Rica and Etta der Esslingen are twins. Etta is a homebody and she was viciously attacked as a child, as a result she is no longer a virgin and she won’t be able to have children. Rica is a wild spirit, who has no interest in marriage and she’s studying herb lore with the local wise woman Helga (who happens to be their father’s lover). Their father Charles has been speaking to Rudolf about marrying one of the girls. Rica convinces Etta to take her place in spending time with the man while she goes over to Helga’s where she meets the Jewish student Salomon. Rica and Salomon fall in love, and Etta falls in love with Rudolf. When Rica is told she must marry Rudolf, she’s beside herself and so is Etta because she loves the groom. The night before the wedding Etta drugs Rica and she takes Rica’s place at the altar. When Rica wakes up, her sister is married to Rudolf….
I was initially disappointed in this book, but then about 40% in, it suddenly grabbed me: I was invested in Rica and Solomon’s relationship!
Read for The 52 Book Club Reading Challenge 2025
Prompt 10: Author´s Last Name is Also a First Name
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
