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
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
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
I liked it, but I wish I’d loved it the way just about everyone else seems to.
The WW II setting was definitely the best part, but I just wanted more I liked it, but I wish I’d loved it the way just about everyone else seems to.
The WW II setting was definitely the best part, but I just wanted more pain and agony and moral dilemmas and sacrifice and shivery feelings—when you reference ghosts, I’m on full alert for all these things. I noticed a lot of repetitive phrasing throughout the book, and a couple of very late romantic elements felt a bit shoehorned as well; they’re suddenly dropped in and basically then the chapter/book/story ends. Glancing at other reviews (not many friends have read this yet, and those who have have nearly unanimously rated it 5 stars), Idk what magic I’m missing.
Audio Notes: Not his fault, but I found it totally distracting that the male narrator also voiced Greg Daniels (I think) for Welcome to Dunder Mifflin, because I kept thinking about that instead of this story! Pleasant voice, but perhaps a bit understated for this role. January LeVoy did a nice job, particularly with the secondary characters....more
Wendy Darling
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historical-fiction
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