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prationality's review
3.0
The two books and short story are connected simply because of the (eccentric) characters of Elf (Elphinia) and Ally (Alvinia), spinster sisters with a penchant for wanting to meddle and rescue people.
In Runaway Scandal Tavie has her hands full. Truly she traded in one stifling existence for another once she met Dom's family. Only, these people don't mean well by her. If they're not being dismissive they are being patronizing and often both at once. Attitudes changed, during the course of the novel as Elf and Ally worked with Tavie to somehow smooth things over, but Tavie didn't let that make her complacent. Despite being kept so far from society, or maybe because of it, Tavie had a good head on her shoulders. Not missish or a weakling, she worked hard to ensure that she made her husband proud.
Dom was a suave and romantic guy. A former rake, he was of course a smooth player with the ladies, but his interactions with Tavie held a teasing warmth as he helped her blossom. His retelling of how he and Tavie met and married was certainly one of the more amusing 'This is how I met her...' stories. He didn't even know her name when he proposed! Not that he seemed bothered by that part, if you are to believe him.
As for the 'villain' of the piece, I felt rather bad for her. It wasn't precisely her fault that fate seemed aligned against her getting her fondest wish, she just made it worst. Dom though proves that he is a kind-hearted guy and figures out a solution that not only kept her from being disgraced, but also kept her from attempting new mad delusions.
The issue of the 'scandal' was rather curious and sometimes worked well within the framework of the story and sometimes complicated the story without need. Hopefully the resolution works out to everyone's benefit, though what's the old saying? Can't teach an old dog new tricks?
In the end this is a sweet, engaging and amusing read, with a dash of mystery to lighten things up and keep everyone on their toes.
In Runaway Scandal Tavie has her hands full. Truly she traded in one stifling existence for another once she met Dom's family. Only, these people don't mean well by her. If they're not being dismissive they are being patronizing and often both at once. Attitudes changed, during the course of the novel as Elf and Ally worked with Tavie to somehow smooth things over, but Tavie didn't let that make her complacent. Despite being kept so far from society, or maybe because of it, Tavie had a good head on her shoulders. Not missish or a weakling, she worked hard to ensure that she made her husband proud.
Dom was a suave and romantic guy. A former rake, he was of course a smooth player with the ladies, but his interactions with Tavie held a teasing warmth as he helped her blossom. His retelling of how he and Tavie met and married was certainly one of the more amusing 'This is how I met her...' stories. He didn't even know her name when he proposed! Not that he seemed bothered by that part, if you are to believe him.
As for the 'villain' of the piece, I felt rather bad for her. It wasn't precisely her fault that fate seemed aligned against her getting her fondest wish, she just made it worst. Dom though proves that he is a kind-hearted guy and figures out a solution that not only kept her from being disgraced, but also kept her from attempting new mad delusions.
The issue of the 'scandal' was rather curious and sometimes worked well within the framework of the story and sometimes complicated the story without need. Hopefully the resolution works out to everyone's benefit, though what's the old saying? Can't teach an old dog new tricks?
In the end this is a sweet, engaging and amusing read, with a dash of mystery to lighten things up and keep everyone on their toes.
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