The series ends with another fabulous stand-alone JAFF suspense/thriller/romance that I absolutely adored. Jennifer Joy definitely has a special touch with this subgenre of the Regency romance novel. In this case, Elizabeth must fall in love with Darcy anew--not a big challenge! But others get in the way, and that's where the suspense happens!
I write technical reviews, so minimum on the subjective comments and no synopsis.
- The plot is a variation of the amnesia story, but with an excellent suspense twist to it. The story is complete with no real straggling holes left for the reader to wonder about.
- Pace is smooth and rapid, with no room for settling down. You won't find yourself bored reading this book. No redundancies, no side plots--at least not where they don't support the story arc.
- The story uses a "show" style and seems devoid of lapses into telling.
- Point of view is third person multiple, with clear changes.
- Language is a good, readable Regency language devoid of any big words one has to look up. Six non-Regency words or phrases, an average for a JAFF novel, were found. Two non-British words or phrases were utilized. My pet peeve non-canon word and phrase "hedgerows" and "break his fast" were used. A modern expression regarding giving the character "some space" was used. Chaperone, the verb form, was used where chaperon, the noun form should have been seen.
- Non-Regency use of the expression "Aunt Catherine" took place of the proper "Lady Catherine." The word "confinement" was used to describe a pregnancy when it actually meant the time of giving birth and shortly after in the Regency.
- Vibrant expression of the senses helped to set the scene in descriptions of the setting, clothing, props, etc.
- Characters were close to canon, with a more evil Wickham and Lady Catherine. I loved how the author brought out Darcy's sensitivity in his wooing of Elizabeth. It was bang on how Austen wrote him. New characters rounded out the story well.
- The romance was lovely, and its pacing was appropriate to the amnesia. Darcy's determination was sweet to read, combined with Elizabeth's passion and longing, precursors to her falling in love again.
- I love covers with big skirts, and this one has that look. Unfortunately, this model looks like she's wearing polyester rather than silk, a commonality she shares with 100 other Regency romance cover models. The balance, colouring, scale, and fonts are all good on this cover. Although I'm not sure it's different enough from the others to entice the reader completely over more unique covers, it's pretty. Perhaps the addition of something to tie into the title and the amnesia theme might make it more unique.
- I suspect the author was taking a little free reign with the initial use of some technology in the story, but didn't spend a lot of time looking it up in detail. What I found showed the technology was legitimate for the Regency, and that was good enough for me.
This ingenious application of a loss of memory to a sinister plot in a well-spun tale during the Regency era is without a doubt bound to gratify any reader of JAFF, but particularly those who enjoy a suspense or mystery twist to their romance. I found it gripping and I could hardly wait until my standard reading time (bedtime) to get back to the book. I read it quickly and was sad to be done with the four-book series of stand-alone romance/mystery books (Mysteries and Matrimony) from Jennifer Joy. I'll seek out more of this type of book, as well as standard JAFF, from her pen.
Disclaimer: I'm a JAFF author, and some might say that this review is a conflict of interest. However, I was a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial. I write them for the benefit of both the reader and the author.