Review: Frustrating Read
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 14, 2013
I really enjoyed the first book "In the Garden of Temptation". It was well written and so enjoyable that I wanted to read the rest of the "In the Garden" books.  I did not enjoy this book at all.  Simon Fitzgerald, Marquess of Sutherland was not my idea of hero or romantic lead.  He is down right obnoxious. Simon is attracted to Cassandra James a wealthy merchants daughter mainly for her red hair. He starts out by grabbing a redheaded woman from behind and fondling her without even knowing who she is. This is done at a party for people to meet an author. He thinks she is a former lover. Well it turns out he is fondling Cassandra who of course is outraged and forms the everlasting opinion that Simon is a rake, a despoiler of women and not to be trusted, EVER.  Simon thinks Cassandra is fair game for seduction because she is not from the peerage (ton) and he can have his way with her and eventually toss her aside when he is done. That is his declared intention.Due to a mystery surrounding her birth, Cassandra finds out she is indeed from the peerage and is an earl's granddaughter. Well the story goes down hill from there. I did not like Cassandra at all. She did not seem to have people around her who loved her or took care of her (such as a maid or abigail) since her mother died.  Being wealthy you would expect that Cassandra would have a servant of long standing that took care of her and gave her motherly affection. Someone she could confide in and seek comfort and assistance from.  The grandfather is mean and controlling and threatens Cassandra and her father to get her to do what he wants. Cassandra was rude and abrasive to those around her because she was "frightened".  Frightened of Simon, frightened of her grandfather, frightened of her Cousin Roger.  Then one night after rebuffing Simon at every single turn, she gets drunk and throws herself at Simon, flirting and sitting on his lap in a public place (this from a girl who gets angry at Simon for his improper behavior towards her). Neither character was likable and I was frustrated with both of them. Simon and his arrogance and Cassandra for letting fear rule her life for one minute then she turns into a very forceful person at times. It was a big frustrating contradiction.  This story was a tiresome argument from the beginning to the end. I was not rooting for them to be together and I was not even appeased by the epilogue.  This was the most frustrating story I have ever read. I was so glad when it was over. I like Cynthia Wicklund's writing style, good editing and hope the next book is better.