Scan barcode
andra_mihaela_s's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
2.5 stars for "Desperately Seeking a Scoundrel" by Elisa Braden.
Unfortunately, this was a dissapointment for several reason...
We follow the love story between Miss Sarah Battersby - a vicar's daughter - who's desperate to escape a marriage with a Mr. Foote (we find out later why he's a bad man..and I agree>..>), and Lord Colin Lacey - a "scoundrel" on the run due to some entanglement with a dangerous individual.
I will begin this review by listing everything good about this book:
- trope: marriage of convenience...sort of..>.>
- disscussions had: <b>memory loss and it's effect on family members</b> (not a whole lot of it, but I believe enough to stress the importance of taking care and trying to understand how to manage such a difficult situation) - in the book, Sarah's father is fading due to this; mentioning of another side character dealing with a similar situation; another thing addressed: <b>how society viewed an "impure" girl and her chances at a good life + how the aggressor is viewed/ punished</b>
- writing style: easy to read, pacing is not ideal, but it's constant
- MC's comunicate quite a lot on multiple topics
- side characters are interesting: Sarah mother seemed very level-headed and that helped Sarah keep her own head
- disscusion intended through MC's occupation: <b>the importance of schooling for women and lack of it in the period represented in the book</b>
Now, my problems with this novel all start by it boring me very fast with it's decision to choose insta-love between MCs; and the complete disregard to any sort of high stakes...or any stakes...in a setup that literarly requires it!
To this very damaging beginning (in my opinion), we also have Sarah - a promising character up until the actual plot starts to develop choosing to become a bystander in her own story...her desire to keep a school for girls, the justified hate for Mr.Foote and his...tastes in girls....>...>.... and the suspicion of Colin and his involvement with shady people....where on earth are those???? Why make your MC abandon her personality traits??? I don't understand...
As for Colin...granted, I don't know the whole backstory besides what I found out in the book(Haven't read the series), but his flaws are quite big...and we don't see any reason for him to be forgiven by Viscount Atherbourne and Victoria, especially when we get a mentioning of a duel fought in his stead...not cool.
Him as a male lead...besides thinking that by "loving" Sarah he gets the pain of Viscount Atherbourne,etc...he's quite overbearing when he decides he's marrying our MC. Again, my complaints come after the action kicks in, when he leaves the little village Sarah was in. There he was an ok protagonist, enough suspicion to the situation presented, enough worry for the people he endangers,etc...but after that...we get a "alpha male" in protection mode! 0_0
I feel like the author wanted me to see this "interesting couple", but forgot to develop the background. Not even the villain seemed important...why? (the passages from the ward's perspective were really great and left me wanting to see more of Mr. Syder)
I don't know what to think about this author's writing style and plot choices...maybe I will try something else from her, but not any time soon...not in the mood (especially if she writes her male protagonists referring to women by "sweet", "honey",etc) and not even sure if I should trust the characterisations she offers for MCs.
Before I forget...<b>content warnings for scene with sexual abuse of a minor; torture and death of a character on page...pretty graphic</b>
In terms of spicy scenes...pretty tame(I can say I'm happy with this choice given the fact that I don't like the couple)
In conclusion, if you enjoy reading this author's books, I don't think this will be any different; if you don't mind insta-love with an overprotective man, once again...this will be a good bet.
Maybe a good description for interested people would be a marriage of convenience with little to no stakes and a good, albeit under-utilised, cast of side characters.
Enjoy
Unfortunately, this was a dissapointment for several reason...
We follow the love story between Miss Sarah Battersby - a vicar's daughter - who's desperate to escape a marriage with a Mr. Foote (we find out later why he's a bad man..and I agree>..>), and Lord Colin Lacey - a "scoundrel" on the run due to some entanglement with a dangerous individual.
I will begin this review by listing everything good about this book:
- trope: marriage of convenience...sort of..>.>
- disscussions had: <b>memory loss and it's effect on family members</b> (not a whole lot of it, but I believe enough to stress the importance of taking care and trying to understand how to manage such a difficult situation) - in the book, Sarah's father is fading due to this; mentioning of another side character dealing with a similar situation; another thing addressed: <b>how society viewed an "impure" girl and her chances at a good life + how the aggressor is viewed/ punished</b>
- writing style: easy to read, pacing is not ideal, but it's constant
- MC's comunicate quite a lot on multiple topics
- side characters are interesting: Sarah mother seemed very level-headed and that helped Sarah keep her own head
- disscusion intended through MC's occupation: <b>the importance of schooling for women and lack of it in the period represented in the book</b>
Now, my problems with this novel all start by it boring me very fast with it's decision to choose insta-love between MCs; and the complete disregard to any sort of high stakes...or any stakes...in a setup that literarly requires it!
To this very damaging beginning (in my opinion), we also have Sarah - a promising character up until the actual plot starts to develop choosing to become a bystander in her own story...her desire to keep a school for girls, the justified hate for Mr.Foote and his...tastes in girls....>...>.... and the suspicion of Colin and his involvement with shady people....where on earth are those???? Why make your MC abandon her personality traits??? I don't understand...
As for Colin...granted, I don't know the whole backstory besides what I found out in the book(Haven't read the series), but his flaws are quite big...and we don't see any reason for him to be forgiven by Viscount Atherbourne and Victoria, especially when we get a mentioning of a duel fought in his stead...not cool.
Him as a male lead...besides thinking that by "loving" Sarah he gets the pain of Viscount Atherbourne,etc...he's quite overbearing when he decides he's marrying our MC. Again, my complaints come after the action kicks in, when he leaves the little village Sarah was in. There he was an ok protagonist, enough suspicion to the situation presented, enough worry for the people he endangers,etc...but after that...we get a "alpha male" in protection mode! 0_0
I feel like the author wanted me to see this "interesting couple", but forgot to develop the background. Not even the villain seemed important...why? (the passages from the ward's perspective were really great and left me wanting to see more of Mr. Syder)
I don't know what to think about this author's writing style and plot choices...maybe I will try something else from her, but not any time soon...not in the mood (especially if she writes her male protagonists referring to women by "sweet", "honey",etc) and not even sure if I should trust the characterisations she offers for MCs.
Before I forget...<b>content warnings for scene with sexual abuse of a minor; torture and death of a character on page...pretty graphic</b>
In terms of spicy scenes...pretty tame(I can say I'm happy with this choice given the fact that I don't like the couple)
In conclusion, if you enjoy reading this author's books, I don't think this will be any different; if you don't mind insta-love with an overprotective man, once again...this will be a good bet.
Maybe a good description for interested people would be a marriage of convenience with little to no stakes and a good, albeit under-utilised, cast of side characters.
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Child abuse, Murder, and Sexual assault
More...