The Secret Swan by Shana Abe

If there is one thing you can count on from Shana Abe, it's wonderful emotion. Amiranth has been in love with Tristan since the moment she saw him at age 9. She has watched him every time she chances to see him. But Tristan has never even noticed her. When they are grown and a marriage is arranged for them, Amiranth is thrilled beyond belief. Tristan has no idea his wife's dream has come true by marrying him, and he does not treat her very well in the few days he spends with her after their marriage. Within days he drops her off at one of his remote estates, and goes off to war. Amiranth waits 8 long YEARS for her husband to come back, slowly losing hope that her husband is still alive. When he finally does, he meets his wife's "cousin" -- a woman who claims his wife is dead. Amiranth's dreams of happily ever after were shattered when Tristan left her there so many years before, and now she will do anything to avoid being hurt again -- even if it means pretending she is dead. Now Tristan must earn back the love of the woman who has changed since he last saw her as a girl and prove that he is finally worthy of her love.

I cried buckets reading this story. You feel so badly for the 'girl' Amiranth, and even more for the woman she becomes and the heartache she endures, mostly alone. I felt Tristan more than redeemed himself and became a very worthy hero. I read several very negative reviews for this book, and I believe that to truly enjoy it you have to be an emotional person, because this is a very emotional story. It is not all light and fluffy like some books. I loved this story!