I feel like in writing these show notes, for the first time it just makes me sad. Because, simply put, it’s not a romance. But it’s being marketed as such, and sold as such, and given to people who if it’s some impressionable will then turn around and go looking for someone who will fulfill these truly awful criteria.
In most of the books that we’ve read like these (i.e. billionaire romances) there’s been some kernel of goodness to the guy. Like something, like even a kind moment. But in this book there really isn’t one. At least not in the first book.
Which then creates whiplash in the second book, as suddenly he turns around and is like “huh, maybe I could be a decent human being to my wife and take an interest in what she enjoys.”
I will freely admit that I like tragic dark-heroes. Always have. It’s not a good thing, it’s not a bad thing, it just is what it is. (The Star Wars Episode 9 trailer dropped today and I was SHOOK). But even I couldn’t get behind this guy. There wasn’t even a solid grain of goodness for me to hold onto, to the point where I was like “how the fuck does this guy have friends? Does he treat everyone in his life this shittily?”
At the end of the day, after having re-read this book, I felt like Obi-Wan Kenobi when Alderaan was destroyed, just bereft and feeling a bit of pain for my fellow romance readers.
(No I did not call out Meghan March on Twitter. Because what would be the point? I can’t change the past and try to convince her not to publish this book/to change the plot.)
Anyway everyone I hope you still enjoyed this episode! We’ll see you in a couple weeks!
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