Sigh I don't know what it is about this series, but I just cannot get into it. The romance of Spindle Cove music teacher, Kate Taylor, and Lt. Sourpuss (aka Thorne) was one I was really looking forward to. I love the idea of the gruff, rugged, and taciturn hero, and the pair showed great chemistry in the first book when Thorne cut Kate's hair as she brazenly joined the militia. Unfortunately, that bold woman was non-existent in this book, Thorne's gruffness wasn't nearly as charming as advertised, and all of this was just saved by an intriguing premise.

Our heroine is an orphan who doesn't know her past. Almost immediately, though, we find out that she's the child of a marquess and his mistress when the marquess's eccentric extended family track her down. Wary of these characters bounding into Kate's life, Thorne pretends the two are engaged so that he can influence her decision.

So far, I'm really enjoying the setup, even when I find Thorne's overbearing behavior unbearable. For a man who swears he wants nothing to do with Kate, he wants complete control of her life. I get that's supposed to be romantic, but it gives me whiplash. Personally, I would never put up with such a man in my life, so I was really hoping that spunky Kate would tell him to stuff it, kind of like how she did in the first book of the series. No such luck.

Throughout the novel, Kate is doe-eyed and steals Thorne's dog, all in the name of cuteness. When I asked for brazenness, theft isn't what I had in my mind. I don't know why it rubbed me the wrong way, but when she stole his dog from him and then had trouble caring for it for the entire book, I couldn't sympathize. It also seemed completely out of left field, and the only reason it worked was because Thorne was secretly smitten with her. Again, I get that's the point of the book, but I would appreciate a romance novel where people weren't mind-reading lunatics.

What kept me reading was Kate's backstory, which isn't particularly mysterious, but it's still fun. I was also super curious to know how everything was going to get resolved. The climax was exciting, while the denouement was meh. I know I'm in the minority her, but there was a lot of telling rather than showing, and I was bored throughout the book.

Overall, the book was lackluster. The characters are interesting, and the premise should work, but for one reason or another, it doesn't. If you like boisterous scenes where big happy families talk over each other and something super light and not at all challenging to read, this would be a good pick. Otherwise, if you want an ounce of realism or drama in your book, I would probably skip this. ( )

SO SO SO GOOD!

This whole series is filled with A characters, plot, relationships, dialogue. Each book and novella is fantastic. ( )

Spindle Cove is a haven for women. A haven which is led by Susanna Finch with the goal of providing a safe place for those with delicate constitutions, overbearing family members, scandalous secrets or outlandish hobbies. There are few year round residents and even fewer male ones. Until Bram and his men turn up and are tasked with starting a militia. Although these books could be read by themselves, the plot makes much more sense having read the preceding books.

For the most part I enjoyed it. I liked Kate in the previous books and I've enjoyed the little rivalry her and Thorne have had going on. I liked Thorne's hard shell and how Kate slowly cracks him open to reveal his past and good intentions. But he was stubborn. Too stubborn. So stubborn that it got to be absolutely ridiculous. I mean if he's that adamant he doesn't want to be with you - maybe he doesn't want to be with you. Good intentions are sweet to begin with, putting yourself in gaol and trying to marry you off to another man is just wrong.

But although the plot dragged and got a bit ridiculous towards the end (the duel was fine, deciding after all that he was going to give her up was just insane) the majority of the book was funny and romantic and sexy. I loved the comment on women being prone to dramatics.

Her heart ached. Somewhere nearby, Samuel was in irons, locked up like an animal in a cage. He’d spent the entire night in gaol. She knew how he’d suffered as a youth in prison. He should never have been subjected to confinement again, not even for one night. She was desperate to see him released, and he must have known she’d feel this way. He was holding himself ransom, and the price he demanded was her wedding to another. The stubborn, impossible man. And to believe common wisdom, women were the sex prone to dramatics?

Dare, Tessa. A Lady by Midnight (spindle cove Book 3) (pp. 345-346). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. I mean, she's not wrong. It was particularly over the top.

I liked the Gramercy family and their commitment to family. I wasn't as fond of Evan, particularly when he was threatening to cut ties with her when he found out her mother was a prostitute. After all their discussion about family and scandal I thought it was a bit much to decide that was the line. But they were outrageous in all the best ways and I loved the banter between them.

Although Spindle Cove's own Mrs Highwood is pretty outrageous when she thinks it may net her daughter's a husband.

“We’ve seen you in the rooming house, but it’s a pleasure to be properly introduced.”
“Yes, of course,” said Mrs. Highwood. “What a boon it is to have a family of your caliber in Spindle Cove. We are quite starved for society this summer.” Once again she turned and made the same swoop of her fan.
“Are you swatting a wasp?” asked Aunt Marmoset.
“Oh, no.” Mrs. Highwood flicked an agitated gaze toward the same corner of the room. “It’s nothing. Will you excuse me for just a moment?”
As Kate—and all the Gramercys—looked on, the matron turned away, walked two steps, and hurled her closed fan with such force that it smacked an unsuspecting man on the back of the head. “Music,” she half growled. “Now.” The man rubbed his head, offended, but he drew out a fiddle and began to saw a few creaky strains of a dance. Around the tavern, guests came to their feet to clear tables and chairs.
“Oh, look,” said Mrs. Highwood, turning back to the Gramercys with an innocent smile. “There’s going to be dancing. What a happy surprise.”

Dare, Tessa. A Lady by Midnight (spindle cove Book 3) (pp. 117-118). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.

A bit ridiculous but mainly an entertaining addition to the Spindle Cove series. 3 stars. ( )

4.5 stars

Love this series! Kate and Samuel were a worthy pair to root for, but what made me love this rather than just like it as a friend was the Gramercy family. I don’t know if I’ll see them in other books, but I sure hope so. Their light, wacky banter was just what the book needed to balance out Samuel’s tortured soul biz. It was also great to see Susannah and Minerva again.

Plus, there was a puppy! ( )

The beginning was okay. The middle got super bogged down or something. I actually stopped reading it for about a month. But the last part was good. I can honestly say that it caught me completely by surprise. I didn't see any of that happening. There was all kinds of drama going on. I really enjoyed the end. I'm glad I started reading this again.

This book is the third in the series and we finally get the story behind why Thorne seems to dislike Kate so much. And why he so brutish, rude, and closed off. The two shared a past that only Thorne remembered. And now new information comes to light that Kate just might have more family than she ever imagined, having grown up an orphan.

Not to give too much away, but the duel/fight/free for all between Thorne and Evan was hysterically hilarious. That, in itself, is worth the 3 stars. ( )