Book review- Lisa Kleypas Love in the Afternoon

It's been a long time since I reviewed a book. But I am back to reviewing now. Love in the Afternoon, like most other novels reviewed is a historical romance by New York Times bestselling writer Lisa Kleypas. It is the last book in her Hathaways series. I haven't read any of the other books, but I do plan to read them.

Captain Christopher Phelan has been corresponding with the beautiful golden-haired Prudence Mercer while he was away fighting in the Crimean War. What he doesn't know, however, is that the woman who wrote to him is actually Prudence's best friend, Beatrix Hathaway.

Upon his return home to Hampshire, it becomes clear that Christopher's experiences in war have changed him. In this scene, Beatrix and Christopher argue over the dog he brought back with him, a regimental mascot named Albert . . .

The book starts out very interesting. It is not like usual romances where the hero and heroine meet each other, fall in love at first sight etc... The exchange of letters helps build a relationship. Betrix is an intellectual which I liked very much and she comes from an unconventional family. She loves and takes care of abandoned animals. It is her passion.

Captian Phelan is however, not so likeable. He seems very dominating, rude and harsh (not to mention anti-feminist who expects Beatrix to behave conventionally). The Phelan of the letters seems weaker and somehow nicer than the person he becomes after the end of the war when he comes back home. The excuse that he is used to seeing blood and is feeling guilty about the people he killed seems a poor excuse for his behaviour.

Overall, a new type of historical romance for me. I suggest that you try it, but don't expect anything spectacular. It has its good points, but is overall an average book. The Hathaways seem very interesting (especially Cam and Leo) so I think I will be reading more of this series.

Story-3
Plot-3.2
Characters-3.9
Style-4.5

Pros
Nice cover (at least the version I read had a nice one, which is pictured above)
Strong female lead character
Exchange of letters is intriguing

Cons
Un-likeable male lead
A bit stereotypical