Willy W. reviewed on + 503 more book reviews
Irresistible was....resistible. Taking up about 18 months after the end of Scandalous (Book 1 of Banning Sisters), the middle sister, Claire, is now married and settled into an unhappy marriage. With the buildup about this character, it was unsettling to begin the story with Clair already married and disillusioned.
Karen Robards' writing style in this book was tedious, with little action and lots of internal dialogue and ruminating. Especially peeving are characters whom, in mid-conversation, start thinking about something for two pages, then jump back into the conversation. You have lost the fluency of the dialogue, you can't remember what they were doing or talking about in the first place or even the location of the action.
The biggest issue, by far, with this book is the basic premise and it's execution. Claire is mistaken for a traitor and spy against the English, Hugh is a British spy against the French who captures Claire and holds her prisoner. The difficulty is that two thirds of the book takes place over two days, most of which is internal dialogue. Then the fact that Claire is married to someone else for 98% of the book. You spend the book waiting for a resolution to her marriage so the lovers can pursue their relationship honestly. I felt Robards took too long, the resolution was obvious almost from the start, and I felt simply impatient with the lack of action or drama.
The love scenes were steamy, albeit rather short in supply (thank goodness, too much adultery is simply uncouth). The couple had good chemistry and interesting tension but wish the resolution to her marriage happened earlier. As likeable as Claire was, it is difficult to abide adultery, even when her husband was such a jerk and obviously they lived a marriage of convenience. I think we read historical romance to NOT have to deal with these kinds of ideas - the beautiful maiden marrying a jerk who doesn't care for her. Yuck.
A great telling can overcome a poor premise, however Robards' style plus a difficult story = two stars.
Karen Robards' writing style in this book was tedious, with little action and lots of internal dialogue and ruminating. Especially peeving are characters whom, in mid-conversation, start thinking about something for two pages, then jump back into the conversation. You have lost the fluency of the dialogue, you can't remember what they were doing or talking about in the first place or even the location of the action.
The biggest issue, by far, with this book is the basic premise and it's execution. Claire is mistaken for a traitor and spy against the English, Hugh is a British spy against the French who captures Claire and holds her prisoner. The difficulty is that two thirds of the book takes place over two days, most of which is internal dialogue. Then the fact that Claire is married to someone else for 98% of the book. You spend the book waiting for a resolution to her marriage so the lovers can pursue their relationship honestly. I felt Robards took too long, the resolution was obvious almost from the start, and I felt simply impatient with the lack of action or drama.
The love scenes were steamy, albeit rather short in supply (thank goodness, too much adultery is simply uncouth). The couple had good chemistry and interesting tension but wish the resolution to her marriage happened earlier. As likeable as Claire was, it is difficult to abide adultery, even when her husband was such a jerk and obviously they lived a marriage of convenience. I think we read historical romance to NOT have to deal with these kinds of ideas - the beautiful maiden marrying a jerk who doesn't care for her. Yuck.
A great telling can overcome a poor premise, however Robards' style plus a difficult story = two stars.
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