It may be growing darker and colder outside, dear readers…but that is nothing more than a good excuse to curl up with a good book (at least that’s what I tell myself around this time of year!). And our genre aficionados at the Library are here, as ever, bring you our favorite readers from this month!
Bridget: The Fixer, Helenkay Dimon
I have had a tough time with contemporary romances for a number of reasons, but largely due to issues of gender and power relations that we can certainly discuss at a later time here…but then I read the debut of Helenkay Dimon’s Games People Play series, and realized there was still hope left in the world.
Years ago, Emery Finn’s cousin vanished without a trace, and her case was never resolved. As a result, Emery has dedicated her life to helping find other missing women, and to following every lead into her cousin’s case, no matter how cold, no matter how obscure. It is that search that led her to a man known only as Wren–a professional ‘fixer’, whose network of influence is vast, and whose true identity is a secret worth killing to keep. But Emery refuses to take no for an answer. Wren has lived most of his life in the shadows, doing the work that no one else can. But as he gets to know Emery, to see the passion that drives her and the strength that keeps her going, he finds himself drawn ever closer to her. But the more their search uncovers, the greater the danger to Emery grows, until Wren has no choice but to put aside his dark past and fight for the woman he has come to love.
I have a bit of a hard time telling you how much this book surprised me, dear readers. But we’ll start with the part where Wren, who, despite his wealth and power, is awkward in social situations, apologizes to the heroine for intimidating her at their first meeting. This is not a man who “takes what he wants”, like so many other heroes whose privileges are used to justify their horrible behavior. This is a romance of equals who respect each other and value each other’s talents and input, and of two people who aren’t used to making interpersonal connections, which adds an utterly charming artlessness and humanity to both characters. The mystery element of the plot is strong and interesting as well, but for me, this book was about shattering genre conventions, readers’ expectations, and telling a story about a strong, healthy, and honest relationship that was as meaningful as it was engaging. This one probably one of my favorite reads of the year, and I can’t wait until it arrives on our shelves soon!
Kelley: Love and Other Scandals by Caroline Linden
Sometimes it’s nice to read a simple love story without deception and drama, and that’s just what Caroline Linden gives her readers with Love and Other Scandals. There isn’t anything unexpected in this book, but it’s impossible not to like Joan Bennet and her family, especially her aunt, and though it took a bit longer for me, once more of his past was revealed I warmed up to charming rake Tristan as well.
Joan is a spinster wallflower largely because she spends most of her life dominated by her well-meaning mother, the only person both she and her brother fear to upset. From conservative rules of propriety to a religious observance of fashion that ignores flattering individual figures, Joan’s mother imposes rules that pretty much ensure that Joan will go unnoticed by potential suitors. When Joan’s parents and brother need to leave town while her mother recovers from an illness, Joan is left in the care of her unconventional aunt and, at the request of her brother, entertained by his good friend Tristan in his absence.
You can probably guess what happens next. Joan’s trips to the modiste and outings with Tristan are full of the kind of light and fun romance that’s perfect when you’re looking for an escape from reality. Following Joan as she learns to embrace her own sense of style and understand that some things are worth fighting for even if it means upsetting the people you love is a true pleasure.
Until next month (next year!), beloved patrons–happy reading!
