This was a re-read for me, but I remembered almost nothing about the story. And I really enjoyed it-it was sooooo close to five stars. There is a chance that I will spontaneously update it to five stars. This book does have some mixed reviews because Eloisa James writes some harsh and real stories. Some people think this isn’t a romance. I think it definitely fits the genre’s constructs and its realness is what I loved about it.
Gowan and Edie get married fairly quickly and have immediate physical chemistry. But they have to figure out how to be a couple. That is one of my favorite types of romances to read-especially as I get older. It’s just very interesting to see two individuals become a partnership.
So many of their struggles surround their sex life. Gowan is also a virgin-I love a good virgin hero-so they both lack some knowledge when it comes to sex. Edie doesn’t particularly enjoy sex and feels uncomfortable telling Gowan this. They both want the other to be happy, but struggle with communication. I think some readers are bothered by the lack of mind-blowing sex but I loved t he realism. And I really loved how Ms. James used the struggles around sex to showcase the characters and their development.
You know what else I love? The relationship between Edie and her stepmother, Layla. I am so happy when I read positive step-parent-child relationships. It’s so easy to go with the stereotype-especially in a story like this where Layla is so much younger than Edie’s dad. That relationship just really warmed my heart.
I actually listened to this on audio. And the audio was very good. There was a single narrator (female) which isn’t my favorite, but she did a very good job. I loved her accent and voice choices.
Oh, I almost forgot-the Smyth-Smiths from Julia Quinn’s books showed up. I love when author’s characters show up in another author’s books. It’s a nice little Easter Egg if you read both authors-which I do.
Thanks for reading!
Holly