I've read many of the reviews here and I have to say that I didn't feel the same way about the hero that many others did. It was clear from the beginning that he understood how horrible what he was planning really was. I had more trouble with his sister who was keeping her own secrets. I'm surprised though that they hadn't tried to come up with another solution before Iris. 
 It's been awhile since I read the rest of the Symthe-Smith books, so I'm interested in going back to them and seeing how Iris is portrayed in them. I liked her quite a bit. I like smart heroines, who aren't afraid to talk about problems. Even before she had any idea of what Richard had planned, she knew something was wrong and she was attempted to talk to him about it. 
 The writing was still excellent Julia Quinn - smart dialogue, humor (but not too slapstick). I would have liked a bit more of Iris's feelings explained during the time she was not speaking, but I felt we did hear Richard's anguish both in his head and to Iris in words.