Exactly how steamy is this story?
G
Although Valentin occasionally lusts after Noemie, we've got ourselves a pretty chaste novel. Besides a few pecks on the lips, Newman and Claire don't seem to express much passion for each other.
That's purposeful, Shmoopers. The American spends a lot of time thinking about marriage as a financial transaction, not a love match. Newman tries to break the mold with his over-the-top declarations to Claire, but her family ultimately succeeds at putting on the brakes.