Rebecca's Refusal (Thorndike Large Print General Series)

Rating:
Summary: Promising plot falls flat
Review: This book starts well and encompasses quite a few standard plot elements that usaully inject pace and excitement in historical romances.
Joshua Kelling proposes to Miss Rebecca Fossington as the result of a mix-up at an inn and the possibility of compromising circumstances being revealed to her ruin. She, in the usual tradition of 'strong-willed' heroines, refuses him. Neither the proposal or a further meeting would have occurred but for their connection through Rebecca's grandfather. In London, at the reading of his will, the pair shockingly discover they are joint owners of his cotton mill. Naturally they are soon spitting at each other. Mysterious accidents follow, culminating in an attempt to burn down the mill and her rescuing him. A promising mystery, attraction between the protagonists ... everything is there - but chemistry and interest. For some reason the tale falls flat. Rebecca is presented as independant, intelligent etc. etc. - but demonstrates none of these attributes. She places herself in foolish situations and then hands over decisions to the suddenly wonderful Joshua without much struggle at all. She becomes dull. There is of course a villain - but he is so flat as to be thinner than cardboard. Very disappointing.