I had a hard time with this story in that it reminded me strongly of the unfortunate flop of Mr. Cavendish, I Presume (Julia Quinn). As in Quinn's case, I felt I was re-reading sections of Be My Prince because the plot followed that closely to its prequel. Furthermore, there's a whole history lesson here on the events leading up to, and during the battle of, Waterloo. Which isn't so bad, really, but that along with the redundant plot distracted from Rose and Leopold's ill-fated romance.
This couple had a hard road to travel, much of it apart from each other because of political circumstance. And I understand the need for conflict that the couple can overcome so that they can have their HEA. But imprisonment and marrying another didn't leave much room for a satisfying romance until the very end where only a few pages were devoted to their reunion with them conveniently declaring it was all worth it in the end. I'm glad they finally got together as I really liked Rose and Leopold, but they deserved a better love story. I can only hope that the third sibling, Nicholas, gets a refreshing departure from the star-crossed lovers theme. Three stars.
This couple had a hard road to travel, much of it apart from each other because of political circumstance. And I understand the need for conflict that the couple can overcome so that they can have their HEA. But imprisonment and marrying another didn't leave much room for a satisfying romance until the very end where only a few pages were devoted to their reunion with them conveniently declaring it was all worth it in the end. I'm glad they finally got together as I really liked Rose and Leopold, but they deserved a better love story. I can only hope that the third sibling, Nicholas, gets a refreshing departure from the star-crossed lovers theme. Three stars.
