A LESSON IN PATIENCE by Jennifer Connors continues her unique time travel/historical romance themed series. This third installment in the Lesson series battles some credibility and editing issues, but still provides a good read. I give it 3 stars and recommend another round of editing with fresh eyes.
A LESSON IN PATIENCE follows Ginny to the US Midwest during the 19th century. Ginny is an amnesiac sold into marriage to Colby, a man who is really just looking for a governess for his brothers and a chaperone for his sister. Colby is bitter and resentful about his lot in life even before marrying Ginny, having been forced to give up a career in law to take care of his family after his parents died, but Ginny's 21st Century mindset makes his life even worse. He spends most of the book being surly, and then makes the dramatic shift towards "love." Add some competition from Colby's best friend, danger from the elements, and menace to Ginny (and thereby Colby's sister) from Ginny's nearly bankrupt father and a sadistic former betrothed, and drama ensues.
I am uncertain whether this "lesson in patience" is meant to tout the benefits of waiting to be physically intimate in a relationship or waiting for someone you love to "come around." The character and thought development of Ginny's character is a bit incredible here. Perhaps she is just so tired of being in someone else's life that she immediately begins wondering when she gets to the "great sex" perk of the story. The development of the romance between Colby and Ginny was also a bit thin and could use more substance. Colby's flip in perspective is a bit abrupt, and Ginny seems calculated, not at all like a woman in love. Even so, there are some humorous parts and some nice action scenes.
On the technical side, the pace of the book is decent, but the editing definitely needed another pair of fresh eyes, as there were many glaring grammatical errors. Also, while not pervasive, the love scenes are specific enough to warrant a level 3 heat rating, appropriate for those 18 years of age and older.
Overall, even though A LESSON IN PATIENCE doesn't quite meet expectations, the novel is a decent read, and certainly necessary to the overall Lesson series plotline.
A LESSON IN PATIENCE follows Ginny to the US Midwest during the 19th century. Ginny is an amnesiac sold into marriage to Colby, a man who is really just looking for a governess for his brothers and a chaperone for his sister. Colby is bitter and resentful about his lot in life even before marrying Ginny, having been forced to give up a career in law to take care of his family after his parents died, but Ginny's 21st Century mindset makes his life even worse. He spends most of the book being surly, and then makes the dramatic shift towards "love." Add some competition from Colby's best friend, danger from the elements, and menace to Ginny (and thereby Colby's sister) from Ginny's nearly bankrupt father and a sadistic former betrothed, and drama ensues.
I am uncertain whether this "lesson in patience" is meant to tout the benefits of waiting to be physically intimate in a relationship or waiting for someone you love to "come around." The character and thought development of Ginny's character is a bit incredible here. Perhaps she is just so tired of being in someone else's life that she immediately begins wondering when she gets to the "great sex" perk of the story. The development of the romance between Colby and Ginny was also a bit thin and could use more substance. Colby's flip in perspective is a bit abrupt, and Ginny seems calculated, not at all like a woman in love. Even so, there are some humorous parts and some nice action scenes.
On the technical side, the pace of the book is decent, but the editing definitely needed another pair of fresh eyes, as there were many glaring grammatical errors. Also, while not pervasive, the love scenes are specific enough to warrant a level 3 heat rating, appropriate for those 18 years of age and older.
Overall, even though A LESSON IN PATIENCE doesn't quite meet expectations, the novel is a decent read, and certainly necessary to the overall Lesson series plotline.
*Original review revised for The Romance Reviews.com at http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=10168
