Reviews

I'm capturing this review weeks after reading so my thoughts won't be as precise.

I still do not know why the cameo with Jamie Fraser included him purchasing a cockroach?

Minnie is likable.
Hal is portrayed--OK.

Spoiler

However, if this is meant to be a romance it is very much only happening for Minnie whilst Hal is totally unaware. He has met her once and was in a state of being quite unwell. She falls in love with him from reading his letters. She is more a teenage fangirl than actually someone who knows and loves him.

From the point of them sleeping together until the end it became ridiculous and rushed and the actions of each character no longer fit them. Minnie's decisions made no sense and even Hal's seemed out of character. Would he sleep with this stranger? In this situation? I have some doubt. Why the elopement and without her supportive father? What did Hal believe about the paternity of the baby? The motive for marriage is unclear, as is Hal's feelings towards Minnie. This does not make for a romantic situation. Maybe--maybe--historically accurate? But not romantic.

Quotes:

"She had no idea of Mrs. Simpson's personal circumstances and it was pointless to waste emotion on something that might not exist."

"If I'm raped and murdered I'll never hear the end of it."

"With phrases like 'and they only found her head' echoing in her mind ..."

"Don't be afraid of unimagined possibilities. Imagine the possibilities and then imagine what you'll do about them."

"People did love tragedies as long as it wasn't theirs."

"Having heard nothing to the contrary I assume that all is well with you."

Gripe: Another instance where the first night the woman *gulp* teenager is introduced to sex she becomes pregnant.

Decidedly not a re-read. 2.5 stars