Helpful Score: 3
This was a very enjoyable book. It started out a little differently with a nobleman becoming fascinated with a cursing nun. Sister Immaculata, or Petra as she is later found out to be, has been traveling from Italy and is trying to get to England. Enter Robin; a nobleman who has just come from Versailles and is on his way home to England. They decide to travel together (which stretches credulity) and we are treated to a fun journey filled with half-truths, insults, and desire.
I very much so liked Petra and her outlook on life. Here finally was a heroine who was presented as level-headed and actually stayed level-headed. Even though she occasionally indulged in fantasies of Robin and got distracted at times, she always came back to herself and continued with the path she had set. I liked that she didn't abandon all her plans and become unable to think beyond Robin the minute she met him. I also liked the lack of woe is me about her past with Ludo.
Robin was a pretty good guy, even though he didn't seem to be able to take anything seriously if they weren't in immediate danger. That isn't a bad thing though. His light hearted attitude gave the journey a very fun feel to it. I think Petra's attitude toward his obligatory stroking and petting was very realistic and in keeping with her level-headed attitude. The aftermath of the first love scene emphasized her feelings on that very well. One thing that bothered me about him was his interactions with his mother. She was very interfering and felt a bit spoiled. Robin made her butt out on some points and hired someone who wasn't her spy, but he didn't seem to mind her prying conversations that much. I couldn't help but think mama's boy and get a little sneer.
The only major problems I had with the book started when Petra got to her father. I never got a sense of adjustment or any real closeness to them. I read the author's note and apparently the family is part of a series, so maybe I was supposed to care about them and know how they would feel already? If so, it doesn't really help her new readers. Petra's lack of upset about her father's lack of attachment toward his past with her mother was refreshing.
I liked the dueling views of what was going on with Petra and Robin while they were apart. I was irritated by the fact that they were separated for so long though. I also never got a real sense of why Petra had to get to her father alone. I would fear rape if I were traveling alone like that. When Petra and Robin reunited I was left feeling dissatisfied. All of a sudden everything will work out without any reservation or problems? No more discussions and growing as a couple? I couldn't help but be reminded that they had only spent a few days together and start to doubt the strength of their attachment for the future.
Overall a good book with enjoyable characters and well written prose. The relationship seemed a little weak, but the bones were there and it would have been great if they were built on a little more.
I very much so liked Petra and her outlook on life. Here finally was a heroine who was presented as level-headed and actually stayed level-headed. Even though she occasionally indulged in fantasies of Robin and got distracted at times, she always came back to herself and continued with the path she had set. I liked that she didn't abandon all her plans and become unable to think beyond Robin the minute she met him. I also liked the lack of woe is me about her past with Ludo.
Robin was a pretty good guy, even though he didn't seem to be able to take anything seriously if they weren't in immediate danger. That isn't a bad thing though. His light hearted attitude gave the journey a very fun feel to it. I think Petra's attitude toward his obligatory stroking and petting was very realistic and in keeping with her level-headed attitude. The aftermath of the first love scene emphasized her feelings on that very well. One thing that bothered me about him was his interactions with his mother. She was very interfering and felt a bit spoiled. Robin made her butt out on some points and hired someone who wasn't her spy, but he didn't seem to mind her prying conversations that much. I couldn't help but think mama's boy and get a little sneer.
The only major problems I had with the book started when Petra got to her father. I never got a sense of adjustment or any real closeness to them. I read the author's note and apparently the family is part of a series, so maybe I was supposed to care about them and know how they would feel already? If so, it doesn't really help her new readers. Petra's lack of upset about her father's lack of attachment toward his past with her mother was refreshing.
I liked the dueling views of what was going on with Petra and Robin while they were apart. I was irritated by the fact that they were separated for so long though. I also never got a real sense of why Petra had to get to her father alone. I would fear rape if I were traveling alone like that. When Petra and Robin reunited I was left feeling dissatisfied. All of a sudden everything will work out without any reservation or problems? No more discussions and growing as a couple? I couldn't help but be reminded that they had only spent a few days together and start to doubt the strength of their attachment for the future.
Overall a good book with enjoyable characters and well written prose. The relationship seemed a little weak, but the bones were there and it would have been great if they were built on a little more.
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