Review: An Entertaining Romance Novel
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 11, 2014
This is the first book I've read of the romance genre. To me, if a novel entertains, that's all that really matters. I'm happy to say that I was definitely entertained.The story revolves around Hetty, a horse trainer's daughter  who takes over his father's circus act when the father is taken ill. Their equestrian act is in jeopardy of being cancelled by the handsome Tobias Wolfson, the new manager of Foxhall Gardens who wants to class up the decaying circus attraction to appeal to a more upper class clientele.  To attain his grand vision, he fires tired longstanding acts but keeps people willing to re-do their performance to conform with the classed-up paradigm. In short, he is strict but is a good and fair guy.In an effort to save her father's livelihood, lovely Hetty takes over from her ill father, snazzing her equestrian act by acting as a woman-turned-male trainer complete with her father's scarlet jacket. Her beauty and entertaining off-the-cuff performance wows the crowd, causing increased ticket sales, prompting an enamored Wolfson to keep Hetty on but with a tight leash.  We know these two will fall in love but circumstance stands in their way, some obstacles thrown at them by the conniving and totally despicable antagonist named Mr. Uglow, the demoted prior manager of Foxhall Gardens.  Wolfson's dark past adds another dimension to the plot.Like I said, I enjoyed the book.  It is quite well-written with an easy prose that is a delight to read.  I would categorize it as a guilty pleasure, good for a lazy afternoon read. The way Hetty interacts with the horses she trains is compelling. I totally believed that this is the way it is done.  The English setting is nice too with believable descriptions and spot-on dialogue.The story is a bit predictable with some romantic scenes between Hetty and Wolfson re-used a few times. The way they got together in unwanted embraces felt rushed and needs to be developed or slowed down. Sometimes, the way Hetty draws a huge crowd by means of her supposed beauty stretches the boundaries of verisimilitude. The author tells us that it is so, so I guess we have to believe. But I'm not looking for tight plotlines or the deep epiphanies.  I want to relax and be entertained, and I definitely was.  A solid four stars.