Amanda
Written on Aug 13, 2015
You see, I went into this a little apprehensive because the synopsis makes it sound like there's little more to this story than Bennett's courtship of Phillipa, and while I'm sure you're like, "Duh, Amanda, it's a romance," I like it when there's something ELSE driving the story.
Which there is. And I liked it. A LOT. Because Bennett wasn't just presumed dead, his was falsely presumed dead by someone on his team who stole Bennett's journals, then published them under his only name. And so while Bennett attempts to restore his good name, he's ALSO caught in Phillipa's spell.
And it was fun. And gorgeous. And MONKEY!
That last one really is in context, I swear. I adored Phillipa because she was smart, practical, and a book lover. No one sees her because they don't understand her, and I get that.
Bennett swoops back into London and all he sees is Phillipa, wants her, and knows he has to have her. All those years spent in Africa has changed him, though, and he doesn't like RULES, but he's determined to have Phillipa, and so he says, "TEACH ME YOUR WAYS" and then proceeds to win her and step all over the rules anyway.
I liked that there was little angst around the romance in the sense that neither Bennett nor Phillipa really fought their feelings for each other. What prevents them from coming together is a mixture of society rules, Bennett's troubles, and Phillipa's insecurities (which are not overdone and highly HIGHLY believable).
I liked Phillipa's relationship with her sister Livi, and that this book is the first in a series (which I suspected while reading by YAY to have my suspicions confirmed). I adored how the ending plays out and and and I JUST LIKED THIS BOOK, OKAY?
Definitely have to find myself some more Suzanne Enoch books. Her writing style drew me in and made me forget I was reading a book because I was experiencing the story, and that is the best compliment I can give.