Second Installment in Dunaway’s Daughters series and set several years after the first one. It may be best to read the first one in order to fully enjoy and follow the pace of this one.
One thing I love about this author’s heroines is that they are all uniquely independent, astute, and unafraid to follow their own paths. There are so charismatic if not blindingly beautiful that even the most stubborn of men tend to fall prey to their captivating charms without a second thought about their physical appearance.
In the case of Phineas Griffith, the new Viscount Knighton, he was not only attracted to our heroine’s outward looks but also fascinated and even “terrified by her intelligence.” In the case of our heroine Harry O’Connell, I’m going to have to say so much intelligence hindered the romance and put a damper on the whole story.
I had some trouble following the fist half of the book. I believe there was too much talk, secrets, and misunderstandings that just made me keep frowning at the pages. Harry’s “oddities” made me wonder if she suffered from some kind of mental illness but that was never explained or even referred to in the story so I don’t think that was the case. The thing is that it was as if she suffered from some kind of OCD because she had a strict schedule and became extremely distressed if anyone disrupted it. Not only that, to me it was like she was using and hating Phineas for something he had yet done. On the other hand, it seemed the true purpose of her life was motivated by revenge and sentimentalism. I liked Harry’s street smarts and quick wit but I think it was that juxtaposition of being a stickler for doing things a certain way and then letting her emotions control her actions that got me confused and didn’t let me enjoy the story to the fullest.
Fast-forward to the second half and everything changes. Harry’s thoughts and actions become more aligned, and not because she grew as a character but because that’s where the arc got her. Either way, Phin and Harry start getting closer and the tone of the story moves to a more subtle yet exciting place. And of course the writing throughout was impeccable and the banter between H/h was nothing if not sexy and smart. I only wish the whole book would have focused more on both Phin and Harry as opposed to only one side of them.
3.5 stars.
*** I received this book from the author at no cost to me and I volunteered to read it; this is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.**