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A review by turophile
Chelynne by Robyn Carr
3.0
For a first book, Ms. Carr displayed talent - which may help explain why she's gone on to become a bestselling author. I liked but did not love this historical romance set in Restoration England.
As other reviews have noted, the book is well plotted with a simple clear writing style. I appreciated that the two characters did not fall into bed together almost immediately, as happens with many of the more recently written historicals. Both characters matured and their love built slowly throughout the book. Let me emphasize slowly, the book built way too slowly.
What drove me crazy is that heroine, Cheylnne, and the hero, CHad were kept apart for most of the book because Chad was acting like a dumb*i*t. He was a complex, well-drawn hero with an important secret, he was a widow with a small child but didn't disclose this fact to his wife. He knows how gossip flows through the court and in fact warns his wife on that aspect, but he does not worry this will get back to her?? Dumb*ss. And did I mention he cheated on her after the marriage? A**hat. That especially troubled me. The only reason I did not reject the book on that basis is that in many ways it was true to the time period and made more sense in the story arc than would a story in which Chad remained celibate the entire time.
At the beginning of the book I also found it hard to like the heroine, Chelynne. Taking an unnecessary risk once is believable, but after awhile you just shake your head and begin to think she deserves any harm that might come to her. She did mature, but was a tad insufferable throughout the book.
Despite these nits, I still enjoyed it - perhaps it was because of the supporting characters such as King Charles or John Bollering.
Rated on my 5 star romance novel scale.
As other reviews have noted, the book is well plotted with a simple clear writing style. I appreciated that the two characters did not fall into bed together almost immediately, as happens with many of the more recently written historicals. Both characters matured and their love built slowly throughout the book. Let me emphasize slowly, the book built way too slowly.
What drove me crazy is that heroine, Cheylnne, and the hero, CHad were kept apart for most of the book because Chad was acting like a dumb*i*t. He was a complex, well-drawn hero with an important secret, he was a widow with a small child but didn't disclose this fact to his wife. He knows how gossip flows through the court and in fact warns his wife on that aspect, but he does not worry this will get back to her?? Dumb*ss. And did I mention he cheated on her after the marriage? A**hat. That especially troubled me. The only reason I did not reject the book on that basis is that in many ways it was true to the time period and made more sense in the story arc than would a story in which Chad remained celibate the entire time.
At the beginning of the book I also found it hard to like the heroine, Chelynne. Taking an unnecessary risk once is believable, but after awhile you just shake your head and begin to think she deserves any harm that might come to her. She did mature, but was a tad insufferable throughout the book.
Despite these nits, I still enjoyed it - perhaps it was because of the supporting characters such as King Charles or John Bollering.
Rated on my 5 star romance novel scale.