Book Review - Sarah MacLean's The Season
The Season by Sarah MacLean
Published by: Orchard Books
Publication Date: March 1st, 2009
Format: Hardcover, 343 Pages
Rating: ★★★
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Alex, Vivi, and Ella are about to have their first season. The gowns have been made, the hair has been coifed, and Almack's awaits! But seeing as they are hiding in an alcove behind a large potted fern to get out of the din of the ballroom, their opinion on the marriage market is quite obviously in direct opposition to most of their fellow debutantes. Opinions Alex has voiced loudly and often to all who will hear, despite all her etiquette lessons telling her to be a delicate flower. These three girls are opinionated, headstrong, curious, intellectual, bookish, and above all, have no desire to be reigned in by marriage. And despite ample parental examples that love exists, only Vivi believes that she will find "The One." But then the most curious thing happens, Alex notices a man with very attractive hair. Who knew hair could fall attractively across broad shoulders? What's more shocking is that the hair in question belongs to Gavin Sewell. Gavin, who recently became the Earl of Blackmoor after the sudden death of his father. Gavin, who has always been palling around with her and her three older brothers her entire life. Gavin who is like another brother to her. She shouldn't be thinking about Gavin's hair in this way. But it's like something has been awaken in her and she's even jealous when he dances with the odious Penelope! Who is this person she is becoming? Gavin will not interfere with her plans to remain unattached no matter how many times her mother threatens a second season if Alex doesn't find a husband in her first. But then the famous Worthington dinner party changes everything. Alex sees that her parents have created a different kind of society around themselves. They aren't like the rest of the ton. They believe in talking about more than the cut of a dress or who was seen with whom. But more importantly, there was an almost kiss between her and Gavin. An almost kiss that later becomes a real kiss. Alex is falling for Gavin, only she becomes aware that Gavin's suspicions about his late father's death might be closer to the truth than he could have ever imagined. Alex will have to save Gavin from a similar fate if they are to get their happily ever after.
The Season is a very solid entry for younger readers into the Regency era. In fact I'm rather surprised that a series didn't arise from this single volume. There was definitely the setup and the storylines to continue, but Sarah MacLean moved onto adult romances and hasn't looked back. And perhaps that's a good thing, because while I enjoyed this book it was very much a "first book." There is so much potential on these pages that brim with witty dialogue that you can't wait for her to evolve. To pick what works and what doesn't, which is why I can't wait to read her next book, Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. I want to see how she's grown. I want to see what became of her potential, and given the success of her proceeding books, she has definitely found what works for her. Here it's all just beginning, more a pastiche than a voice of her own. The Season is very much Bridgerton meets Jane Austen. We have Alex's three overprotective brothers, just like Daphne had, and oodles of Austen, most obviously seen at a certain picnic scene. But beyond these basic building blocks there are sparks of genius. The dialogue rings so true and is just so fun that you almost want the characters to be talking constantly. It reminded me of the very best in Gossip Girl banter, and seriously, I don't know exactly why my mind went all XOXO, but there it is. Maybe it's just that I could see Rufus fixing waffles for all the elaborate breakfasts? I also have to applaud our heroines for not acting like they are in a horror film. These are all Final Girls y'all! But the pedant in me had to find things that got under my skin. Because there are a few glaring historical inaccuracies that while pushing the narrative forward could have been rewritten to not annoy the hell out of me. There is no way that Gavin, an unmarried family friend, would have been an acceptable chaperone for Alex. Oh, and as for Alex, her dress was entirely wrong to be presented at court. And don't get me started on the fact that constables didn't exist in 1815. If that and Blackmoor's name had been changed I would have been fully here for the book. As for why Blackmoor's name? When I read it I read it as Blackamoor, and that's not a good thing. That is very archaic and racist. Names are important people! So let's just stick with Gavin. I don't think Gavin could offend anyone...
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