Lady Helen's Misalliance - DNF Review

Lady Helen's Misalliance (Seasons of Love, # 2)

By: Jessica Spencer

Publication: October 9, 2024

256 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

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Goodreads description--Clean Regency What is a lady to do when the man she loves is determined to sacrifice their love for honor?

Lady Helen is not overly concerned that she is only passably pretty and not likely to attract many suitors during her London Season. Only a shallow man would choose his wife for her looks. She wants a husband who is likable and worthy of respect, possesses a good character, and has a pleasant disposition.

Mr. Luke Turner is what the ton contemptuously refers to as a Cit. His wealth and upbringing can give him entry into London Society but not make a match with a young lady of birth.

Helen knows that Luke is the only man she can marry. He is kind and gentle and makes her feel comfortable about herself. He loves her, she knows he does, but is adamant about keeping away for fear of endangering her place in Society.

But when the notorious Lord Frampton fixes his sights on her, Luke is the only one she can trust. Will he put aside his scruples to keep her safe?

I went through a rough spell with my reading and DNFd 3 books in a row. Believe it or not, DNFing (Did Not Finish) is actually pretty rare for me. I've DNF'd roughly 57 books over 11 years. But I've come to learn a bit more about what I enjoy reading and what I don't. And I'm less patient with books to see how things end up if I'm not enjoying one. I don't have time to waste reading something that I'm not liking. 

Lady Helen's Misalliance was a disaster. Almost immediately, I questioned DNFing. The writing is truly terrible. I do not criticize someone's work lightly. It takes a lot to sit down and write a book. To execute a plot on paper. I haven't done it. But this book was so, so badly written. I DNF'd at 34%. 

So much of the book was dialogue. When I was younger, I'd often skip descriptions and get straight to the dialogue. Or if I'm in a part that seems to be dragging on, I might skim until the next statement a character says aloud. But I almost felt like Jessica Spencer forgot that you can't write an entire book based on dialogue alone. So much of the in-between description and narration was completely missing. 

And then, the real kicker is that the characters start acting like and even naming themselves as being in love without having more than two interactions between them. The first interaction is where the MC runs over the FMC with his horse. She's stunned. He is attractive. They barely talk. They then meet again where it's discussed that they shouldn't meet again for reputation purposes. I mean 15 words between the two of them might have been exchanged. And this comes from an author who writes nearly exclusively in dialogue. Yet the FMC declares herself to be in love. Then the MC's sister basically tells him that she can tell he's in love based upon some eye contact bologna. 

-"Who was that?" Dora asked.
"Who do you mean?"
"The young woman who left just now. I saw you watching her. Who is she? Is she a lady?"
"Dora, what's it with these questions?"
"Are you in love with her? I think you are. Does she love you too?"
"She is Lady Helen. Lord Frampton was misbehaving with her. Dora, would you mind if we leave? We can come again tomorrow if you wish. I want to be sure that Lord Frampton is not lying in wait for Lady Helen."

You guys, I wish I was exaggerating. I couldn't take it anymore. The writing was weak. The characters had an insta-love thing based upon absolutely nothing. I can't. I can't. I can't. DNF @ 34%. Have you read Lady Helen's Misalliance? What did you think? Let me know!