Book: A Treacherous Engagement
Author: Laura Beers
My Rating: UGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH
Hey friends, the holiday season has hit hard over here. I’ve found I either don’t have time to read, or when I do I don’t enjoy what I’m reading. So, this review might be a little harsh, and let’s just all take into account that I’m a mood reader and maybe I was just in a bad mood.
It’s been a while since I’ve read a historical romance. I’ve started several and not even made it past the first five chapters because while I love a good angsty regency romance, I also love to just get to the point. I needed action! I needed to be sucked in! So, I found A Treacherous Engagement, about a Lord who is also a *spy* and a young lady whose sister is missing. And I was SO PUMPED. This was exactly what I needed. Let’s goooooo!
It starts strong, Nathaniel (the Earl of Hawthorne and secret agent for the crown) is like this great mix of Sherlock meets Bond set in Pride and Prejudice. He’s suave, he can put on a 3 piece suit or threadbare clothes to fit into any situation. He’s always making astute observations at the dinner table or on a dark street. All while his mother bothers him about settling down and giving her some grandchildren to dote on. Then there’s Miss Dinah, a beautiful young lady whose sister has gone missing. She’s determined, if not naive, about finding her sister at all costs. Including driving to Bow Street to hire a famous “Bow Street Runner” to take on her sister’s case. The problem is, she has no idea how to do that, so she ends up assuming Nathaniel is a Bow Street Runner and trying to hire him. Nathaniel realizes her sister’s disappearance is probably connected to a case he’s working, so he of course pretends to be a Bow Street Runner rather than correct her. And now what can they do but solve a mystery and fall in love only to be doomed to find out that Nathaniel is not who he says he is?????????
Y’all. The POTENTIAL OF THIS STORY!!!! OMG. The mystery was fantastic. Where was her sister? And how might she be involved with a secret rebellion against the crown? The secret spy headquarters with the mysterious Agent Merritt in charge. I couldn’t help but think of “M” from James Bond every time Nathaniel had to meet with him. There were clues, there were red herrings, there were twists. All fantastic. But then…it was like mashed potatoes with no gravy. I’ll eat them, but I’ll be wishing for gravy the whole time. The IDEA behind this story was so good, but then the characters and the dialogue were all just a little bit flat.
Nathaniel repeatedly reminded us that he, as a serious spy, didn’t have the luxury of falling in love. Yet somehow he did fall for Miss Dinah, and by the end was ready to die to protect her. But I don’t know where or when he fell so hard…because I definitely didn’t read it happening on the page. There was an awkward dinner, some quick arguments, a few high risk situations, and a lot of Dinah asking reasonable questions and Nathaniel refusing to answer “for her own good.”
And then there was the dialogue.
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She reached behind her and pulled out a muff pistol. “I have a pistol,” she announced smugly.
Uncrossing his arms, he asked, “Do you even know how to use it?”
“I do,” she replied. “My sister taught me how to shoot, and she is quite proficient at it.”
“And you believe one pistol is sufficient against the ruffians on the street?”
“I do.”
“Is it even loaded?”
“It is.”
He held out his hand for the pistol. “May I see it?”
“You may,” she replied, extending it towards him.
Nathaniel inspected the pistol and saw that it was in good condition. “Do you care for this pistol yourself?”
“Yes, I clean it myself.”
“That is impressive,” Nathaniel responded.
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Just formulaic and repetitive. I needed more. If these two are falling madly in love with each other despite their best efforts not to, I need to read about it! If Nathaniel is impressed, can he like raise his eyebrows? Huff a laugh in disbelief? Shake his head with amusement? Throw some adjectives and adverbs in there for me! The most entertaining dialogue was actually with two minor characters who purely functioned as comic relief.
Ultimately, I finished the entire book in a day. So, it’s not like I hated it. The mystery was strong enough to keep me going. It was entertaining and a quick read. But when I finished I found myself wishing for the book that almost was.
Krystle Goodman is a crazy cat lady, who loves to drink exorbitant amounts of coffee, and read a shocking amount of books. She lives in Benton with her husband Josh, her son Roman, and their two cats Roxanne and Abby. When she isn’t reading, you’ll find her cooking, painting, or watching true crime shows. Watch for Krystle’s book reviews every other Friday. Send fanmail to: [email protected]
See more of Krystle’s reviews at www.mysaline.com/krystle.