The relationship between Gail and Max was absolutely lovely ... if only there hadn't been the love square component (4.5 stars)

This is my second book by Kate Noble and one I actually picked up thinking only to read a chapter or two right before going to bed. That did not at all work out well for me and I was up till I finished it at 5am! That in and of itself tells you how good I thought it was and how much I enjoyed it.

The story is absolutely lovely and very much of an enemies-attract romance - Max and Gail, from their first encounter, annoy one another and get under each other's skin, but watching their interactions, dialogue, and the development of their love story is simply wonderful. They are such a perfect fit, and are surprisingly sweet, cute, funny, and tender with one another. If it hadn't been for the love square - which goes on for the whole book because of a huge case of Things Left Unsaid - this book would have 5+ stars, absolutely no doubt about it.

Praise
As with the first Noble book I read, Follow My Lead , this book had some terrific elements that are hard to find all in one romance:

(1) Gail and Max are wonderful leading characters who are also perfect together, though I think we realize that before they do. Both of them have strengths and weaknesses, both have vulnerabilities that they're trying to cover up and/or work through. Together they fit perfectly though, and are able to provide the security and affection that the other so desperately needs. Gail may be one of my favorite heroines that I've read in quite awhile and Max is utterly charming (even when he's decidedly not). The scenes with them are funny, sweet, engaging, and ... chemical ...? (i.e. they have chemistry ;-)

(2) The romantic relationship is so believable; there is not instant lust - or even instant like - and their relationship truly develops and builds slowly but surely. This is made all the more real with Max's initial attraction to Evie, which while distressing (for me at least) to read, only serves to highlight for him and for the reader how much real, true love is different from momentary attraction or infatuation.

(3) Though not as historically rich in detail as FML, it is more due to the fact that there is not as much opportunity: there you had the main characters traveling all over Europe and an important subplot tied to art history; here you don't have either. There is still wonderful historical detail and much more than we see in most other romances. Both Gail and Max are intellectuals - and opinionated ones - so the back and forth between them on several pertinent issues of the times is both enlightening and fun.

(4) The chemistry is strong and one definitely feels the attraction between the hero and heroine - I think even before they do! Lol. There were not as many romance scenes as in FML, but again, this is due to differences in the story: they are not separated from society and the heroine here is much younger. What is there is strong and well-written though. The true magic in Kate Noble's books comes from the development of the relationship - in all aspects - so the strength of the emotional and intellectual connection leaves you not wanting for anything.

(5) Terrific secondary characters! I was especially impressed by Romilla, whom I thought was going to be the hated stepmother, but whom within the few pages you already get the sense that no, she's a fully-developed character and there's much more to her. Who doesn't love Will, Max's friend, and the only thing I wished is that we could have had a little more of Max's father, because there were definitely hidden depths there.

Issues
While this didn't end up being much of an issue because it's not mentioned frequently and she doesn't at all act like it, Gail is actually very young - only 18. Most heroines nowadays are older and frankly I prefer it that way, but essentially, unless the age and/or age difference is such that it's pervy, the number doesn't mean anything, it's how they act. Gail does not *at all* act like a young, immature, spoiled, TSTL 18-year-old romance heroine, so in the end her age is incidental. (I forget how old Max is, but it's mid- or late-20s.)

My biggest issue was with the love square (as in not a love triangle) - not a term I think, but now it is. Noble loves to tie her readers into knots and she succeeded oh so well with this reader in particular. I could barely read the beginning of the book - I was anxious, kept cringing, and wanted to throw the book across the room. I hated that Max was attracted to Evie, forgot about Gail, and gets engaged to her (due to necessity, yes, but still). This entire love-square aspect of the book caused me no end of stress, especially at the beginning and the end - OMG the almost-end: I wanted to scream and slap a particular female character upside the head!

Now, was this aspect of the story well-written? Yes. Were there any Big Misunderstandings? Aside from the initial one that necessitates the engagement, not really. Does it all get fixed and work out perfectly for everyone involved? Of course! Is it believably done? Yes. ... So essentially, I wish this part of the plot was absent only because it put too much of a damper on my enjoyment of Gail and Max's relationship and stressed me out waaaay more than I like to be when reading romances.

For those who think they're like me and will be bothered by this, I urge you to not let it stop you from reading the book though, because that would really be a shame. Relatively quickly, the glow for both Max and Evie begins to fade and while their engagement still stands and is a constant element of the plot (argh), emotion-wise each begins to go off in their own direction and we are able to enjoy the developing romance between Gail and Max.

I wish that one of the four would have just said something though, for god's sakes! Just stood up and shouted out the truth, because all of these Things Left Unsaid - also huge in FML - while not being as bad as Big Misunderstandings are just as trying on the nerves! (view spoiler)[It also drove me nuts that everyone - aside from the two people involved - were completely oblivious to what was blatantly developing between Evie and Will. (hide spoiler)]

Bottom Line
Read it and enjoy! Is absolutely fantastic and reaffirmed my belief that Kate Noble will become one of my favorite romance authors. I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next!