Something quite different

I really enjoy the audio books written by Emily Larkin , this one has a really thought provoking plot which is superbly narrated as usual by Rosalyn Landor and with the addition of the usual magic and romance it is highly recommended.

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Interesting idea & plot…

A twist of fairytale- mixed with a great plot !!!

I could do with less sex - and less repetitive statements…
But otherwise a most enjoyable book …

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Really enjoyed this

In a week when we lost our Queen this really lifted me would listen to it again in a heartbeat

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Trust me it’s good!

Really enjoyed this story with two likeable main characters and always enjoy listening to Ms Landor narrating.

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Good story about detecting truth from lies

Far too many sex scenes told in too much detail. Lots of repetition. The army is mentioned a lot, but always in the past.

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More please of Emily Larkin

Emily Larking is becoming one of my favourite authors. Always a story gripping you from the start, a little bit of mystery to spice up the plot and not too overwritten, so you lose the will to finish the book.
Rosalyn Landor's great narration enhances the experience. The whole thing is very entertaining, many thanks.

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The series takes a darker turn.

I haven't really been one for historicals with a magical element, but I came across the first book in this series- Unmasking Miss Appleby- via the narrator, and really enjoyed it. Resisting Miss Merryweather was also enjoyable, but after Trusting Miss Trentham, I do wonder where this series is leading.

I don't usually relay a lot of the storyline in my reviews, but I do think it is important that you know that Icarus is suicidal for the majority of the book. He has a mission to accomplish, and has decided that he will end his life when it is over. If I had known that, I probably wouldn't have listened to the book.

I have read one book previously where the hero was suicidal (again, I didn't know until I was well into the book) and with both books I have been extremely frustrated by the selfish behaviour of these men. Icarus is very selfish. He uses Letty, for her gift and for emotional support. He takes and takes from her, allowing her to be in a situation that could negatively impact her for the rest of her life. As he plans on ending his life, he doesn't intend to do anything to help her should trouble descend upon her as a result of assisting him.

I also didn't like how bad he made Letty feel about herself. She already has low self esteem from being proposed to by nearly 200 men who don't actually want her, only her money. I felt like this made her disregard her own needs, and focus so completely on how she could help Icarus, and save his life. When she told him that her gift was magical, and the story about her fairy godmother, he made her feel ashamed because the thought that magic existed made him feel "uncomfortable". Never mind that he was using her gift for his own quest. He didn't seem to mind making her uncomfortable by mentioning his death every opportunity he got.

When he did decided that he wasn't suicidal after all, he won't marry Letty because he isn't "ready" for a wife. Then he has sex with her, and realises that she's the love of his life.

The backstory of Icarus' experience at the hands of the french, and description of his illness, PTSD and depression are powerful and convincing. I just don't think they belong in a romance, unless the book spans several years. It is unconvincing (and insulting to sufferers) to insinuate that within two weeks, a man can go from being physically and mentally ill, sleep deprived, obsessed, isolated and suicidal, to healthy, happy, in love, sociable and ready to build a future. In spite of the (rather rushed) epilogue casting a rosy glow over everyone, I find it hard to believe that Letty has ended up with a husband that she can rely on. It is far more likely that she would spend the rest of her life watching and worrying over him.

Rosalyn Landor is always superb, although the tone of the whole book is rather solemn so her performance is flatter than usual. There isn't a laugh in the whole book, and actually I'm surprised I didn't abandon it. Letty and Icarus collect a motley crew on their travels, and it would have been good if there characters had been used to provide some light relief.

A big positive is that a homosexual relationship is acknowledged in this book. I would rather it had been introduced in an emotional rather than a sexual way, but to my joy it is the subject of the next book in the series, Claiming Mister Kemp.

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