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A review by alisonb
The Purloined Papers by Allison Lane
4.0
This does not have the typical markings of a romance novel, but it does end in a happily ever after. I find that I tend to enjoy Allison Lane’s books and would describe them as cozy stories with a slight romantic arc.
In this story we have Chloe and Andrew. Childhood friends that have always had an affection for one another but circumstances have kept them apart. They come together again after eleven years and Andrew seeks to help solve the mystery surrounding Chloe’s father’s death.
Most of the story focused on Andrew and his time during and after Waterloo. I found him to be an interesting and well rounded character. As a second son he entered the army even though it was not his dream to do so. I like that his true strength lies in a talent that he used to cope with the trauma of war. It is a talent that plays a big part later in the story and I enjoyed how Lane tied it to his strength, insecurities, and ultimate saving grace.
Chloe was focused on quite a bit less than the villainous Laura who has been a common thread and foe throughout this series. I liked Chloe the little bit that I got to know her. I attribute some of the lack of development with Chloe to be a direct example of how women had less freedom than men. She did not have the financial or positional means to safely move through the work and travel and enjoy new experiences. Due to her fathers debt she was relegated to being a lady’s companion to Laura-a person that Chloe was trapped in a house with for two years. Two years in which Laura’s arrogant and selfish ways repress and trap Chloe in a lonely existence.
The culmination of the mystery and Laura’s comeuppance were a bit anticlimactic because I was waiting for Chloe and Andrew to get on with the business of getting together. The epilogue wrapped things up neatly but also went a bit overboard with how fortunate the happy couple became, but I still found this to be an entertaining story.
If you are curious, this is a closed door romance although Andrew’s narrative includes some heated thoughts of Chloe that scratch that itch just a tiny bit. Otherwise, there really isn’t any passion, just the longing and love these two have had for one another since they were teenagers is mentioned in their internal dialogue.
3.5 stars!
In this story we have Chloe and Andrew. Childhood friends that have always had an affection for one another but circumstances have kept them apart. They come together again after eleven years and Andrew seeks to help solve the mystery surrounding Chloe’s father’s death.
Most of the story focused on Andrew and his time during and after Waterloo. I found him to be an interesting and well rounded character. As a second son he entered the army even though it was not his dream to do so. I like that his true strength lies in a talent that he used to cope with the trauma of war. It is a talent that plays a big part later in the story and I enjoyed how Lane tied it to his strength, insecurities, and ultimate saving grace.
Chloe was focused on quite a bit less than the villainous Laura who has been a common thread and foe throughout this series. I liked Chloe the little bit that I got to know her. I attribute some of the lack of development with Chloe to be a direct example of how women had less freedom than men. She did not have the financial or positional means to safely move through the work and travel and enjoy new experiences. Due to her fathers debt she was relegated to being a lady’s companion to Laura-a person that Chloe was trapped in a house with for two years. Two years in which Laura’s arrogant and selfish ways repress and trap Chloe in a lonely existence.
The culmination of the mystery and Laura’s comeuppance were a bit anticlimactic because I was waiting for Chloe and Andrew to get on with the business of getting together. The epilogue wrapped things up neatly but also went a bit overboard with how fortunate the happy couple became, but I still found this to be an entertaining story.
If you are curious, this is a closed door romance although Andrew’s narrative includes some heated thoughts of Chloe that scratch that itch just a tiny bit. Otherwise, there really isn’t any passion, just the longing and love these two have had for one another since they were teenagers is mentioned in their internal dialogue.
3.5 stars!