Book Review: Captured at the Castle by Alexandra Ainsworth

Title: Captured at the Castle
Series: Scandal in Sussex, Book 2
Author: Alexandra Ainsworth
Genre: Historical Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy provided by author
Published: August 17, 2015 by Sanguinity Press

Geoffrey Hammerstead always dreamed of protecting others. Geoffrey is delighted when he moves to Ashbury Castle to take on the duties of magistrate. But when his uncle, Sir Ambrose, goes missing and is accused of running a long smuggling network, Geoffrey finds himself under suspicion.

Former thief Etienne Rivaud is furious after being wrongfully thrown into prison. But Etienne is more furious when the new magistrate is assigned to protect him.

Geoffrey and Etienne are both confident they abhor each other, but somehow they cannot stop thinking about each other. Can they ever attempt to forge a future together in a world where sodomy is illegal, and Geoffrey's job requires him to enforce that?

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Reviewed by: J9

In a Nutshell: Strong bones for a romance but the leads didn’t share enough of their backstory for a believable romance (to me).

Why I Read This Book: I enjoyed book one of this series (my review) well enough to try book two.

What I Liked: I really enjoyed the set up where by-the-book magistrate Geoffrey falls for “criminal” Etienne. The tension between them was good, as was the mystery (even if it’s no surprise whodunit). I especially like the second half of the book where Etienne is injured and Geoffrey cares for him. This allows Etienne and Geoffrey time to accept their sexual feelings for each other. 

What I Didn’t Like: As a reader I understood Geoffrey and Etienne but I didn’t think they understood each other. Geoffrey’s tension between upholding the law but breaking it to be involved with Etienne was on page for readers but he never said ANYTHING to Etienne. Likewise, Etienne had a past filled with abuse and trauma and I understood that as a reader but he didn’t say ANYTHING to Geoffrey. How could I believe these men could be together without sharing any of their backstory with each other?

IMO: To  enjoy Captured at the Castle romance fans will have to suspend belief that characters know the other intimately to be involved.

J9’s Rating: