Ransom My Heart by Meg Cabot

SUMMARY (by the publisher): He's a tall, handsome knight with a secret. She’s an adventurous beauty with more than a few secrets of her own. Finnula needs money for her sister’s dowry, and fast. Hugo Fitzstephen, returning home to England from the Crusades with saddlebags of jewels, has money, and lots of it. What could be simpler than to kidnap him and hold him for ransom?

Well, for starters, Finnula could make the terrible mistake of falling in love with her hostage.

MY OPINION:

Ransom My Heart is a fast-paced romance with a few steamy scenes, a predictable plot and an amazing heroine.

The heroine, Finnula, is the best part of this not-outstanding book. She is a female version of Robin Hood. She is a poacher providing food for starving subjects. She is an eccentric girl who rides the countryside dressed as a man and shoots better than any man. She is strong, independent, and, naturally, an exquisite, but modest, beauty.

The romance itself is just as it should be in such a book: quick and passionate. I liked, however, that Hugh, differently from many male protagonists in similar books, does not doubt Finnula even once. Cabot makes the chemistry between Hugh and Finnula work great, and there are some funny dialogues. However, Cabot uses some too modern language expressions which disturb the otherwise well-created thirteenth century atmosphere.

I found the ending too rushed and weak, I missed some more action in the end. Also, the fact that the villains were very transparent and known early in the book cut the suspense short considerably.

RECOMMENDATION: This light romance with a strong historical note is a perfect read for a leisurely spent afternoon or two.