Review: Even better the second---and third and fourth---time around!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 2, 2013
I've often argued (quite clumsily!) that a well-written novella can be just as satisfying as a full-length novel----sometimes even more so, as we're spared the maddeningly repetitive, wait-this-AGAIN?! scenes, turgid pacing and painfully contrived, desperate-to-fill-pages plot twists that bog down many of today's excessively long romance novels. The Mad Earl's Bride has become the novella I recommend to those who are skeptical about the genre. Its themes and characterizations are, at least in my obviously adoring opinion, as fully and richly developed as that of the best novels. It moves along at a refreshingly quick, engaging pace without feeling unduly rushed. The plot is more streamlined and focused than what we generally get in today's rather meandering novels, yet still substantive.The H and h are among my very favorites (and I read an insane nu,ber of romances!): distinctive and well-defined, likable and eminently root-worthy yet relatably imperfect. Not only did I love them both as individuals, but I bought fully into their HEA-worthy connection, which is definitely not a given for me---not even in Chase's work, where sometimes I fall in love with the characters as individuals  but don't quite believe that they're truly in love with each other, at least not in a soul-mate-y sort of way. We get Chase's trademark wit and cleverness, but, like the rest of her 'Scoundrel' series, there's ample emotional depth and resonance here as well.Those with an interest in health and mental illness might connect especially well with this story, especially if you're interested in the differences---and scary similarities----in how we approach disease then and now. And, seriously, I can't gush with enough ardor about Chase's dialogue and prose. Even when I don't love Chase's stories and characters as deeply as I do here, she really is an uncommonly sublime wordsmith. Her books are a true treat for language lovers and for those of us who argue that romances can, in fact, be as smart, witty and insightful as books in other, better regarded genres!I don't automatically love everything Chase writes, but this one has a special place in my book-obsessed heart and on my Kindle's All-Time Favorites bookshelf. I've read it an embarrassing number of times, and each time there's a new insight, sweetly poignant character moment or especially  clever line of dialogue to discover. Highly recommended and VERY well worth the comparatively low $1.99!