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A review by melledotca
Tempting Fate by Kerrigan Byrne
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC. The fourth in the Goode Girls series, and these characters have the highest stakes in terms of their own issues getting in the way of life and happiness. Felicity is a bluestocking, with what would be diagnosed today as a severe anxiety disorder, neither of which lend themselves to making one the belle of any balls. Which is fine with her. Gabriel has had a life filled with pain, trauma, and disfigurement, so neither knows how or has much interest in fitting in with society or wooing the ladies.
This one leaned a bit hard on the he/she couldn't possibly want ME/I'm not worthy trope, but at the same time, neither of them has had much reason to develop confidence socially or romantically. Once the romance arrives, that dynamic improves, and there's a much needed element of playfulness that comes into it. Also, though, that initially Felicity hires Gabriel as a bodyguard almost literally sight unseen, without bothering to try and find out anything about him, also stretches credulity, but we'll go with "romance reasons".
The (sub)plot behind the threats against Felicity do tie – sort of – into existing information through the series, but the big reveal at the end was pretty out of left field, and again, Felicity's immediate acceptance made it feel far too neat. But it quite obviously it set up several several more books for the series, and indeed it looks like four more are coming, now that we're past the original Goode sisters. It felt like the series was supposed to end, and then the author got an idea.
Not my favourite of the series, but solid enough to keep reading. There's be a fair bit of new character introductions and world building, I suspect, in the coming stories.
This one leaned a bit hard on the he/she couldn't possibly want ME/I'm not worthy trope, but at the same time, neither of them has had much reason to develop confidence socially or romantically. Once the romance arrives, that dynamic improves, and there's a much needed element of playfulness that comes into it. Also, though, that initially Felicity hires Gabriel as a bodyguard almost literally sight unseen, without bothering to try and find out anything about him, also stretches credulity, but we'll go with "romance reasons".
The (sub)plot behind the threats against Felicity do tie – sort of – into existing information through the series, but the big reveal at the end was pretty out of left field, and again, Felicity's immediate acceptance made it feel far too neat. But it quite obviously it set up several several more books for the series, and indeed it looks like four more are coming, now that we're past the original Goode sisters. It felt like the series was supposed to end, and then the author got an idea.
Not my favourite of the series, but solid enough to keep reading. There's be a fair bit of new character introductions and world building, I suspect, in the coming stories.