Mini-Reviews: Lonely, Poison, Romancing

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Lucy Gilmore, The Lonely Hearts Book Club

Librarian Sloane Parker seems to have a pretty good life — a job she loves, a successful fiancé — but she’s really just been going through the motions ever since her sister’s tragic death. The highlight of her day is when curmudgeonly old Arthur McLachlan visits the library to argue with her about books. So when a few days go by without Arthur showing up, Sloane is concerned enough to check on him — and even more alarmed when he actually seems happy to see her. She knows Arthur needs support and companionship, so she starts a book club with a few friends and neighbors. Little does she know that every member, not just Arthur, will benefit from the book club, and maybe herself most of all. I liked this one; it’s sentimental, but the lively and humorous writing style kept it from being too saccharine for me. I also liked getting each book club member’s POV; it made them all vivid and distinct characters. I would have liked a bit more closure for some storylines, particularly the romance (which is really just hinted at). But overall, I enjoyed this one and am interested in trying more by Lucy Gilmore.

Bridget Zinn, Poison

Potions expert Kyra is on the run after attempting to assassinate Princess Ariana, her former best friend. Her reasons for this betrayal become clear as the novel progresses. Meanwhile, as she tries to evade the kingdom’s pursuing soldiers, she encounters several strange individuals, including a master criminal, a wicked witch, a handsome but exasperating adventurer, and a very unusual pig. Eventually, Kyra teams up with a few crucial allies to save the kingdom and make some important decisions about her future. This is an enjoyable light fantasy novel that skews toward the younger end of the YA spectrum. The plot is very episodic, and the characters are likable but not particularly complex. The book reminds me somewhat of Ella Enchanted — not as good, but if you liked that book, I think you’ll enjoy this one too.

Julia Quinn, Romancing Mister Bridgerton

Penelope Featherington has been in love with Colin Bridgerton for years, but she knows he’ll never return her affections: She’s always been a wallflower and is now a spinster at age 28, whereas Colin is one of London’s most popular and charming bachelors. But Colin has just returned to England after a long trip abroad, and he’s starting to see Penelope in a whole new light. Their fledgling romance is threatened, however, by the secrets they’re keeping from each other, which may cause a huge society scandal. I’m a fan (with caveats) of the Bridgerton TV series, and season 3 is supposed to focus on Penelope and Colin, so I wanted to read their story before the season drops. Unfortunately, this book didn’t particularly work for me, mostly because I found Colin so frustrating. He constantly pouts and sulks and throws temper tantrums, and in the end I just wanted Penelope to get over her infatuation and find someone better! Overall, this one was disappointing, especially after I enjoyed The Viscount Who Loved Me so much.

Mini-Reviews: London, Fortune, Death

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Sarra Manning, London, with Love

This contemporary novel follows Jen Richards from her awkward adolescence in 1986 to her middle age in 2021. When she was 16, she was an insecure kid who strongly identified with Sylvia Plath, and she was desperately in love with her brooding, pretentious best friend, Nick. As the years go by, she and Nick pass in and out of each other’s lives, but they can never completely ignore the strong connection between them. I don’t think this is a bad book, but it ultimately wasn’t for me. While I sympathized and related to adolescent Jen, I found her less likable as she got older and (theoretically) more mature. I also didn’t think her relationship with Nick was healthy, so I was never really rooting for the romance. I think this book might really resonate with people who grew up in London during this specific time — but since I’ve barely even been to London (though would love to go back!), I don’t have that nostalgia. Overall, it’s a decent read, but I just don’t think I’m the ideal audience for it.

Kristin Vayden, Fortune Favors the Duke

Six months ago, Quin’s older brother died tragically and unexpectedly, making Quin the new duke of Wesley. Now a grieving Quin must grapple with his new responsibilities, when all he really wants to do is continue his career as a Cambridge professor. Meanwhile, the late duke’s fiancée, Lady Catherine Greatheart, is grieving too, but she’s accepted that it’s time to move on. As Quin and Catherine support one another in their shared loss, they develop romantic feelings but are unsure whether they ought to pursue a relationship. This was another disappointing Regency romance. The premise — man falls for his dead brother’s fiancée — had so much potential, but it’s barely explored. Quin and Catherine fall for each other pretty quickly, with minimal guilt, and the book’s main conflict turns out to involve an external villain. Where was the guilt, the uncertainty, the struggle against (arguably) inappropriate feelings? In my opinion, exploring that conflict would have been way more interesting than the random troublemaker’s shenanigans. Further, the writing style was awkward and inauthentic, and I didn’t even believe in the central romance. I’m glad I got the e-book for free, but I wouldn’t recommend it even at that price.

Hannah March, Death Be My Theme

After a serious illness, Robert Fairfax is convalescing in the rural outskirts of London when he encounters another mystery: Curmudgeonly Gabriel Chilcott falls to his death down a flight of stairs with an expression of horrified shock on his face. The incident appears to be a tragic accident, but then why did Chilcott’s much younger wife lie about the man seen leaving her bedroom? When a local servant is murdered shortly afterwards, Robert investigates and uncovers a particularly cold-blooded killer. This might be my favorite book of the series yet! The mystery plot is very well done, and I also liked the development of Robert’s ill-fated romance with the married Cordelia. There’s even a cameo appearance by the Mozart family, and a mistake in one of 8-year-old Wolfgang’s compositions proves to be a vital clue. I’m hoping the next (and, alas, final) book will give a satisfying ending to the series!

Mini-Reviews: Seduction, Chalion, Summer

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Lauren Willig, The Seduction of the Crimson Rose

Mary Alsworthy has just endured the humiliation of watching her younger sister, Letty, run off with the man she was supposed to marry (as detailed in The Deception of the Emerald Ring). Now she’s faced with the awful possibility of becoming a spinster dependent on Letty’s charity. Fortunately, the enigmatic Lord Vaughn steps in with an alternative: he’ll fund another Season for Mary if she agrees to become a double agent, infiltrating the network of the French spy known as the Black Tulip. But the lines between business and pleasure blur as she and Vaughn become increasingly attached to one another. I remember this as being one of my favorite books of the series, and upon re-reading I’d definitely agree! Both Vaughn and Mary were “villains” of previous books, portrayed as cold and amoral, so it’s great to get a new perspective on them here. Though the mystery isn’t terribly compelling (the bad guy is easy to spot), the romance more than makes up for it, I think because both Mary and Vaughn experienced real hardships before getting their happy ending. So far, this installment of the series is the one to beat!

Lois McMaster Bujold, The Curse of Chalion

Once an honorable soldier, Cazaril is now physically and mentally broken from long imprisonment, torture and illness. He’s making his way back to the noble household where he once served as a page, hoping the lady of the house can find a small job for him. Instead, she makes him secretary-tutor to the princess Iselle, which thrusts him back into the world of court rivalries and political intrigue. There he encounters powerful enemies and calls on the gods for help — with unexpected results. After loving the Vorkosigan saga so much, I was slightly worried that Bujold’s fantasy novels wouldn’t measure up, but thankfully, I absolutely loved this! Cazaril is the opposite of Miles Vorkosigan in many ways (he’s not arrogant or ambitious, and mainly he just wants to be invisible), but he has a similar snarky internal voice, as well as the same surprising competence in a crisis. I also loved the world of this novel, with its detailed politics, history, and theology. Looking forward to the next book!

Anne Gracie, The Summer Bride

This final book in the Chance Sisters series focuses on Daisy, the Cockney girl who dreams not of marriage but of opening her own dress shop for high-society ladies. Her goal finally seems within reach, but she doesn’t have quite enough money or time to take the next step. Meanwhile, roguish Patrick Flynn may not be an aristocrat, but he’s rich and determined to marry the finest young lady in London. He’s even got a particular earl’s daughter in mind — but for some reason he finds himself drawn to Daisy instead. This book was…fine. I liked that Daisy and Patrick are both outsiders trying to figure out their place in the world. I also really enjoyed their first kiss! But I felt like the obstacles to their relationship (career vs. marriage, kids vs. no kids) were legitimate, and the resolutions were a little too pat. Overall, I enjoyed this series, but The Winter Bride is the only standout for me. Still, Gracie is one of the better Regency authors I’ve encountered lately, so I’ll likely keep exploring her work.

Mini-Reviews: Closed, Countess, Wager

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Patricia Wentworth, The Case Is Closed

One year ago, Geoffrey Grey was convicted of murdering his uncle and is now in prison. His wife and her cousin Hilary believe he’s innocent, but the evidence against him is overwhelming — that is, until Hilary has a chance meeting with Mrs. Mercer, one of the prosecution’s star witnesses. Mrs. Mercer seems deeply troubled and hints at secrets she could reveal if she weren’t deathly afraid of her husband. Hilary decides to investigate with the help of her beau, Henry, but her sleuthing soon puts her in danger. I really enjoyed this book! The mystery is satisfying, albeit not particularly complex, and I also adored the romance between Hilary and Henry. They’ve quarreled at the beginning of the book, but they obviously still love each other, and it’s a treat to peek inside their heads as they attempt to get back together. If you like your vintage mysteries on the lighter side, with a generous helping of romance, you’ll enjoy this one!

Eva Ibbotson, A Countess below Stairs

Newly arrived in England after fleeing the Russian Revolution, Countess Anna Grazinsky has no choice but to work as a housemaid at the grand estate of Mersham. Despite her noble upbringing, she’s willing to work hard and soon endears herself to the other servants and the entire household. She also catches the eye of Rupert, Mersham’s owner, but he is already engaged to the beautiful but coldhearted Muriel. This book is one of my favorite comfort reads, and I adored it just as much this fifth or sixth time through. The central romance is sweet and passionate, and there’s a wealth of sympathetic, lovable secondary characters as well. The good characters are a bit too perfect and the bad ones totally irredeemable, but I love the book so much that I can easily overlook its flaws.

Lynn Painter, The Love Wager

After a drunken one-night stand, Hallie Piper is determined to make better romantic choices, so she joins a dating app in hopes of meeting “the one.” On the app, she spots her one-night stand, Jack Marshall, and decides to send him a joking message. He responds, and they soon strike up a fun conversation, which turns into a real-life friendship. They make a bet about which of them will find love first — but the more time they spend together, the more they begin to wonder if they’re each other’s perfect match. I enjoyed this fun and funny romantic comedy. Hallie and Jack both felt like real people, and their playful banter had me rooting for them from the beginning. I did find the central conflict a bit frustrating, since it all came down to poor communication, and the ending felt a bit drawn out. But I still liked the book overall and would definitely recommend Lynn Painter to fans of contemporary romance.

Mini-Reviews: Wrong, Hardcastle, Season

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Lynn Painter, Mr. Wrong Number

Olivia Marshall is perpetually unlucky, and when her latest mishap results in her apartment burning down, she’s forced to move in with her brother Jack and his best friend, Colin. Liv and Colin have never gotten along, but now that they’re living together, they start to see each other in a new light. Meanwhile, a text to Liv from an unknown number sparks an anonymous flirtation, but what will happen when she learns Mr. Wrong Number’s true identity? I enjoyed this cute rom-com, mostly for Liv’s funny and self-deprecating voice. The romance moves from enemies to sex to feelings a bit too rapidly, and I also wanted more exploration of Liv’s conflict with her family (they perceive and treat her as an immature screwup). That said, I enjoy Painter’s writing style and look forward to reading the sequel, which will feature Jack as the hero.

Stuart Turton, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

This genre-bender begins on the grounds of Blackheath, an English country estate, where the narrator wakes up in a forest with no idea how he got there and no memory of his own identity. The next day, he wakes up in a different body altogether, and eventually he pieces together the truth: He’s supposed to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle, and he’ll keep reliving the same day (in a different host each time) until he can identify the murderer. Along the way, he discovers both allies and enemies and eventually learns the true nature of Blackheath. This is a clever take on the classic country house mystery, with a plot that becomes ever more intricate as the narrator’s choices in later days affect what happened on earlier days. The murder plot hangs together, but the resolution to the bigger question of what’s happening at Blackheath and why is not completely satisfying. Also, the book is long, and while seeing events from multiple perspectives is interesting, it does bloat the narrative. Overall, I’m glad I read this one, and I think it’s a well-done experiment, but it didn’t totally work for me.

Jane Dunn, The Marriage Season

Sisters Sybella and Lucie are headed to London for the Season so that Lucie can potentially make a match. Sybella, a widow with a young son, has no intention of remarrying; she’s too busy managing her country estate and keeping her son out of trouble. But of course, both women meet several potential suitors and must discern who’s a hero, who’s a rake, and who’s just a friend. I bought this e-book when it was on sale, partly because of the appealing cover and partly because I’d heard it was a well-written steamless romance. Steamless, yes; well-written, sadly no. I found the style clunky and unrealistic for the time period (Sybella at one point has an “existential crisis”), and the romances were unconvincing. My search for non-steamy historical romances continues, but unfortunately this one was a dud.

Mini-Reviews: Setup, Greywaren, Spring

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Lizzy Dent, The Setup

Thirty-something Mara is feeling adrift; she doesn’t trust her own instincts but relies on astrology and fortune-telling for guidance. So when a palm reader tells her she’s about to meet Mr. Right — and she immediately meets Josef, a handsome cellist — she’s ecstatic. She arranges to meet him again at the end of the summer and promptly embarks on a self-improvement project to prepare for his arrival. But as she begins to grow and change, she questions whether Josef is really her destiny. This is a cute summery read with a satisfying romance. I found Mara frustrating at times, with her over-reliance on astrology and her tendency to push people away. But I also thought her indecisiveness and confusion about her life were relatable. So I did like the book overall and would consider reading more by this author.

Maggie Stiefvater, Greywaren

This conclusion to the Dreamer trilogy deals with the aftermath of Hennessy shutting down the ley line at the end of book #2. Now the dreamers are incapacitated, and their dreams are doomed to sleep unless they can be kept awake with sweetmetals. Jordan is working hard to acquire or create one, while Declan desperately tries to hold his family together. Hennessy is self-destructing, as usual, until Carmen and Liliana lend a hand. Also, the apocalypse that’s supposed to be caused by the dreamers is about to happen. I sort of lost interest in this trilogy but still wanted to finish it, and I’m glad I did. This installment does a good job of wrapping things up, explaining the various mysteries, and giving good closure for the main characters. Declan is still my favorite, but I was happy to get more of Adam Parrish in this one. I doubt I’ll ever reread this series, but I am somewhat interested in revisiting the Raven Cycle now!

Anne Gracie, The Spring Bride

Jane Chance is excited for her first London Season, and she’s determined to make a prudent marriage. Though her parents loved each other, they lived in poverty and, when they died, left Jane and her sister Abby with nothing. Jane doesn’t ever want to feel destitute or unprotected again, so she is looking for a wealthy and titled husband. But when she meets roguish “gypsy” Zachary Black, she can’t help her attraction. Zach is immediately smitten with her as well, but secrets from his past may keep them apart. I’m continuing to enjoy this series: Jane and Zach are both likable characters, and their romance is sweet (and not too steamy). But they fall in love a little too quickly for my taste, and there was just nothing particularly unique or memorable about the story. It’s a solid, pleasant read, but I don’t plan to keep it.

Mini-Reviews: Spells, Dream, Distinction

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Sylvia Izzo Hunter, A Season of Spells

A few years after the events of Lady of Magick, Lucia MacNeill, heiress to the throne of Alba, is finally traveling to Britain to meet her betrothed, Prince Roland. Sophie (along with Gray) travels with her, officially to be her guide to the British court and unofficially to encourage the relationship between her and Roland. But Sophie is soon distracted, first by her plans to restore Oxford’s defunct women’s college and then by the escape of the prisoners—including her stepfather—who plotted to assassinate the British king in The Midnight Queen. I was apprehensive about this final installment of the trilogy, having loved book one and been disappointed in book two. This book falls somewhere in the middle. As with the rest of the series, the plot is glacially slow, and I was frustrated not to see significant growth or change in most of the characters. However, I did enjoy the development of Lucia and Roland’s relationship, though I wish it had been more of a focus. Overall, I’m glad I finally read this series, but it may not be a keeper for me beyond book one.

Angie Hockman, Dream On

This contemporary romance has an unusual premise: Cass has vivid, detailed dreams about her perfect boyfriend, Devin, while she’s in a coma. But when she wakes up, she learns that he doesn’t exist — or at least, that’s what she thinks until she meets him in person a year later. The real Devin doesn’t recognize her, but she knows things about him she couldn’t possibly know unless they’ve met before. To solve the mystery, they spend some time together and eventually begin dating. But Cass is also having surprising feelings for Devin’s brother, Perry, as well as navigating her fledgling law career. This was a decent but not exceptional read. I liked the premise and was satisfied with the explanation of why Cass dreamed of Devin (though I have no idea whether it’s medically plausible). I also liked that the love triangle is resolved with neither Perry nor Devin being a bad guy. But the writing style was a bit too overblown for me, and I never really bought into the romance. Still, it’s a cute, fast read if the setup interests you.

Hannah March, A Distinction of Blood

Robert Fairfax has just taken a job with wealthy tradesman Samuel Appleton, theoretically to tutor his two young sons but actually to dig into the life of his daughter, Charlotte, who has recently married the aristocratic but rakish Lord Mortlock. Mortlock’s terrible reputation has society speculating that his young wife may be seeking pleasure elsewhere. Fairfax’s job becomes harder when Mortlock is murdered in his own home, while Charlotte is hosting friends in the next room. The killer must be a servant or one of Charlotte’s guests, and as Fairfax investigates them all, he uncovers many motives and secrets. I’m continuing to like this series a lot (this is book #3), both for Fairfax’s complex character and for the setting of 1760s England. This book discusses the evils of slavery and the slave trade, but without preachiness or anachronism. I also thought the mystery plot was relatively strong in this one. Still really liking this series and would recommend it to fans of historical mysteries!

Mini-Reviews: Emerald, Everyone, Temporary

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Lauren Willig, The Deception of the Emerald Ring

Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe, a spy working with the Pink Carnation, has been in love with the beautiful Mary Alsworthy for years. But when he accidentally compromises her younger sister, Letty, the two are forced into a hasty marriage, after which Geoff immediately leaves for Dublin on Carnation business. An upset Letty pursues him, hoping to convince him that she didn’t intend to trap him into marriage, but she soon gets pulled into the Pink Carnation’s mission as well. Now Geoff and Letty have to deal with an Irish rebellion and continued threats from the Black Tulip — not to mention their own growing feelings for each other. I don’t remember this being one of my favorite installments of the series, but this time around I felt there was a noticeable improvement in both Willig’s writing style and the plausibility of the plot. Geoff is more believable as a spy than either Richard or Miles, and the story—while still light and fun—feels a bit more grounded in reality than the previous books. Looking forward to book four even more now!

Benjamin Stevenson, Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone

Ernie Cunningham is approaching his family reunion at an Australian ski resort with some trepidation. The reunion is meant to welcome back his brother Michael, who’s about to be released from prison — but it’s Ernie’s testimony that put him there. At the resort, things go from bad to worse when a murdered body is found on the slopes, and Michael is the prime suspect. Ernie feels compelled to investigate, partly to clear Michael’s name and partly because, as the book’s title indicates, everyone in his family has killed someone. This novel lets you know right away that it’s going to play with the conventions of Golden Age mysteries: Ronald Knox’s “commandments” are reproduced at the beginning of the book, and Ernie promises he’s going to be a reliable narrator. So this is a bit of a meta mystery, and part of the game is also figuring out whom all the Cunninghams have killed and why. Stripped of these gimmicks, the central mystery isn’t all that unique (and actually quite reminiscent of a certain Agatha Christie novel), but it’s still a good read that I’d recommend if the premise interests you.

Mary Balogh, The Temporary Wife and A Promise of Spring

In The Temporary Wife, Anthony Earheart marries the prim and plain-seeming Charity Duncan solely to anger the father he despises. After a few weeks of visiting his family to rub his marriage in his father’s face, he plans to set up a separate establishment for Charity, which she needs to support her impoverished siblings. Visiting his family reopens old wounds, but it also may bring healing and even love. In A Promise of Spring, Grace Howard is left destitute when her brother dies. She is rescued by a gallant proposal from the lively, charming, 10-years-younger Peregrine Lampman, but secrets from her past threaten their marriage. I’m a Balogh fan and enjoyed both of these novels, though The Temporary Wife is the standout. I loved Anthony’s slow transformation from anger and emotional repression to vulnerability. I’m glad I picked up this volume and will definitely be keeping it on my shelves!

Mini-Reviews: Matchmaker, Georgie, Secrets

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Stella Gibbons, The Matchmaker

This slice-of-life novel centers around Alda Lucie-Brown, who has moved with her three daughters to a small cottage in Sussex after their London home was bombed in World War II. Now the war is over, but Alda’s husband is still stationed in Germany, so she’s feeling somewhat isolated in the country. Her solution is to meet the neighbors and try her hand at a little matchmaking, but naturally things don’t go as planned. This is a calm, pleasant read where not much happens, but the characters are nuanced and interesting enough to carry the book. I loved the setting of postwar England; I’ve read plenty of WWII novels, but not many set in the aftermath. So it was fascinating to read about, for example, the Italian POWs still compelled to work on English land. Gibbons reveals some of the prejudices of her time but is also pretty generous in her character depictions. The book isn’t as comedic as Cold Comfort Farm (though it has flashes of gentle humor), but I’d recommend it to fans of books from this era.

Kate Clayborn, Georgie, All Along

Georgie Mulcahy is at a loose end after being laid off. She’s temporarily moved back to her small hometown in Virginia, where she’ll help out her pregnant best friend Bel and try to figure out what to do with her life. She doesn’t expect to feel a connection with Levi Fanning, the town troublemaker and black sheep of the illustrious Fanning family. Levi has been keeping his head down and his nose clean for years, but he’s still living with a bad reputation and with the anger and guilt of his past. As Georgie and Levi grow closer, they both have to confront the mental and emotional obstacles holding them back. I really love Kate Clayborn’s writing, and this latest book doesn’t disappoint. I especially loved getting inside Levi’s head and seeing how he and Georgie interpreted the same events differently. The book deals with some heavier themes than the cover art and publisher’s blurb would suggest, but it’s still an uplifting read with a fair amount of humor. Highly recommended for fans of contemporary romance!

Alyssa Everett, Lord of Secrets

When Rosalie Whitwell’s father suddenly dies during a transatlantic voyage, she finds herself with few options for her future. That is, until one of her fellow travelers, the cold and reclusive David Linney, marquess of Deal, proposes marriage. Despite his reserved manner, Rosalie perceives a softer side to David, so she happily accepts and is prepared to fall in love with her handsome new husband. David is strongly attracted to Rosalie but refuses to consummate the marriage, which frustrates and confuses her. When he finally reveals his secrets, will he lose Rosalie’s love? This book didn’t work as well for me as Ruined by Rumor, but I think it’s entirely due to the subject matter. David’s secrets are quite dark, and certain flashback scenes were very difficult to read. (No spoilers here, but if you google the book, you’ll be able to find relevant content warnings.) Further, once he confesses everything to Rosalie, the happy ending comes way too soon and feels unrealistic. I still enjoy this author’s writing style and will continue to read more of her work, but this one isn’t destined to be a favorite.

Mini-Reviews: Highway, Seven, Roughest

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Hannah March, The Devil’s Highway

Former tutor Robert Fairfax is about to begin a new position as Sir Edward Nugent’s secretary. As he and Sir Edward travel to the latter’s country estate, they encounter an overturned stagecoach whose coachman and passengers have all been shot to death. Public opinion assumes a local highwayman is to blame, but Robert isn’t so sure — especially when one of the victims is incorrectly identified, and a woman who was supposed to be on the stagecoach is nowhere to be found. I enjoyed this book at least as much as the first in the series, if not more. Robert Fairfax is a sympathetic sleuth, and the Georgian setting is well realized, with this book touching on the state of mental asylums and the rise of Methodism. The mystery itself is perhaps a bit too convoluted, so I think this series is more for historical fiction fans than mystery buffs. But as a lover of both genres, I’d recommend it!

J. Jefferson Farjeon, Seven Dead

A petty thief breaks into Haven House hoping to steal a few valuables — but instead he stumbles upon seven corpses in a locked room. Who are they, how were they killed, and what brought them to Haven House? The local police are on the case, assisted by journalist and amateur yachtsman Thomas Hazeldean. The investigation takes Hazeldean to Boulogne in pursuit of the house’s absent owners, where he becomes embroiled in additional mysteries — and falls in love. I’ve tried a couple of Farjeon’s books in the past, with mixed results, but I liked this one a lot. The mystery isn’t particularly shocking in terms of whodunit, but there are plenty of twists and turns as readers learn just how horrible the culprit really is. Despite some dark elements, the book also has a fair amount of humor (plus the romantic subplot), which keeps it from getting too depressing. Recommended for fans of Golden Age mysteries.

Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, The Roughest Draft

Katrina and Nathan met at a writers’ workshop and instantly became writing partners and friends. They wrote two books together, the first moderately successful and the second a huge best-seller. But then they had a falling-out, and they haven’t spoken to each other in four years. Unfortunately, they still have a contract with their publisher for another co-written book. Reluctantly, they agree to work together one last time, but they’ll have to finally confront the issues that drove them apart. I liked the premise of this book, but in practice I was underwhelmed. Neither Katrina nor Nathan is very likable; they’re both extremely privileged (she lives in a $4 million house, he has a trust fund, neither has to work an actual job), and they’re mean to each other for a significant chunk of the book. The novel also focuses so narrowly on Katrina and Nathan that it feels somewhat claustrophobic — don’t they have any healthy relationships (family, friends) in their lives? The central romance is somewhat compelling if you like a lot of angst, but overall this book just wasn’t for me. I would consider trying something else by these authors, though.