For Better or For Worse

A spunky noblewoman realises she is the villain of a romance novel when she meets a marquess whose face stirs a memory of the plot. In the book, her beloved younger sister dies after marrying him. Determined to prevent that, she marries him herself. The premise is a marriage of convenience with a dark twist.The strongest element is the tension. The lead's determination to change the story gives every scene an edge, and the uneasy partnership between the two leads is engaging. The long strip format and full colour give the court setting a polished look.The weakness is familiarity. The villainess template is well known, and the plot can drift between its romance beats. The supporting characters are often functional.If you enjoy villainess romances with a marriage-of-convenience twist, it is a satisfying pick. It is tense and sincere. Expect careful scheming, a husband who does not quite match the novel and a heroine trying to outwrite fate.