I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
All Scot and Bothered (Devil You Know, #2) by Kerrigan Byrne Series: Devil You Know #2
Published by St. Martin's Paperbacks on September 29, 2020
Genres: Historical
Pages: 395
Goodreads
FINAL DECISION: I was bored by this book. The story, the hero and heroine, nothing interested me. I felt the story was more interested in complaining about women’s role in the world rather than the romance.
THE STORY: Cecelia Teague has a secret benefactor from whom she inherits a girls’ school — and a gambling establishment. This unwittingly places her in opposition to one of her best friend’s brother-in-law, Cassius Gerard Ramsay, Lord Chief Justice of the High Court, who has made it his mission to investigate the establishment and bring to justice those who are engaging in illegal activities. Taking on a disguise, Cecelia confronts Ramsay who finds himself attracted to both the innocent Cecelia and her alter ego.
OPINION: Disappointing book. There is no fire here. The book was dull and so were the characters. The book feels like the author wanted to tell a story about a woman rejecting conventions of her time and then grafted the romance upon the story. As a result, neither the characters nor the romance had any interest.
I read romance books for the romance between the characters — not about the self-actualization of women or their feminist ideas. I’m not against either of those things, but if the romance is not primary, then it is not really a romance to me. Yes, there is the relationship focus in the book, but the characters felt bland.
This is the worst of Byrne’s books I’ve read. The decline from the Victorian Rebels series is serious and I would not recommend reading this one. It seemed rather pointless.
WORTH MENTIONING: There is a darling little girl who is central to the story.
CONNECTED BOOKS: ALL SCOT AND BOTHERED is the second book in the Devil You Know series. The romance here is self-contained and while characters from the first book are in this book, this book can be read as a standalone.
STAR RATING: I give this book 1.5 stars.
NOTE: I received an eARC via Netgalley in order to prepare this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.