Litchick's Hit List

Let’s make one thing clear; this book is an HR duck. It looks like one, it talks like one, it walks like one. Is it formulaic? Probably. Should I have enjoyed it as much as I did? Probably not. Am I giving it five stars anyway? Absolutely. Why? Because fuck you, that’s why. 

I should start posting disclaimers at the top of my reviews for HRs saying that my opinion probably shouldn’t be trusted. 

For those of you who know me, you know how many literary pet peeves I have. For those of you who don’t; I have a lot of literary pet peeves. Too many of them in one book and I’ll start docking stars. 

EXCEPT FOR IN HISTORICAL ROMANCES.

I’m a little embarrassed to say that I actually…look forward to overused themes and tropes in HRs. If they’re not present, I’m usually disappointed. Most of the time they don’t even have to be well written and I’ll still enjoy the hell out of them. What can I say? It’s my guilty pleasure genre. 

Well, this book IS well written. It’s also well researched. I’m a history geek so I’m always happy when an author sneaks in some real facts about the time period and setting. Kleypas included quite a few without overcomplicating the story. 

The plot is a popular one in this genre. The female lead, Poppy, gets trapped into marrying the devilish Harry Rutledge after being caught in a compromising position with him. 

Other well executed tropes include the “I’m so damaged, no one will love me” male lead, the Mary Sue female lead who’s different than her peers because she’s intelligent and not afraid to own it, the meddling family, the silly misunderstandings, the witty banter, the HEA, the list goes on and on. 

And you know what? I enjoyed every damn minute of it. If you’re a Historical Romance fangirl, you should give this a try. Or if you’re just in the mood for something fun and entertaining, you should do the same.