Review: Guarding a Notorious Lady by Olivia Parker
Author: Olivia Parker
Book: Guarding a Notorious Lady
Release: June 5, 2011
Series: Devine and Friends 3
Source: NetGalley
Purcahse: – Book DepositoryA woman of pristine breeding, Lady Rosalind Devine is also an unrepentant meddler and snoop — which is why her brother refuses to leave her to her own devices while on his wedding trip. But Rosalind will not make things easy for any unseen, unwanted “nursemaid” — and vows to use her considerable wiles to expose her mystery guardian.
Nicholas Kincaid agreed to secretly guard his friend’s spoiled, stubborn sister, but her infuriating penchant for mischief is causing him to question his decision. Though bound by the rules of society — and friendship –Rosalind’s spirit and sensuality have sparked a fierce desire in Nicholas to play a very different role in her life, one that promises passion, ecstasy . . . and unavoidable scandal.
This should have been a very easy book to review because I liked both the story and the characters, but instead, it’s giving me a headache. Why? Because someone didn’t follow through on their job as an editor.
I like Rosalind as the protagonist and Nicholas as the secret bodyguard. Their interactions are good with only an occasional bobble in the flow, but I can live with that.
What drove me to distraction, and stopped the story many times, were the abrupt changes in point of view. The story would be in deep third as seen through Rosalind’s perspective, and then without warning I would be dropped into Nicholas’s head. I then had to go back and reread the passage and the transition in order to adjust my thinking. Unfortunately, this happened quite often. At one point, the story is in Rosalind’s POV and suddenly switches to a somewhat omniscient POV. I’m still not certain whose perspective was used for that scene. The editor should have pointed out all these instances for Ms. Parker to correct, but I suspect no one noticed.
Overall, it’s an interesting story and I would even recommend it to historical romance readers, but with one caveat…pay attention to the character’s voice so you’re not distracted by the changes in POV.
Also Reviewed By: The Brazen Bookworm – Joyfully Reviewed – The Season of Romance
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I really like the synopsis of this book and your comments about the confusing POV won’t stop me from including it on my TBR list, but I know what you mean about switch being disconcerting. I do find myself sometimes stopping saying ‘What? Who?’ and having to re-read. If that does happen too much I’ll put that author on a secondary tbr list. I appreciate your comment about the editor, but don’t authors have multiple people who read & comment for them?
Mona – I also understand exactly what you mean… sometimes a story is wonderful, the characters make you smile and then…something doesn’t mesh. :(
@Diane – Most authors have critique partners or beta readers, but not all crit partners are equal. Not everyone pays attention to POVs. Same with editors. Nora Roberts is famous for head-hopping, but since it’s her, no one says anything. The rest of us can’t get away with it.
@Noa – Honestly, I did like the story a lot. It just got frustrating when I had to keep stopping and backtracking.