Review: Bad Characters
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 02 17, 2014
Wow! I'm not really sure where to start with this review. I guess my first complaint is that this is supposed to be a romance and I didn't see any, or at least nor between the hero/heroine. I'm not quite sure what they saw in each other or why they ended up together. First, Lizzie writes a scandalous article for a newspaper which damages her reputation enough to force her to have to marry. Not only does she make Marcus "Riverton" wait for her answer, when she finally agrees to marry him, she takes advantage of him by writing another shocking article with no regard for his feelings or reputation. To me, that's not a strong or independent character; it's a selfish one. So why would Riverton even want her to begin with? Then there's Riverton, who pretty much lacks a personality other than his desire to be with, and protect Lizzie. EXCEPT for when a certain beautiful woman (who isn't Lizzie) who is a friend from childhood is around. Then he is apparently all laughs and fun. His explanation: it's for show and only Lizzie knows the real him. First, nearly every character in the book commented on his dour personality so they obviously know the "real" him as well, and second, I think I would have preferred his fake, but relaxed and fun, personality. So why would Lizzie even want to be with him? I have trouble understanding their supposed love for each other. Then, there's the fact that the ONLY reason they ended up together is because Earl Stalford, who was scheming to get Lizzie away from Riverton changed his mind and decided he wanted Riverton's horrid sister Edith instead. It's pure luck that they ended up together because they clearly weren't going to fight for their relationship. The ending is a real kicker, too. Stalford admits, with no threats, torture, or even questioning, that Arthur doesn't owe him the fortune they had tricked him into believing he did. After all Stalford's scheming, we, the readers, are supposed to believe that he just volunteered that information? I didn't. It was a quick way to tie it all up in a nice little bow.Okay, so why didn't I give it 1 star instead of 2? Well, I still like the siblings as a group and a family. Their interactions and banter is very entertaining, and they still remind me of my favorite siblings, the Bedwyns, from Mary Balogh's "Slightly" series. There is also a really interesting setup for the next book between Arthur and an undercover agent from the home office who is pretending to be Tara Reed. There was more romance and interaction between them than the main couple and I will actually read the next book to find out what happens next. The only point to reading this book is so you won't miss the beginning of Arther and "Tara's" story. In my humble opinion, of course.