Innocence and Impropriety
Grade : D

Have you ever wanted to read a version of Pride and Prejudice with Lydia as the heroine? Me neither. But with its Austen-esque title and amazingly oblivious heroine, that’s precisely what Innocence and Impropriety calls to mind. Since I’ve read and enjoyed other books by this author in the past, this experience disappointed me.

Jameson Flynn is the son of an Irish gentleman, and he has high ambitions for himself. He currently works as secretary to an English marquess, but dreams of a lofty position in government. Consequently, he serves his employer with a thorough, single-minded determination that is almost legendary in ton circles. One night he hears something that could change his destiny forever: the voice of Rose O’Keefe, a beautiful, Irish singer. Rose performs in Vauxhall gardens, and many men are vying for the position of protector – including Tannerton, Flynn’s employer. He immediately charges Flynn with the job of securing Rose, and Flynn puts aside his own feelings so he can advocate for Tannerton.

Rose is more than happy to talk to Flynn, because she noticed him in the crowd immediately. She could tell that he was completely transfixed by her music, and she suspects he could be a man she could love. So she’s disappointed when Flynn merely makes the case for Tannerton. And then Rose gets a little confused, and doesn’t really know what she wants. Her dream has always been to be a singer, and to perform at the famous King’s Theater as her mother did. On some minimal level she seems to be aware that her chosen profession implies immorality, that she will need a patron, and will likely be sleeping with him. Since Rose has also attended a courtesan school and has several friends who are prostitutes, one would presume that she gets how this all works. But Rose sails through it all with an oblivious quality reminiscent of Lydia in London, wondering why she and Wickham can’t be seen at plays and assemblies. Meanwhile, Rose currently resides with her father and his paramour, a vile woman named Letty who wants to cash in on Rose’s talent and get her settled in with the richest man possible.

Tannerton’s most serious rival for Rose’s affections is the Earl of Greythorne, a known sadist. The two men vie for Rose’s affection, with Flynn doing the bulk of the wooing on Tannerton’s behalf while he pines for Rose in a desultory way. While this is going on, Rose tries to further her singing career with Flynn’s help and Tannerton’s money. And the reader is left wondering why anyone at all would think this scenario is romantic.

Indeed, the utter lack of romance in this book amazed me. I am actually predisposed to like love triangle romances, particularly when the heroine is married or engaged to the wrong man. It’s one of the stronger conflicts, because it’s hard for characters to wriggle out of their obligations honorably. The problem with this book is that Flynn and Rose never really do anything romantic. Rose has no idea what she wants out of life, and Flynn spends virtually the whole book trying to set up a business contract. It’s hard to convey in words just how uninteresting this is, but if you’ve ever closed on a mortgage and spent over an hour filling out incredibly boring paperwork – well, it’s a little like that. This is the kind of “excitement” most of us can get at home. If Flynn were secretly sleeping with Rose while this was all going on, that would have at least made this plot a little more compelling, but he’s too honorable (or wimpy, one of the two) for that. Amazingly enough, I couldn’t help thinking that Rose should just become Tannerton’s mistress so all the tedious negotiating could end. And right there, I knew that this book had failed in a fundamental way.

The subplot involving Greythorne hardly helps. Without spoiling the ending, all I can say is that it reminded me simultaneously of CSI and several Disney movies. Oh, and the heroine throws in some “I love you so I’ll set you free” behavior at the end for good measure. All in all, it’s a colossal disappointment. If you’d like to try this author, I’d encourage you to steer clear of this one and try the much better The Mysterious Miss M instead.

Reviewed by Blythe Smith
Grade : D

Sensuality: Warm

Review Date : March 21, 2007

Publication Date: 2007

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Blythe Smith

I've been at AAR since dinosaurs roamed the Internet. I've been a Reviewer, Reviews Editor, Managing Editor, Publisher, and Blogger. Oh, and Advertising Corodinator. Right now I'm taking a step back to concentrate on kids, new husband, and new job in law...but I'll still keep my toe in the romance waters.
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