So many plot holes, you could use it as a sieve.

PROS: The premise of this book- a couple accidentally handfasts themselves to each other in Scotland-is a good one. The main characters, Charlotte and Anthony are fairly likeable and have a moderate amount of depth. The narrator, Marian Hussey, is easy to listen to and does a good job.

CONS: The writing is so lazy with very little attention to detail, such that there are gaping holes in the plot that Ridley does not even try to close. She writes as though Scotland consists of one small town. In fact, I don't even think she gives them a location, other than being "in Scotland". Charlotte and a number of other people seem to be making an extended stay at a posting inn, as though it is some kind of holiday resort. Why?

The reliance on coincidences to move the story along is outrageous. Charlotte's father's solicitor just happens to come across her "in Scotland". He doesn't even say he's been looking for her, for some unknown reason he is "in Scotland" and just happens to come across her. There is also no explanation as to why Charlotte's mother allows her to go all the way to Scotland, when she knows her father does not in fact live there. The smallest amount of effort could have resolved these issues, which makes it particularly irritating.

The everyday actions of the characters is just wrong. Charlotte's determination to join the card game and stake money she can't afford to lose doesn't make sense. Anthony's reaction to owing a great deal of money in a short period of time doesn't make sense. He starts doing odd jobs for pennies because it makes him feel useful. What? Charlotte and Anthony are very concerned about not wasting money, and yet they travel from Scotland to London by hiring private carriages instead of travelling by the mail or the stage, staying at numerous posting houses along the way. A pair of "ruffians" from London have a rather impressive amount of knowledge about Scottish law. How? Ridley's understanding of the era seems to be minimal.

You always have to suspend your disbelief a fair amount for books like these, but I think Ridley is asking far too much with this one. If you like to have some authenticity and attention to detail in your historicals, avoid!

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