It has been a long time since I have read a new Putney book. There are certain things I know I can expect in a book by her. The predictability gives me a certain comfort and nostalgia, even while I roll my eyes a bit. A hero somehow involved with spying? Check. A set of identical twins? Check. A heroine more progressive than the times? Check. The list goes on, but I’m sure you get my point.
I approached this book eagerly. I have very fond memories of many of her books, especially my favorite, Angel Rogue. But I was really surprised by how abrupt the attraction developed in the beginning of the book. They were rolling around on the ground together by page 50! I had to stop and flip back to make sure I hadn’t missed anything because Putney usually does a much better job of building the attraction instead of just trying to shove it down your throat. I mean, where was the build up? They kissed once and were already on the floor. Kiri—sister of a duke—was willing to skate the line of propriety in no time at all.
The hero and heroine were cast in a role reversal, and while it made the heroine a little hard to take, it really made me like the hero. He was the one who didn’t want to let things get out of hand. He knew that there was no future for a bastard and the sister of a duke. Plus, he was friendly with her brother and that made things downright awkward. Despite owning a club and dealing with smugglers, he was a completely nice guy—so much so that it made the constant refrain of him being no good for Kiri tiring.
Kiri, on the other hand, was harder to swallow. I really loved some things about her. She was adventurous and outgoing, she loved her mother and was not ashamed of her Indian heritage, and she did not spend half the book dithering over her feelings. Unfortunately, the very things I liked about her were the things that I disliked as well. Instead of those traits being presented in a normal light, they were all cranked up to an unnatural degree. Instead of feeling like a unique woman of her time she seemed unrealistically modern. Especially in regards to sex! At one point the hero has to point out her pushy behavior point blank because she was so aggressive.
“No!” He jerked away, his breathing ragged. “Imagine that our genders were reversed. If you were male and I was female and you were pressuring me to lie with you even though it was against my conscience and honor–what would you call that?”
In addition to finding Kiri completely out of place in a historical, I thought certain events crossed the line of believability a little too often. It was like worrying about an unmarried girl’s reputation—even a duke’s sister—became a non issue.
I liked the way Princess Charlotte (daughter of the eventual King George IV) was woven into the story. I don’t usually enjoy actual historical figures being featured in the HR I read, but I liked it this time. Her role wasn’t huge and she wasn’t written as over the top or irritating. I also liked that Damian’s reaction to seeing his blood. I like when little quirks and weaknesses like that are shown in a character. It makes them more approachable.
I felt the author’s hand in the book too frequently for my personal taste. All too often I was aware of the characters’ dialogue being used as a way of telling me things I already knew about them. They would speak and think in ways that were not at all natural, just so the author could make sure we, the reader, picked up on what she was trying to get across. I also really didn’t like Kiri’s special talent. The fact that a good chunk of the plot hinged on her smelling ability did not please me. I found it too convenient and random to be real.
Even though there were good and bad things about the book, I enjoyed the read over all. I honestly don’t think this book comes anywhere near the author’s old charm, but it had a muted echo of her old style. It was enough to put me into a nostalgic mood and stir my interest in rereading some of my old favorites.
Favorite Quote:
“The Garden of Eden contained Adam, Eve, and a serpent. You, Lady Kiri, are most surely descended from the serpent who is offering temptation in return for Adam’s and Eve’s souls.”
Nowhere Near Respectable by Mary Jo Putney
April 26th 2011 by Zebra
Historical Romance
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About Catherine
Hmmm….so the heroine is sexually pushy? That doesn’t sound like Putney at all.
@tori: I know the heroine in The Wild Child was like that as well, but I can’t think of any others right now.
Hmm..maybe I need to check out some older Putney. I don’t think I’ve ever read her.
Not too happy about them rolling around on that floor. I am a history prude, I always think that they will be ruined, just like they should have been
I like a good romantic build-up in historical romance. I think this one might have disappointed me.
@Mandi: The Rake seems to be the favorite of many. You might want to try that one out.
@blodeuedd: I had a hard time swallowing it too. I needed more motivation to believe a duke’s sister would so easily compromise her reputation like that. I know they weren’t around anyone during that moment, but it still seemed too sudden.
@Sophia (FV): I prefer more relationship foreplay, myself.