Redonk Nutshell: Former affianced couple team up to track down kidnappers in a steampunk-regency novella

Minerva Lambkin turns to her former fiance for help when her father is kidnapped. Asher Quigley agrees to help, albeit reluctantly. The kidnappers are demanding an invention Minerva’s father has claimed to make (but hasn’t really). Minerva knows that Asher can help because he himself is a genius inventor, partly the reason their previous engagement was called off.  Well, that and the fact that Minerva’s father stole the designs for the aforementioned machine from Asher.  Because Asher is a decent guy, he agrees to help Minera track down her father’s kidnappers, though he is convinced that Minerva is a scheming liar.  When he comes to realize that she’s not – in fact, she is truly as innocent from any previous knowledge of her father’s deeds as she has proclaimed- he once more finds himself wanting to pursue her.

This was a short and sweet romantic story, though it left me feeling a bit empty.  The ending felt rushed and unfinished.  I found Asher’s sudden rekindling of his affections for Minerva a bit shallow, though I told myself it made sense because, despite the theft he believed she knew about, he still loved her.  Still, I found myself “tsking” him.

If you’re looking for a bit of adventure without investment, give this one a go.

Asher’s Invention by Coleen Kwan

Rating: C

Romance: 3/5            Raunch: 0/5