The main way that I rate a book is the levels of neglect in my home, sad to say my pots got washed and kids fed. So a reluctant 3 stars given, as ever Ms Carlyle writing is of a good standard and the story moves on at fair pace, the interactions between the H/H were reasonably effective altogether a pretty good book, BUT, if you're used to reading a book from cover to cover in one sitting I would say read this but don't be dissappointed when you fail to get the buzz that usually comes with this authors work if you have'nt read anything by this author before I would recomend that you start with some of her earlier stories as they have more bite to them, my favourite being
Devil to PayKieran, Baron Rothwell is a hardened gamster and a dissolute rake, past experiences mean that he doesn't feel that he's entitled to happiness not that he paticulary cares either way (thus we have our Tortured Hero). Camille Marchand is encoumbered by a 'ner-do-well father who wagers her in a card game, she is determined to be tough and unfeeling and make the best of the situation as it means that if she produces a child she stands to come into her inheritance of £ioo,ooo. The H/H get married and the basic tale is the courtship that takes place after the wedding, he wants to stay aloof from his bride, she doesn't want to care, but finds that she does. In his mind he knows that he is dying, and, she thinks that there is something wrong and that he's dying and given up. Well I nearly gave up too! I just wanted to shout get on with it, I won't be keeping this book but by the same token just because this one does'nt appeal to me doesn't make it a poor story and is is still worth a read it's just not a keeper.