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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Enjoyed it enough to stay up past my bedtime to read it in one go but was a little let down. It's clear from the title that it tends toward the irreverent, but it was also so flowery and heartfelt through the middle section that I could have used a little more genuine stakes and seriousness at the end.
Not my favorite of the series but still incredibly entertaining. 3.8
Sadly not as good as the other Spindle Cove books, but also made me want to read some of the Spindle Cove novellas. I just think these books are so well though out and so believably fresh. The situations are often ludicrous but they're so lively and handled so gracefully. And the characters themselves are so lovely and sweet. Every Tessa Dare book I've read has real story depth and emotional resonance. But they're also well-constructed narratives. The struggles seem real while being totally fantastical. And it gives time for the characters to breathe and develop more fully. It's not like in other series (Bridgerton, for example) where all the heros and heroines just run into each other eventually. The plot is a structure for conveying their emotional and character journey. I think that's the best kind of romance plot.
I feel like anyone who can see the chemistry between these two characters needs to go to specsavers… cause where is it… it felt like reading two robots get together.
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay, I'm going to be honest: I had so much fun reading this book. It isn't nearly as batshit as Romancing the Duke (thank goodness), the mystery element was a nice touch (with a sweet, hilarious outcome), and it included plenty of steamy interactions between the protagonists. I read it pretty much in one sitting and had an excellent time.
That said, and this is probably a facet of nearly every Regency romance novel ever, the dynamic between the two characters is not the healthiest. Sure, there's something to be said for the trope of the cold-hearted man who finds his resolve slipping in the face of a beautiful, innocent woman, but more than usual, I kept thinking, "Get out, Charlotte! This man is toxic!" I mean, yes, it IS sexy to think that he could protect her from danger with his kick-ass spy moves and provide her with all the worldly goods she could want. But also, so many red flags, if this were real and not a Regency fantasy. Like, What kind of a psychopath does that? RUN CHARLOTTE! And, Maaaaybe not so much. He definitely needs a licensed therapist, because that is some traumatic shit.
Anyway, all said and done, very cute little book to while away a weekend afternoon, and I've already started my next Tessa Dare novel, because they're just so fun!
That said, and this is probably a facet of nearly every Regency romance novel ever, the dynamic between the two characters is not the healthiest. Sure, there's something to be said for the trope of the cold-hearted man who finds his resolve slipping in the face of a beautiful, innocent woman, but more than usual, I kept thinking, "Get out, Charlotte! This man is toxic!" I mean, yes, it IS sexy to think that he could protect her from danger with his kick-ass spy moves and provide her with all the worldly goods she could want. But also, so many red flags, if this were real and not a Regency fantasy. Like,
Spoiler
he 'tests' her resolve to love him by SETTING FIRE TO HER ROOM?Spoiler
he won't agree to a long engagement -- and basically forces her into an engagement anyway -- because of his own emotional hang-ups over his mother?Anyway, all said and done, very cute little book to while away a weekend afternoon, and I've already started my next Tessa Dare novel, because they're just so fun!
