A History Nut's Romantic State of Mind

I went between 3 and 4 stars for this book. But I just gave [b: An Offer from a Gentleman|9408584|An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3)|Julia Quinn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346380157s/9408584.jpg|846764] 4 stars, and I liked [b: Kilts and Daggers|23390846|Kilts and Daggers (Highland Spies, #2)|Victoria Roberts|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1416369528s/23390846.jpg|42948520] better.

Because I read Julia Quinn and Victoria Roberts on the same day, I had opportunity to assess how I felt about both writers. I think Julia Quinn is the better writer, wittier and has a more refined way with words. I say this because having read Victoria Roberts before, I noticed that she repeats herself in a book, recycles the same phrases over and over again in one book. It bothers me. Is there no other way to express similar sentiments? I think characters in this book must have said "Arse" to each other at least 5 or 6 times, and not by the same person.

There are other things that I have observed in both writers but it is a review of Kilts and Daggers after all. So I will stop the comparison.

I liked Grace and Fagan in the book. We have all read about how couples bicker with each other constantly because they were not honest with their feelings toward each other. Most of the time it just ends up being a huge mess where I want to pull out my hair because they would act like idiots in the books. Grace and Fagan fought and were always getting on each other's nerves. But I think this is one case when love and denial are done well. They mocked each other but did not get on my nerves, much to my surprise. Roberts gave Grace and Fagan both a sense of tenderness and vulnerability which really helped soften the constant bickering.

That being said, I do think there were quite a few places where the story could have taken a much better turn and Roberts kind of just let it pass. It could have been a more heart-wrentching story but ended up being a slightly better than average highland romance. Again I like the characters well enough hence the 4 stars.

I will not be reading other books in the series though. I already know that I don't like the premises & characterization of them and the writing is not my cup of tea enough for me to overlook that.