Helpful Score: 8
This book really didn't hit any of my enjoyment buttons. I bought it because one of my friends raved about it. Unfortunately for both of us it didn't hit me the same way it hit her.
The book opens with Charlotte talking to her sister, Deborah, in a house on Jane street owned by Sir Michael Xavier Bayard. Michael recently set up Deborah in the house as his mistress, but before he can consummate the relationship he's called away because of a death in the family. While he's gone Deborah decides she's getting married and wants Charlotte to talk to Michael in person and explain it to him.
***Begin Spoilers***
I really don't understand why Deborah wanted someone there to explain things in person. That made no sense. What was even more illogical was the fact that Charlotte agreed to it. I was surprised that when Charlotte found out that Deborah stole the necklace she wasn't more angry with her. Her sister set her up to take the brunt of Michael's anger! Even if Deborah didn't know that Michael would be crazy enough to keep Charlotte prisoner she still knew he'd be out for blood.
I felt bad about Michael's past with his ex-wife-but-not-really-because-she-was-already-married. She wasn't the nicest person though. Even before she went psycho she toyed with Michael's affections and kept him dangling after her. I wish Michael would have had enough strength to break it off with her completely further in the past.
Nothing was really made of the fact that Michael was raped twice in this book. It disturbed me badly, but it really didn't seem have much impact on Michael or Charlotte. That really surprised me. How could it not even have bothered them a little? Also, there were some uncomfortable moments for me in regard to the consent aspect of Charlotte and Michael's sexual relationship. It kind of creeped me out at first. Also, Charlotte never seemed bother by one aspect that really bothered me: He wanted her sister but now he'll sleep with Charlotte because she's there, but he only wanted both of them because they look like his ex-wife.
***End SPOILERS***
Also, was this book Erotica? It didn't say so anywhere in the description, but it seemed to center around sex rather than the relationship. I thought it was supposed to be a Romance, but after reading it I think my assumption was wrong.
To me the sex wasn't really sexy. There was a lot of page time spent on it but it seemed kind of mechanical and forced.
I did think the writing style was pretty nice though. I also really enjoyed the time spent on the friendships between the women of Jane street.
I'm undecided on trying another by this author. Like I said, the style of writing was nice, but I'm just not sure if I'd be setting myself up for failure by trying again.
The book opens with Charlotte talking to her sister, Deborah, in a house on Jane street owned by Sir Michael Xavier Bayard. Michael recently set up Deborah in the house as his mistress, but before he can consummate the relationship he's called away because of a death in the family. While he's gone Deborah decides she's getting married and wants Charlotte to talk to Michael in person and explain it to him.
***Begin Spoilers***
I really don't understand why Deborah wanted someone there to explain things in person. That made no sense. What was even more illogical was the fact that Charlotte agreed to it. I was surprised that when Charlotte found out that Deborah stole the necklace she wasn't more angry with her. Her sister set her up to take the brunt of Michael's anger! Even if Deborah didn't know that Michael would be crazy enough to keep Charlotte prisoner she still knew he'd be out for blood.
I felt bad about Michael's past with his ex-wife-but-not-really-because-she-was-already-married. She wasn't the nicest person though. Even before she went psycho she toyed with Michael's affections and kept him dangling after her. I wish Michael would have had enough strength to break it off with her completely further in the past.
Nothing was really made of the fact that Michael was raped twice in this book. It disturbed me badly, but it really didn't seem have much impact on Michael or Charlotte. That really surprised me. How could it not even have bothered them a little? Also, there were some uncomfortable moments for me in regard to the consent aspect of Charlotte and Michael's sexual relationship. It kind of creeped me out at first. Also, Charlotte never seemed bother by one aspect that really bothered me: He wanted her sister but now he'll sleep with Charlotte because she's there, but he only wanted both of them because they look like his ex-wife.
***End SPOILERS***
Also, was this book Erotica? It didn't say so anywhere in the description, but it seemed to center around sex rather than the relationship. I thought it was supposed to be a Romance, but after reading it I think my assumption was wrong.
To me the sex wasn't really sexy. There was a lot of page time spent on it but it seemed kind of mechanical and forced.
I did think the writing style was pretty nice though. I also really enjoyed the time spent on the friendships between the women of Jane street.
I'm undecided on trying another by this author. Like I said, the style of writing was nice, but I'm just not sure if I'd be setting myself up for failure by trying again.
Helpful Score: 1
This was such a hard book to rate because although I didn't love it, I didn't absolutely hate it either.
Problems I have:
The book drags in places. Having read the other two books there are some scenes that are repeated word for word. I would have liked to see the same scene from another perspective instead.
Anne (the baddie here) was a much more interesting character than Charlie. I'm not sure I liked what happened with Anne in the book and how the fact that she was a repeated rapist was downplayed.
While reading the book I go between thinking Charlotte was kind of cool (she doesn't have a lot of hang ups about sex which can be refreshing) , to being too much of a shrew, to being a complete ninny.
Bay was very cool but I expected him to be tougher given his military experience. He kind of throws money at any problems he has. Very little came of his rapes. It could have been a huge thing but I think Robinson wanted to keep the book light. Although if that was the case she really shouldn't have put the rapes scenes in. It's really hard for any author to make a fluffy romance out of rapes.
Robinson doesn't really give a lot of closure here. Since Charlie was essentially jilted from a wedding that turned her into a spinster, it seems that we should have gotten a wedding scene for her in the end.
The book did keep my interest enough to finish it. There were some really cool scenes. It does have more sex scene than your average romance. Overall it was okay but I wouldn't recommend it to others.
Problems I have:
The book drags in places. Having read the other two books there are some scenes that are repeated word for word. I would have liked to see the same scene from another perspective instead.
Anne (the baddie here) was a much more interesting character than Charlie. I'm not sure I liked what happened with Anne in the book and how the fact that she was a repeated rapist was downplayed.
While reading the book I go between thinking Charlotte was kind of cool (she doesn't have a lot of hang ups about sex which can be refreshing) , to being too much of a shrew, to being a complete ninny.
Bay was very cool but I expected him to be tougher given his military experience. He kind of throws money at any problems he has. Very little came of his rapes. It could have been a huge thing but I think Robinson wanted to keep the book light. Although if that was the case she really shouldn't have put the rapes scenes in. It's really hard for any author to make a fluffy romance out of rapes.
Robinson doesn't really give a lot of closure here. Since Charlie was essentially jilted from a wedding that turned her into a spinster, it seems that we should have gotten a wedding scene for her in the end.
The book did keep my interest enough to finish it. There were some really cool scenes. It does have more sex scene than your average romance. Overall it was okay but I wouldn't recommend it to others.
