I finished this book in one sitting, which is not a testament to its excellence, but rather the knowledge that if I put it down, I might never pick it up to finish it. There were many problems with this story, but most of them lead back to one thing. It has on of the most incredibly stupid heroines I’ve ever come across in any novel.

Adele St. Clare has been the chatelaine of Esterwold since her father’s death a year ago. She has taken care of the peasants, the books, the crops, and all the items that must be attended to in order to run the fief properly. Due to the political maneuvering of the times, her brother has been held captive since he was a young boy at another estate. Adele petitions King John for his return since he is the rightful ruler of Esterwold. Instead, the king sends one of his political cronies to take control of the fief, and unbeknownst to Adele, sets up a marriage for her.

Rafe De Montford is the overlord of Esterwold and the messenger and escort who will ruin Adele’s life. Adele hates the handsome Rafe almost on sight, since he refuses to help her keep control of her home. Rafe thinks that Adele is, “alluringly high-spirited and a beauty beyond compare.” Alas, he has been ordered to deliver her to her groom, a cruel and odious man. Even though Rafe does not trust in King John, he is the king, and Rafe swore an oath to obey the king.

Just before Rafe is to begin the journey with Adele, she receives a covert message from a man in the forest, reportedly her brother Jocelyn. Adele goes to meet the man, and even though his hair is a different color entirely, his kisses are not brotherly by any means, he has no recollection of their childhood, and his eyes are a different color, he says he is Joce and Adele believes him, by golly! Yep, by page 38, I was already berating the heroine for her actions.

Shortly afterward, all the “I hate you’s” on Adele’s part culminate in searing passion and “love” from both Adele and Rafe. Adele explains it like this, “Oh, Rafe, I love you too. All the time I thought I hated you, I think I wanted you even then.”

Rafe, like Adele, is a one dimensional character. There is no demonstrated reason in the story for him to love her. Basically she is a hot babe and spunky and evidently that’s enough for him to declare deathless love. Since he spends most of the book trying to rescue Adele from the consequences of her TSTL behavior, they never spend anytime in meaningful conversation with each other. Adele never questions any behavior from anyone throughout the story; she meekly goes along waiting to be rescued. Of course, once Adele and Rafe get together, Big Misunderstandings abound.

This book is set against the backdrop of the political upheaval leading to King John’s signing of the Magna Carta, which is the only thing that managed to capture my interest in this book.

Adele St. Clare joins the TSTL Hall of Shame, and that thud you hear in the background is the sound of this book hitting my wall, more than once. If you enjoy screaming in frustration, then by all means, give this book a try. Otherwise, don’t waste your time.