Not what I expected at all. The first book did not catch my attention much so I left this book on my shelf for quite a while. To my surprice this was quite a good book. The beautiful selfish Catriona turned in to a recluse after a horrible carriage accident that left her disfigured. But then comes the refreshing and positive footmant(whom I really liked) to enlighten her dark and baren life. A deals struck thats pleasurable for both, not your typical virginal heroine. I think that Catriona is an interesting character. She is one that has the traits of many of us, self centered and self absorbed. I think that the death of her parents at a young age caused her to realize that life is so fleeting and short so why not get as much enjoyment out of it as you can. So she does. I don't think that even at her worst she was a bad person, she just looked after her self and her needs first. But then she spurns the wrong man, and he does not take it lightly. So he is the cause of an accident that turns Catriona's beauty character into almost a Beast like character with scars and all. So Catriona still in her self preservation mode goes to Edinburgh and basically becomes a hermit. Her caretaker and chaperone Dina MacTavish decides to put a stop to this, and insists the aide of Mark Thorburn. Mark is a doctor who Dina thinks can out stubborn Catriona. But because Catriona has a deep distrust of doctors, who in the past has not been 100% truthful with her telling her what they think she wants to hear. Mark enters Dinas' household as a footman. The interactions between Mark and Cartiona are so funny at times, its fun to see how Mark gets Catriona to come out of her shell. They banter, they fight they fall for each other. I think that Mark gets Catriona because of his own family, his own father despises the fact that Mark is a doctor. But Mark is set on going his own way, doing what he thinks is best. And in his interactions with Catriona we see that she too comes out of her shell of me-me-me and starts to think about others. Its too bad that at this time her spurned lover returns and is plotting Catrionas' downfall again. To bad this guy didn't know he met his match with Catriona and Mark. Because Mark will do anything to keep Catriona safe, especially once he realizes that he intact does love her. This is a fast pace book, filled with Romance, Mystery and Suspense. All in all a very enjoyable book.
What do You think about The Lass Wore Black (2013)?
Wonderful book.. I'll write full review later.
—Illya
