Review: Charming Novella
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 9, 2012
This follow-up to A BRIDE FOR TOM was not as good, but I still gave it a 3.5 and rounded it up to a four. Like in the first novella, the historical research was lacking. The book was set in 1869, and several terms were used that had not come into usage yet. "Pep talk" was not used until 1930, "soccer" not until 1900, and bassinet not until 1875. In addition, their sugar wouldn't have been granulated. It would have been in loaf form and would not have poured out. High chairs did not have removable trays until much, much later. Even in the 1940's the wooden high chairs had attached trays that would swing up and down. It is doubtful Margaret would have been allowed to be with Joseph alone before marriage without a chaperone, and "Debra" would have likely been spelled "Deborah." Margaret would more than likely have worn a pretty nightdress on her wedding night and not have gone to bed naked. It is also unlikely a six-year-old boy would have used the word "obnoxious."Unlike the first novella, this one had a very graphic sex scene, although it was Joseph and Margaret's wedding night. It didn't need to be that explicit, however.All in all, I still enjoyed the book. It was a quick read with an interesting plot.