Rakes and Radishes

Rakes and Radishes

by Susanna Ives

When Henrietta Watson learns that the man she loves plans to marry London’s most beautiful and fashionable debutante, she plots to win him back. She’ll give him some competition by transforming her boring bumpkin neighbor, the Earl of Kesseley, into a rakish gothic hero worthy of this Season’s Diamond.

After years of unrequited love for Henrietta, Kesseley is resigned to go along with her plan and woo himself a willing bride. But once in London, everything changes. Kesseley, long more concerned with his land than his title, discovers that he’s interested in sowing wild oats as well as radishes. And Henrietta realizes that gothic heroes don’t make ideal husbands. Despite an explosive kiss that opens her eyes to the love that’s been in front of her all along, Henrietta must face the possibility that Kesseley is no longer looking to marry at all…

I had some hope for this book it sounded good at least, but found it to be just ok. It had potential but feel it was not followed through.  Can say I don’t like the title at all, just does not do it for me (can’t stand radishes and do not think romance at all when I hear the word).

I think what annoyed me the most was the selfishness of Henrietta, or I should say her immaturity.  Kesseley also bothered me some I mean he spends years in love with Henrietta yet not doing anything about it, although that is discussed some later in the book, he is more willing to see her get hurt by someone who does not really love her at all.  Yet he lets her manipulate him at every turn.  Then when you think the book might be taking them somewhere he turns into this real schmuck and you are almost glad that they never get together.  OK so it is a romance and it does have a happy ending but the journey there was very predictable and not as satisfying as I would have hoped.

Grade C-