A review by holtfan
Belle of the Ball by Pam McCutcheon
1.0
Her name means beauty but Belle is not beautiful.
Her sister's name is Charisma but Charisma is not charmig.
Her other sister's name is Grace but Grace is not graceful.
If that is the kind of heavy-handed characterization you like, you might like this book. It is full of on-the-nose plot points and awkward, overstated jokes.
The beginning at least felt someone interesting and I liked the use of the Three Graces. Unfortunately, as the book progressed it quickly fell into the familiar pattern of a bad romance novel, complete with an egregious love scene between the 'eager but innocent' heroine and the experienced hero.
In the end, the best thing the book has going for it is the pretty cover and $0 price tag. Don't recommend.
Her sister's name is Charisma but Charisma is not charmig.
Her other sister's name is Grace but Grace is not graceful.
If that is the kind of heavy-handed characterization you like, you might like this book. It is full of on-the-nose plot points and awkward, overstated jokes.
The beginning at least felt someone interesting and I liked the use of the Three Graces. Unfortunately, as the book progressed it quickly fell into the familiar pattern of a bad romance novel, complete with an egregious love scene between the 'eager but innocent' heroine and the experienced hero.
Spoiler
*pulls out soapbox* And another thing! We're supposed to praise this hero for being a gentleman or some such nonsense and the heroine is like 'you would never sleep with an innocent woman and abandon her!' but IS THAT NOT EXACTLY WHAT SHE EXPECTED HIM TO DO IN HER SITUATION? Like, I don't get why he's supposed to be a good guy. He really isn't. If he was, he would have asked her to marry him before all their shenanigans. But then, I guess, you wouldn't have the predictable misunderstandings and boring plot contrivancesIn the end, the best thing the book has going for it is the pretty cover and $0 price tag. Don't recommend.