Angie
Proceed With Caution:
This book contains discussions of war, PTSD, and rape threats.
The Basics:
Love in the Afternoon is the final book of the series and it does standalone. Beatrix is the youngest of the Hathaway siblings and the most eccentric. After exchanging letters with a deployed soldier on behalf of her disinterested friend, Bea finds herself in love with him and stops writing. Well, now he's back from war to claim his bride and it's not Beatrix.
My Thoughts:
Love in the Afternoon is easily the best of this series! It's by far my favorite and it was nearly a perfect 5-star read, but one poor choice ruined that. I just absolutely loved Beatrix from the very beginning of the series, so I was super happy to finally get closer to this animal lover. There's also a new lovable character, Albert, the dog who went to war with Christopher and saved him in more ways than one.
Beatrix and Christopher have a true connection! Love in the Afternoon starts with them exchanging letters for nearly two years. Of course, he thinks the letters are from Bea's friend Prudence, whom he was originally planning to court (Beatrix was far too wild and odd for his tastes). However, Prudence cares for no one but herself, so she agrees to let Beatrix compose the letters and essentially keep him interested in case she does decide that she likes him. Obviously, Bea falls in love and feels guilty! And Prudence is just an awful friend.
It was nice how the big reveal ended up not being such a huge deal. This easily could have ventured into "You lied to me! I can never trust you ever again!" territory and have gotten dragged out forever. Well, Christopher and Beatrix actually talk about it! And they talk about their individual issues as well. I actually really loved that part. I do wish there had been more of Beatrix's problem, but Christopher was dealing with so much already, so I guess it got pushed aside.
I was absolutely loving Love in the Afternoon until Christopher threatened to "force himself" on Beatrix. Twice. I honestly don't think he meant it, but...that's upsetting and gross. Why have him say that? I mean, I guess it would be a good way to get her to listen to him, because what lady wants that? But, um. No.
In the end, I still loved Love in the Afternoon. The ending made me cry. I just wish those nonsensical empty threats had been left out!
