A review by shanaqui
Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall

emotional funny lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I see-sawed a bit in how much I enjoyed this. It's basically a queer Heyer pastiche, turned up to the max, and there's a fair bit of slapstick humour. In addition, I totally understand why other people feel that Arabella and Bonny bully Valentine, because the scene where they tie him to the chair is just too much. So, however, is the way he intimidates Arabella, and you know what? I would rather, in real life, a woman feel safe and a man have to sit tied to a chair than the other way round.

Bonny and Arabella are, in general, A Bit Too Much. That said, Valentine's attraction to Bonny, and the way he comes to feel about him, are really well done -- despite the ridiculousness of the plot, you can feel for Valentine and his slow realisation that there is something better than a loveless marriage without attraction, that he doesn't have to behave exactly like his father, or even do exactly what his father wants.

I wish we saw more of Valentine's accidental, eventual friends, to be honest. They're very good to him, and he still has so much to learn.

Overall enjoyable, but bear in mind, the characters really are Too Much and the plot really is very over the top.