Laura Kinsale

"All the shame of that moment when she had read his last letter washed over her again, the shattering realization of her foolishness, her loneliness, of her secret treason." ahh gods my heart!

My Sweet Folly has one of the best epistolary opening chapters - maybe ever! . . . and then Kinsale swiftly pulls the rug out from under you, after your heart has expanded 3 sizes and you want MORE intimacies only letter-writing can fulfill (I actually liked that the rug was seized from under us promptly, because I dislike when the You've Got Mail con goes on too long - it's just not my preference). The epistolary element doesn't disappear entirely, but the function changes.

I liked this book but when the novel shifts into a gothic tale, it took a while for me to get back into the flow. This is my over-arching Kinsale journey 3 books in: her prose doesn't captivate me for extended periods even though I am aware how beautiful the writing is. I did love Follie, she was such a flirt and I adore how her personality just shines in her letters to Robert and in her interactions with the people around her. Robert's time with The India Trading Company looms heavily over my experience of this book in that it seemed to exist too benignly for me.… (mere)

additional review think-y thoughts: I have to get this out of the way - My favorite character in this story is Maddy (and her father). I've read some real bullshit takes on Maddy and her character arc. I'm sorry, who was it that wouldn't bow to the king of England? Oh that's right Maddy-fuck-your-aristocratic-worldy-nonsense Timms (Maddy would NEVER say or think that lol because she is a better person than I could ever be). So when people call her annoying or pious, I'm calling it sexism and bullshit. I do not know what romance readers want anymore when they say "I like strong heroines! Just not any of the ones that are actually strong or steadfast!"

I am uncertain about how I feel in regard to the romance between Maddy and Christian - it felt rushed? Which sounds weird considering this book is over 500 pages. I guess the romance-y moments didn't trigger the romance-y feelings within me until the last few chapters of the book and that is where it felt rushed (to me). Romantic, yes! But rushed (for me). And look! This is a me issue! I have never connected strongly and emotionally with Kinsale's prose. And I do not say that to mean she writes "bad prose" rather, her style does not move me the same way something from Judith Ivory or Sherry Thomas or Patricia Gaffney moves me. I am often impressed by Kinsale's technical achievement (and I was here!) but it just never takes me further than a deep appreciation for her craft.
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initial reactionary review: This was such an emotional ride for me! I was anxious and incapable of sitting still then entire time and I have more thoughts about why this ended up a 4 star read for me and not a 5 star - all of which doesn't really matter because this is an important book and I am glad I read it! But those thoughts will have to wait until after the hihos!… (mere)