4 Stars

Wow, this was such a treat! I picked it up randomly at a library book sale and had no idea what to expect. Turns out it was a really fun romance with melodrama and a hint of the supernatural which was a welcome surprize. The only thing that didn't sit right was the depiction of a side character (

Spoiler

it's a character with who is very strong but "mentally challenged"

), but I had to remind myself that 1997 was 23 years ago, and this would likely be handled/described differently now.

That aside, it was the perfect read at the perfect time. I loved the drama of the isolated setting during a storm, the fiery nature of the characters, and just enjoyed it so much. I think it's my first Anne Stuart, but it will not be my last!

Idk why I thought “don’t judge a book by its cover” with this one because the description sounded so good, but do judge this book by its cover. It’s exactly what you would expect. The vibes were exactly what I was looking for, but the romance was way too overdone and soap-opera-y. I’m a bit embarrassed I read it. I know it was written in the early 90s but… yeah I should have known. This is probably one of those books my grandma would read when she babysat me.

I adore Anne Stuart. She never disappoints.

ಠ

Hilariously, magnificently Gothic.