Everyone seems very interested in reading Leo’s story….I like him, but I always think that second-love stories are a little problematic from the get-go. It’ll be interesting to see if this is handled satisfactorily.

I’m more interested in Bea’s story after reading the short story on Win’s wedding.

The worst thing about it was the “hero” and his behavior in the beginning – stealing her letter and betraying her into marrying him? That’s what I maybe wanted in a hero back in the 80s… Yes, I know, he learned to deal with the world by taking what he wants etc. etc., but this was a weak rehash of Zachary from Where Dreams Begin, who at least made the effort to charm and persuade the heroine into marrying him. So, as a forced marriage trope this seemed just contrived and old-fashioned to me.

And I never got the chemistry between Harry and Poppy or why he fell in love with her. Or why she would not have been equally happy with Michael Bayning, who was portrait as a basically decent guy, even if a little weak and conventional. Moreover, during the series Poppy always seemed the least interesting of the Hathaway siblings, even if she was likable in her own book, she stayed a little bland.

And don’t get me started on the “deus ex machina kidnapping” in the end – WTF?

And I didn’t like the excessive serial baiting in the end, that was just unnecessary. *Grumble* I had been looking forward to this…

I feel bad for not supporting Ms. Kleypas, but I’ve bought plenty of her books in the past, and if they bring the ebook down to a reasonable level, I’ll buy it.

Unfortunately, $9.99 is still too high when the paperback version is $7.99, and I’m not going to reward the publisher by buying the paperback version.

TMAT reminds me a bit of Dreaming of You (hero owns gaming club/hotel etc….) but with a better execution. I have a soft spot for Dreaming of You but there are so very few interactions between Derek and Sara that the romance is a bit unbelievable.

In TMAT, both Harry and Poppy spend more time together. Like mentioned above, I, too, didn’t really see the transition from valuable collectible to woman of my life but I actually took it for love at first sight on Harry’s part, only he didn’t recognize it for what it was. His reactions towards Poppy are too intense for it too be a simple desire to “acquire” her, I think.

I had no problem with the book except perhaps for the Deus ex machina kidnapping at the end of the book. It served no purpose IMO.

The only thing that makes me angry is the price I paid for the Ebook. This is really badly done of the publisher. I blame myself for giving in to temptation. I certainly won’t do so again and will wait for the more reasonably priced paperback.

And I must be one of the few who’s not looking forward to Leo’s book at all. It’s not a story I’m interested in reading. I wish Beatrix was next instead. She’s a delight.

Thanks for the explanation!

Sisters.

Ferret belongs to Bea. Theylive in the same house.

I’m still steamed about the ebook version price premium over the paperback. Since I only buy ebooks now, the publisher isn’t getting my money until they bring the price down.

Since I’m forced, by baloney market pricing tactics, to wait to read it, I’m a little bit glad it’s not a balls out, premier story. I’ll read it eventually.

Maybe.

That’s the chance they take, of couse. That readers will come back.

I think I’ll go read Liz Carlyle instead. That one I pre-purchased… smart pub.

But I will say that I love the sibling relationship the Hathaways have with one another.

The way things ended makes me want to read Leo’s story next.