A review by smuttymcbookface
Chasing Cassandra by Lisa Kleypas

  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I found, in the past, I've been uncomfortable with the way Lisa Kleypas writes men as being beyond reason when placed close to a woman they desire. Very much the epitome of "boys will be boys".

So, you can imagine how overjoyed I am to have Kleypas' intelligent and witty writing, a grouchy MMC, and a FMC who does most of the initiating.

I enjoyed reading about Tom, with his neurodivergent personality, and his black and white view of the world. I think Kleypas did a brilliant job of showing who he is, and why it wasn't callousness or cruelty that led his past actions. It's always enjoyable to read about critical and thought-out main characters suddenly losing their ability to reason, and I found this book no different.

Cassandra was sweet, but a little too Mary Sue for my liking. She was willing to be patient for Tom, overlooked so much cruelty in the other characters, and dealt with Tom's rejection in her stride.

I liked how they resolved their differences through the marital contract, and how it showed both characters understanding the trust required from a marriage by knowing it wasn't enforceable. I thought it was a brilliant way to voice Tom's understanding of what was expected, balancing his lack of understanding of his emotional state with his hope for Cassandra and himself.


Overall, I really did enjoy this book, and didn't find their time to be tedious or drawn out.
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