Helpful Score: 1
I'm giving this book four stars because...it has a three star premise, but a five star execution that left me pleasently surprised. Like many modern women, I'm not a fan of sickly swooning heroines. Nor surly, brooding, brutish heroes. This book is about a sickly woman who overcomes her physical issues and returns home healthy and ready to throw her heart on the line for the guy she's been in love with her whole life. The man in question is indeed brutish and caustic most of the time, and pushes her away for her own good because he doesnt trust her new found good health. I only went ahead with this because I'm a Lisa Kleypas fan, and I loved Mine'Til Midnight.
My pre-judgement was wrong, for the most part. Win is not all that weak or wilting--in fact she displays a strength of character that seriously suprised me. Now Merripen is about as irritatingly brooding as the first book lead me to suspect, and yes that detracted from the romance a bit. But, again to my suprise, he also has a wealth of tenderness under the surface. Also, once his past is explained in more detail we understand why he is as he is. Overall, Kleypas did an excellent job of developing both characters. The effect is a fairly engaging romance. As a bonus, the other Hathaways are very much present in this book in a way thats essential to the plot. So if you're a fan of series continuity and recurring characters, that should be a big plus. Another big possitive was learning more little details of the gypsy culture--it's fascinating and well put together.
I think the complaints that I have which cost this book a star are pretty trivial, but they are there nonetheless. First, without spoiling too much, I'm disapointed that the author chose to introduce an outright villain into the plot where a conflict of emotions would have served just as well. I feel that villains only belong if they are well developed, their motivations explained, their personality given some depth. This one came close actually, but wasn't quite there. I also have to mention that Win's complete and miraculous recovery had me suspending so much belief I felt a bit pulled out of the story. I know it may sound cold, but people who are that bad off in a time when medicine is so limited do not end up it absolute perfect health with no limitations on their activity at all. I felt like the author chickened out in just making everything 100% OK. Just my impression.
Overall, I strongly recommend the Hathaway books and Lisa Kleypas' work in general. Romance fans won't be let down.
My pre-judgement was wrong, for the most part. Win is not all that weak or wilting--in fact she displays a strength of character that seriously suprised me. Now Merripen is about as irritatingly brooding as the first book lead me to suspect, and yes that detracted from the romance a bit. But, again to my suprise, he also has a wealth of tenderness under the surface. Also, once his past is explained in more detail we understand why he is as he is. Overall, Kleypas did an excellent job of developing both characters. The effect is a fairly engaging romance. As a bonus, the other Hathaways are very much present in this book in a way thats essential to the plot. So if you're a fan of series continuity and recurring characters, that should be a big plus. Another big possitive was learning more little details of the gypsy culture--it's fascinating and well put together.
I think the complaints that I have which cost this book a star are pretty trivial, but they are there nonetheless. First, without spoiling too much, I'm disapointed that the author chose to introduce an outright villain into the plot where a conflict of emotions would have served just as well. I feel that villains only belong if they are well developed, their motivations explained, their personality given some depth. This one came close actually, but wasn't quite there. I also have to mention that Win's complete and miraculous recovery had me suspending so much belief I felt a bit pulled out of the story. I know it may sound cold, but people who are that bad off in a time when medicine is so limited do not end up it absolute perfect health with no limitations on their activity at all. I felt like the author chickened out in just making everything 100% OK. Just my impression.
Overall, I strongly recommend the Hathaway books and Lisa Kleypas' work in general. Romance fans won't be let down.
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