Garwood is never going to be my favorite author but I'm interested in her. Garwood is never going to be my favorite author but I'm interested in her. ...more
I always think of Elisa Braden as one of the biggest culprits of things I hate in Scottish historicals, namely, comedically large Highlanders and overI always think of Elisa Braden as one of the biggest culprits of things I hate in Scottish historicals, namely, comedically large Highlanders and overdone phonetic spelling to convey the accent.
She did do that here, but it's not my largest complaint actually. The conflict is kicked off when the rich heroine is robbed by an elderly couple, and is forced to have to work for the hero in order to save up enough money to get to London and Paris, where she will try to find a rich husband. The hero finds the thieves and then brags to the heroine that he had them sent to a prison hulk for fourteen years, "a fate worse than death."
I'm sorry... I'm supposed to care more about a heroine losing her dresses and emeralds than I am about an elderly couple that the hero sets up an excruciating, outsized punishment for? Fuck him, fuck this book. ...more
More thoughts on that book in the episode, but I do wish I didn't read the author's note before I read this book. She pitched her book as a sort of old-school Scottish historical with a "feminist twist," and that was a bit off-putting to read. I don't think MacArthur is doing anything demonstrably different than Garwood (one of her inspirations) that would make her more book more politically feminist.
It reminded me of this Patricia Gaffney quote from 1999:
"If you think of feminism with a small * f,* not the grim, Marxist, academic variety but "the kind that women who are uninterested in being dominated by men live every day," as romance historian Dr. Pamela Regis defines it, I think you'd have to agree that most fictional romance heroines since approximately the mid-1980s have been feminists."...more
I think I would have enjoyed this more if there was not a clear solution to the problem: Alaric wants Keeley, but he's engaged to someone else for theI think I would have enjoyed this more if there was not a clear solution to the problem: Alaric wants Keeley, but he's engaged to someone else for the good of the clan. Alaric isn't even the firstborn, and there's another unattached, unmarried brother who, according to the teaser chapter for the next book, is in lust with the fiance Alaric wants to discard from the get-go.
This is high-angst stolen valor! The equivalent of Craig Kinnear being all, "No, it's fine that you dumped me, we weren't suited anyway." in You've Got Mail. ...more
I'm not going to pretend this is a stunning insight or anything, but I really dislike it when a heroine is called plain ad nauseam and that is the maiI'm not going to pretend this is a stunning insight or anything, but I really dislike it when a heroine is called plain ad nauseam and that is the main source of the conflict. Like, cool, they have different levels of attractiveness! Give me something else to work with, I can only care so much. ...more
Catherine Ashbrooke is our young EnglishFor better or for worse, I really see this as Outlander meets A Kingdom of Dreams, but it predates them both!
Catherine Ashbrooke is our young English heroine and she starts off extremely unlikable. I loved this so much, Canham really digs into Catherine's brattiness and immaturity in a way that felt natural to her character. Why wouldn't she be full of herself? She's young, popular, wealthy, and extraordinarily beautiful. But lo, here comes the school of hard knocks.
Catherine sets her sights on a popular soldier whose attentions are hard-won. She flirts with another man to get make him jealous, but it turns out this other man is Alexander Cameron in disguise. Alexander is an outlaw, the brother of a prestigious laird, and he has no qualms about compromising Catherine at her own birthday party. Now Alexander and her soldier beaux are dueling, and unbeknownst to them both, the prize is Catherine's hand.
Clearly Alexander wins, but he feels more saddled with Catherine than enthralled. Thus Catherine finds herself married to a man who doesn't care for her, touted to Scotland against her will, and embroiled in the beginnings of a Jacobite rebellion.
It's fast-paced and fun, a history-heavy read that doesn't feel like homework. There are a few lines and characters that made me cringe, including an 'other woman' who reminded me of Outlander's Laoghaire.
I'm excited to read more of Masha Canham's work....more
This is my first full-length from Herrera, and I'm really impressed with the care and details she put into this. I've read a few historicals at a WorlThis is my first full-length from Herrera, and I'm really impressed with the care and details she put into this. I've read a few historicals at a Worlds Fair (most famously, Passion, where the heroine gets her world rocked at the Crystal Palace), but the Exposition Universelle is new to me, and the first third of the book set there was a real treat. Luz and Evan also had an immediate and palpable chemistry, they're delightful.
I'll definitely have more thoughts to come on a future Reformed Rakes episode!...more
I think Kerrigan Byrne fans will like Kresley Cole's historicals. Lots of murder, tortured hero who does war crimes and the woman that he thinks is toI think Kerrigan Byrne fans will like Kresley Cole's historicals. Lots of murder, tortured hero who does war crimes and the woman that he thinks is too good for him.
This book is so interesting to me because it draws what I feel is a logical conclusion that the appeal of bodice rippers is kink. I don't think that'sThis book is so interesting to me because it draws what I feel is a logical conclusion that the appeal of bodice rippers is kink. I don't think that's true for all bodice rippers (I wouldn't make that argument for say, Lemonade), but it certainly is for this one.
Adam wants revenge, and he's going to use Daphne Fairchild, the sister of his enemy, to get it. With obvious ulterior motives, he says he'll give her enough money to restore her family's finances if she spends 30 days and 30 nights with him. He makes it very clear that he is no gentle lover, but Daphne agrees anyway.
Daphne doesn't feel like a real person, more like an amalgamation of plucky heroine traits strung together. (She fences! She rides astride!) That lack of interiority made it a bit hard to care, and since this book is entirely her point of view I was a little bored when it wasn't a sex scene.
Adam is an out-and-out villain, but the book waffles a bit on that as well by the end.
While I didn't love this, I was curious enough to read the next book in the duology, which I definitely liked better! ...more
I wish I had reviewed the other Highland Guard books that I read last year because overall my feelings about the series are very positive, but this onI wish I had reviewed the other Highland Guard books that I read last year because overall my feelings about the series are very positive, but this one felt a bit like running in circles.
Janet of Mar is a hidden aristocrat and spy, and Ewen "The Hunter" Lamont is an elite Highland warrior. They meet under stressful circumstances and begin a very repetitive dance of Ewen wanting Janet to quit her spy work, and Janet having a deep-seated need for Ewen to respect and praise her contributions to the war. It was a circular conflict that I couldn't really bring myself to care about. ...more
I try not to quibble with titles too much but what does that have to do with anything in this book? First off they are both Scots, so who am I not supI try not to quibble with titles too much but what does that have to do with anything in this book? First off they are both Scots, so who am I not supposed to be seducing? Also I'm not sure you could call their physical relationship a seduction. More of a "Tally-ho!" situation once Graeme gets the green light. This has no effect on how I feel about the book whatsoever, but if I can't put my observations here then who am I supposed to tell. My cat?
So Graeme and Eveline are in feuding clans, and the king orders Graeme to marry Eveline in order to bring peace. Eveline has been deaf for three years after an accident, but in order to escape an unwanted marriage (so some villain, not Graeme) she lets her entire clan believe that she has more ailments than hearing loss. She never lets on just how much she understands what's going on around her.
It's not long after she makes her home with Graeme that the gig is up. She comes clean, and she's finally able to freely express herself and shed the guilt of her deception.
I loved how sweet this was. Graeme is a Highlander's Highlander AKA Extremely Big, but he's not a Lothario by any means, and he's very thoughtful of Eveline, even before he realizes that she's deaf. But I really don't care at all about subplots involving "manual labor to prove my value" that seems to be a recurring theme in Highland romances, and we get kind of a head-scratcher here.
Maya Banks said she based Eveline's deafness and lipreading abilities on her husband's lived experience, which I'm glad she noted because I was definitely surprised by some aspects. ...more
Julie Garwood is the queen of amazing prologues. I almost exclusively read romance but the prologue had me wishing that this was a book about Francis Julie Garwood is the queen of amazing prologues. I almost exclusively read romance but the prologue had me wishing that this was a book about Francis Catherine and Judith's friendship instead. It was so perfect and it really reinforced just how vital it is that Judith keeps her promise to Francis Catherine.
Backing up a bit, Judith and Frances Catherine are childhood friends. Judith is English, and she and Frances Catherine would meet up once a year at a border festival. Now that they're grown, Frances Catherine summons Judith to Scotland to be present of the birth of her first child. Frances Catherine is afraid she'll die giving birth, and according to Judith, she knows Judith is stubborn enough not to let her.
Iain is Frances Catherine's brother-in-law and the laird of the clan. He and a few of his warriors escort Judith to Scotland, a task that they are extremely annoyed by, as they don't really want an Englishwoman in their midst. Unfortunately for them, Judith is a perfect angel that is impossible to hate, and they all quickly become territorial of and enamored of her.
I've noticed Garwood has a formula: He-man heroes that are softened by love! Plucky heroines that are good at everything they attempt! I'm ambivalent about this. I enjoy her books enough that it doesn't bother me at all but it's what keeps them from being my absolute favorites. ...more
I'm starting to get really uncomfortable with how a lot of historical romance novels portray Scottish men. Ice Planet Barbarians vibes, if you know whI'm starting to get really uncomfortable with how a lot of historical romance novels portray Scottish men. Ice Planet Barbarians vibes, if you know what I mean? As in, the emphasis on largesse to the point where it feels like these men are an oddity.
This was fine. I absolutely love the first book in this series, The Making of a Highlander, but the other books pale in comparison.
Clarissa is being stalked by a man in England, so she flees to Scotland with her grandmother to seek shelter with her friend. While she's there she becomes enraptured with her friend's brother, Campbell, but she's always putting her foot in her mouth and making a fool out of herself in front of him.
Everyone decides that Campbell is the best route for Clarissa's protection, so she ends up living with him, unchaperoned, for weeks on end. Campbell is fiercely protective of Clarissa (Touch her and die, etc.), but he has trouble communicating his feelings. Meanwhile, this weird, cartoonishly troubled man continues to stalk Clarissa and murder innocent bystanders.
This book is all largesse, no nuance. Big villains, big *wink* heroes, and big stakes. I found a lot to love about the characters but the external conflict, which was a huge part of the plot, was also underdeveloped. ...more
You could say that Deidre's first mistake was to trust a man to keep his word, but most women make that mistake so it Do not do favors for the queen.
You could say that Deidre's first mistake was to trust a man to keep his word, but most women make that mistake so it barely counts. Her true error was agreeing to pose as the queen in order to let the queen make her a daring escape to marry her lover. This is just... so ridiculously dangerous but Deidre gets caught by Quinton, who already thought she was cute and so Quinton just... holds her hostage.
The book tells us this is a good thing, because they have feelings for each other, and Deidre's only other options are getting captured by someone else, or joining a nunnery. Sure, the queen has invited Deidre to stay with her at court, but court is a nasty place full of backstabbers, and wouldn't we rather be shacking up with a laird that claims he does not know how to love? ...more
Being at court seems so stressful. Will I curry favor with the Queen? Will I find a love match? Will I make a choice that leads to my horrifying deathBeing at court seems so stressful. Will I curry favor with the Queen? Will I find a love match? Will I make a choice that leads to my horrifying death?
Helena and Keir have one thing in common: a terrible family. Keir's the last of the McQuade sons, a clan that's been brought to shame by his father and brothers' devious behavior. Meanwhile, Helena's brother is a true court schemer, wiling to sacrifice anything save himself in order to get ahead. Both Helena and Keir are not made for this life, and thus they see each other as kindred spirits. I was absolutely rooting for them. ...more
I can't tell you how many times I've read a historical where the hero's inconvenient first wife dies in childbirth. Somewhere it is written: inconveniI can't tell you how many times I've read a historical where the hero's inconvenient first wife dies in childbirth. Somewhere it is written: inconvenient husbands die in horse riding accidents, and the wives kick it while giving birth. The latter is actually much more feasible, because it's was a very common way to die and to this day giving birth is dangerous business.
The villain in this book is a high-born woman who struggled so much during the birth of her first daughter that she refuses to sleep with her husband again for fear of dying. Her husband turns to a mistress and in turn has several children by her, the eldest of which is our heroine, Anne.
The wife and her legitimate daughter, Mary, are spoiled caricatures that we are supposed to scoff at, despite their limited choices and plausible fears about mortality. When Mary is set to be betrothed to Broderick McJames, a Scottish earl, her mother schemes to have Anne take her place in order to keep Mary safe from the tribulations of bearing children.
Forced to pretend to be her stepsister and enter into a marriage that she does not want, Anne's Hail Mary is to prevent the marriage consummation until she can get word to her father about the scheme. When she finds out her marriage of convenience is also convenient for her, it just becomes a waiting game until Broderick finds out who his wife really is.
I do not expect to identify with every character in a romance novel but I sort of expect to like them? Why am I reading a book about the two worst peoI do not expect to identify with every character in a romance novel but I sort of expect to like them? Why am I reading a book about the two worst people I went to high school with set in 1600s (I think?) Scotland? ...more
What do you do if your husband is kidnapped on your wedding day, and forced into labor on a prison hulk bound for Australia?
It's not a fair question,What do you do if your husband is kidnapped on your wedding day, and forced into labor on a prison hulk bound for Australia?
It's not a fair question, because Anna thought her husband left her of his own free will. Not an auspicious start to their marriage of convenience, but she's grown accustomed to being left behind, after being bandied about by her relatives like a hot potato as a wayward child.
Almost four years later, after she has retreated to her Scottish island to lick her wounds, she learns that her husband is back in London. She assumes the worst of him because why shouldn't she? Surely he was traipsing about the world and spending her money, without so much as a by-your-leave. Anna decides to pay him a visit and get some answers.
Her husband, Liam (the titular Lord Lockwood), has escaped from Australia to mount his complicated revenge against the person responsible for his imprisonment and torture: his cousin. The bigger battle, though, is internal. He's suffering from PTSD in a time and a place where such an affliction is not known or understood. Liam thinks that he's deficient. He thinks he's going mad.
For quite some time Liam and Anna circle each other with assumptions and half-truths. What they don't reveal to each other is that their marriage of convenience was never just that. Sure, they both needed to marry, but we learn through a series of flashbacks that they chose each other because they fell in love. Now, Anna thinks Liam abandoned her, and Liam's revenge plot is his single-minded focus. He doesn't bother to offer any explanations or comfort, because he cannot bear any resulting pity.
As a reader, I wish I was more privy to more of the mechanics of Liam's plan for retribution. When recriminations were made and justice served, it rang a little hollow. Then again, an "eye for an eye" is typically not as satisfying as we want it to be....more
The book starts with Annalía saving Courtland's life, which was her first mistake. Because he sucks.
Instead of describing the plot I just need to talThe book starts with Annalía saving Courtland's life, which was her first mistake. Because he sucks.
Instead of describing the plot I just need to talk about how Annalía's necklace, a ribbon choker with a peridot, lives in my head rent free. It had belonged to her mother, and Annalía wears it in shame, because her mother was an adultress with "hot blood." Annalía suspects that blood temperature is hereditary. The choker is like her chastity belt? But it's a weird choice, because chokers are objectively sexy.
If anything she should have a chastity brooch. (Not sexy.) Or a chastity... toothbrush. (Actually oral hygiene is sexy nevermind.)
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