Chase, Loretta - Mr. Impossible

[oyceter]

I wasn't going to like this, I really wasn't. Even though it was set in Egypt and by Loretta Chase. For one, it has that educated heroine who somehow always rubs me the wrong way (I wish one could sound educated in romance novels without sounding prim and bluestocking-ish). Then the hero was completely bowled over by the heroine's looks, and it didn't help that he was rakish-seeming.

But I couldn't help it! Rupert Carsington is an awesome hero (so cute! Fluffy bunny cute, not handsome cute, though I am sure he is handsome cute too), and I adored Daphne as well. And it's one of the few romances that actually make me believe that not only are the hero and heroine in love, but that they fit and that it will last.

Rupert Carsington has been dumped in Egypt by his father, who is very happy to find some way of off-loading his irresponsible and troublesome son. Daphne Pembroke, a wealthy widow, needs help to find her kidnapped brother, and as a last resort, she buys Rupert out of jail. He's to be the brawns and she the brains of the operations, says she who speaks a good dozen languages, and he agrees quite nicely because he's bored and because she's pretty.

Rupert (I keep thinking Giles, which is really disturbing in this context) is sort of a rake, but he's so cheerful and matter-of-fact about it that I didn't mind much at all. And I adore the way he is with Daphne. He really loves that she gets excited about hieroglyphics, and he loves that she is brave and takes care of herself. I mean, a lot of heroes say that in romances, but Rupert honestly seems to believe it. So when he shoves her out of danger, it's not because he thinks she must be protected from it or something, it's because he doesn't want to see her hurt. Plus, he doesn't do that stupid paternalistic thing in which he makes decisions for her. Also, he teaches her how to shoot a gun.

And I also like that Chase contrasts Rupert's attitude with Virgil's attitude, Virgil being Daphne's dead and not-really-mourned husband. Daphne is sick of people not listening to her and belittling her because of her sex, and she was told by her husband that her attitudes toward sex and books were "unwomanly." It all reminds me quite a bit of the whole history of hysteria and the notions that women had to cease overusing their brains so that their uteri would be able to function properly. Ugh.

I loved Daphne's straight-forwardness, contrasted with Rupert's sort of naive innocence. It's a strange way for a rake to be, but that's how he comes off as. She, on the other hand, is extremely practical, and not much for romance, which I like, being a bit like that myself.

Also, Daphne and Rupert banter! They're funny! And best of all, they genuinely like each other, and there were no stupid misunderstandings to get in the way.

Man, this book cheered me up so much! Must hunt out the others in the series.

ETA: Oh, yes, I forgot to add how much I liked that the romance empowered Daphne. I know, "empower" seems like such a corny word sometimes, but she ends up being stronger and better in the relationship. I feel like all happy romances should be like this (as opposed to angsty romances, which are allowed to be dysfunctional), and yet, in so many, the woman ends up being some sort of damsel who can't do anything for herself and gets rescued all the time. This irks me a lot.

Links:
- coffeeandink's review
- minnow1212's review
- kate_nepveu's review

Comments

[riemannia.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I found this book a lot of fun. I kept thinking, this isn't the kind of book I usually like, but it totally worked for me. And it made me laugh. With good plotting and details, too.

[rilina.livejournal.com]

I liked this one a lot too, though I didn't blog about it. Rupert really was quite adorable. Plus, the mongoose! Miss Wonderful is good too, though perhaps not quite as fun.

[graygirl.livejournal.com]

Egypt! Romance! Oh this sounds good. :)

[oyceter]

I kept thinking, this isn't the kind of book I usually like, but it totally worked for me.

Me too!

It was such a wonderful, unexpected surprise and delight!

[oyceter]

I know, I adored Rupert! He was just so sweet, and it's so rare to find a sweet romance hero who isn't totally messed up.

[oyceter]

It is! It is very good!

[oracne.livejournal.com]

He really loves that she gets excited about hieroglyphics

I loved that he thought her going on about hieroglyphics was hot. Hee!

[oyceter]

Me too! I think that's when I sort of stopped, sat back, and thought, "Wow, Rupert is awesome!"

[fiveandfour.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the recommendation, sounds like a winner. I probably would have passed this by if I was reading the blurb on the back of the book (I know, I know - don't judge by the cover, but I can't help myself).

[oyceter]

Glad to sic good books on other people ;).

Yeah, usually I'm pretty good with figuring out my buttons from the back cover of romances, and this one felt like it was going to hit my anti-buttons. But it was so good! I am happy when I get surprises like that ^_^.

[gwyneira.livejournal.com]

Okay, now you and riemannia have both enthused about this book, so I guess I'm going to have to check it out. Yay, Egypt!

[oyceter]

Joy! It made me so happy, I want to spread it around.