I prefer to give 2 and a half stars because the beginning was difficult to read. The hero of His at Night was a funny, nice aristocrat who was dumb as dirt. Everybody loves him but knows he has limited brain function after a throw from a horse during his teen years. Vere is a pretender who helps the crown solve problems. He has pretended all these years to be an imbecile and let his own brother in the dark about it. That was annoying. Vere meets Ellisande, the niece of someone he is investigating. She has never been seen and lives a secluded life. Ellisande is a pretender also. But she pretends to be happy and loving torwards her uncle who demands it. His retribution is punishment to her beloved aunt so Ellisande smiles her phoney smile and says her sweet words which makes Vere who was smitten actually hate her. Vere and his fellow team contrive to have Ellisande allow them into her uncle's home when he is out of town. She does and decides to take her chances and get one of the young men to marry her. She sets her hopes on Vere but then switches to his brother Freddy. There is a nice love story with Freddy and his favorite woman friend. Ellisande traps Vere into marriage instead of Freddy and is so happy with the simple things in life that she becomes an admirable character. She recognizes Vere's false persona and accepts him. Vere has a LOT of issues from his parent's marriage and takes most of the book to figure out how he feels. Not exactly what I was expecting This book was a little different than the normal ol' historical romance. I say that because of the bedroom scenes. I actually like that nothing worked for her -exactly. That she didn't turn in to a simpering love sick sex addict after being penetrated. ya know? It had a realistic side to it in that aspect. They weren't even truly happy together until the end of the book. Meh, I don't know. I guess it was just refreshing not to have the, "Best sex ever totally for sure I'm a sex goddess now and will rule the bed forever" thing happen.
I usually love Sherry Thomas' books but this one missed the mark. The H and h are both unlikeable.
—sirkslil
The premise was good, and the writing was decent. The characters weren't always likeable.
—godzi
It was a pleasant read, nothing extraordinary but still good.
—Becca
the ratcatcher? from "the proposition" by Judith Ivory?:D
—meganolivier
dark
—Drew
