Reviews

Ah that was disappointing. Despite a problematic setup, I was enjoying the chemistry between the two leads but the characterisation was threadbare and the plot such as it was fizzled around the halfway mark

chrisrin's review against another edition

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2.0

The book was okay, I'm not interested in reading more in the series.

liketheainapple's review against another edition

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4.75

SUCH a readable story by Kleypas to cap off the Bow Street Runners trilogy. Nick Gentry is a fascinating character, the most interesting male lead of this series. His tragic backstory exposes so much about the injustices of policing and incarceration.

I love how Kleypas explores ideas of possession, autonomy, and touch through our leads, Nick and Charlotte.

Both have suffered sexual abuse, have unique relationships with physical intimacy, and have lived in conditions of unfreedom. Nick lived under constant threat of rape while in prison, and as a result "It seemed impossible to explain that for him, sex and pain and guilt were plaited together, that the simple act of making love to someone seemed as impossible as making himself jump off a cliff." His placement in prison and his later "freedom" are both due to his brother-in-law Sir Ross Cannon. Before he meets Charlotte, he spends years under the tutelage of a madam, where he cultivates this deep knowledge of sex as healing and tenderness. Charlotte has long been promised to Lord Radnor and has been molested and controlled by him. Her freedom from him comes at great cost.

There's then an intriguing contestation of free choices between Charlotte and Nick. He pursues her knowing who she is, but she doesn't know who he is. Her dalliance with him is liberating--her first free expression of physical desire--until she finds out she has been betrayed by him. Her subsequent marriage to him is a mixed bag of free and unfree choices.

So much to chew on!

anthea7's review against another edition

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medium-paced

2.5

tiredfangirl's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

b0okcupidity's review against another edition

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4.0

All I can really say is that I really loved this read. It was very close to my favorite shelf...

There were some issues with the character development of Nick Gentry...I'm not sure I totally understood his insta-attraction as it was explained, but it sure as heck didn't keep me from falling for the handsome devil.

There was a wane in actual plot towards the middle where it was nothing but coupling and this was probably the closest thing to erotica that Lisa Kleypas has written. But the steamy scenes were not boring or predictable as they can become when you have more than one or two in a novel.

Spoiler

Ummm...can you say tantric lovemaking??

Although there is some criticism that the development of true love between the characters was lacking, I don't see that as so. For someone who has been deeply scarred and has an issue with intimacy and touch, the healing power of that very thing is great and makes up for lack of dialogue or action otherwise.

Overall it was a sigh-worthy book, and when I closed the cover I was very pleased with my time spent.

vivileave's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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