The Lass Wore Black

Oh my god, what a beautiful story! Ranney did amazingly in bringing her characters to life and writing such an excellent book! I have so many things I want to say.

The only value Catriona thought she had was her beauty and so of course she would be absolutely devastated to lose that. It upset me how little she believed in herself and the way Catriona mourned for the things she thought she had lost made my chest hurt.

Her character development is probably the best I've ever read. I LOVED how flawed she was! From the very beginning we see that she isn't the greatest person, she's selfish, thinks herself above others, vain, and entitled, but experiencing the way she recognised that she hadn't been the best person was very fulfilling. It didn't happen right away and it took time for her to correct her behaviour and I loved how realistic that was. I loved how Catriona worked towards bettering herself and giving others who needed it a better chance at life, She was such an amazing character.

Mark was also an incredible character. He was a good man who genuinely cared about everyone, from the people less fortunate, Catriona's stubborn and unappealing self, the rich who truly had no need for his services but he humoured them anyway, his grandfather who he looked up too, and even to his nasty father and even nastier brothers. He loved being a physician and he was good at his job. I also really liked how witty Mark was, I found his conversations with everyone, especially Catriona, very amusing.

One of my favourite things about him was the way he was able to see through Catriona's act, that she was lashing out and being difficult because she was afraid due to losing everything she knew. And the way he genuinely cared about her injuries, her limp and her poor left arm.

Dina was easily my favourite side character. Her love for Catriona, her determination, and her stubborn care for her was so sweet, and the way Dina treated others, her compassion, and charity work, she was such an amazing character and I really admired her.

I was incredibly sad to finish the story, I would read several books about Cat, Mark, and their relationship! I can't wait to read more from Ranney, she executed The Lass Wore Black so exceptionally well and I'm excited to see what more she has in store!