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lezreadalot 's review for:
Provoked
by Joanna Chambers
Was this all there was? A few brief moments of connection, the grasp of another’s hand on the scaffold, and then you were cast out, alone, into the great universe?
Really promising and engaging start to a new series, about a lawyer from humble roots and a suave aristocrat, set in the aftermath of the Scottish Insurrection of 1820. I love a good class difference romance, especially when it digs deep into inequality and injustice, like I'm hoping this will. I thought this was a standalone, but I'm real glad the series will follow the same couple, given their current personalities and dispositions. David is brimming with shame and self-recrimination, but in a way that felt authentic, rather than played for drama. I really want to see him come into himself! This got super intense, especially on Murdoch's end, which was surprising and gratifying. I love when the charming, seemingly aloof cynic also evinces a lot of genuine emotion. There's a sort of mystery that drives the plot, and even though it doesn't feel very urgent, it sets up some good stuff and gets the job done.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Hamish McKinlay and utterly loved it. I loved all his voices, especially the difference between David's accent, which has been smoothed and polished, and Murdoch's, which was almost non-existent, and Euan's, which was a bit thicker. Really convincing emotion, as well.
Very intrigued to see how this will turn out.
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