Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsInsulting and frustrating
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 23, 2016
I was insulted by this book. It's just so annoying for me to read, and here are the reasons why: Robert, the male protagonist, is a terrible person. I adored Victoria for having found her independence and happiness on her own. I thought that was very well done of Quinn. However, it becomes increasingly obvious that Robert doesn't care at all about what Victoria wants. She tells him, time and time again, what her wishes are and he blatantly ignores them. He says that she won't lose herself in being with him, but it was painfully obvious that isn't true. Victoria herself becomes terrible and annoying as we get closer to the end. She just ignores all the independence she found for herself.
I kept wishing that she would just up and leave that infuriating man who clearly doesn't respect her one bit. this book was wonderfully written at the beginning, and I really thought I would enjoy it, but I did not. It was very romantic and sweet, but seeing how Robert treats her makes me feel sick. This isn't a personal preference for romance. I just cannot condone abuse, and this is very much an abusive relationship. Robert uses Victoria's attraction to him for his own good, and doesn't stop to think about what she wants. I think there were definitely several ways he could have won her heart without forcing it the way he did. He just wore her down until she accepted him, and I don't see how that is romance or love.
In fact, seeing him treat her in such a way in a romantic view - it's just disgusting. There is nothing romantic about ignoring what someone wants. Just because you think you know what they want doesn't make it okay for you to force them to change their minds. No means no, and dear god I'd freely say Robert VIOLATES Victoria.
I've read 7 of Quinn's other works and I've enjoyed those reasonably well, but this book made me want to punch her in the face. I can make some allowances as this her fourth published work, but her first book was better than this. I was very, very disappointed with this book.
SPOILERS
Robert kidnaps Victoria, and like after two nights and sex, she says she will only forgive him until she milks the situation as much as she can. After agreeing to marry him. Bitch when is abduction ever okay? You really think this is a great beginning to a marriage? The bastard clearly doesn't respect you one bit. He tricks you into safety and brings you away with the intention of 'winning' you. Ugh.
And if any of you say the abduction was okay because she was okay with it. She was not. She was angry, humiliated, insulted - for reasons I agree with. Briefly, she says she wants to keep her independence, Robert agrees, and proceeds to show he actually doesn't by KIDNAPPING her. Her feelings afterward, I believe, was completely out of character, and was written that way to move along the 'romance'. Romance my butt. I'd cut off my own foot before I let anyone treat me like that.
And if you say this is all okay and normal because that's 'how it was at the time', then just leave. I've read historical romances that doesn't disrespect women, so it is absolutely possible.
