When I started this book, I really enjoyed the setup and the characters. But, since I really enjoy explicit consent in my romance fiction, I wasn't sure I could finish the whole thing and still like it. The author did a good job of humanizing the hero enough to understand why he's a jerk, and also having the heroine have the ability to make her own choices. I hadn't read any of Anna Campbell's work before this, but I will be reading more. ( )

nah. so bored.

eh. ( )

For about two-thirds of this book, I didn't want to put it down. The story was basically seven days/nights of two people in a remote castle seducing each other, as the title promises. I'm always impressed when an author can stay in one location (a castle, a cottage, a carriage) for a long time and still have enough happening to keep my interest.

Some of what happens has unclear consent or even obvious non-consent, and when I finally took a break from the book, right around when the two protagonists leave the castle after the seven nights, I found myself not wanting to read any more.

I kept wondering about the most non-consensual scene, which involves Person #1 doing X without Person #2's permission, and then forging ahead with their plan to do X even as Person #2 begs them to stop, because they know doing X will miraculously solve all of Person #2's deeply rooted emotional problems. Which of course it does. I just don't buy the psychology behind this scene; and even if the psychology were sound, I don't believe Person #1 would have been sure of the outcome; it seems like a foolish and risky move that could result in Person #2 having even more emotional trauma.

I kept reading, but what happened in the rest of the book didn't sit well with me, so that the book didn't feel satisfying in the end. There's a lie that continues throughout the story with a predictable outcome; I really wanted the character to tell the truth and to have some new conflict arise instead of harping on the same old conflict. And there are emotional reactions that keep the couple apart that seemed over the top and unrealistic.

I went back and forth on this one. The reason for their arrangement was actually decently strong which was nice, but after her initial go of it her attitude started to irk me. Apparently she arrived thinking she might be mauled by a villain for a week, but quickly moved on to telling him he couldn't do whatever small thing he proposed, and acting missish and concerned for propriety and her reputation... That ship has sailed. She also seems to believe that it would be better for him to act the brute than it is for him to try to tempt her into enjoying herself, which is absolute rubbish! She's clearly never even comprehended what being used with zero care for her enjoyment would entail. She also jumps off the deep end during (but not because of) a storm, and I just couldn't even stand the stupidity. But then there was a middle part where things went swimmingly and it was good again. I braced myself for the characters to pretend they didn't need each other after their arrangement ended, but was pleasantly surprised. At this point I would have likely given it 4 stars. But then for most of the rest of the book the characters just took turns getting in their own way. The longer it went on, the less I cared. And then when things were finally repaired, the book was over. So it was kind of disappointing because it didn't live up to its potential. But I still think I might enjoy other books from this author so I'm not too discouraged. ( )