Catherine March

Why is it that most medieval romances are so very, very bad? This one is no exception. The heroine is completely unlikeable - a whiny, weepy, pathetic little girl with no character development, except her belief that she "loves" this man she doesn't even know. Who isn't even very nice to her. The hero is a jerk to her through most of the book, until he suddenly (and for no good reason) decides he's madly in love with her. No character development on his part, either. Having nothing in the way of depth, this book relies on cheap melodramatic devices in an attempt to make the reader care. This book is home to - I kid you not - THREE attempted rape scenes (I was yawning by the third), the heroine getting a severe illness, and memories of a dead wife that haunts their life. And I still didn't care. Yawn. Don't waste your time.… (meer)

Hero chose the wrong sister to marry. (Really, there wouldn't even be a story if he chose the right sister) Sister ran away to Gretna Green on the eve of her wedding day while heroine took her place. Hero didn't find out about the switch until they were on their way to Russia. They fall in love but sister came back to cause more trouble for her selfish needs.

Sad to say, but I liked the epilogue a whole lot more than the story. It's a melancholy and unusual epilogue ***CAUTION SPOILER AHEAD*** In between the main part of the story and the epilogue, hero was put in jail! while heroine became an outcast!! but they do get back together at the very end and there's a secret baby thrown into the mix!!!… (meer)