The Convent’s Secret

Each progressive book in this series is more boring than the last. Nothing is resolved, there are just different (dragged out) obstacles here and there. I expected more from the author of the Ministry of Curiosities series. This series is basically just one extremely long story and shouldnt have been more than (at the max) two books. It feels more like an author being greedy than an attempt at writing something good.

Some of the ongoing nonsense doesnt make any sense whatsoever.
*Major Spoilers*
Why does she stick around when she supposedly agrees she cant be with him? Just to torture herself? (He doesnt need her there just to save him because anyone else could do the same.) She may have a lease on her place, but that will only last so long if she cant cancel it. She should have enough money to be able to stay somewhere else til then.

Why is he agreeing to marry his cousin??? Her mistake wasnt his fault, and he especially doesnt owe anything to the family he just found out about and that has been mean and manipulative to him. He expects the h to share everything with him, but he tries to keep it secret that he agreed to marry his cousin. He obviously doesnt love the h and is just stringing her along. Then, just because hes upset, he goes off to get drunk. Thats just cheating in a story, and shouldnt be happening to a character youre supposed to believe in and trust. Someone who gets drunk to hide away from things that bother him is going to be drunk all the time and is Not a hero.

Shes refusing him because of what people will think? Thats BS and means she doesnt love him. How can she care more for the aunt that says shes not good enough for him than the man she supposedly loves? How can she put up with the horrible belittling woman, let alone like her? The author has changed her from being a strong woman into a wimpy girl. And everything is moot if they go to the US like he keeps talking about. There wont be anyone to disparage her there. Same goes for the magic. Theres no reason to stick around where shes known and will be harassed. Planning on leaving solves two big problems.

So, in conclusion, she doesnt love him enough to not care what others think, and he doesnt love her enough to not marry his cousin. (Ick!) The author has turned both main characters into spineless wimps. I havent even finished this story yet, and it (plus the other books in this series) is making me so irritated that I had to put it down. I am truly disappointed in this author.

Addendum: I finally finished the story. And was sorry I did. My exact first thought was: Stupid Stupid Ending. *More Spoilers* he gets shot (again!) and she just goes off with the shooter? He no longer has anything to threaten her with! His big threat is that hell shoot her or the other guy, but he cant shoot either or he loses the ability to get what he wants. Thoroughly stupid, which she isnt supposed to be. Then instead of fighting him she goes off with him as a weak pathetic little thing. Ugh!

I did like the watch scene, but then the story went back to stupidity and a cliffhanger.
How in the world would his uncle get hold of ANY kind of threat that would force him to marry his cousin. WTF! Hes still keeping secrets and wont tell her whats going on, which is totally wrong if it has to do with her. He and his uncle havent known each other very long, and the male lead is supposed to be this sure, strong, independent man that wont take bull from anyone. And how can this supposed man tell her hes going to marry her when hes promised to someone else? How can she be happy overhearing him not caring enough to disentangle himself from his cousin, but letting her believe that theyll still be married? Hes just obviously duplicitous and has no honor. I am just disgusted with this.

This review started out at three stars, but the more I read the lower the rating went. It actually deserves a negative number for the garbage it is.

I have read all these books.
After book number 4, I was getting impatient for the story to wrap up. It seemed like things were being drawn out beyond what was necessary to get to the main objective, the plot was getting thin.

But I knew there were five books, so at the end of this one, I was waiting for the HEA….and, denied. Again.
WTH?
If the author had wanted to write a huge series for these people to go through, solving magical crimes in each one, she could easily have done that AFTER their personal problems were solved.
But this is just an annoying TEASE.
If this story goes beyond book six, Im done.
I will literally turn to the last page of book six, and if the story isnt over, Im not reading any more.
Just an authors bid to make more money without anything new to say. Cheap.

Bah! I read The Convents Secret way too fast. I swear, one minute I opened my Kindle to read and the next, I was done. Now I have to wait until the next book comes out. There has to be a legit word or group of words that describes these flu-like symptoms a reader gets during the wait between books in a series.

Series sickness maybe? When is the next darn book coming out syndrome?

Of course, C.J. Archer ended this addition of the Glass and Steele series with a moment that had me giddy as a girl and freaking livid, almost ugly crying, that it was over.

For me, The Covents Secret read differently than the others. There wasnt nearly as much action and adventure, but the story seemed more solid. I think its because I felt the other ones had scenes and dialogue that really didnt need to be there; it was extra fun stuff to read. This one didnt have those scenes; every single scene felt like it belonged. I enjoyed it immensely.

Matts reason for adventuring to London has been resolved in this one. Well, as resolved as it can be. There are only a few things left to clean up. A realization that leaves me dreading the possibility that the next book will be the last in this series.

I have happily followed each and every book in this series, even when I grew tired of the proper behavior that I know existed in the time of these books. I suffered through the machinations of Sheriff Payne and the odious Abercrombie. Finally, finally, the watch situation is dealt with and Matt is healthy. Cannot we move on? I cannot believe that we need to suffer more priggish behavior by the relatives, more societal mores, more wimpish nonsense. I would love to skip the garbage and get on to the business of a united couple dealing with solving crimes or righting injustices. Frankly, now that Matts problems with his watch have been solved, I am not certain I can continue to suffer the overabundance of period pettifoggery. These characters are really too good to be used this way, but I guess there are readers who love these historicals. I am not one. I fell in love with the characters and their paranormal circumstances – not the period they live in.

Oh the tension, the suspense! Stayed up to read it because I couldnt put it down. Indias secret is almost out and I can tell it will cause more problems and heartaches. Lots of action, romance, and magic. I think this is my favorite of the series so far, and thats saying a lot. I like the side plot stories shes developing, even a possible new suitor for India (although we all know there is no one for her but Matt). Ms. Archer has never steered her readers wrong, so Ill trust that she gets India and Matt out if any trouble she puts them in and make them better for it. Read it now!

I dont know how Ill wait until next September when the new installment comes out.

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