The Lady's Secret (The Unconventionals, #2)

by Michelle Morrison

I'm actually pretty disappointed by this book. At multiple points I found myself considering giving up. I pushed through but it was a hard slog. The first book - Lord Worthing's Wallflower was by no means perfect but the romance was sweet and any flaws were easily overlooked. I liked Eleanor and I was excited that her story would be written. But this was a disaster.

Part of my dislike is my fault. It has been a few months in between reading the first one and the second and I found it hard to remember what was going on. It made for a very disjointed reading. But the book itself is problematic for me.

Part of what I loved about the first one was supporting characters. Eleanor herself was a favourite. But this book seemed like Eleanor was pretty much by herself. Juliette popped up a few times. The maid Mary shares a few moments. And her father cares about her. But that's it. The rest of the time is taken up by Alex. It just felt very flat.

The romance between Alex and Eleanor happens very quickly. I prefer my romance to be slowburn but it's a romance novel and they tend to be more instalove. I understand. To be fair, they do have a fair few conversations - and I learnt a lot about both of them. But overall it just seemed rushed.

Furthermore it felt like the author had this nice little story but decided it was too tame so they should throw in some drama and that's where the main bulk of problems occur. For instance, Eleanor in the first book was this endearing but somewhat dim character who's happy with her life and all that involves. She's not like Juliette, chafing at the restrictions of society. But it's like the author decided that as a heroine she had to be smart and more rebellious. And it irked me. All of a sudden she is resentful she can't travel and crazy adventurous and offering opinions on business - none of which interested her before. I found it hard to reconcile.

And then there was Alex. Eleanor and Alex's relationship was rushed but I could deal with that. The misunderstandings in relationships are practically a given for all it seems moronic. What I couldn't deal with is though was the dissolution and then the making up. Alex was a complete and total jerk. And Eleanor just accepted it. So okay. They're on the outs. Now very little would've redeemed it for me at this point but what happens next just destroys any chance there was. She runs away and completely cuts of her family. (Bar a few letters - and why couldn't she tell them? Her father at least was always supportive of her) He travels abroad and starts his shipping company. They both come back into society exactly two years later (like seriously? Maybe a minor point but one that irks me) and then without any real acknowledgement, grovelling or apology they're back together! And the parents are all okay with it - her parents and his father! Like wtf?! And why did it need to be sprung on them? Why couldn't anyone have mentioned it prior to the ball?

The author has worked hard to change Eleanor into a strong willed contributing member of society and then completely backflips and makes her into a doormat - even less than the endearing but slightly dim character she was to start with. Why bother?

The book would've been better had the author either a.) had Alex confront his father and his father agree to acknowledge him as heir and then Alex and Eleanor get married and live happily ever after, b.) had Alex confront his father and his father refuse and then Alex and Eleanor get married anyway with her parents support and Alex uses her dowry to fund the shipping empire and they become rich and successful and live happily ever after or c.) had Alex confront his father and his father refuse and then Alex approaches her father and he refuses and Alex and Eleanor elope and use all of Alex's savings to fund their shipping empire and live happily ever after.

I didn't really get to know, like or care about Sarah Draper so I won't be reading the next one. But who knows, maybe that'll be as good as the first book. One good, one bad - 50/50 chance.

I'm feeling rather bitter (I was really looking forward to it and the romance irritated me) so 1 star - but in a less judgemental frame of mind - 1.5.