A review by katiev
Notorious Angel by Jennifer Blake
4.0
I hesitated between 3 & 4 stars because I like the writing, and the history was rather fascinating. I also loved Eleanor. Blake knows how to write a strong heroine with human flaws. HOWEVER, this is the first time when I felt like the h should have ended up with the rival for the H's affection. It was more like a tragedy about the horrors of war, subjugation of the Indian's, and the hypocrisy of a more powerful country coming in to spread 'democracy'. Overall it was very hopeless. Not a feel good read at all.
The love story seemed secondary. The H/h were separated too much. I also thought he let his pride stand in the way FAR too much. Grant (the H) never came after her. She had to make all the concessions. I wasn't real sure why she loved him beyond the sex, but realize people can find themselves loving the wrong person. Luis was so likeable (although tragic and flawed himself). He played the hero much better than Grant did. He also sacrificed MUCH more for the h and was definitely the one who was there when she needed a savior. Grant was too tied up with his insecurities. I know he had a rough childhood, but no one's life is perfect - deal!.
The thing I've loved most about a lot of Blake's heroes is the unbelievable lengths they'll go to in order to get the h back - blackmail, highly morally questionable plots, daring rescues, hijacking the h's wedding etc. Grant did none of this aside from force her to be his mistress in the beginning. After that, he played it safe and waited for her to come to him. Not what I look for in a romance. However, the story was good and I was very emotionally affected. If something you read affects you that much, you have to respect it, even if it doesn't go the way you think it should have.
ETA: Don't listen to the Audible edition. The narrator is horrible. The H sounded like Dudley Do Right and the heroine who was probably 18-20yrs old, sounded like a 40 year old smoker.
The love story seemed secondary. The H/h were separated too much. I also thought he let his pride stand in the way FAR too much. Grant (the H) never came after her. She had to make all the concessions. I wasn't real sure why she loved him beyond the sex, but realize people can find themselves loving the wrong person. Luis was so likeable (although tragic and flawed himself). He played the hero much better than Grant did. He also sacrificed MUCH more for the h and was definitely the one who was there when she needed a savior. Grant was too tied up with his insecurities. I know he had a rough childhood, but no one's life is perfect - deal!.
The thing I've loved most about a lot of Blake's heroes is the unbelievable lengths they'll go to in order to get the h back - blackmail, highly morally questionable plots, daring rescues, hijacking the h's wedding etc. Grant did none of this aside from force her to be his mistress in the beginning. After that, he played it safe and waited for her to come to him. Not what I look for in a romance. However, the story was good and I was very emotionally affected. If something you read affects you that much, you have to respect it, even if it doesn't go the way you think it should have.
ETA: Don't listen to the Audible edition. The narrator is horrible. The H sounded like Dudley Do Right and the heroine who was probably 18-20yrs old, sounded like a 40 year old smoker.