I guess I read the book out of order. The story revolves around Penelope and Ashton. Penelope had been leading a very destitute life despite being the daughter of a marquess. She is a cross-over between Cinderella (she dealt with step-relative abuse) and Snow White (cottage full of young bastard relatives). She met Ashton at a brothel. She was kidnapped and drugged, a plan orchestrated by her step-brother and step-sister. These step-relatives had usurped her inheritance and would benefit greatly if she wasn't there to contest her right to it. When her brothers and cousin came to rescue her, the truth that she was not a whore doused the amorous plans Ashton had. She was not there of her own will and he would not be a party to that. Their paths meet again though as they have a connection in her step-sister, who was Ashton's fiancee (by trickery and necessity). Together, they go through adventures such as solving the brothel murders, the thievery of her inheritance, Ashton's impending impoverishment, and the madman that is Charles. I think the family powers are great. It made the characters unique by virtue of their already outcast status. They are a reclusive family and hence developed quirks of their own. However, there are also low points in the novel. I couldn't reconcile a tight knit family not checking up on the situation. It doesn't hurt to at least do an annual check. Instead, Penelope is left to suffer the abuse of her step-relatives and had to survive on very little. Couldn't she have written. I couldn't imagine not fostering any resentment for the apparent selfishness and carelessness of her relatives who felt free to drop off their bastards but not enough to be responsible to pay for their care. Nevertheless, if you can get over that, I think the novel is pretty smooth. I found that there were no lulls in the novel. I think my favourite part of the novel is Penelope punching her step-sister. It was well-deserved and I'm glad she didn't go to the martyr route, taking every abuse and not retaliating. I'm glad she was a heroine who fights back. The hero was also great, if not a wee bit exasperating. He should have just sold off some properties and started his investments early on. I found the mother investing secretly endearing though. He also had great friends. Anyways, the book was great. There were questionable moments that you just have to suspend your thinking a bit to accept but other than that, it was a smooth story. I have to say this was written very well! It had me on the edge of my seat waiting to see how the mystery unfolded and what would happen to Ashton and Penelope. I loved how it wasn't just a mystery solved and straight to happy ending. They are boring and seem like a cop out to me. This book had a lot of though put into it and a lot of curves to hide how Pen and Ashton would solve and prove the mysteries involved (intentionally vague as to not give spoilers!) I really am starting to love the Wherlocke family and can't wait to get my hands on the third book in the series, If He's Wild! I absolutely love Hannah Howell and to be honest has read almost all of her books with the exception of about 5. But I will be getting my hands on those soon too! So of course I will highly endorse anyone to read her romances. There are great romances, mystery and emotion in every book!
Do You like book A Sensitiva (2000)?
I really like her writting she knows how to keep you tied to the story I hate to get to the end
—charlswan
I found the second installment of the Wherlocke series much better than the first. Great book!
—icezman
I love all Hannah Howell books, this one was good!! I really enjoyed reading it!!
—jok
