A review by nisha_nee
A Momentary Marriage by Candace Camp

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• 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

4.25

I must say, it's been months since I've read and enjoyed another historical romance, and this one seemed to have broken that slump. The premise seemed really interesting, precisely, because I was curious as to how the author would execute the two main leads' falling in love but I was pleasantly surprised by how this turned out. Instead of just a romance, we were given a murder mystery that bears a close resemblance to the vibes of Agatha Christie novels. And any novel that could do that, you bet I would enjoy. The dynamic between James and Laura was refreshing. They did not particularly fall into cookie-cutter, stereotypical, tropey characters (one of which I particularly detest now after encountering so many consecutively). Their banter, dialogue, and humor all felt natural, and they have nuanced qualities, too. The author was successful in conveying the emotions she wanted the reader to feel. At the time of finding a grim truth inside James's bedroom, I did feel chills similar to Laura's because I really did fear for her and James' safety. The slow build-up of their romance was something I came to appreciate because it also meant exploring their characters and letting the reader get to know them better. If I were the past me, I would have been greatly annoyed by the miscommunication trope, but  I have adopted a different viewpoint now. Miscommunication happens in every relationship and I understand the characters' temperamentalities to know how they would react to the situation. I was just glad that it wasn't used as a plot device. I really adored James and Laura, and the way James gets jealous over Graeme and him denying his burgeoning feelings was just a joy to read. I had misgivings about James' family, but I realized that they weren't that so bad (that is if we were speaking of all the awful fictional families I've read, theirs were only mild). This book also explored familial themes aside from the romantic plot. The ending was wrapped up (I guess) a little too neatly for my taste, but all was in good fun. I really enjoyed guessing who the murderer or main perpetrator was, and I was glad that I picked up the subtle hints!!! I knew in my amateur detective heart that it was that character. Anyways, I was just a bit dissatisfied with the motive but overall, still a good book. Can't wait to read more of Candace Camp!