathize with during his more human moments. Ms. Perry did an incredible job on this romantic suspense at every turn. The pace and utter drive behind the plot and suspense were amazing. I don't think there was a moment during the story where I wanted to put it down. The entanglement of Jessica and Alex were portrayed with true feeling; Abel couldn't just shrug off what his brother had once been to him, and Jessica couldn't easily accept Alex's resemblance to Cole. They both had to work towards some even ground. Their romance was more heartfelt for that, and when they finally reached out for each other, there was true love behind their actions. I can honestly say I loved Cain & Abel..and in a strange way, I'm almost hoping for more.

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Mildly sensual

Reviewer: Tara Black
May 6, 2005