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
It’s been awhile since I read Sarah MacLean—has the writing always been this jumbled and unconvincing or is this an anomaly?
I realize I read a book 3 It’s been awhile since I read Sarah MacLean—has the writing always been this jumbled and unconvincing or is this an anomaly?
I realize I read a book 3 first, but I still expect things to make some sense. This one is incredibly disorganized and hard to follow, with vague repeated allusions and nonsensical structure. I gather this guy cheated on his pregnant wife to teach her a lesson in one of the previous installments, and he spends most of this book regretting his actions. But it takes a long time to piece together all the info, none of his feelings felt genuine, it’s like he has the right remorseful thoughts in his pea brain, but he doesn’t really express them adequately to her. Nor does he do a fraction of the apologizing and groveling he needs to do. Most of his thoughts and actions are centered around his lusting after her and his unhappiness over not being able to possess her now, rather than truly understanding the devastating thing(s) he did to her. Doesn’t help that I recently finished a historical romance where the H similarly did his wife dirty in the past (but not this dirty!!), but in that case he expressed deep anguish and regret over what he did—and he spends time making it up to her. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I do like her and admire the life she built for herself. It starts out strong (she bursts onto the Parliament floor and coolly declares she wants a divorce) and has some mildly amusing moments in her choosing a new wife for him so she can get her freedom, but there’s no commitment to the humor or the scheme. I liked some of those potential wives, and her sisters are somewhat amusing—but it all felt very chaotic and there is far too much sister focus, most of which seems to refer to or set up other books in the series. (Also HATE the co-opted S names for the sisters, like “Sesily.”)
I was annoyed most of the book and had to force myself to finish. And then I was rewarded with a magical cure for one of the heroine’s greatest sorrows, which is such a disservice to her pain and the pain of women in general. I’m surprised that a well-established romance author in this day and age would go this route. Trigger warning: (view spoiler)[ for a devastating miscarriage, which results in years of her believing she is now barren. But they get a magic baby at the end, ugh. (hide spoiler)]
I will not be continuing the series, though I’m mildly curious about skimming one of the previous books to get an accurate picture of exactly what happened between these two in the past....more
Really awful modern indie romance language throughout, and the emotions could have been turned up a little more. But I liked them both, she i3.5 stars
Really awful modern indie romance language throughout, and the emotions could have been turned up a little more. But I liked them both, she is principled and brave, the story took some unexpected turns, and the acceptance/open-mindedness of her unconventional pursuits was well done. Surprisingly enjoyable, and it’ll be fun to read Lord Riley’s story....more
Too sketchy to be historical fiction, too pedestrian to be literary fiction, too prosaic to be romance.
With uninteresting characters (which is saying Too sketchy to be historical fiction, too pedestrian to be literary fiction, too prosaic to be romance.
With uninteresting characters (which is saying something, considering most of it is set in a brothel), no antagonist, unconvincing motivations, no real emotion, and underdeveloped/late-presenting feminist and other themes, this is a miss on all levels. And the shifting focus to countless unsexy, token sex scenes once a guy comes into the picture both weirded me out and bored me.
I've also read a ton of books written in the 50s and this doesn't feel very "period." Such a strangely uninteresting little book....more
I liked this, but it felt overly long and their parting/history just wasn’t that convincing/compelling as written. There is also a tremendous amount oI liked this, but it felt overly long and their parting/history just wasn’t that convincing/compelling as written. There is also a tremendous amount of exposition vs writing in scenes, gestures, actions that reveal feeling, which is carried on through the author’s note at the end.
Audio Notes: I’m not sure how much extra credit Elizabeth Knowelden’s narration lent this, too—she elevates everything she performs, and I wonder if the things I didn’t love would bother me even more in reading. (I wasn’t keen on the male narrator’s delivery for the main character, though his secondary male voices were better.)
I did like how they related to each other overall and the portrayal of good society vs tradesmen/need to support families, etc. But again, all this and the brother obligations and the mother/mourning obligations dragged on for too long. I’d check out another book by this author, though.
I liked the beginning of this so much, but his maddening years away and then the reconciliation just never quite came together or recaptured the initiI liked the beginning of this so much, but his maddening years away and then the reconciliation just never quite came together or recaptured the initial magic in a satisfying way....more
The title chafes, but I gave it a go anyway. The chafing, however, did not stop.
Mild spoilers follow. I was very much interested in the central mysterThe title chafes, but I gave it a go anyway. The chafing, however, did not stop.
Mild spoilers follow. I was very much interested in the central mystery when it finally revealed itself (I've read a fair amount about women, children, and minorities forcibly imprisoned in institutions ostensibly for their own good), but the execution is muddled. A subject like this begs urgency and deep feeling, but it never reaches the point where it touches upon any real emotion--plus it really takes a back seat for most of the book.
The biggest issues, however, are that I just didn't like the heroine and I didn't buy into many of the scenarios we're presented with in the context of this point in history. She is An Independent Lady scorned by society for her declaration that she will never marry, and yet we are never given any real explanation what history, education, or self-edification leads her to this point--nor are we provided with any attempt towards explaining why as a young woman she's permitted to lead such a ridiculously unconstrained life. While it's natural that modern stories set in historical times will be influenced by what we have learned and how we have evolved, skillful writers will incorporate more advanced thinking and attitudes into the story. (And yes, I hold mysteries to a higher standard than I do romances, particularly when they're a 300-page $27 hardcover from a big six publisher.) For example, wealthy widows, a girl of "good" family whose independent nature is indulged from childhood, etc., etc. Petra comes and goes as she pleases, feels free to take a lover, makes proclamations and demands without care, and so on. She is also So Very Virtuous and Progressive--there are so many instances of her ensuring we know she is a Benevolent Person of Character, such as during the climax of the story when she drops a curtsy to a housekeeper with whom she has very little relationship. We're meant to admire her so much, and maybe I would have if her qualities weren't forced upon us with such a heavy hand and there was more proof of them. She also leaps to irrational conclusions and doesn't seem to have any self-preservation instincts (DO NOT ACCEPT A GLASS OF WINE FROM THE MAN YOU SUSPECT OF MASTERMINDING THE SCHEME, MISS.), neither of which is a ringing endorsement for someone supposedly sleuthing a mystery.
Which leads me to the illogical way so many things occur. During the same final act, Petra has just been freed (at great risk to others) but instead of making a break for it right away, she wants to get proof of the ill deeds first. Fine. But she spends what feels like a lot of time reading reading reading through documents and then thinking about why the villain is the way he is and the choices he has made. What little tension there is is lost, and that's just one example of meandering writing and plotting. Her father the earl's overly wordy interaction with her at the end as well as the descriptions of serviceable Duncan's overly effusive feelings (and the whole romantic scenario, really) strain your tolerance, and I even laughed incredulously at one point; they are borderline indie-romance novel levels of simplicity. None of the characters or story feel grounded or believable.
Finally, there are so many issues crammed into this debut that it almost felt like the contract for book two wasn't inked yet and token racism, feminism, prejudice, abuse, etc. all had to be tackled in case there wasn't another chance. (And boy, does the homophobia run rampant through this--so weird how often and sneeringly it came up, with very little to say.) All important topics, but all ham-fistedly jammed in.
Not a great experience overall. I guess I should've known since I hate the title--and doesn't it make more sense to think like a lady and act like a lord in this context? Since she is set up as a Regency Nancy Drew and behaves with the freedom of a man? Idk, it's weird.
Audio Notes: Narrator is tolerable, but her accent and vocal performance were not my favorite....more
--great heroine --humorous tone —sex-positive --not much slut-shaming except by those whose opinions you aren't supposed to care3.5 stars
Really enjoyed:
--great heroine --humorous tone —sex-positive --not much slut-shaming except by those whose opinions you aren't supposed to care for anyway.
Would have been 4 stars if: (mild spoilers, obviously)
--The duel didn't feel so shoehorned. --Their parting and then coming together was more emotional and hard-won. --The female friendships had been further developed. --Her marriage and back story had been given more time and depth. --Magic baby wasn't granted to the barren.
The appeal of the fictional Raven Prince book excerpts that opened each chapter was also lost on me. I didn’t care, didn't find them compelling, and skipped right over them, but that's just the sort of reader I am.
But! I like the author's writing and will be trying her others....more
3.5 stars An enjoyable diversion on audio, since it's read by Elizabeth Knowelden, who probably elevated the material a bit. I think as a book it woul3.5 stars An enjoyable diversion on audio, since it's read by Elizabeth Knowelden, who probably elevated the material a bit. I think as a book it would probably be a so-so read since I'd want more depth and passion and plot, but listening to it was a very pleasant experience.
The Emma-like story is agreeably undemanding, though I wish a few elements and turns of phrase weren't quite so strongly reminiscent of other Austen works. I'm also not sure how much the additional POVs added to the story, primarily Cecelia's? (Why not more of the hero's POV, though, if you're going to do it at all?) But I enjoyed it overall nonetheless....more
Started okay, but the anachronistic language and turns of phrase just got worse and worse. Plus a lot of the detective work seemed to involve revelatiStarted okay, but the anachronistic language and turns of phrase just got worse and worse. Plus a lot of the detective work seemed to involve revelations by other people, not the main character, whose unusual position (of good family, disgraced father, broken engagement, chooses independence/life of service over relying on relations) was intriguing at first but eventually just became less than believable. I admit I also liked the heroine less and less as it went along. Not the series or writer for me.
Audio Notes: Narrator is okay/not my favorite, but she still elevated the material. It took a little while before I started noticing the flaws in the writing, which is to her credit....more
—sex trafficking combined with comedic hijinks and often treated as a joke —awful, awful puns —jokes and scenarios that are meant to Among the problems:
—sex trafficking combined with comedic hijinks and often treated as a joke —awful, awful puns —jokes and scenarios that are meant to be bawdy just come off as crass —the sex felt weird, especially the ones meant to be titillating because of the possibility of being discovered in public places —Charles is a better name than Chase.
There’s also just not a satisfactory amount of swoon or angst, and a subplot with a street urchin really doesn’t go anywhere. This one just felt totally off the whole way through. 4th book I’ve read by JLL, first one I’ve not rated 4.5 or 5 stars, so I knew this was bound to happen. But I thought maybe I’d get 4 or 3 star read, I didn’t expect this book would disappoint me this much....more
I just don’t understand how each one of these keeps knocking my socks off. This one took awhile to win me over, but once I understood Cynthia and why I just don’t understand how each one of these keeps knocking my socks off. This one took awhile to win me over, but once I understood Cynthia and why she is so unapologetically single-minded in her pursuit of a husband, my heart just broke for her. And I think Miles’ does as well.
I can’t get over how smart and empathetic the writing is, with wisdom and honor and heart. Of all the books that have aspired to give us stories and characters like Jane Austen’s, I’ve never before read passages that so strongly recall her principles and practicality and wit. It also piercingly and poignantly speaks of the few options that women have during this era.
I haven’t even mentioned how absolutely swoony and sensuous their relationship is, or how she challenges him and he does his best to do right by her, even when it causes him pain. Third book I’ve read by this author, third book I love....more
Wendy Darling
>
Books:
costume-fiction
(113)
Loading...
