Beau Crusoe

The story of the hero's survival is dark even for a Carla Kelly novel but it makes for a good change to read someone who deals realistically and sympathetically with such issues. ( )

http://reneereads.blogspot.com/2007/04/beau-crusoe-by-carla-kelly.html ( )

I adore Carla Kelly's books, in general ... but WHAT THE HELL WAS SHE THINKING???

All I can assume is that she had a drunken bet with someone, that she could sell the most tasteless book imaginable and STILL find a publisher. And if that really happened, then more power to her. ( )

One of the most beautiful romances I've ever read. I've never come across a book quite like it - so full of humor and life, but understated, subtle, and sympathetic in its wit, its full, wonderfully layered character development, and its treatment of the darker horrors of the hero's past. It tells of ordinary people capable of the extraordinary, bound together in a compelling, moving love story. Don't pass this one up. ( )

One thing I always like about Carla Kelly is that she writes about the other 99% of the population--nary a duke or prince or marquis to be found. And she doesn't flinch from writing some of the harsher realities of life. In this case, James has pretty much been through a "worst case scenario" in the all-too-common occurrence of a shipwreck. And "Beau Crusoe" is mostly his story, to be sure, although Susannah is a lovely heroine, with her own broken pieces as well that make her well suited to him. The softer moments blend well with the grittier bits. Although the love story itself is gentle and low-key, this is definitely a darker story than your usual Regency "shunned by the ton" faux-angst. It's a romance, and--gasp! a Harlequin--but it's lovely, well-written stuff. ( )