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2blueshoes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Buckle up babes - this book is every bit a highlander romance, and you’ll need to leave your 21st century sensitivities at the entrance to the keep. Are you offended by the use of the term “lunatic”? Do you feel concern about a man sexualizing someone he believes is a different age developmentally than he is? If so, steer clear. While these problematic issues do eventually resolve in the book, it left me with a bad case of the ick.
It’s a real challenge to write time-period romance that doesn’t trespass into shady ethical territory. Historical accuracy and female empowerment tend to be at odds. Historical heroes don’t use politically correct language. I’ve seen a few examples of it done well, and unfortunately this isn’t one.
That said, our hero Gabriel veers often into beta hero territory in a way that isn’t common for highlander heroes. I think this is because the author tries REALLY hard to let us know that he is honorable, gentle, beloved by children, and handsome to boot. Look, we love those things in a hero, and there are some scenes right off the bat that had me feeling warm towards him. But then, almost as if we need a reminder that he is also a “fierce warrior”, he has these weird angry and aggressive outbursts (toss your wife into a lake lately Gabriel?)
I really wish we could have learned more about Maggie, her past, and her personality earlier in the book. She feigns mental illness for so long that we aren’t given much of a chance to get to know her. This also means her character doesn’t develop much.
Honestly I don’t recommend this story.
It’s a real challenge to write time-period romance that doesn’t trespass into shady ethical territory. Historical accuracy and female empowerment tend to be at odds. Historical heroes don’t use politically correct language. I’ve seen a few examples of it done well, and unfortunately this isn’t one.
That said, our hero Gabriel veers often into beta hero territory in a way that isn’t common for highlander heroes. I think this is because the author tries REALLY hard to let us know that he is honorable, gentle, beloved by children, and handsome to boot. Look, we love those things in a hero, and there are some scenes right off the bat that had me feeling warm towards him. But then, almost as if we need a reminder that he is also a “fierce warrior”, he has these weird angry and aggressive outbursts (toss your wife into a lake lately Gabriel?)
I really wish we could have learned more about Maggie, her past, and her personality earlier in the book. She feigns mental illness for so long that we aren’t given much of a chance to get to know her. This also means her character doesn’t develop much.
Honestly I don’t recommend this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Gaslighting, Ableism, Kidnapping, and Mental illness
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