I don’t usually bother with too much plot summary in my reviews; it seems a bit pointless when it only takes a couple of clicks or a scroll to read a blurb. But this time I’m going to make an exception. Copied from Goodreads:
In 1810, Atlas Catesby, a brilliant adventurer and youngest son of a baron, is anxious to resume his world travels after a carriage accident left him injured in London. But his plans are derailed when, passing through a country village, he discovers a helpless woman being auctioned off to the highest bidder–by her husband.
In order to save her from being violated by another potential buyer, Atlas purchases the lady, Lilliana, on the spot to set her free. But Lilliana, desperate to be with her young sons and knowing the laws of England give a father all parental rights, refuses to be rescued–until weeks later when her husband is murdered and Atlas is the only one who can help clear her name of the crime.
I mean – come on. Look at that. That’s mildly awesome. That’s a series of bombshells. That sounds like a book that you’d remember for years.
And yet … the reason I had that summary saved on the document where I write my reviews is that I had no memory of the book when I went to do this. None. The description helps – but what happened after and around that basic outline I have almost no idea. I didn’t even take notes or highlight anything while I was reading.
I do recall that, while this was a perfect setup for an historical romance, there was actually very little along those lines in the plot – this Lilliana, the rescued damsel, is single-minded in her quest to get her children back, and in that quest she does some really stupid things. Her protector, Atlas, is an anachronism of feminist support and aggrieved patience. Apart from this … it’s pretty much a blank.
At least this means the writing wasn’t terrible – that I would remember, right? But I do wonder if three stars is a bit generous for something that is such a … lacuna. Ah well. I’ll go with my first instinct and leave it.
The usual disclaimer: I received this book via Netgalley for review.
Stewartry 