Review: The Stolen Suitor by Eli Easton

The Stolen Suitor (Dreamspun Desires #3) by Eli Easton
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 270pgs

3.5 Pants Off

Blurb: His future was set until a thief stole his heart.

All of Clyde’s Corner, Montana, knows local dandy Chris Ramsey will marry Trix Stubben, young widow and heir to the richest ranch in the area. But one woman isn’t too keen on the idea. Mabe Crassen wants to get her hands on that ranch, so she sets her older son to court Trix, and her younger son, Jeremy, to distract Chris and lure him astray.

Jeremy Crassen thinks his mother’s scheme is crazy. But he wants desperately to go off to college, which Mabe will agree to—if he seduces Chris. How will shy, virginal, secretly gay Jeremy attract Chris, who seems determined to do the right thing and marry Trix? Jeremy can’t compete with a rich female widow. Or can he?

Review

A Suitor For Everyone 

The Stolen Suitor, or what I’m dubbing as The stolen story-line. While I enjoyed the writing, and realizing that I like Eli Easton’s style, in no way did this book deliver on what I was expecting. What is it with this series that be giving so an amazing start and then disappointing you towards the end. This one had it all until it didn’t.

Jeremy Crassen had to just listen to his mom tell him about how he’s going to steal Chris Ramsey from the girl he’s dating because she can’t allow him to inherit a ranch. To make matters worse she’s also pulled in his older brother to do some seducing of his own. Jeremy can’t quite comprehend why his mom would have him seduce a guy unless she’s figured out that he’s gay. He’s sure he hadn’t been given off any vibes, he just moves quietly through the town knowing that no one ever sees him. 

One thing is for sure he can’t deny his mom and so he puts himself to the task of seducing Chris Ramsey. Chris Ramsey with his college education, town charm good looks, and the fact that he’s dating and will most likely marry his dead best friends wife (the small town crazy is real). Downside Chris is doing all this dating out of a sense of responsibility, upside Jeremy Crassen has caught his eye and he’s most definitely not married yet.  

Now the story continues with so many POVs of people falling in love it becomes such a chore. But in all honesty, I didn’t completely hate it. I liked Jeremy he was super sweet and shy. I liked Chris with his hometown boy vibe, and together they were adorable. My problem lies with how all this love shit began with a seducing plan, it all began with a lie. In no way does the book even bring that up again, it all gets swept under the rug. I know the whole “what you don’t know won’t hurt you” thing is a good idea, but I didn’t like or appreciate it. 

The writing and the flow was good and I enjoyed it, but there was too much going on and I couldn’t get a feel for the overall story. Who and what this story is about got lost sometime in the middle and this book became everyone’s story. 

Zero conflict mostly apart from that one thing there at the end that was working ok, until another aspect of it makes it way into the storyline. That part wasn’t needed and another overwhelmingly plotty device bites the dust. 

The Stolen Suitor with its excellent writing, turned into a Suitor for everyone and it took away from the story. Seriously, so much shit going down!!