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Paideiamom

Always Another Book in the TBR

Love to read, but I love to also just buy. Sometimes I think my hobby is buying more than reading.
About Last Night - Ruthie Knox About Last Night

So I wrote a long, thorough review, filled with examples and lovely quotes and yada yada yada.
Then, needless to say, when I hit save I was informed Goodreads was a bit busy, call again later.
Not going to do that.

But here it is in the nutshell I should have probably done the first time.
I won't give you a plot synopsis because you can read the one done by professionals. It is spot on.

I have read Ms. Knox's two books. The backgrounds are inventive, interesting and fresh. The Victoria and Albert Museum has a role in this particular book, with knitting being the focus. While I am a rudimentary knitter at best, I would have liked a bit more about why knitting as opposed to costuming, gowns, ceremonial robes, whatever. Later as the story progressed, I saw why knitting maybe. Seemed a bit contrived, but it was a good scene, well done and certainly moved a relationship along in an entertaining manner.

Cath, our heroine, and Nev see each other, circle around each other and finally actually meet (I won't spoil the meet-not-so-cute). The relationship is established quickly and passionately.
There is great sex and even better banter. I love banter. Their repartee (just like in Ms. Knox's previous Ride with Me) is great, worth the price of admission.

Now, while they are trading witticisms, Cath is learning about our hero Nev. While he is sharing, she is holding back. We, of course, know what and why she is holding back. This lack of sharing leads to issues down the line.

And at this point, I must digress. I put this book down here and walked away for about a month. At first I thought it was disinterest but after having ruminated on it for a month or so I realize it was cowardice. I saw the Big Hurt coming. I didn't want to deal with it just then. Ms. Knox's writing draws me in. It makes me think. It seems as if every word is perfectly chosen. I wonder if she is aware of how evocative her writing is. I just seem to "get" it, feel that 20 something's pain, perceptions in a way I didn't feel them when I was a 20 something.

So anyway, I picked the book back up. Yes, the pain came, the disillusionment, the crushing disappointment in how one is treated by the one they love. And this pain didn't go just one way, of course. Both characters made mistakes in how they approached each other, how they shared their very selves.

But, to no one's great surprise, they overcame and the HEA was big and grand.

Now, Ms. Knox is a new autobuy for me, a favor I don't grant easily.
But I had some niggles. The big forgive, too pat, too quick. From best I could tell on reading (and I reread the pertinent area a couple of times) from disagreement to HEA was about 26 days. Somehow this banker quit his job, mortgaged his flat, purchased/renovated/painted a studio, painted a multi picture homage to Cath in 26 days. I know painters how can't pick out a frame in 26 days. It just seemed too easy. Then there was the problem of how to get Cath to the studio. Again, easily dealt with in a way that made no sense to me.

There is also the issue of "wet" panties. A personal peeve, not that much of a pet since I don't bring it out and feed it that often; but I hear about how wet the heroine's panties are -- I hear about how wet the heroine is at all -- and I am thrown into childcare mode, not all sexy mode. To me wet panties equals accident. I know. It is my age.

The evil mother was also tamed too quickly, one afternoon, a quickly drawn sketch, a knitting pattern and wham, after a lifetime of snobbery and manipulation she is working towards getting the girl for her boy. I don't know. I am a mama. It would take more than that for me if I truly thought the young lady in question was not a good sort.

There were other even more minor things, no need to quibble and show just how petty I am.

I loved this book. I will buy as many as Ms. Knox writes like this. I will strive to become immune to wet panties, just keep writing the books.