Bad teacher
I'm something of a literary snob: I stay away from what is called "chick lit" and romance novels. Most of the time I feel that these books don't showcase even the basic elements that make a good story and memorable characters, two things that I look for in a book (fine prose is welcome, but not a strict necessity). There are some books written for people who aren't heavy readers and just want a fun distraction for a few hours. And who am I to judge?
When the slightly brutish Lord Brendall firsts meets the firery and intelligent Abigail Hallaway, he wants to have his way with her. Unfortunately, it turns out that Miss Hallaway is at his castle only to take the position of governess. And even though Abby also feels a powerful pull toward him, any physical relationship between them is forbidden. Abby learns her way around the prickly housekeeper and her student, Lord Brendall's young son, but she finds it hard to ignore her growing desire of her manly employer. Complicating things even further is the mystery surrounding the death of his young wife and his guilt over his mother's suicide. And when the two become lovers, it doesn't help that someone in the castle is trying to hurt Abby.
Did I just write all that? Really? I can't get over that, just like I can't believe I read this. How can I review something that's so blatantly mundane and paper-thin? The two main characters are pale copies of standard archetypes, the spirited and outspoken young woman against the brooding muscle man. Only here, Abby doesn't have much spark and Brendall's best moments aren't shared with Abby, but occur when he's with his beloved son. Despite the obligatory hot sex scenes, there's not much to their romance. In fact, the one scene where they seem to have chemistry is when they do not have sex, but rather talk about themselves and each other. There's a subplot with Abby actually being a wealthy young lady of society in hiding, which is largely unneeded (it makes her eligible to marry Lord Brendall, but who cares?). There's an even smaller subplot about the mystery of Brendall's family, including his deceased abusive father, and a late reveal that's so last-minute that it's laughable. Speaking of laughable, how about the fact that Abby - a young unmarried woman in 1848 England - knows how to give her lord a blow jay?
But for the most part, there isn't a whole lot of pleasure to be had to call this a guilty pleasure. It's passable as a romance story, but only just. Even some of the sex scenes tend to drag. I did not root for this couple to get together; at one point near the end, when it seemed like they were going their separate ways, I found that I enjoyed them better when they were apart. Too bad, I guess. Rating: 2 clips of Superbad out of 5.
When the slightly brutish Lord Brendall firsts meets the firery and intelligent Abigail Hallaway, he wants to have his way with her. Unfortunately, it turns out that Miss Hallaway is at his castle only to take the position of governess. And even though Abby also feels a powerful pull toward him, any physical relationship between them is forbidden. Abby learns her way around the prickly housekeeper and her student, Lord Brendall's young son, but she finds it hard to ignore her growing desire of her manly employer. Complicating things even further is the mystery surrounding the death of his young wife and his guilt over his mother's suicide. And when the two become lovers, it doesn't help that someone in the castle is trying to hurt Abby.Did I just write all that? Really? I can't get over that, just like I can't believe I read this. How can I review something that's so blatantly mundane and paper-thin? The two main characters are pale copies of standard archetypes, the spirited and outspoken young woman against the brooding muscle man. Only here, Abby doesn't have much spark and Brendall's best moments aren't shared with Abby, but occur when he's with his beloved son. Despite the obligatory hot sex scenes, there's not much to their romance. In fact, the one scene where they seem to have chemistry is when they do not have sex, but rather talk about themselves and each other. There's a subplot with Abby actually being a wealthy young lady of society in hiding, which is largely unneeded (it makes her eligible to marry Lord Brendall, but who cares?). There's an even smaller subplot about the mystery of Brendall's family, including his deceased abusive father, and a late reveal that's so last-minute that it's laughable. Speaking of laughable, how about the fact that Abby - a young unmarried woman in 1848 England - knows how to give her lord a blow jay?
But for the most part, there isn't a whole lot of pleasure to be had to call this a guilty pleasure. It's passable as a romance story, but only just. Even some of the sex scenes tend to drag. I did not root for this couple to get together; at one point near the end, when it seemed like they were going their separate ways, I found that I enjoyed them better when they were apart. Too bad, I guess. Rating: 2 clips of Superbad out of 5.
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