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srivalli 's review for:
Lesser Evils
by N.L. LaFoille
*review in exchange for a free ebook*
4.5 stars
The blurb intrigued me, and I'm glad that I chose to read the book. It was slow to start and took quite some time to set the pace (almost until 60%). But it served the purpose of establishing almost every character in the book.
The book opens with Abby escaping from prison, rather the gallows for murdering a man.
We aren't given the details but there are enough hints to guess what would have happened.
Dalton's appearance, disappearance, and re-appearance, followed by them escaping to his farm were action-filled. We also get to see how they try to take care of each other.
There is no love at first sight or intense passion. Instead, it's a slow, simmering flame that gradually grows and fills them.
Cordy and Buck were amazing characters, and I loved them totally. From mistrust to gradually getting to each other and building strong bonds, Cordy, Abby, and Buck took one step at a time.
I wasn't sure about Emily's character as she seemed to have little role to play. Jake was supposed to be fun, but I was already into Abby and Dalton's budding love.
Yet, Jake presented Abby with a choice, and I liked she contemplated it before listening to her heart. John was a steady character, despite the limited role he played in the book.
Jennie was a character I wasn't sure I liked. At least, until she realized her mistake and wished to become stronger like her sister. She grew up from being a self-centered and protected younger sister to a woman who could take responsibility for her actions.
Dalton was the kind of guy you'd invariably come to like and love. No matter how many ghosts he dealt with, his concern for Abby was genuine. He was always there for her. The POV alternated between Abby and the third person for Dalton. Eli (Butcher, the villain in more ways than one), Sherrif, and Jennie had one chapter each with limited third person POV to show their side of the story.
The transition from one POV to another was smooth and easy to follow. There was little humor in the book; just enough to keep the readers from falling into the dark.
I was tempted to give 5 stars but the second half of the book sounded more like a contemporary story than a historical. The language was more suited to the 19th century (or so). The first half though was closer to said period.
The ending too took its sweet time and I liked it. Many books get ruined by rushed endings.
Epilogues are a personal favorite, so I would have loved one. That said, the ending was smooth, like softly closing a book with a smile.
Abby is strong-willed yet vulnerable. She's not a superwoman and is ready to acknowledge her faults.
Dalton is similar even if he thinks otherwise. He's an extension of her in will and temperament but with increased stability that age brings.
Overall, this is a beautiful story of two broken people who try in their own ways to move ahead in life and find the courage to accept love and start building a happier life again.
4.5 stars
The blurb intrigued me, and I'm glad that I chose to read the book. It was slow to start and took quite some time to set the pace (almost until 60%). But it served the purpose of establishing almost every character in the book.
The book opens with Abby escaping from prison, rather the gallows for murdering a man.
We aren't given the details but there are enough hints to guess what would have happened.
Dalton's appearance, disappearance, and re-appearance, followed by them escaping to his farm were action-filled. We also get to see how they try to take care of each other.
There is no love at first sight or intense passion. Instead, it's a slow, simmering flame that gradually grows and fills them.
Cordy and Buck were amazing characters, and I loved them totally. From mistrust to gradually getting to each other and building strong bonds, Cordy, Abby, and Buck took one step at a time.
I wasn't sure about Emily's character as she seemed to have little role to play. Jake was supposed to be fun, but I was already into Abby and Dalton's budding love.
Yet, Jake presented Abby with a choice, and I liked she contemplated it before listening to her heart. John was a steady character, despite the limited role he played in the book.
Jennie was a character I wasn't sure I liked. At least, until she realized her mistake and wished to become stronger like her sister. She grew up from being a self-centered and protected younger sister to a woman who could take responsibility for her actions.
Dalton was the kind of guy you'd invariably come to like and love. No matter how many ghosts he dealt with, his concern for Abby was genuine. He was always there for her. The POV alternated between Abby and the third person for Dalton. Eli (Butcher, the villain in more ways than one), Sherrif, and Jennie had one chapter each with limited third person POV to show their side of the story.
The transition from one POV to another was smooth and easy to follow. There was little humor in the book; just enough to keep the readers from falling into the dark.
I was tempted to give 5 stars but the second half of the book sounded more like a contemporary story than a historical. The language was more suited to the 19th century (or so). The first half though was closer to said period.
The ending too took its sweet time and I liked it. Many books get ruined by rushed endings.
Epilogues are a personal favorite, so I would have loved one. That said, the ending was smooth, like softly closing a book with a smile.
Abby is strong-willed yet vulnerable. She's not a superwoman and is ready to acknowledge her faults.
Dalton is similar even if he thinks otherwise. He's an extension of her in will and temperament but with increased stability that age brings.
Overall, this is a beautiful story of two broken people who try in their own ways to move ahead in life and find the courage to accept love and start building a happier life again.