Review: A little dull
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 05 26, 2014
So I was debating between 1 and 2 stars. I'm settling on 1.5. I didn't particularly enjoy this book. I think it had all the right ideas for a fairly enjoyable, yet predictable tale: a family of eccentrics, an odd pet, a rambling castle, and a duke, and yet they never really came together to make a truly captivating tale.The Characters: Astrid was okay. I think she could have been more mature, interesting, and witty; for me she acted pretty bratty and childish for most of the book. But out of the two of them I liked her a lot more than him. I honestly never really thought any of the "exchanges" between Astrid and the Duke were that funny, witty, or entertaining. The Duke never really bantered back. Every piece of dialogue from him was normally "roared". Now I understand that the point was that he was feeling out of his element and out of control, but to me he just came across as weak and childish. I never really warmed to him. I found that the only Honeywells the readers really got to know were Astrid and Aunt Anabel. The other three were merely plot devices, and Alice wasn't even an enjoyable plot device. I felt that the relationship between Astrid and Alice was never really fleshed out before their "argument" so all of the points Alice made didn't really resonate with me.The Relationship: I felt that Astrid and Montford's relationship was a serious case of insta-love. The entire book they were just arguing with each other in kind of a vicious way. At no point did I really feel like they were bantering for the fun of it. I never really thought they had any "cute" moments, and they never really told each other anything of depth about themselves. Anything Astrid learned about Montford came from second-hand sources. But they never really shared any conversations. Just arguing. And he constantly insulted her appearance; I also understand that it was because it didn't fit with his OCD, but it felt pretty mean-spirited, and she never really got an apology for it. I saw no growth here and it was a little off-putting to see "love" start to be bandied about when there wasn't much indication of actual development as a couple.The Villain: SpoilersSo of course there was a dastardly villain bent on capturing the fair maiden. I don't always like these because a lot of times they just rely on "oh they're insane" reasoning, which I feel is a cop-out, but I generally don't mind it so much in romance novels, because sometimes we just need a villain. However, I think Aunt Emily served as a much stronger villain and rather delightful plot device whenever she dug herself into a faux-pas with mistaken identity. Those scenes were great. But when our insane villain abducts Astrid it gets kind of heavy; injury to sort of friends and potential rape. And once they get away from him it's like he's forgotten until the very last page. Astrid's banged up by the encounter, but the author never mentions her injuries again, even though the climax of the novel happens within days of her attack. Bruises take awhile to heal and people are going to talk especially when said bruises are on your face. And the book ends with Montford carrying Astrid away to Gretna Green without getting her permission first. i think that was a pretty creepy way to end the book, especially right after the villain's attempted rape while on the way to Gretna Green. And the villain's still out there because they haven't done anything about him. And he's mad (not just insane, but angry). It didn't sit right with me and left a bad taste in my mouth.The Sexism: My last critique deals with a common thread in the novel; women's rights. I disliked Alice setting down her sister with such bitterness; be a little grateful for all that your sister has done for you. I also didn't like most of the "realizations" Astrid had. They felt a little forced and a little off. Especially the one about her doing everything to keep people with her. I also kind of hated how Montford took away all of Astrid's freedom and independence with the drop of a hat. You worked for 12 years to build something, working against the common ideas and morals of the times and it was taken away over a dinner. And she didn't feel any lingering resentment towards him? And he never saw fit to apologize to the woman he loved? Did he even understand the person he loved and wanted to marry. I would have felt so belittled and mistreated by the act, and I understand that he had the power to do so, but then to love him after that? With Astrid being such an independent woman? It didn't really make sense to me and I felt that the issue was handled properly to the detriment of the characters.