Lynda S. Robinson

I feel kind of unfair giving this a low rating as it is well written and clearly well-researched. But since the purpose of this account is for me to keep track of what I've read and what I do and don't like, I have to say, I couldn't really get into it. The dialog was in 16th century-speak, and there was way too much of the suspense/intrigue/history subplot for my taste. I wanted to like it because it appeared to have a heroine that is not conventionally attractive, and while she does overhear the hero insulting her looks, the book doesn't really fall into the angsty theme that I like. Oh well.… (mehr)

This kind of book is tough for me. The hero is a complete asshole and is unforgivably awful to the heroine. The heroine is a spineless doormat. Actually, I think I know where Stephanie Meyer gets her inspiration from... Basically, I would hate for any girl to read this and think it is what love should be like. But, for me personally, there is something that resonates. I had someone I loved tear me down in a not dissimilar manner to what the heroine in this book experiences. There is part of me that found satisfaction in the hero coming to terms with his betrayal of the heroine. However, he is still a jerk and I can't bring myself to forgive his behavior.

On re-read: I still relate so much to the heroine's experience of being wrongly accused and betrayed by the hero to not feel deep satisfaction in reading this. I liked the grovel, but I would have liked it more if he had worked to earn her love back, and tried to heal the wounds he inflicted. Instead, he just showered her with gifts and was sad until she felt sorry enough for him to forgive him. Also, she gives him BJs so many times in bed, and he never goes down on her - that is inexcusable, especially since he is trying to earn her forgiveness!

On re-re-read, though, I am much more satisfied with the grovel. To be fair, he does work for it. Sure, there should have been more, but in Romancelandia, heroes never quite get their comeuppance, and the bar for remorse and repentance on their part is quite sadly low. This has some nice moments of regret.… (mehr)