Society has advanced to the point where senseless diseases (like cancer) no longer exist among the world's remaining population. The problem: men only live to 25 and women to 20--then "the virus" takes hold. Young girls are being sold into prostitution or as wives to young men in hopes of procreation--just to keep the human race going until a cure is found. Rhine and her twin brother, Rowan, were careful to avoid the Gatherers--to keep Rhine safe. Until one day she answers a job ad...a trap. Rhine is sold as a wife to a wealthy young man whose father is determined that he will find a cure for the virus. Rhine is determined to escape.
DeStefano's writing is beautiful. I felt like the story pulled you in right away with the description of riding in the van with all the other girls, not knowing your destination or your fate. Rhine is one of the lucky three chosen to become a wife to a wealthy "house governor" while the unlucky girls are dragged back to the van and shot---one-by-one. Rhine is such a complex character and you really watch her struggle with her situation--feelings for Gabriel, feelings for/about Linden, fear for her brother.
Linden, Rhine's husband, is such an intriguing character to me as well. Rhine is tricking him into loving her and making her "first wife," but along the way, you start to wonder if little bits are real. He's a likeable character despite the situation, especially as his ignorance comes to light. I found myself rooting for him here and there and almost hoping Rhine would stay with him. I was so torn between him and Gabriel.
Overall--wow.
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