Anny P. (wolfnme) reviewed Handsome Devil (Tall, Dark and Smart) (Men at Work, No 16) on + 3389 more book reviews
What's to like? A complex, sensitive, but scarred hero. A delightful, strong, lively heroine. A wacky cast of secondary characters. Just the right amount of humor. A bit of angst. Love scenes that generally seem to be there for plot and characterization reasons (unlike, for example, so many of Stephanie Laurens' books). And a wonderful, completely-sucks-you-in romance.
Negatives? Yes, the pairing is farfetched, but George writes it so well that you can suspend your disbelief. There are some too-modern-sounding words and phrases and some Americanisms used by the British, but again, a minor issue. George doesn't tell us what happens to Nicholas' odd and charming servants. And I wonder at our lovebirds living arrangements, so far from what Nicholas has known (or his horse breeding). I personally would have liked to see Sheridan NOT be so strong at a couple of the really painful moments. And some people may be put off by Nicholas' hurtful remarks to Sheridan when he's been hurt, even though the reader understands the lingering pain from the past and the misunderstanding that are at the foundation. Still, ALL of these things are minor, very minor.
This book was delightful from beginning to end and is a definite keeper.
Negatives? Yes, the pairing is farfetched, but George writes it so well that you can suspend your disbelief. There are some too-modern-sounding words and phrases and some Americanisms used by the British, but again, a minor issue. George doesn't tell us what happens to Nicholas' odd and charming servants. And I wonder at our lovebirds living arrangements, so far from what Nicholas has known (or his horse breeding). I personally would have liked to see Sheridan NOT be so strong at a couple of the really painful moments. And some people may be put off by Nicholas' hurtful remarks to Sheridan when he's been hurt, even though the reader understands the lingering pain from the past and the misunderstanding that are at the foundation. Still, ALL of these things are minor, very minor.
This book was delightful from beginning to end and is a definite keeper.
