Buchanan-Renard #7
It is hard to keep writing about this series. Coming up with discussion specific to Fire and Ice without spoilers was tough. The stories are cute and predictable, perfect for curling up on a cold day. I read these when I’m looking for something comforting. There will be good dialogue, a little steaminess, and two people who just can’t stay apart. The details will change slightly with each book, but they’re all well-written variations on a theme. I hope the final couple has been circling each other throughout the series, and the last book is the best because the tension has been building between the final couple for the whole series. Until then, it’s just another solid iteration.
This instalment in the series seemed far-fetched. Sophie develops scruples regarding her father’s money despite being stolen from bad people and her vocal appreciation of luxury goods. The effort she put into sticking it to William seemed over the top. Her boss is willing to pay for the Alaska trip. The scientist’s access to nefarious resources also surprised me. I don’t think dialling 1-800-hit-mann works, and they were able to get in contact with international groups of evil people. The amount of hopping around to different places in Alaska seemed pretty slapdash. I repeatedly went, “Oh no way, that’s not how that would have happened” in my head.
I didn’t feel strongly about Sophie, and Jack did seem too full of himself. The tension between them seemed forced. Sophie seemed to contradict herself, even though she supposedly pretended to be frivolous to mislead people. They’re two super hot people who both have their noses put out of joint when the other doesn’t fawn over them the way they’re accustomed to. I was bothered by the creepiness of the men who hit on Sophie. Her internal dialogue didn’t even get icked out! She might find it flattering, which shows how different the world was then, even though it was only 15 years ago.
This series of books starts before smartphones and broad access to computers/the internet. Seeing bits and pieces of tech added in as time passes has been fun!
Summary
Fire and Ice was pretty meh. Nothing made me angry, got me riled up or had my heart racing in anticipation. The mystery would be so far-fetched and random that I didn’t try guessing. Lacklustre though it may be, it was still a fine, cozy read for a Sunday afternoon in winter.