Review: Seduce Me with Sapphires (The London Jewels Trilogy #2) by Jane Feather
Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Zebra (January 28, 2020)
From Goodreads.com: A FLAWED CUT...
The Honorable Miss Fenella Grantley has a secret: she’s been taking drama classes and longs to be an actress. Ladies of her standing don’t appear on stage, but Fenella has never been one for society’s rules. She’s quite excited to take on the challenge of reading the leading role in a new play—until she meets the playwright. Toeing the line between infuriating and irresistible, his first impression leaves a lot to be desired...OR A RARE FIND?
Edward Tremayne, illegitimate son of the Earl of Pendleton, scorned the ton years ago, making his own way in the world, and pursuing his literary gifts on the side. The only thing he misses from his old world is Fenella. Since seeing her at a ball when she was a young debutante, he’s never forgotten her. Now that fate has reunited them, Edward’s determined to make her his leading lady—in every way. But the only thing they see eye to eye on is their intense passion for each other. And it just may take a massive misunderstanding for their love to get on the same precious page...
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My Rating: 2 stars out of 5
Let me begin by saying that I will most likely be in the minority here with my thoughts on this story. And the things that annoyed me, other people may enjoy or at least be able to overlook.
What is it lately with novels where the main characters are so ridiculously prickly that they have to fight about everything all of the time? What happened to stories that were romantic with just an occasional misunderstanding or argument to move the story along?
Edward and Fenella had nothing between them but sex. That was it. The author wanted you to believe that they "challenged" one another, but in reality, their relationship was toxic. And honestly, for a gently bred young woman, even if she did have more radical leanings, she was awful quick to jump into bed with a man she barely knew.
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let me back up a bit. Edward has written a play. A play that he is obviously both proud of, and protective of. And apparently, he's been stalking Fenella long enough that he can't see anyone else being the Rose of his play. Of course, the author doesn't call it stalking, merely that he's always outside of her house, or catching glimpses of her here and there. Either way its creepy. Well, as luck would have it, our Fenella has been taking acting classes with the hopes of being on the stage one day (an occupation that certainly would bring scandal to her family, but I'll get to that later). Edward gets Cedric's acting group to perform his play. And starts yelling at them that they are doing things wrong. Of course, Fenella's Rose is ALL WRONG.
She goes to his lodgings. Lodgings that his female landlady owns, and yet allows a young, unchaperoned and unmarried lady to go to his rooms alone. Soon, Fenella is lying to her parents, bringing her best friend into her duplicity all so she can spend the night with a man she barely knows, and honestly? It didn't appear she liked him much either.
In fact, throughout the entire book, they do nothing but have sex and argue. And of course, Edward can't simply let her walk away. Oh no. He must be heard NOW. Things must be settled NOW. He disregards her feelings, he patronizes her at every turn, and what's worse is she puts up with it! Even when she tries to snap back at him, he turns it around so he gets his way in all things. It was ridiculous. At some point I expected them to realize that they were being unfair to each other, and frankly, to grow up. And yet, instead of talking like rational adults, they argued, they went against each other. Fenella does something she thinks will make Edward happy, he yells at her on a very public street and accuses her of doing said thing for her own personal gain. And then wonders why she refuses to speak with him.
Let me begin by saying that I will most likely be in the minority here with my thoughts on this story. And the things that annoyed me, other people may enjoy or at least be able to overlook.
What is it lately with novels where the main characters are so ridiculously prickly that they have to fight about everything all of the time? What happened to stories that were romantic with just an occasional misunderstanding or argument to move the story along?
Edward and Fenella had nothing between them but sex. That was it. The author wanted you to believe that they "challenged" one another, but in reality, their relationship was toxic. And honestly, for a gently bred young woman, even if she did have more radical leanings, she was awful quick to jump into bed with a man she barely knew.
Now that I've gotten that out of the way, let me back up a bit. Edward has written a play. A play that he is obviously both proud of, and protective of. And apparently, he's been stalking Fenella long enough that he can't see anyone else being the Rose of his play. Of course, the author doesn't call it stalking, merely that he's always outside of her house, or catching glimpses of her here and there. Either way its creepy. Well, as luck would have it, our Fenella has been taking acting classes with the hopes of being on the stage one day (an occupation that certainly would bring scandal to her family, but I'll get to that later). Edward gets Cedric's acting group to perform his play. And starts yelling at them that they are doing things wrong. Of course, Fenella's Rose is ALL WRONG.
She goes to his lodgings. Lodgings that his female landlady owns, and yet allows a young, unchaperoned and unmarried lady to go to his rooms alone. Soon, Fenella is lying to her parents, bringing her best friend into her duplicity all so she can spend the night with a man she barely knows, and honestly? It didn't appear she liked him much either.
In fact, throughout the entire book, they do nothing but have sex and argue. And of course, Edward can't simply let her walk away. Oh no. He must be heard NOW. Things must be settled NOW. He disregards her feelings, he patronizes her at every turn, and what's worse is she puts up with it! Even when she tries to snap back at him, he turns it around so he gets his way in all things. It was ridiculous. At some point I expected them to realize that they were being unfair to each other, and frankly, to grow up. And yet, instead of talking like rational adults, they argued, they went against each other. Fenella does something she thinks will make Edward happy, he yells at her on a very public street and accuses her of doing said thing for her own personal gain. And then wonders why she refuses to speak with him.
In my opinion, there was nothing to sell this story or this relationship. If all of her relationships are this vexing, I'm not sure if I would read more from this author.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
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Seduce Me with Sapphires is available from Amazon.com
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