5 stars After reading A Reckless Match, I couldn’t wait to read Carys and Tristan’s story. I received an ARC from Netgalley and absolutely loved this book, #2 in the Ruthless Rivals series. Carys is a force of nature, a fiery redhead with a flamboyant and impetuous nature. Tristan is pretty much the opposite of that. Plus the Davies and Montgomerys are sworn enemies, never mind that Tristan’s sister and Carys’ brother recently married. Carys is so much fun, but I think one of the things I liked most was her outrageous sartorial choices. Her outfit in the opening scene is memorable for the details described. “Her own outfit was still the most remarkable. The sheer white fabric left one shoulder bare and draped, Grecian-style, diagonally across her body before flowing in liquid pleats to the floor. The wide silver belt encircling her waist matched the quiver of arrows on her back, and the crescent moon that nestled in her hair surrounded by a galaxy of bobbing silvery stars. It was the transparency of the material that had everyone whispering behind their fans…” In short, “Her dress was as sheer as a whisper, as if Botticelli’s Venus had stepped out of her giant shell and donned a chemise made of spiderwebs.” Carys had a bad experience and decided she does not wish to marry. Rather than remaining a burden on her brother, she is considering marriage to a man who poses no risk to her, but I don't want to spoil why. Still, she wonders whether there’s any reason to want what marriage has to offer. “...logically she understood that making love couldn’t be unpleasant for everyone. Having listened to her brothers’ ribald comments on the subject, she was quite sure men enjoyed it. Then again, men seemed to enjoy plenty of unpleasant things, like chasing foxes and bludgeoning fish on the head, and getting so drunk they vomited in flowerpots, so their opinion hardly seemed reliable.” Carys is inordinately pleased whenever she can make Tristan lose control, because he is so tightly wound. She loves to taunt him, but he also enjoy teasing her. After a shared kiss “...she was pleased to notice that while his cravat was still impeccable, she’d managed to disrupt the perfection of his hair. A tiny tuft was sticking out in the wrong direction, just behind his ear. It seemed like a small but important victory.” Because they have so convinced everyone that they are enemies, no one thinks anything of them spending time alone. They’re neighbors and have known each other all of their lives. Tristan asks Carys to walk with him and she asks, “Won’t it cause speculation, if we disappear off into the woods together.” He responds, “Not the kind you mean. They’ll think one of us is luring the other into the forest for a spot of murder. Lots of places to hide a body around here.” Naturally, they fall in love, but each is determined to hide their feelings. Carys is quicker to realize she loves Tristan and decides she must hide it at all costs. Tristan takes longer to realize it, fighting it every step of the way, until he finally acknowledges that it has always been Carys who he has imagined as his wife. Then, he can’t keep it to himself. The plot is fun, the characters are interesting, and the banter is amusing. All in all, it’s a great book and I recommend it. I think Morgan and Harriett are next, and I’m looking forward to it. June 21, 2022
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Elizabeth J ConnorWriter. Editor. Proofreader. Archives
September 2022
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