Member Review
Review by
Carolyn B, Reviewer
He Thinks Love Is Spelled L-ust
The Farthest Thing From Rom-Com Possible
I admit that I didn't realize this book was a "period steamy romance," (thankfully not as steamed as it could have been). But it explains why the story began so slowly, and the sudden s ex was a surprise.
This story begins innocently enough; a young woman living in a small village in England is struggling to support herself and her sisters. Whether they are orphans is unknown, but hardly important, since their father abandoned them when she (the eldest) was 19. She is understandably tired and irate when trying to get a tradesman to pay for her work.
Along comes, who we assume is the hero of the story. He helps her collect what she is owed, and offers a strange deal. To continue his lifestyle, he has written lies to his mother for two years about a fiancé of great beauty, grace, and skill, called Minerva (the poor dear--but he loves the name).
Coincidentally, this self-sacrificing, hard-working young woman is named Minerva. (Surely the heavens smile upon them all this day!) Needing the money, and being tempted by a week or two in a fine house, she accepts the dubious position against her better judgement.
I cannot overstate how obscene this man is for overstepping his duty and decency. His proposal in the first place, as well as his growing overfamiliarity would ruin a woman in their society and time period. He knows this very well--having made a habit of only having affairs with married women. Just living at his residence as a non-relative would ruin her if she comes away unmarried. But the author treats it as no big deal.
What Minerva doesn't fully know, and we come to learn slowly, is that the man in question; this wealthy play-boy, has been no gentleman. Not only that, but he becomes obsessed with Minerva as a sex object. It is, of course, subtly presented as love despite using words like "lust." Later he admits to confusion about love, not knowing what it would feel like. He never tries for love.
Seduction:
While Lord Hugh Fareham indulges himself in fantasies and watching Minerva's "womanly hips" (eww--starting in Chapter 4) with just occasional comments, they slowly progress as his frustration increases, and Minerva believes his affections are real. Still within the first week of her arrival, and after Minerva's sister has warned him off from taking advantage of her, he seduces her in chapter 14; described in way too much detail, followed by mentions of both parties (for 4 more chapters) checking "shameless" body parts fearing they may betray "cravings" to others. Triple eww! And just skip all of chapter 29. The couple decides not to wait--despite the social danger--especially if she becomes pregnant. (If I had known this was a cheap "bodice-ripper" novel, I wouldn't have bothered.)
This isn't written as love, either. Hugh believes that he can "barely keep his hands off her" because of paternal bad blood. His grandfather and father were apparently s ex addicts and shameless scoundrels, and he considers himself a helpless genetic victim. What a carriage full of horse dung! If there is one thing that I find insufferable, it is people pretending they have no control over their actions and feelings! (The issue is mentioned later, but not enough to my satisfaction.)
Meanwhile, Minerva spends her time either wondering in hand-wringing agony what she will do without her beloved Hugh (and--by the by--the lovely luxuries), or in a fury at his shoddy treatment of her; determination to leave and return to poverty with no income except what he promised. There is the whole "only pretending to be engaged" thing to remind them he's not big on commitment, but without a sticky note on the mirror, I guess that part is easy to forget. [It is unclear how she thinks 20 pounds would give herself and her sisters a new place to live, and a much better life. Perhaps I've misunderstood the current price index.]
Minerva's delusions center on knights spending day and night in shining armor while doing absolutely everything. The most minor thing qualified Hugh for another bubble over Minerva's head to show us the silver chest and helmet gleaming brightly in the sun. Ironic given her past disappointments.
More questionable decisions are made, and some things are tied up too neatly, but the main story is fine.
I do not recommend this book. The main character has too few issues considering her background, secondary characters are flat, and Hugh seems to have been written by two people. Things became ridiculous quickly, but everyone accepted them.
I gave this book a genuine chance, and I wanted to connect with Minerva. But there was too much telling-about her and not enough "showing" what she was like. The ending was a quick wrap-up as you can imagine.
1/5 Stars
NOTE FOR BOOK SELLER: If you sell trashy books, be prepared for reviews that can only be sanitized to a certain degree.
Note for publisher:
Please warn readers that the book contains graphic s ex. I was very unhappily surprised!
The Farthest Thing From Rom-Com Possible
I admit that I didn't realize this book was a "period steamy romance," (thankfully not as steamed as it could have been). But it explains why the story began so slowly, and the sudden s ex was a surprise.
This story begins innocently enough; a young woman living in a small village in England is struggling to support herself and her sisters. Whether they are orphans is unknown, but hardly important, since their father abandoned them when she (the eldest) was 19. She is understandably tired and irate when trying to get a tradesman to pay for her work.
Along comes, who we assume is the hero of the story. He helps her collect what she is owed, and offers a strange deal. To continue his lifestyle, he has written lies to his mother for two years about a fiancé of great beauty, grace, and skill, called Minerva (the poor dear--but he loves the name).
Coincidentally, this self-sacrificing, hard-working young woman is named Minerva. (Surely the heavens smile upon them all this day!) Needing the money, and being tempted by a week or two in a fine house, she accepts the dubious position against her better judgement.
I cannot overstate how obscene this man is for overstepping his duty and decency. His proposal in the first place, as well as his growing overfamiliarity would ruin a woman in their society and time period. He knows this very well--having made a habit of only having affairs with married women. Just living at his residence as a non-relative would ruin her if she comes away unmarried. But the author treats it as no big deal.
What Minerva doesn't fully know, and we come to learn slowly, is that the man in question; this wealthy play-boy, has been no gentleman. Not only that, but he becomes obsessed with Minerva as a sex object. It is, of course, subtly presented as love despite using words like "lust." Later he admits to confusion about love, not knowing what it would feel like. He never tries for love.
Seduction:
While Lord Hugh Fareham indulges himself in fantasies and watching Minerva's "womanly hips" (eww--starting in Chapter 4) with just occasional comments, they slowly progress as his frustration increases, and Minerva believes his affections are real. Still within the first week of her arrival, and after Minerva's sister has warned him off from taking advantage of her, he seduces her in chapter 14; described in way too much detail, followed by mentions of both parties (for 4 more chapters) checking "shameless" body parts fearing they may betray "cravings" to others. Triple eww! And just skip all of chapter 29. The couple decides not to wait--despite the social danger--especially if she becomes pregnant. (If I had known this was a cheap "bodice-ripper" novel, I wouldn't have bothered.)
This isn't written as love, either. Hugh believes that he can "barely keep his hands off her" because of paternal bad blood. His grandfather and father were apparently s ex addicts and shameless scoundrels, and he considers himself a helpless genetic victim. What a carriage full of horse dung! If there is one thing that I find insufferable, it is people pretending they have no control over their actions and feelings! (The issue is mentioned later, but not enough to my satisfaction.)
Meanwhile, Minerva spends her time either wondering in hand-wringing agony what she will do without her beloved Hugh (and--by the by--the lovely luxuries), or in a fury at his shoddy treatment of her; determination to leave and return to poverty with no income except what he promised. There is the whole "only pretending to be engaged" thing to remind them he's not big on commitment, but without a sticky note on the mirror, I guess that part is easy to forget. [It is unclear how she thinks 20 pounds would give herself and her sisters a new place to live, and a much better life. Perhaps I've misunderstood the current price index.]
Minerva's delusions center on knights spending day and night in shining armor while doing absolutely everything. The most minor thing qualified Hugh for another bubble over Minerva's head to show us the silver chest and helmet gleaming brightly in the sun. Ironic given her past disappointments.
More questionable decisions are made, and some things are tied up too neatly, but the main story is fine.
I do not recommend this book. The main character has too few issues considering her background, secondary characters are flat, and Hugh seems to have been written by two people. Things became ridiculous quickly, but everyone accepted them.
I gave this book a genuine chance, and I wanted to connect with Minerva. But there was too much telling-about her and not enough "showing" what she was like. The ending was a quick wrap-up as you can imagine.
1/5 Stars
NOTE FOR BOOK SELLER: If you sell trashy books, be prepared for reviews that can only be sanitized to a certain degree.
Note for publisher:
Please warn readers that the book contains graphic s ex. I was very unhappily surprised!
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