Customer Reviews

A Useful Affair

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

...either the editor went crazy and chopped out more than necessary or the writer expected you to fill in the gaps. As much as I hate lengthy prologues, this story needed a few pages to set the stage better for the reader. The main characters would have been much more interesting with more background info. that related to the plot. For example, the author tells us Lord John Granville was a spy for the British government, but this had absolutely no bearing on any of the story. This aspect of his character could have made the pretext of how he becomes involved with the villian, Leggit, much more interesting than running from a spurned lover. The sub-story of the aunts and their enterprise just takes away from developing the story between Hattie and Lord Granville. The worst part was the ending, which seemed vague and abrupt. Overall, the plot seemed rushed and ill-explained, and the promise of the main characters and others was ruined by this. If there are subsequent stories for Lord Granville's brothers, I hope they are more well-developed.

Really, this was one of the most poorly written books it has ever been my misfortune to attempt to read. Yes, attempt, because over halfway through, I finally decided that I had wasted enough time hoping it would improve.

This book must have been accepted for publication solely on Ms. Cameron's name -- and perhaps the premise, which was not realized well at all. The writing here is so amateurish as to be not laughable, but annoying in the extreme. This is my first (and probably last) Cameron book, so I have to wonder how someone who writes so badly became a bestselling author.

Even without the deplorable writing style, the characters here are inconsistent and unlikeable. The hero comes across as weak and rarely acts according to the descriptions of him. The heroine is dull and totally unconvincing. As a reader, I could never care what happened to them, as long as they finally left me alone.

This is one of those books I definitely regret buying. The saddest thing is that I bought its sequel the same day; I don't know if I'll ever summon up the courage to crack it open.

I rate this book 2 1/2 stars.

The storyline is good, though it was greatly underdeveloped to make it an attractive read. The characters and how they relate and/or interact certainly had more potential, but it was unremarkably written.

Getting to the root of the plot is rather exasperating and only moderately explained. Many times I was left wondering what one circumstance had to do with the other and the purpose of some characters. The writing style did not efficiently flow as I found myself having to re-read something to get the gist or understand the author's meaning.

It definitely could have been a great book.

I loved this book. Cameron paints a vivid picture of the historical period. John and Hattie are a sensual and funny couple,thrown into absurdly ridiculous predicaments, and yet the reader longs for them to work their troubles out. Interesting secondary characters add to the layering and Hattie's husband is pathetically wicked. Dishy sex and a satisfying ending make this a fun read.

Didn't like the hero, John, weak and he could only think with what was between his legs. Hattie was strong and smart with John but then so weak with her horrible husband. There was no development with these two characters, specially in the emotional/love area. It was all lust with nothing redeeming, nothing that wanted these two to get together, really. The Aunts, Albert and Snowdrop were great characters. The story could have been so good. First book I've read by this author. Probably wouldn't read another. Too bad, it had so much potential. I hate spending money on and wasting time on a book that's premise could have been so good. I am wondering if it is Mira. I can't think of a historical romance I've enjoyed/had any depth from this publisher.

Didn't like the hero, John, weak and he could only think with what was between his legs. Hattie was strong and smart with John but then so weak with her horrible husband. There was no development with these two characters, specially in the emotional/love area. It was all lust with nothing redeeming, nothing that wanted these two to get together, really. The Aunts, Albert and Snowdrop were great characters. The story could have been so good. First book I've read by this author. Probably wouldn't read another. Too bad, it had so much potential. I hate spending money on and wasting time on a book that's premise could have been so good. I am wondering if it is Mira. I can't think of a historical romance I've enjoyed/had any depth from this publisher.

Lord John Elliot knows that he and his six year old second cousin Chloe are lucky to be alive unlike the misfortunate little girl's parents. Wealthy elderly merchant Bernard Leggit arranged for them to die. Only the intercession of a smuggler Albert Parker, who placed the pair inside a coffin, saved them from death. That followed up by Albert's beloved Snowdrop's actions got Chloe and "Uncle" John past their killers.

John takes up residency at a family estate in Bath. He plans revenge via seducing Bernard's young trophy wife Hattie. However, after meeting her, instead of using the young lady, he finds himself quite attracted to her especially when John sees how crass and verbally abusive Bernard is to his spouse. Soon John falls in love with Hattie and she reciprocates, but she belongs to the odious Bernard who would never allow any of his possessions to get away from him.

Though Bernard is too nasty and too obsessed as the villain, Regency romance fans will welcome this delightful tale due to several wonderful characters. The lead couple makes the tale hum as he realizes that the pawn in his quest for vengeance has become his most cherished beloved and she understands the mistakes she made by acting alone against her spouse (for a change the parents are not held culpable though they arranged the match). Little silent Chloe adds an element of empathy so that the audience hopes for what seems the impossible: that of the lead couple together with Chloe forever.

Harriet Klausner