Review: Absurdities and angst, dissipation and despair, but courage, loyalty, love and their redeeming power
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 6, 2013
I'm still thinking about this book some weeks after finishing it and that is totally unusual. It has invaded the space I normally keep free for reflection of more complex prose and poetry.I think I may have to read it again - gulp -  to figure out why it is so good.I know that I read romance to put the angst of my own life on the back burner, to lull me into a non-chemically sedated calmness and to help me sleep after being delivered a satisfyingly hard won HEA. That's my excuse, anyway.Untamed certainly delivers on all my criteria for a great romance read.I didn't find it lagged in the middle. I loved the absurdity of those scenes, even as I suspended disbelief.I agree that the language is well delivered.The cast of characters is great. The relationship between the two sisters is tear-jerking. The brother-in-law becomes so insightful and forgiving that I wanted to hug him and soothe his brow. The klutz of a brother, who writes poetry and hugs piglets, rather than scrubbing out the sty, doesn't deserve a lovely ending, but his love affair adds extra warmth and intensity.The h and H are mesmerising, in no small way because of the blurring of their gender roles - the ballroom scene, if implausible, is downright gorgeous. The heart-stopping moment when the H realises he is about to be rescued and redeemed by the h is gripping. I want to believe that something like this really happened in that era.Of course, the h is a total star and the H knows how lucky he is. Clever Cowan, knowing that is what readers want.Finally, i agree with another reviewer. I also wish this author had a long backlist I could now find and purchase.