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Title: A Reckless Soul
Author: Elizabeth Cole
Genre: Historical spy romance (Napoleonic England)
Thingummies: 2.5
Synopsis: Two spies in the Napoleonic wars are forced to pretend to be married in order to infiltrate a decadent house party.
Thoughts: Regency spy romances are hardly new ground these days--all the appeal comes less from originality and more from execution. Unfortunately, this one's execution is not as graceful as might be desired.
The protagonists begin as rivals, with the usual "I hate you/I hate you/Let's kiss" dynamic. It never really works. While reasons are given, the source of their antagonism comes across as authorial fiat more than anything else. Their first few kisses feel similarly inorganic.
Which is a pity, because things start to come together as they learn to work with each other. This pair of characters do much better as friendly rivals than contemptuous enemies, and the middle sections of the book feel much more natural. But because their mistrust was never that well developed to begin with, when it flares back up again later, it feels irrational.
Also, the usual impediment of noble in love with a commoner is dealt with by cheating. Yes, hints are dropped early on, but effectively a fairy wand is waved so the objections can be removed at the last second.
Finally, there's an entire subplot that I'm pretty sure is meant to set up another book. Unfortunately, the sequel is not that book. Way too much time is spent on the mysterious younger brother who never appears and whose mystery does not seem to have anything to do with this series.
Note: I was given a review copy of this book.
Author: Elizabeth Cole
Genre: Historical spy romance (Napoleonic England)
Thingummies: 2.5
Synopsis: Two spies in the Napoleonic wars are forced to pretend to be married in order to infiltrate a decadent house party.
Thoughts: Regency spy romances are hardly new ground these days--all the appeal comes less from originality and more from execution. Unfortunately, this one's execution is not as graceful as might be desired.
The protagonists begin as rivals, with the usual "I hate you/I hate you/Let's kiss" dynamic. It never really works. While reasons are given, the source of their antagonism comes across as authorial fiat more than anything else. Their first few kisses feel similarly inorganic.
Which is a pity, because things start to come together as they learn to work with each other. This pair of characters do much better as friendly rivals than contemptuous enemies, and the middle sections of the book feel much more natural. But because their mistrust was never that well developed to begin with, when it flares back up again later, it feels irrational.
Also, the usual impediment of noble in love with a commoner is dealt with by cheating. Yes, hints are dropped early on, but effectively a fairy wand is waved so the objections can be removed at the last second.
Finally, there's an entire subplot that I'm pretty sure is meant to set up another book. Unfortunately, the sequel is not that book. Way too much time is spent on the mysterious younger brother who never appears and whose mystery does not seem to have anything to do with this series.
Note: I was given a review copy of this book.
