This novel is very different than the usual Sir Walter Scott. I got the impression he was trying the Jane Austen approach whom Scott admired for her fine details. I expected a more romantic tale due to its title.
I found the amount of alcohol (especially the fellow who drank a bottle of whisky per day) amusing for a health spa. I found the novel disappointing especially the tragic finish. Not a bad read but I prefer the historical Scott.
He should have stuck to being Sir Walter Scott and let Jane Austen be herself. Historical characters did cross paths with St. Ronan or Locronan so he could picked one to concentrate on in his usual manner with better results.
