~ LIGHT AND FUN DEBUT ROMANCE, BUT HAD A MIXED REACTION (3.5 stars) ~
I've been looking forward to this book, as it's been a somewhat uneven year (for me) for romance new releasees and it's always exciting to have a new writer on the scene. Unfortunately, I have to say my feelings are somewhat mixed on this one. I will definitely be picking up her next book - and depending on the summary, may again buy it on the release day - however I really wish a few changes had been made to WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY.
THE PREMISE:
First, I must start-off by saying that the premise is absolutely ridiculous. I really don't care about that when it comes to historical romances: pirates, frequent cases of amnesia, long lost daughters and sons, heretofore unknown titles and fortunes - doesn't matter to me. If I want reality, I'll pick up my non-fiction books or the newspaper. However, I know that some readers will be put off by this and so I wanted to say that upfront. (Personally, I could have done without the Prinny component - don't really like when authors bring in real-life historical people).
THE GOOD:
Most of the book (aside from the beginning and ending - see below) was very enjoyable. I liked Harry (29) and Molly (21) and I think the evolution of their relationship was fun to watch. You can tell from the beginning that they dislike one another and while they started to change their opinions and became aware of one another's physical attractions a little too early for me, it still felt authentic and believable. The chemistry between them was good (very sizzling tent scene), though I thought most of the romance scenes seemed a little rushed and glazed-over.
Harry and Molly were sweet together, funny, and seemed to really "get" one another. I loved the idea of them being the "misfits" in their families - and thus fitting together perfectly - and actually thought more could have been done with this. They did have some serious talks about their families, their roles, etc., but I think this could have been further developed, thereby adding even more depth to their relationship. The families themselves remain an unknown even at the end really, as we're just barely introduced to them. I thought this was odd, since so much about these characters, their lives, and the plot, is defined by their family members.
I *very much* appreciated the fact that Molly remained Molly. So many times in romances, the used-to-be-different heroine is thrown into a situation in which she, surprise surprise, all of a sudden becomes a sensual goddess and oh how can the hero resist?! That did not happen here and I found myself rooting for Molly and cheering her on every time she told someone what she actually thought or won someone over by just being herself.
I also liked that the other mistresses were actual three-dimensional characters (for the most part ... Hildur?!). At the beginning, I thought they were going to be flat, boring, and the typical catty witches that we see all too often in these books. Surprisingly enough, they all had distinct personalities and ended up really adding to the story.
THE BAD:
The men, in comparison to their mistresses, were somewhat lackluster - surprising, since this is a series of four books, so one can assume the three friends will be the heroes in the other stories. The "bad guy" was kind of all over the place and somewhat confusing - he's mean, yet maybe he's not, yet he really is ...? I didn't understand the point of his back story and thought it just made his role in the plot - other than providing menace and bringing everything to a head - unclear to me.
The book started off on a mediocre note. I liked the characters, have a fondness for enemies-turned-lovers books, and prefer stories where the hero and heroine have known each other for awhile, as it makes the romance more believable for me. However, certain passages and exchanges felt very forced. It was like the book was trying to be of the historical romance genre, instead of actually just being one ... don't know if that makes sense, but best way I know how to explain it.
As previously said, the story improved and the majority of it was actually entertaining, enjoyable, fun, and light. ... Then the ending ruined everything. Seriously! It wasn't the last chapter, but right before that when you have the climax and everything is resolved. Honestly, every plot line and their grandmother were brought out, paraded around, and dealt with. At a grand ball, no less. In front of everyone. All speaking in very loud voices. Across a huuuuuge ballroom. (Why would it NOT occur to some of those characters that whatever was going to be said should be said in private??) It honestly was ridiculous and really brought the book down for me. It just made the whole thing seem like a farce, stretched the resolutions out way too long, made me feel like I was at a tennis match, and was very unnecessary.
TO CONCLUDE:
Is it worth a read? Yes. How you get it - through the library or bookstore - is your call. Kramer has talent and I'm looking forward to her next book - I just can't get the ending of this one out of my head!!! (P.S. That Harry would make Molly go into the "kissing closet" with one of the other men for three minutes on that first night, knowing that she's never really been kissed, *bugged* me a lot! Note: She uses her wits to get out of the kissing, but still!)
IMPOSSIBLE BACHELORS:
Book 1 - WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY
Book 2 - DUKES TO THE LEFT OF ME, PRINCES TO THE RIGHT
Book 3 - CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MARRIAGE
Book 4 - ?
RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you like the enemies-to-friends historical romances, check out the following books ...
(1) TEMPTING FATE (Providence Series, Book 2) by Alissa Johnson - 4.5 stars
(2) A WOMAN OF VIRTUE (Lorimer Family, Book 1) by Liz Carlyle - 5 stars
(3) THE RAKE (Lessons in Love, Book 1) by Suzanne Enoch - 4 stars
(4) THE MATCHMAKER (Maker Series, Book 1) by Rexanne Becnel - 5 stars
(5) HIS WICKED WAYS by Samantha James - 5 stars
(6) A NOTORIOUS LOVE (Swanlea Spinsters, Book 2) by Sabrina Jeffries - 4 stars
Contemporaries ...
(1) PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Julie James - 4.5 stars
(2) BET ME by Jennifer Crusie - 5 stars
I've been looking forward to this book, as it's been a somewhat uneven year (for me) for romance new releasees and it's always exciting to have a new writer on the scene. Unfortunately, I have to say my feelings are somewhat mixed on this one. I will definitely be picking up her next book - and depending on the summary, may again buy it on the release day - however I really wish a few changes had been made to WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY.
THE PREMISE:
First, I must start-off by saying that the premise is absolutely ridiculous. I really don't care about that when it comes to historical romances: pirates, frequent cases of amnesia, long lost daughters and sons, heretofore unknown titles and fortunes - doesn't matter to me. If I want reality, I'll pick up my non-fiction books or the newspaper. However, I know that some readers will be put off by this and so I wanted to say that upfront. (Personally, I could have done without the Prinny component - don't really like when authors bring in real-life historical people).
THE GOOD:
Most of the book (aside from the beginning and ending - see below) was very enjoyable. I liked Harry (29) and Molly (21) and I think the evolution of their relationship was fun to watch. You can tell from the beginning that they dislike one another and while they started to change their opinions and became aware of one another's physical attractions a little too early for me, it still felt authentic and believable. The chemistry between them was good (very sizzling tent scene), though I thought most of the romance scenes seemed a little rushed and glazed-over.
Harry and Molly were sweet together, funny, and seemed to really "get" one another. I loved the idea of them being the "misfits" in their families - and thus fitting together perfectly - and actually thought more could have been done with this. They did have some serious talks about their families, their roles, etc., but I think this could have been further developed, thereby adding even more depth to their relationship. The families themselves remain an unknown even at the end really, as we're just barely introduced to them. I thought this was odd, since so much about these characters, their lives, and the plot, is defined by their family members.
I *very much* appreciated the fact that Molly remained Molly. So many times in romances, the used-to-be-different heroine is thrown into a situation in which she, surprise surprise, all of a sudden becomes a sensual goddess and oh how can the hero resist?! That did not happen here and I found myself rooting for Molly and cheering her on every time she told someone what she actually thought or won someone over by just being herself.
I also liked that the other mistresses were actual three-dimensional characters (for the most part ... Hildur?!). At the beginning, I thought they were going to be flat, boring, and the typical catty witches that we see all too often in these books. Surprisingly enough, they all had distinct personalities and ended up really adding to the story.
THE BAD:
The men, in comparison to their mistresses, were somewhat lackluster - surprising, since this is a series of four books, so one can assume the three friends will be the heroes in the other stories. The "bad guy" was kind of all over the place and somewhat confusing - he's mean, yet maybe he's not, yet he really is ...? I didn't understand the point of his back story and thought it just made his role in the plot - other than providing menace and bringing everything to a head - unclear to me.
The book started off on a mediocre note. I liked the characters, have a fondness for enemies-turned-lovers books, and prefer stories where the hero and heroine have known each other for awhile, as it makes the romance more believable for me. However, certain passages and exchanges felt very forced. It was like the book was trying to be of the historical romance genre, instead of actually just being one ... don't know if that makes sense, but best way I know how to explain it.
As previously said, the story improved and the majority of it was actually entertaining, enjoyable, fun, and light. ... Then the ending ruined everything. Seriously! It wasn't the last chapter, but right before that when you have the climax and everything is resolved. Honestly, every plot line and their grandmother were brought out, paraded around, and dealt with. At a grand ball, no less. In front of everyone. All speaking in very loud voices. Across a huuuuuge ballroom. (Why would it NOT occur to some of those characters that whatever was going to be said should be said in private??) It honestly was ridiculous and really brought the book down for me. It just made the whole thing seem like a farce, stretched the resolutions out way too long, made me feel like I was at a tennis match, and was very unnecessary.
TO CONCLUDE:
Is it worth a read? Yes. How you get it - through the library or bookstore - is your call. Kramer has talent and I'm looking forward to her next book - I just can't get the ending of this one out of my head!!! (P.S. That Harry would make Molly go into the "kissing closet" with one of the other men for three minutes on that first night, knowing that she's never really been kissed, *bugged* me a lot! Note: She uses her wits to get out of the kissing, but still!)
IMPOSSIBLE BACHELORS:
Book 1 - WHEN HARRY MET MOLLY
Book 2 - DUKES TO THE LEFT OF ME, PRINCES TO THE RIGHT
Book 3 - CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MARRIAGE
Book 4 - ?
RECOMMENDATIONS:
If you like the enemies-to-friends historical romances, check out the following books ...
(1) TEMPTING FATE (Providence Series, Book 2) by Alissa Johnson - 4.5 stars
(2) A WOMAN OF VIRTUE (Lorimer Family, Book 1) by Liz Carlyle - 5 stars
(3) THE RAKE (Lessons in Love, Book 1) by Suzanne Enoch - 4 stars
(4) THE MATCHMAKER (Maker Series, Book 1) by Rexanne Becnel - 5 stars
(5) HIS WICKED WAYS by Samantha James - 5 stars
(6) A NOTORIOUS LOVE (Swanlea Spinsters, Book 2) by Sabrina Jeffries - 4 stars
Contemporaries ...
(1) PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Julie James - 4.5 stars
(2) BET ME by Jennifer Crusie - 5 stars
