The heroine, Evelyn, is your typical pretty English lady caught up in convoluted circumstances that she makes worse. I couldn't relate with a single one of her decisions. She is keenly aware of her position in society and is determined not to marry; she wants her freedom and loathes the idea of being owned by a husband. Knowing this, she still goes about putting herself in positions where she knows she may be forced into a marriage she doesn't want.
Our hero isn't even a Hero. Matthew is a reclusive, handsome, headstrong Earl, who decides he wants Evelyn and relentlessly stalks and pursues her throughout the countryside and the city. No matter how many times she refuses him, he attempts to strong-arm her into doing what he wants, and throughout the story is bewildered that she won't fall in line. He shows up at her home, corners her in public, man-handles her and does the classic kisses-her-to-shut-her-up move.
Spoiler alert - despite all of this, Evelyn never once appeals to anyone for help. Despite his relationship with the Earl, her brother would certainly have intervened if she had told him the full extent of his pursuit. And somehow, despite still not really "getting it", Evelyn still falls for Matthew hook, line and sinker. I am creating a new tag for this kind of book: "Stockholm Romance."
I hated the Hero, I hated the story, Evelyn's friends were shallow and unnecessary. And the book just goes on and on forever. The events seem so unlikely for a regency romance that it is probably better categorised as fantasy. Unless you like the idea of being manipulated and steam-rolled by every authority figure in your life, I can't recommend this one at all.
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