3-Not. Enough. Grovelling-Stars
Merry & I decided to do a buddy read of this book on account of its controversial plot. Somehow, I had a feeling that my opinion would change on this "fortune-hunting marriage of convenience" trope.
Why do we read romance novels? To experience men as written by women (so, unreal). Then along comes a story such as this, and it douses this imaginary flame, makes you aware of the cold reality, that men are men, that they rarely grovel and women in love forgive and forget far too much, far too easily. Maybe that is why many did not like this book. Put the story in context with the time period, and the way the aristocracy behaved, this plot, is not far off from the way things would have been.
My Thoughts, the second time around...
- I think that my affront was on behalf of Maggie. She did understand that she was married off to Simon for a title in exchange for her dowry. She did not care about what he did and with whom. But what about the blatant disregard and the humiliation?
- I also noted that she was not above having an affair to seek a divorce, and found a guy to sleep with too, he just turned out to be her husband, unfortunately.
- I have to hand one thing to her though, she killed it with kindness, instead of anger. I had thought her spineless, but she handled the majority of this debacle with poise, and she had a quiet strength about her.
- I still think Simon was a jackass. I concede that he loved Elenor for years, he did not know Maggie and had spent less than a month with her, so I grudgingly let the cheating aspect slide. In a demented way, it shows that the fucker is at least capable of commitment. What bothered me most, and still does, is the drama after Elenor's death, and the way he went bonkers. I would actually have liked to read about how he came to terms. But I still feel he acted very entitled, expecting everyone to dance in attendance upon his whims and fancies.
- I find the beginnings of romance here and not a complete one.
This was an interestingly thought-provoking plot to be sure, nor do I have a problem with high angst dramas, my issue was the OW nonsense and pure selfishness on Simon's part. Great writing, but this story does not work well for me.
2 Extremely angry stars.
I am seething. This review will contain an inordinate amount of unsavoury swear words.
My Thoughts
- If there ever was an undeserving HEA, it was this one. I say, "FUCK OFF" to this plot. What a pile of shit, and I am supposed to buy this as a romance?
- I am all for the angsty plotlines, but this one scraped on my nerves, as it was pure selfishness and hurt, with nary a shred of tenderness in sight. I am sorry but I do not believe that fucking makes for love.
Why the 2 paltry stars?
- I like the way this book is written, horrible though the plot may have been, I still wanted to know what happened next. Or maybe it was my obsessive need to finish every book I start, I don't know which one was it, but I did finish it in one sitting.
- It inspired an extreme reaction. After reading 100s of books of a particular genre, the reactions of a reader may be jaded or tepid. Oh, but not this one.
The Asshole (I refuse to call him hero)
- Simon was arrogant, selfish, spineless, cheating, whoring, bastard of a man. I tried to be as open-minded as possible, but this one went even beyond my acceptance levels. All this without a good excuse, mind you.
- Am I supposed to sympathise with him for being conflicted about his feeling between his wife and his fucking manipulative mistress? Fuck no. Make up your mind asshole.
- His guilt levels were so low, that I wanted to kick him in his balls. What else can you anticipate from a jackass who set such lowly expectations?
- Lovestruck Lord, my ass.
I can go on about his many shortcomings, but I am afraid this will turn into more rant than review
The Heroine?
- She is the reason I have not rated this book with a single star. How was she able to see the good in him is beyond me.
- What I liked was that most of the time she was respectful of her feelings and cautious too, thank god. I did not think I could abide a milksop, whiny female. Then there were times when my heart broke for her.
- I admired Maggie's honesty and candour, but she gave in too easily. I blame lust. For most of the story, she kept her head, small mercy, earning her my grudging star.
My Recommendation
If you are looking for a jarring read, then look no further. I hadn't expected this kind of darkness from Scarlett Scott, but not giving up yet, one bad book out of 20 does not a bad author make. I am going to be reading the next one in the series hoping for the best!