A perfect sequel to The Kadin, the story of Janet Leslies descendants is just as compelling as her own. This follows the life of Catriona Hay and her cousin Patrick Leslie, the earl of Glenkirk, who were matched to marry by their great grandmother while they were both still children. Although Janet planned the marriage with the best of intentions, it started off incredibly rocky and almost didn’t happen at all. After resolving their differences and coming to an agreement before their marriage, the earl and countess had several years of happiness. Unfortunately, everything they built over the years began to fall apart after several unfortunate incidents including an unwanted affair, betrayal, and a lack of trust and respect. Things work out for the best for both of the Leslies of Glenkirk in the end, but there are many years of turmoil, pain, and misery before either of them become truly happy.
I loved this book and would read it again but there was one thing that really bothered me. It had to do with the dates in which certain events happened. The death of an important character occurs in the spring of 1599 in Love Wild and Fair. However, in another book, Lost Love Found, this same character is still alive in the year 1602. I think that at the time when Mrs. Small was writing Love Wild and Fair, she did not yet know that she would be writing another book involving some of the same characters 11 years later. I will forgive her for this, but it will always irritate me. I will not tell you to not read this book because of that, because if I did you would be missing out on an incredible story.
Nonfiction and Nonsense 