A Suitable Replacement (Megan Derr)
2.5 stars
** SPOILERS ALL OVER THE PLACE, TOO LAZY FOR SPOILER-TAGS **
My review is basically similar to the other 2-stars reviews that have been available here. I thought the story started well. For around 30% - 35%, I enjoyed the adorable traits that of Megan Derr's that I was familiar with. Max is the 'grumpy' guy who finds himself being attracted to his twin sister's ex-fiancé, Kelcey. Kelcey is the broody guy being the son of a traitorous family who attempted to kill the crown prince and had a checkered past under a different name. See, THIS could easily be a loveable story -- in which Max and Kelcey became friends, and then Kelcey realizes that Max is a suitable replacement for his twin sister, and they fall in love, and live happily ever after.
Unfortunately, after that point, the story went south to what I called "a WTF-ery" territory. Because suddenly, the family of the princess who engaged to the guy whom Max's sister ran away with (get the connection yet?) decided that Max should be the replacement -- because clearly there are nobody else in the entire kingdom that could be the princess' husband. Max's way to avoid it? ELOPE to Kelcey, of course. However, Kelcey's past come forward and threaten his life. So Max accepts the help to protect Kelcey by agreeing for ANNULMENT and then marries that princess (she is pregnant!!) for a year of arrangement. He can get a divorce after that and returns to Kelcey. Which is totally WTF for me, because apparently Kelcey is able to kill that man from his past anyway.
It a was a mess of a plot, in my opinion. In addition, what are all these 'tidbits' about Goblin war and magic, which totally didn't do anything for the world-built nor had any significant to the storyline. It could easily be a simple regency story, without the whole paranormal element.
Oh, and Max's sister? Totally selfish in my opinion! Max should not forgive her so easily. Everything that happened after were all because of her...
I have read better stories from Megan Derr. This one falls into my least favorite category.
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