A Book by an Author You've Never Read Before

Hello, everyone! 

I realize I'm a bit behind on the challenge (three books to be exact) and therefore blog updates, but I'm doing the best I can. I actually read for well over an hour today to finish Keeping the Castle by Patrice Kindl.

There was a major problem I had with this book. This may not be the best way to start off a review, but I feel it should be addressed first because it came up throughout the book. The main characters are pretty poor. To the point where they can't afford to get their tapestries mended- or to even afford food regularly! Yet, they had thirty seven servants, one of which was a stable boy for the two horses they owned. The author attempted to explain how they kept the horses, one was a gift and one was bought by the rich stepsister who keeps her money locked away, but she seems to forget to explain the servants. If I knew how people who couldn't afford sugar or fresh tea could afford to have thirty seven servants, I may have enjoyed the book  more. It was something my mind kept going back to and I hoped at some point there would be an explanation... There wasn't.

Despite this issue, there were several aspects of Keeping the Castle that I enjoyed. A major one was Mr. Fredericks' character. At first he seemed aloof, almost like a carbon copy of Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice (if you didn't get that reference immediately, shame on you). It wasn't long before I realized that wasn't it at all. Where Mr. Darcy is shy and proud, Mr. Fredericks' turned out to be awkward, outspoken and spontaneous. This is a common mix of traits for heroines these days, but seem to be rare in male characters. It was a refreshing change and I found him to be my favorite character, although the main one, Althea, grew on me towards the end. 

The story was an interesting idea, but it fell a bit short. There was only one major plot twist and the romantic aspects were hard to follow. It reminded me a bit of A Midsummer Night's Dream in that it was difficult to tell which secondary characters were going to end up together. I couldn't tell who wanted to marry who for what reasons for most of the book! The ending was pretty cute, albeit hasty and a bit clumsy.

I gave Keeping the Castle three stars on Goodreads, but I would only recommend it if you don't mind little plot holes and a bit of confusion in your romantic comedies.

I hope to read the next book item quickly and update soon, but we'll see!