Review of THE DUKE OF SNOW AND APPLES by Elizabeth Vail

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

Frederick Snow, first footman, is the perfect servant: efficient, hardworking, and completely bereft of emotion. Unbeknownst to his employers, he’s the lost Duke of Snowmont, on the run from a suspicious stepfather and a powerful magic he can only control by burying his passions beneath his frosty demeanor. He's managed to hide behind his carefully ordered life until an impertinent miss arrives and challenges everything he thought he wanted.

If Charlotte Erlwood wants to land a wealthy, titled husband at her great aunt’s house party, she has to stop losing her temper – especially with inordinately handsome footmen. Perhaps if she recruits Frederick for her matrimonial schemes, she'll be able to direct her attention toward suitable single noblemen and away from inappropriate dalliances. But Frederick’s frigid control is no match for Charlotte’s irrepressible spirit, and her passionate kiss could summon the darker side of his magic...or wake his heart from its frozen sleep.

The way I read it ~

The Duke of Snow and Apples wasn't a terrible read but..... it wasn't spectacular. 

The concept of the Fey/Magic meshed into the historical romantic setting was new to me. I haven't read another book like it. Maybe it was this strangeness that made it difficult for me to overlook the good things about it. 

These 'good things' are few. I enjoyed the plot, though at one point I think it began to go downhill for me. As I said, not terrible, not spectacular but strange...... I never like to reveal too much of the plot. I'd rather readers experience the book for themselves without too much biased options going in.

The good thing about this story was its potential. I could see it going somewhere. The story, plot-wise was good and the myriad of characters made the story colorful and interesting. The witty banter was enjoyably (I love witty banter!). I did feel the passion between the two main characters (Frederick and Charlotte) when they both realized that the attraction was there, lying in wait. But I felt their circumstance (him being the 'help' and her being a lady of some fortune)in the story held little possibility of any kind of relationship between them. Other than the way it turned out in the end of course, which felt utterly predictable. And yet at the same time it ended the way it should. Strange, I know. Granted I loved all that 'love from a distance', though, it frustrated me a little...

Or maybe alot....

The magical aspect was intriguing (I love intrigue!) Frederick's 'powers' was a unique touch. I've never read anything like it. And yes, it did confuse me sometimes and I had to grapple with its concept a bit. Maybe because it was all so new to me. Which is good. But was also bad. I think that made it hard for me to enjoy certain things. Like their chemistry, which wasn't necessarily lacking but was over shadowed by the things I didn't like. (plot predictability mainly).

I may read this again in the future, so I can settle some of the uncertainty.



******************************************************
Received from Publisher via NetGalley for an honest review

RATED JUST RIGHT: 3 out of 5 Sugar cubes

Reviewed by Leelo