Helpful Score: 2
I really ended up enjoying this book. It was by no means perfect, or even a favorite Carlyle, but I was pleased. I liked how I didn't really know what was going on at first. We (the reader) found out what Phaedra's involvement in the murdered Russian was at the same time as Tristan did. It was a definite change of pace from the more introspective characters.
Phaedra was a well written character. I liked how she was mature and not as needy as a lot of other romance heroines. I enjoyed watching Tristan have to be the one to ask when he'll get to see her again. Her `let's keep it casual' attitude toward Tristan was a nice change of pace. I didn't have a problem with the kinks Tristan found out she had, but I thought it got a little too clinical at times. I wish it would have been a bit more engaging and a little less dry. I was also surprised by her aggressiveness toward Tristan when I found out about her past tragedy. The tragedy was unexpected. Usually I can predict what so-called past tragedy an author is going to assign to a character, but this one was different. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen it used before.
I did have a minor nitpick about Phaedra's characterization though. She makes a comment about not being sure that Tristan was the drunken gentleman she met in the beginning of the book. It says that she couldn't be sure because she didn't have her glasses on. Later Phoebe mocks her to Zoe (Phaedra's friend) and says Phaedra only wears her glasses to look smarter than everyone else and only needs them to read. Throughout later parts of the story she goes without her glasses and doesn't have any problems seeing. I found it odd that she would comment to herself on her need for her glasses but then never really need them.
Tristan was an interesting character. I have to say, I have a weakness for characters that are thought to be empty-headed but are really very clever. It always makes me feel as though I'm in on the joke. I thought Tristan was a lot of fun. He was up for whatever anyone wanted to throw at him. If you wanted to fight, he'd fight. If you wanted to make out, he was ready. If you wanted to think he was an idiot, he was more than happy to let you. He just seemed so casual and willing to go with the flow. It made him fun to read about. I wasn't really impressed with his willingness to make out with every set of lips that crossed his path (even if most of them ended up being Phaedra in one form or another) but it was in the beginning of the story and it's just a personal dislike. It was easy to get past.
I liked that Tristan never resolved things with his father. I thought that was more realistic than a sudden father-son bonding moment where they forget all their past troubles. I would have thought less of Tristan if he would have made up with his father when his father was never sorry about how he treated his mother.
I found it odd that Phaedra had so much freedom. I know that her mother focused on Phoebe mostly, but it really seemed a little unbelievable. I kept forgetting that Phaedra was 21 and was startled whenever it was brought up. On one hand it was nice that she acted so mature. I can't even remember how many books I have given up on because the characters acted too immature and irritated the life out of me. On the other hand I really don't think that she acted 21. Maybe her past made her grow up in a hurry. I don't know... It was just a jarring note whenever it was mentioned.
Overall it was a good book. I had some minor nitpicks, but they were easily ignored. I would say it was a good representation of Liz Carlyle's work. The world building isn't too detailed, but the characters caught my attention enough that it didn't matter to me. The prose isn't nuanced and doesn't really give a flavor of the time period, but there's something to be said for to the point prose. I'll be on the lookout for the next one in the series.
Phaedra was a well written character. I liked how she was mature and not as needy as a lot of other romance heroines. I enjoyed watching Tristan have to be the one to ask when he'll get to see her again. Her `let's keep it casual' attitude toward Tristan was a nice change of pace. I didn't have a problem with the kinks Tristan found out she had, but I thought it got a little too clinical at times. I wish it would have been a bit more engaging and a little less dry. I was also surprised by her aggressiveness toward Tristan when I found out about her past tragedy. The tragedy was unexpected. Usually I can predict what so-called past tragedy an author is going to assign to a character, but this one was different. I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen it used before.
I did have a minor nitpick about Phaedra's characterization though. She makes a comment about not being sure that Tristan was the drunken gentleman she met in the beginning of the book. It says that she couldn't be sure because she didn't have her glasses on. Later Phoebe mocks her to Zoe (Phaedra's friend) and says Phaedra only wears her glasses to look smarter than everyone else and only needs them to read. Throughout later parts of the story she goes without her glasses and doesn't have any problems seeing. I found it odd that she would comment to herself on her need for her glasses but then never really need them.
Tristan was an interesting character. I have to say, I have a weakness for characters that are thought to be empty-headed but are really very clever. It always makes me feel as though I'm in on the joke. I thought Tristan was a lot of fun. He was up for whatever anyone wanted to throw at him. If you wanted to fight, he'd fight. If you wanted to make out, he was ready. If you wanted to think he was an idiot, he was more than happy to let you. He just seemed so casual and willing to go with the flow. It made him fun to read about. I wasn't really impressed with his willingness to make out with every set of lips that crossed his path (even if most of them ended up being Phaedra in one form or another) but it was in the beginning of the story and it's just a personal dislike. It was easy to get past.
I liked that Tristan never resolved things with his father. I thought that was more realistic than a sudden father-son bonding moment where they forget all their past troubles. I would have thought less of Tristan if he would have made up with his father when his father was never sorry about how he treated his mother.
I found it odd that Phaedra had so much freedom. I know that her mother focused on Phoebe mostly, but it really seemed a little unbelievable. I kept forgetting that Phaedra was 21 and was startled whenever it was brought up. On one hand it was nice that she acted so mature. I can't even remember how many books I have given up on because the characters acted too immature and irritated the life out of me. On the other hand I really don't think that she acted 21. Maybe her past made her grow up in a hurry. I don't know... It was just a jarring note whenever it was mentioned.
Overall it was a good book. I had some minor nitpicks, but they were easily ignored. I would say it was a good representation of Liz Carlyle's work. The world building isn't too detailed, but the characters caught my attention enough that it didn't matter to me. The prose isn't nuanced and doesn't really give a flavor of the time period, but there's something to be said for to the point prose. I'll be on the lookout for the next one in the series.
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