3.5 stars Enjoyed, mostly because she is fantastic.
I just think not enough time is spent on the resolution of the biggest obstacle to their romance, 3.5 stars Enjoyed, mostly because she is fantastic.
I just think not enough time is spent on the resolution of the biggest obstacle to their romance, which is his determination to marry a lady with a pedigree. While I appreciated the walking stick subterfuge, the trick of the flowers, and his Freddy Eynsford-Hilling on the street where she lives, I would like to have seen a more explicit spelling out of his remorse and regret and change in heart.
I did like seeing Catherine and Harry’s introduction, though. One thing I tire of in series is when the author feels the need to spend massive amounts of time introducing characters from the next installation or characters in previous installations outstaying their welcome. That doesn’t happen here or in book one—we get fond glimpses, and the characters are lovingly included as part of the family, but the focus is on the H/h. As it should be....more
I enjoy romantic cozy mysteries on audio, as it turns out. Wish the "enemies" part of enemies-to-lovers and courtship period had been a bit longer (heI enjoy romantic cozy mysteries on audio, as it turns out. Wish the "enemies" part of enemies-to-lovers and courtship period had been a bit longer (he goes from hating her to being smitten really quickly), and the mystery is light.
But I don't mind, because I like them both, I like the writing, I like how seamlessly the heroine is feminist within a historical context, and the audio version narrated by Mary Jane Wells is just lovely.
Speechless over how fiercely intelligent and empathetic this regency romance is. And funny—it’s so funny! This love story, featuring a neurodivergent Speechless over how fiercely intelligent and empathetic this regency romance is. And funny—it’s so funny! This love story, featuring a neurodivergent genius of a heroine, is infinitely patient and poignantly unusual and swooningly tender.
I love her, I love him, I love the writing, I love the scientific/mathematic/literary references, and most importantly, I love the author.
WOW. With two degrees from Harvard and this lovely pearl of a book, who needs traditional editing/publishing?...more
This ended up being really great. A bit of a chaotic start, and there is at least 60% more theater/play talk than I wanted. But!
— She is awesome. I loThis ended up being really great. A bit of a chaotic start, and there is at least 60% more theater/play talk than I wanted. But!
— She is awesome. I love a heroine who sticks to her guns and doesn’t give in at the first sign of the H wanting her/wanting her back.
— Secondary characters are great. His siblings and her friend/boss/partner in particular.
— Historical romance done right with a modern eye. The author did her research, and it shows, but it doesn’t feel like a woke 21st century couple dropped into a period drama.
— The theater backdrop is interesting and different, there’s just too damned much of it. These are the parts I got tired of most and I started skimming lot of that after awhile. I get the parallels with Shakespeare’s “Winter’s Tale” to their story, but the constant hammering was annoying. I did like his tinkering with props, how it played into his making amends, and the melodramatic but satisfying comeuppance of the villain.
— Such gratifying angst porn. Deep remorse and suitable taking of responsibility for the consequences of his behavior towards her, as well as sincere dedication to making things right to the best of his ability.
My only other quibble, aside from it being maybe a bit long (easily solved by editing down those theater parts!!), is that I wish there had been a touch more about their earlier relationship. I don’t need flashbacks, mind, but just a bit more foundation on why they were attracted to each other, their history together, etc. What’s there is nice, but it would have been good to see more of it.
But what a nice surprise from a Kindle freebie, especially one I almost didn’t get because of the cheesy cover. New to me author, but I’ll definitely be seeking out her other books....more
This is the most casually cruel romance I’ve ever read. It starts with her rape by the H’s twin brother, the H marries her BUT GETS UPSET when she shoThis is the most casually cruel romance I’ve ever read. It starts with her rape by the H’s twin brother, the H marries her BUT GETS UPSET when she shows reluctance at making nice with her rapist, they have really brief, boring sex, and if all that weren’t enough, he also spends 90% of the book screwing a French whore. But he does it for king and country, you know, so it’s fine.
Everyone behaves illogically and the romance angst isn’t good enough to justify any of it.
So icky, from beginning to end. I hated it....more
There was a wound in me that kept unknotting its own sutures.
This story begins with a young woman receiving a stroke of good luck: she’s hired for a pThere was a wound in me that kept unknotting its own sutures.
This story begins with a young woman receiving a stroke of good luck: she’s hired for a plum job as a handler for one of several individuals plucked from various points in history so that the effects of time travel can be studied. Her assignment is “1847,” a Victorian polar explorer named Graham Gore who died on an Arctic expedition...in 1847.
Unlike so many synopses, this one describing the novel as “a time travel romance, a spy thriller, a workplace comedy,” is pretty accurate. Readers who are more interested in the mechanics of science and hows and whys probably won't enjoy this as much; this is a literary sci fi novel along the lines of Never Let Me Go where the focus is on the characters, ethical dilemmas, and emotion. It gently, stoically explores imperialism and the refugee/immigrant/person of color experience in a white culture, as well as ethics and personal responsibility. The writing is provocative and lovely, with piquant observations, moments of wry humor, an appreciation for history, and clear-eyed candor on the marvels and trappings of our modern world.
A couple hours before the end, the narrator referenced entering the “final weeks,” and I thought a slightly despairing oh no because I didn’t want it to end. This begins as an enormously entertaining book (especially if you’re prone to, ahem, romances with Victorian gentlemen), but towards the end, it shakes off its restraints and also provokes genuine anxiety, tenderness, and empathy. This story surprised me in the best of ways and left me both yearning and hopeful.
4.5 stars for an astonishingly assured debut.
Audio Notes: I LOVED Katie Leung’s narration. Her voice, accent, and subtly nuanced delivery were absolutely perfect from beginning to end. Please hire Cho Chang to read more books! And not just those with Asian characters. (The male narrator does a nice job, too.)...more
This was very nearly wonderful. It started off so strong—intriguing opening chapters, witty narrative, and promising characters. I liked it so much I This was very nearly wonderful. It started off so strong—intriguing opening chapters, witty narrative, and promising characters. I liked it so much I was mentally composing my “recommended for fans of India Holton or Katherine Schellman” notes and contemplating a spot on my 2024 favorites list.
But alas. The humor is not sustained and a few of the choices chafed, most notably how the duke/detective interacted with the heroine’s best friend. It’s fine that he has a good relationship with her, but it’s so weird that it is so free and easy upon first meeting (and numerous times thereafter), in this time period, under these circumstances, and well before a relationship is established with the heroine. And while I liked the romance focus + cozy mystery and I appreciated that he likes the h’s character as well as her form, I so did not enjoy the rom-com grand public gesture at the end. So trite, so not in keeping with the period.
3.5 stars
Audio Notes: Elizabeth Knowelden is perfect, as always—no one does light, airy period voices like she does. The real surprise here is the male narrator, Dennis Kleinman. His voice is subtly rich and nuanced, and he delivers various voices with distinction and ease, including female ones. A great audiobook experience, even if the book itself was ultimately a bit of a disappointment....more
I listened to just over 4 hours and it's fine, but there are some pacing issues and it's not keeping my interest at 38%. The thought of another 7 hourI listened to just over 4 hours and it's fine, but there are some pacing issues and it's not keeping my interest at 38%. The thought of another 7 hours just doesn't excite me....more
I enjoyed this very much, except that the magical parts are so woefully undeveloped that they might as well not exist, honestly. And it was a bit discI enjoyed this very much, except that the magical parts are so woefully undeveloped that they might as well not exist, honestly. And it was a bit disconcerting that the heroine’s circumstances kept changing throughout the story. I realize it’s the start of a series, but there are better ways to keep interest than to refuse to explain or clearly delineate so many things.
Still, the audiobook was very enjoyable to listen to, so I’ll try the next one.
It’s a bit of a slow burn, but it got me towards the end.
Lose a POV and you could easily spent more time giving us Maude and Constance’s backgrounds aIt’s a bit of a slow burn, but it got me towards the end.
Lose a POV and you could easily spent more time giving us Maude and Constance’s backgrounds and abilities and relationship. But a pivotal late scene is really well-written and the last few chapters gave me all the feels, so rounding this one up.
And while I liked that this took on darker, more violent crimes than most Victorian mysteries, I wish there was more meticulous dSo. Much. Exposition.
And while I liked that this took on darker, more violent crimes than most Victorian mysteries, I wish there was more meticulous detective work, more interesting character development and relationships, and more than a glancing depth of feeling in describing the crimes, victims, and social commentary.
Trigger warning for (view spoiler)[child sexual abuse (hide spoiler)], though you can probably guess that after the very first crime scene.
Audio Notes: I have mixed feelings about Henrietta Meire's narration. I listened to her read all the Lily Adler mysteries and I have the same reaction as I did before; her voice is pleasant enough, but on the prim side and very thin/tremulous as she voices the main character. The secondary characters are better, though all her male voices are very exaggerated and clipped or broad. I kind of accepted this with the other series because I became accustomed to "this is Lily" and "this is the captain" and so on, but the limits of her vocal performances are exposed in listening to a different story. She interprets words, scenes, emotions in pretty much the same way for both stories, which doesn't deliver the most interesting of performances. I wouldn't rule out listening to another book voiced by her (and I'll continue with Lily), but I'd have to space them out and keep my expectations in check....more
Really wish there was a different audiobook narrator--I've listened to one of Imogen Church's audiobooks before and didn't care for her overly exaggerReally wish there was a different audiobook narrator--I've listened to one of Imogen Church's audiobooks before and didn't care for her overly exaggerated performance, and I couldn't listen to more than literally 5 seconds of the preview for this one before hastily stopping it.
But anyway, perhaps a regular read sometime. Looks like it's on Kindle Unlimited atm....more
4.5 stars I have an uneasy relationship with faeries(THEY ARE SO TRICKY), but I LOVED this one. The use of magic is so immersive, the description of h4.5 stars I have an uneasy relationship with faeries(THEY ARE SO TRICKY), but I LOVED this one. The use of magic is so immersive, the description of her dress near the end is amazing, the deadpan humor made me chuckle, and the pairing of an unusual heroine paired with an unusual magician was pretty close to perfect.
Audio Notes: Madeleine Leslay’s performance is just perfect. So many voices done well, from Dora’s calm narrative voice to the many male characters. My favorite scene was at the faerie ball, when the voice she did for one blustery, good-humored character reminded me of the Walrus in Disney’s Alice in Wonderland. It made me laugh. ...more
Wendy Darling
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Books:
1800s
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