Review: Theory
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 16, 2014
I remember reading about this book in September in fact that's when I got a copy, but I forgot about it is as I tend to do with many books. I recently got Delphine Dryden's romantic steampunk book Gossamer Wings and saw this book (Theory of Attraction) on her back list. I've been going on a somewhat contemporary romance streak so I decided to continue with this one since it's almost a novella.Things I wasn't expecting (but liked)I wasn't expecting the novella to be in the first POV and only from her perspective. I read so many historical romances where it's third dual person that it's often heard to make that transition. However, I think it works here because if Ivan is so hard to get to know having that distance works here. We don't know his thoughts or his motives until Camilla does so it works.Ivan is an ultra astrophysicist nerd. He's so intelligent that he lacks social skills to the point where one may consider him on the autistic spectrum. Someone here compared him to Ian MacKenzie. I read parts of that book, but I think Ivan goes way further than Ian.When Ivan and Camilla decide to have sex she says she's not on the pill. I was surprised because in so many CR the heroine is always on the pill and always decides to forgo condoms very early on with the hero. I liked the fact that she wasn't on the pill since not every woman is on the pill when she's not in a relationship.Since it is a novella there's only so much character development, but we get enough I think. I was a bit surprised at how sudden the switch between aloof neighbor Ivan to Professor Ivan. That must of been some car ride on Ivan's part.Things I likedI liked that Camilla was wary of Ivan and his BDSM and his tricks. I give it up to her for trying, but I also give kudos for her really thinking if it was something she could handle. Yes, she was instantly aroused, but curious and cautious. The fact that she knew Ivan for so many years I think contributed to her trust and faith in him. Unlike other books where the characters have only known each other for hours and then start things that I think only a serious trustful couple initiate.Ivan is very intelligent and be often speaks of things that went over my head. I liked that Dryden was playful in Camilla also being respectful of his thoughts, but almost admitting she was clueless sometimes.