betty reviewed Countess Conspiracy by Courtney Milan
Review of 'Countess Conspiracy' on 'Goodreads'
2 stars
So, in this book, Sebastian Malheur is deeply in love with Violet Waterfield, the widowed Countess of Cambury, but she has a dark secret that prevents her from accepting his love, although she cares for him deeply.
Because he is ~suuuuper~ in love with her, Sebastian has been (at her behest!) presenting her scientific research in the field of genetics as his own, saving her and her family from the scandal of ~lady science~
Sebastian has never told Violet he is in love with her, because he knows his feelings will not be well received: Violet has made herself a woman of pure logic, with no time for feelings and no interest in men, since the death of her husband, the Count.
What is Violet's secret? Technically, it's a spoiler, but here is my actual status update from 26% into the book:
I've just figured out the entire plot. …
So, in this book, Sebastian Malheur is deeply in love with Violet Waterfield, the widowed Countess of Cambury, but she has a dark secret that prevents her from accepting his love, although she cares for him deeply.
Because he is ~suuuuper~ in love with her, Sebastian has been (at her behest!) presenting her scientific research in the field of genetics as his own, saving her and her family from the scandal of ~lady science~
Sebastian has never told Violet he is in love with her, because he knows his feelings will not be well received: Violet has made herself a woman of pure logic, with no time for feelings and no interest in men, since the death of her husband, the Count.
What is Violet's secret? Technically, it's a spoiler, but here is my actual status update from 26% into the book:
I've just figured out the entire plot. In another eight chapters she'll confess she loves sex but is terrifyingly fertile and miscarried dangerously every time. He'll be like, "But, contraceptives?" And she'll be like, "contra- what?" Because being an expert on inheritance and plant sex, she knows nothing about animal fertility management.
And I was 85-90% correct.
So there's that plot, which plays out more or less as you would expect, and which I mostly enjoyed.
And then there's the B-plot, which is id-porn of the best/worst sort. Best, because it is unrepentant, and unashamed. Worst, because it is so very much not my thing that I would rather be covered in bees.
Violet's sister, uh, I can't remember her name, let's say Lily, is emotionally abusive towards Violet, and Violet silently suffers everything Lily piles on her, rather than risk losing the affection of her family.
Sebastian's Brother, Ican'tRememberHisName, is a bully toward Sebastian, and Sebastian meekly allows it, because his Ican'tRememberHisName is dying of Romantic Heart Failure, and controls access to his beloved nephew.
And it's like reading that Harry Potter fic that spends eight chapters telling you about Harry's life living under the stairs, and how he was forced to scrub the bathroom with a toothbrush, and only ate table scraps, and was never called by his name, only called Boy! and forced to do needlepoint by candlelight in a garret to earn money for the family that he was never allowed to spend...
And then! And then! At the end, Violet's mom vindicates Violet, and tells her her sister is an asshole and always has been, Sebastian's brother apologizes to Sebastian, and admits he was wrong all along, and a bad brother, and Sebastian was the good brother after all, and Violet is recognized for her contributions, and given a degree by Cambridge, and made a lecturer, and cheering crowd welcomes her with a spontaneous parade.
COVER ME IN BEES. throws self out window
