Lions Of Autumn Book

Helena Nash is layered, like pie. Beyond her criminally pretty face is a woman who is sassy and stuff. Ramsey Munro is straightforward, like a sword. He is comprised of playboy good looks, a shadowy past, and boat-loads of honor. He runs into her in disguise while she's on a mission for her employer's daughter and they strike up a flirtation. Meanwhile, she approaches him as her real self in order to learn fencing and LOVE IS THE AIR, ALONG WITH RIDGES OF AROUSAL and silly MISUNDERSTANDINGS. Obvs, the reason Helena is not confessing she's both the disguised woman from the park is because she only wants Ram as a low-down lover. And obvs the reason Ram wants to marry her is because oaths, duty, honor.

1. This was enjoyable palatable for me, even though I have mean things to say. Helena's struggle to discover herself under the mask she wears as a paid companion was fun, as was her banter with Ramsey. Ram's understanding of his position in society, and how that would impact Helena's acceptance of him, was nuanced without being bludgeon-y.

Yes, if they would have used an ounce of brainpower, things would have been a mite easier for both of them, but the ride was so enjoyable that I didn't even mind it.

2. The plot to determine who betrayed the boys is still afoot, although pushed mostly into the background. It does not rule Ramsey's life in the way it ruled Kit's (from My Seduction), but it does have presence and repercussions in the text. I did, however, call the twist reveal far too early, and I honestly am curious if Douglas is really dead. TOO SOON?

3. So. Much. Fencing. Terminology.

4. Ultimately, I thought the actual relationship development fell far short of the ideal: there's flirting and mentions of Ramsey watching Helena for years to fully understand her, but there's nothing on the page to trace that plummet from mutual I'd-Bang-You feelings to Love-You-Tender-Always-&-Forever. It was patchy and left me feeling a bit morose, especially because I did like both of those blockheads. I wanted more!