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Olivia and Jai
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Plot Summary of Olivia and Jai
"In 1848, Olivia, a young American woman, goes to Calcutta to visit relatives. Her aunt tries to break her of her "tomboyish" ways and plans to match her up with a man from high-class society. In the meantime, Olivia is more interested in her uncle's business and she would prefer to return home to America's wild west where she can be herself. Soon, however, she meets Jai – a half-caste bastard. Olivia's aunt faints upon hearing his name, and Olivia is forbidden to see Jai. Of course, Olivia sees him anyway. At times Jai is tender and loving toward Olivia. At other times he is downright offensive. In spite of his often cruel behavior, Olivia falls in love with him. Ignoring all the warnings from friends and relatives, she pursues a most volatile relationship."
Vinland Dreamer, Resident Scholar

"Olivia and Jai is set in early 19th century Calcutta, India during the British occupation. We follow Olivia O'Rourke, an American girl raised with little of the social restrictions put on women of the time. Olivia is sent to India to visit her deceased mother's family, the Templewoods, whose sole goal it is to find Olivia respectably married to a proper, titled Englishman. While Lady Bridget Templewood's hopes are set on Freddy Birkhurst, a weathly, titled and good-hearted man who is also considered the buffoon of Calcutta, Olivia has had a chance encounter with Jai Raventhorne, the "black thorn" in Calcutta's business district. A half-caste son of an Englishman, Jai is despised and feared but also secretly admired for his business savvy and his shockingly good looks. He is also the sworn enemy of the Templewoods, though the precise reason for the enmity is unknown to most of Calcutta.

From that chance encounter, Olivia and Jai soon find themselves irristibly drawn to one another and secretly meet in the alleys, forests and bazaars of Calcutta. Olivia soon gives her love to Jai with absolute loyalty and no expectations. However, Jai has an obsession with destroying the Templewoods at any cost. He sets into motion a plan that will decimate everyone in his path, including Olivia.

Crushed, Olivia slowly strings her life back together through of haze of despair. However, in the course of self-preservation, Olivia is forced to dual Jai in a battle of wits."

Alyssa Burns, Resident Scholar



Review Analysis of Olivia and Jai
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of story - 19th century
Forbidden/mismatched love? Yes
How mismatched? - loving someone from historic enemy
Hidden Identity/Secret Motive Yes
Is really... - out for emotional revenge

Main Male Character
Profession/status: - trader
Eccentric/mental: Yes
Eccentric: - obsessed
How sexual is this person? - somewhat promiscuious
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings - mean, arrogant
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters - Very much smarter than other characters
Physique - very athletic
If he's not white he must be... - indian

Main Female Character
Age/status: - 20's-30's
Profession/status: - wealthy
How sexual is this person? - naive virgin
How romantic is this person? - very romantic
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Setting
Asia/Pacific Yes
Asian country: - India

Style
Person - mostly 1st - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death - moderately detailed references to deaths
What % of story is romance related? - 60% - 70%
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references - touching of anatomy - impregnation/reproduction
Part of a series? Yes
Focus of story - Her - equally on him and her
Consequences of sex - pregnancy
How much dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog - significantly more descript than dialog
How much sexing? - 1-2 sex acts
Most similar books to Olivia and Jai
Midnight Confessions by Candice Proctor
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Just Imagine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
The Falcon and the Dove by Bonnie Vanak
Ballyrourke by Linda O'Brien


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Rebecca Ryman Resident Scholar Profiles

TOP SCHOLAR:
  
Alyssa Burns  

SCHOLARS:
Vinland Dreamer  


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