Narrated by Anne Flosnik
I have to begin this review of The Devil Wears Kilts
The story itself is fun and entertaining, a solid regency by Suzanne Enoch. Set in the time of the Highland Clearances when Scotland underwent a major (often violent) change from the traditional clan system, the title’s kilt-wearing devil is Ranulf MacLawry, Marquis of Glengask, one of the last lairds of his kind. His 18-year-old sister Rowena desperately wants a London season, so she runs away to have a debut with her best friend Jane Hanover. When Ranulf catches up with Rowena in London, he is rude and in a temper, ordering Rowena pack up to go home immediately. Only Lady Charlotte Hanover—Jane’s sister and a very proper British lady—is brave enough to stand up to Ranulf; she maneuvers him to consider his sister’s happiness and stay in town.
Thus begins a wonderful story of opposite equals falling in love: Scots v. Brit, violence v. pacifist, rough v. polished, brawn v. beauty, man v. woman. Twenty-five-year-old Charlotte is done with hot-tempered men. She is still recovering from the death of her fiancé at a completely unnecessary duel. Ranulf, meanwhile, finds himself confronting his enemies even in London. As Ranulf and Charlotte escort their sisters, they learn to set aside prejudices and get to know each other. They actually communicate (!) on the way to a gratifyingly romantic proposal and ending.
If you’re a regular listener of historical romance, chances are you’ve encountered a book or two read by Anne Flosnik. This audiobook is definitely an improvement over some of Ms. Flosnik’s older narrations. Ms. Flosnik is adept at portraying both male and female characters, giving them each a distinct sound. Ranulf has an authentic-sounding Scots brogue, and Charlotte sounds strong and feminine.
It must be my taste, then; I just don’t enjoy Ms. Flosnik’s relatively flat tone of delivery. Did her narration interfere with the story? No, for the most part. Ms. Flosnik’s reading of this book stays the story-telling course. It did not make me focus on her voice in a negative way, as some of my previous Flosnik listens did. But, yeah, this was a letdown after my Lord of Scoundrels high.
Megan
Narration: C+
Book Content: B+
Steam Factor: Glad I had my earbuds in
Violence: Minimal
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Tantor Audio
The Devil Wears Kilts was provided to AudioGals for review by Tantor Audio.
