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Cupid’s Kiss is Karen Harbaugh’s last book in the Cupid Trilogy. After having read it, I plan on grabbing the first two, Cupid’s Mistake and Cupid’s Darts, as soon as possible.
Psyche Hathaway has turned down the latest in a long line of suitors, much to her mother’s amazement. She has not been able to feel anything for any of the suitable gentlemen who have asked for her hand. What soon becomes obvious to almost everyone but Psyche herself, is that her heart was attached long ago to her dear friend Harry D’Amant, who in reality is the human incarnation of Eros (Cupid), the God of Love. Harry has returned to Psyche’s life after a lengthy absence, but this time with a mission. The same mission he has had for centuries, but one that has become even more important. If Harry does not find his long lost love, his lost wife the Immortal Psyche, and settle down, the world as we mortals know it will be forever in Chaos. He has a few short weeks to find the Immortal Psyche or the Gods will become powerless and thus lose their influence over the world.
Harry is drawn to Psyche Hathaway’s world time and time again, sensing the presence of his lost wife. This time he asks for the help of his dear friend. Even though Psyche Hathaway can not bear the thought of Harry loving anyone, she agrees to help him for the good of all mankind. Harry, on the other hand, misses his dear wife terribly, but is discovering that his feelings for the mortal Psyche are very strong indeed.
Normally these stories with a Big Misunderstanding theme are not my favorites, but this one really has an interesting twist. What if you loved an Immortal, and knew that the fate of the world rested on his joining with his beloved and long-lost wife? I understood Psyche’s hesitance to tell Harry how she felt. As for Harry, he could not imagine his wife forgetting him, even though she had been lost for hundreds of years – he is the God of Love after all. Although Harry suspects Psyche Hathaway might actually be the Immortal Psyche, well, she doesn’t exactly fall at his feet, so therefore, she can’t really be his long lost love, or can she?
Along with the unusual story line, the book has several other pluses. Everyone in the book is likable – the hero, the heroine, and all the secondary characters. Psyche’s mother is wonderfully funny and determined to marry off her difficult daughter. Psyche’s father lives in his own world, but is just as determined that his children marry people that are well versed in what is important – ancient Greek dialects. There is lots of humor. Harry’s godly arrogance is done perfectly – not too much or too little.
There were a few times when I did find Psyche and Harry’s story to be a bit too slow and melodramatic. However, there is a secondary romance that is worth the price of the book in itself. This is the first story I have read where I have enjoyed the secondary romance just as much as the primary one (which wasn’t too shabby), maybe because it is so unexpected, intense, and had just a touch of humor. I don’t want to give too much away, but it involves a Goddess and a man who is more than the dandy that he appears to be.
Cupid’s Kiss is not an emotional roller coaster (which, in my mind, is not such a bad thing). It has a just a few sad moments, many happy ones, and some unexpected and delightful twists. There are no villains; there is no betrayal or violence. In other words, this book is a treat.
Grade: B+
Book Type: Fantasy Romance|Regency Romance
Sensuality: Subtle
Review Date: 03/02/99
Publication Date: 1999
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Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.