I find Elizabeth Hoyt a little baffling. I enjoyed her last book very much, and this one was good too. But her previous series left me cold (and worse – I couldn’t even finish the book, I disliked it so much). I know she just started a new series, but I’m reluctant to pick it up because I’m not such which Elizabeth Hoyt I’ll be getting. But this one was definitely worth reading.
To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt
(2009, Georgian) 8/27/10
Grade: 4
On the run, Helen and her two children arrive on the doorstep of Alistair Munroe. Alistair has been hiding in his Scottish castle since he was badly injured during the war, but Helen and her children bring light and joy to his life – but can she escape her past and create a new life?
I read this in just one evening, and it was very readable and enjoyable. The plot was familiar, but it was done well and the characters were compelling. I don’t usually like children in books, but Abigail and Jamie were one of the highlights of the book, well written and unique. They brought some life to a story that felt a little cliched. The one interesting note was the heroine, who had been the mistress of the Duke of Lister for years. It’s unusual and interesting to see a heroine who has a somewhat questionable past and isn’t condemned for it. The love scenes were a bit overwrought in places (there’s one in particular that feels very out of place) but they didn’t overwhelm the book (unlike some previous books by Hoyt). Overall this was an enjoyable read, even if it wasn’t as original as the previous book in the series.
I have to say a word about the cover – love the dress but the blue-on-blue-on-blue makes it hard to pick out the details. I wish it wasn’t such a tight closeup because Georgian historicals are rare and I’d like to get a better look at the dress.
Karen Wheless
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