Somehow each one of the books in this series has managed to be even better than the previous one. Such a delightful comedy of manners! Such distractinSomehow each one of the books in this series has managed to be even better than the previous one. Such a delightful comedy of manners! Such distracting chemistry! Such an unabashedly absurd plot! Such a violent smashing of fruitcake!
...a look so wicked, he might as well as gone through and dog-eared all her pages.
And such wonderful, wonderful love of literature, present directly in the story (they are both soothed by their books, and he is bespectacled), in the witty dialogue, and in quotes/misquotes brazenly seized and tossed into the story at dizzying speed. I want to ply India Holton with copious amounts of tea and cake and inspect her pockets for daggers, as her prose is so wickedly sharp, I'm half in love with her myself, despite being neither witch nor pirate. Along with The Lady Janies' work, this series is a masterclass on how to write a madcap historical with a modern eye.
I loved the book, adored the ending, and can't wait for her new series featuring RIVAL ORNITHOLOGISTS in 2024.
4.5 stars
Audio Notes: I fear I'll sound like a deranged stalker if I heap more praises upon Elizabeth Knowelden's narration, but I'll just say she has in her armory a series of demented social laughs that made me burst into giggles every time they appeared.
I’m really digging these contemporary romances that feature supernatural creatures. No snarly pack wars, no vampires leaving a trail of blood across tI’m really digging these contemporary romances that feature supernatural creatures. No snarly pack wars, no vampires leaving a trail of blood across the city, just romances with…unusual challenges. :D
This one is so fun! It’s basically The Love Hypothesis vibes with werewolf doctors, except way less hectic and sitcom-zany, and even funnier and cuter and sexier. (Oh my god, the amount of extended foreplay with them literally just necking as they leave their scents on each other for weeks and weeks is so much hotter than actual sex scenes in most books.) Both of them are so smart, but the author doesn’t exhaust you trying to prove it. This is probably the best version of the popular grumpy + sunshine trope I’ve read after The Hating Game, with his terrifying reputation written with wry understanding and affection, and her hilarious banter and cheerful refusal to be intimidated by him convincing you they’re a great match. Plus the author subverts a lot of typical romance choices, with a minimum of misunderstandings and exaggerated rom-com shenanigans. Which is saying something, considering the premise, haha.
I’m really excited to read more of this author’s books. Anyone who can make you laugh out loud and arch your neck a little more thinking about handsome werewolves moves right onto the auto-read list.
This was a favorite of mine from back in the day when I first started reading romances. Upon rereading, I'm glad to see it holds up, with some reservaThis was a favorite of mine from back in the day when I first started reading romances. Upon rereading, I'm glad to see it holds up, with some reservations.
First off: it's VERY dated. Romances, and historical romances in particular, are written and read with a very different eye from the way they are now, so some allowances have to be made for that. More difficult to ignore are some extremely problematic, triggering, and hurtful language and scenarios, which are hard to read whether they are accurate/not uncommon/whatever to the time period or not. So please be forewarned that this is not just a product of its time, but some of what we know now are micro-aggressions are included casually within the story. (view spoiler)[Specifics: a racial slur (not directed at a person but used in a passing remark about a thing), fat-shaming, forced consummation, sexism. (hide spoiler)] And rampant stupidity, misogynistic/patriarchal male behavior in general, though the author works overtime to let the heroine neatly turn the situation to her own benefit.
Having said that, Frances Kilbracken is so delightful I fell in love with her all over again. To ensure that an unwanted Englishman does not choose her among her sisters as a bride, she disguises herself as a frumpy dullard--but it doesn't work, because he decides having an undemanding mouse as a wife would enable him to continue a libertine life through London. This is one of the best heroines-in-disguise stories ever, and I laughed at her antics throughout the whole story.
(view spoiler)[I normally also don't enjoy books where the hero sleeps with other women after meeting the heroine, and while it's still cringey here, he does come around to fidelity after he and Frances come to understand each other better. (hide spoiler)]This is a case where the hero is a careless womanizer in the beginning, but believably falls in love despite his best attempts to resist. I was really quite surprised at how skillfully all this was done.
I don't remember any other Coulter book ever living up to my enjoyment of this one, though I may try revisiting a few others to see if there are other gems....more
4.5 stars Smart and sassy and sweet! And feminist within a historical setting, which is hard to do well. Think old-fashioned romance + Little House + 4.5 stars Smart and sassy and sweet! And feminist within a historical setting, which is hard to do well. Think old-fashioned romance + Little House + a matchmaking hellion little sister. It had me grinning from start to finish.
I loved this so much and I’m excited to read the rest of the siblings’ books. Junebug had better get her own story at some point, too. ...more
4.5 stars So delightful! Sly jokes, rakish pirates looking upon determined witches with unbridled lust even as he plots against her, dazzlingly silly 4.5 stars So delightful! Sly jokes, rakish pirates looking upon determined witches with unbridled lust even as he plots against her, dazzlingly silly puns, and affectionate nods to Jane Austen.
There are some modern turns of phrase and liberties with plot/characterization for sure, but I don’t mind them at all in this series the way I do in many others. The author establishes a believable historical world (not just in the usual details, but in mood and manner), uses language skillfully and intelligently in dialogue and phrasing, and the anachronisms are included cheekily. It works here because she understands all the rules before she breaks them, versus books that feel as though the author learned history and etiquette solely through Netflix Bridgerton. Effortlessly witty romances like these are so rare, and I found myself laughing throughout the whole splendid thing.
Audio Notes: I wish I’d heard a bit more of a lilting Irish accent for Alex, but otherwise Elizabeth Knowelden’s voice and performance is perfect for these books. So very enjoyable....more
I don’t love romances that center strongly on a big farfetched, cinematic marketing hook. But once you get past the initial gross book thing3.5 stars
I don’t love romances that center strongly on a big farfetched, cinematic marketing hook. But once you get past the initial gross book thing and takedown plan thing, it’s pretty cute. His POV is really well done and the writing is light-hearted and funny—I mean, the idea of a bunch of girls dressed like cats delivering lunches around Manhattan is pure gold. I love that she vengefully (view spoiler)[and later, apologetically (hide spoiler)] woos him with sandwiches, too....more
That basically sums up my reading experience with this one. I hardly ever do 5 star *giggles*
*fans self*
*screeches with laughter*
*melts into puddle*
That basically sums up my reading experience with this one. I hardly ever do 5 star ratings, including for romance novels, but this is everything I want out of a love story and more. So smart and laugh-out-loud funny, with two interesting, fully realized adults who are heatedly, passionately into each other. The story keeps you on your toes, I loved Lizzy’s smart mouth and quick wit, and Theo is intensely appealing.
Bonus points to the author for writing billionaire romances that aren’t cliche and boring, and for handling a potentially icky boss/employee scenario responsibly. I only just realized Annika Martin is also Carolyn Crane, whose Disillusionist series I really liked! I need to devour everything now. I loved this so, so much....more
I do not know how this book (number four in a series, no less) came to be on my Kindle, but present Wendy thanks past Well, this was just DELIGHTFUL.
I do not know how this book (number four in a series, no less) came to be on my Kindle, but present Wendy thanks past Wendy for taking a chance on it when neither one of them gives a flying fig about rugby.
But thankfully, it’s not about rugby! And he’s not just a stereotypical hot athlete and she’s not just your typical weirdo, and this arrangement between them doesn’t feel like your typical forced trope. Instead, both of them start becoming likable to each other right around the same point that you, the reader, realizes that there’s more to Will than just a pretty face and there’s more to Josey than just a quirky weirdo persona. ‘Cos let me tell you—she annoyed me in the first couple of chapters. She sort of has breathless word vomit, and she starts out a little spoiled and entitled, so it took a while for her to wear me down and charm me—but she did. I really have to hand it to the authors for fully committing to making Josey as exasperating and lovable as she is, and for writing a guy whose careful boundaries, need for control, and even his kink all indicate a huge amount of anxiety. Plus the chemistry between them, when it finally catches, is through the roof. I totally bought their falling into like and then lust and then love.
This book is also so funny and fun, with witty wordplay, affectionate silly puns, and ridiculously cute interplay between them. I wish this series had better titles and covers, because I think they deserve a bigger audience. Sign me up for whatever these authors write, I’m hunting down their other books (and the previous ones in this series, obvs) immediately....more
All the books in this series are a strong 3.5-4 stars to me, but #s 7 and this one, #5, are my favorite. It’s funny and sweet, and treats its sociallyAll the books in this series are a strong 3.5-4 stars to me, but #s 7 and this one, #5, are my favorite. It’s funny and sweet, and treats its socially anxious, tongue-tied, inexperienced guy with matter-of-fact respect and affection. Plus it’s hard to not love a romance book that includes a joke about the Donner Party. ...more
This is somehow a magical blend of adult Sarra Manning + Sarah Mayberry + Jennifer Crusie. It's funny and sharp and serious, with seething workplace rThis is somehow a magical blend of adult Sarra Manning + Sarah Mayberry + Jennifer Crusie. It's funny and sharp and serious, with seething workplace rivalry and career drama coupled with crazy great chemistry and delicious banter. It also has unbelievably sweet and tender moments (view spoiler)[one of my favorite parts is them simply holding hands (hide spoiler)], though you'll easily laugh a minute after that! It captures that weird obsessive behavior you can't help when you first fall in love, and also convinces you that after a hard-won relationship, these two won't ever stop being endearingly, ridiculously fussy over each other. Hate-to-love relationships are so fun when they're done well, and this is the best one I've read, in no small part because the "hate" part is pretty convincing in the beginning. It hits all the tropes and scenarios you've read before, but the way they're done here is just irresistible.
Katy's review also talks a lot about the heroine's feelings of loneliness and failure, as well as the way a big argument between them is resolved: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show... I feel so much affection for them both--it's one of those things where you come out so pleased that they found each other.
In short, it's basically everything you could possibly want out of a romance, with the added benefit of having so many cute and quirky details in it. I felt giddy with happiness reading this book, and I kept trying to prolong the experience because I know it's the author's only book...so far! I can't wait until the next one. <3 Hurry up, Thorne #2.
Update, 2022:
I reread this (again) during a particularly stressful period, because I wanted to soothe myself. And I had finally watched the movie and wanted to envelope myself in the Lucy and Joshness again.
One of the tragic things about being so out of the loop with the book world is I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS AN EPILOGUE. And not only an epilogue, but probably the best epilogue ever written, anywhere, anytime!
It’s the most perfect ending, to the most lovely story. I loved this book when I read it years ago, but I couldn’t have predicted how often I’d return to it—swooning, laughing, touched, and comforted every time. Thank you, Sally Thorne....more
4.5 stars Boys fighting pirates and their feelings for each other in 18th century Paris and Venice! *swoon*
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We hosted the official cover reveal4.5 stars Boys fighting pirates and their feelings for each other in 18th century Paris and Venice! *swoon*
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We hosted the official cover reveal this morning, accompanied by an early ARC giveaway and the MOST ADORABLE video by the author talking about why she wrote the book. She touches on wanting to address frustrating historical tropes and the lack of queer representation, as well as how "strong" femininity is defined. Oh, and there are pirates and villains and a swoonworthy romance, too!
PLEASE read the amazing excerpt on that post if you're considering the book. The witty dialogue and intimacy of the first chapter made me fall in love with it, and I'm fairly certain it'll whip you into a frenzy of longing as well. As Mackenzi says, this is the big gay 18th century road trip novel you didn't know you wanted!
My absolute favorite book of 2016 so far. So smart, so funny, and feminist as fuck, without stomping all over other girls' choices.
It's out in stores My absolute favorite book of 2016 so far. So smart, so funny, and feminist as fuck, without stomping all over other girls' choices.
It's out in stores today, and I'll have a review and author guest post on the blog next week, but in the meantime:
Ave is pretty, too, but she's like a wilted version of Ashley with braces and slightly duller hair. If they had been fetal twins, Ashley definitely would've consumed Avery for nutrients, and all that'd be left of Ave would be a tumor with a few teeth in it.
This is the funniest YA book I've read in years. YEARS. I couldn't stop laughing throughout the entire book. Scarlett is also a fucking heroine, and I love her to pieces.
More awesome things: memorable characters, messy parent/teen relationships, teen/older adult friendships, lower lower middle class that's not portrayed in a tragic way, teachers who give a shit, cute love connections, girl friendships...I could go on and on, but you should really just read the book and find out for yourself.
I would like to lock Lauren DeStefano in an attic so she does nothing other than turn out charming middle grade novels for the rest of her life. But II would like to lock Lauren DeStefano in an attic so she does nothing other than turn out charming middle grade novels for the rest of her life. But I suppose that would be unreasonable.
You'll love this book if the sad, tender pull between Liesl and Po tugged at your emotions, if you delighted in the dark humor and dire dangers of the Lemony Snicket series, or if you shivered ever so slightly at the delicious creepiness of The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls. This book is so comfortably appropriate for children (though perhaps best read reassuringly curled up against a loved one, for both comfort and discussion of serious topics--parents might also consider reading it first before giving it to younger children), even as it doesn't shy away from intelligent use of language or touching on scary topics. The real world can be a sad, scary place, after all. The author's preface was also very moving--the idea of this young cousin of hers clutching a beloved book for security after a death in the family brought a tear to my eye.
Review to come. I loved this, and am so looking forward to book two. I hope the author writes many more middle grade books in the future--particularly ones that so deftly show her rather infamous sense of humor, as well as a glimpse of her heart....more
3.5 stars I had a hard time getting into this at first (the first 150 pages or so are a little too madcap and spend way too much time on a disruption 3.5 stars I had a hard time getting into this at first (the first 150 pages or so are a little too madcap and spend way too much time on a disruption with Audrey's brother that isn't nearly as funny as it's supposed to be), and although I know this is a comedic novel, I wish it had allowed us more time with the causes and treatment of Audrey's anxiety disorder.
But this one won me over because Linus is just so darned cute! And while I don't quite get why he was into Audrey at first, they are very cute together. Adorable (and unconventional) first kiss, a sweet and patient holding-hands-in-the-basement, and silly nicknames and texts and small dares. An extra half point just for Linus.
Wendy Darling
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