This sweeping romance is found within an old-world elegance with a touch of magical realism. This is a story that perfectly encapsulates a distorted telenovela.

The main characters involved are Nina and Valarie Beaulieu (a.k.a. the human embodiment of bitterness) with Hector Auvery as the male protagonist (i.e., the love interest).  In two parts, we're told about their upbringing as youths in French society and then reintroduced to them as young adults.

The story sweeps you away near the tale-end of the first part and again in the final ten(ish) chapters. Nina transformed from a naive, innocent hopeless-romantic to a young woman who's more guarded and measured. Hector comes into himself (i.e., more grounded in his resolve) and his love for Nina comes into focus. Valarie's resentment bursts through the pages with each interaction with Nina and Hector.

Of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's works, The Beautiful Ones is most comparable to readers of Mexican Gothic. They're both sweeping tales with lush world-building, in which the characters within feels tangible. This one is a slow-burner but once it burns it BURNS.