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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
I'm a big fan of Willig's Pink Carnation series, and I'm finding her other books enjoyable, as well. Her writing flows very well, and her characters are engaging and full of surprises.
The Other Daughter looks like another story about the Bright Young Things of the 1920s, all parties and frivolity and such. However, this book, while starting out as so, slowly peels back the layers of the facade, showing the ugliness underneath.
The drama and secrets made The Other Daughter gripping for me, because I wasn't interested in another story set in the 1920s about young people causing trouble with no consequences. I wanted to see what was underneath the shininess.
The Other Daughter is not a long book, and was a speedy read. There is a slight romance, but it's not really what the story is about, which is another thing I was pleased with. It was about a young woman finding herself, and that was good enough.
The Other Daughter looks like another story about the Bright Young Things of the 1920s, all parties and frivolity and such. However, this book, while starting out as so, slowly peels back the layers of the facade, showing the ugliness underneath.
The drama and secrets made The Other Daughter gripping for me, because I wasn't interested in another story set in the 1920s about young people causing trouble with no consequences. I wanted to see what was underneath the shininess.
The Other Daughter is not a long book, and was a speedy read. There is a slight romance, but it's not really what the story is about, which is another thing I was pleased with. It was about a young woman finding herself, and that was good enough.
I wanted to like this book. The setting and premise were interesting, but the story just fell flat for me.
I found the characters to be poorly developed, particularly with regard to the "romance." I am not generally a fan of romance novels, but I enjoy when romance is present, provided it is done well. The romantic plot line was so shoe-horned into the narrative that I honestly think I would have given the book 3 stars had it simply been left out.
I also questioned Rachel's motivations and feelings. I really couldn't stay on her side.
The only characters I was even remotely interested in, Olivia and Cece, were sort of plucked out of the story and hardly mentioned again.
Overall, I think the author had a great idea that she just couldn't develop.
I found the characters to be poorly developed, particularly with regard to the "romance." I am not generally a fan of romance novels, but I enjoy when romance is present, provided it is done well. The romantic plot line was so shoe-horned into the narrative that I honestly think I would have given the book 3 stars had it simply been left out.
I also questioned Rachel's motivations and feelings. I really couldn't stay on her side.
The only characters I was even remotely interested in, Olivia and Cece, were sort of plucked out of the story and hardly mentioned again.
Overall, I think the author had a great idea that she just couldn't develop.
I usually love Lauren Willig's books, but this one was just a bit "meh" for me. I struggled to really connect with Rachel, and would have liked to see more interactions with her father. It would have also been nice to see more development of the romantic relationship that occurs as well. However, as always, Willig does a great job with painting the setting with her words, and one alway feels that they are in the right in the scene with the heroine.
A little too melodramatic for my tastes. I thought getting to see her father tactics were absurd and non-fulfilling. Everything with the guy friend and father happened after the climax. Meh...
This first foray of Lauren Willig's into first-person limited narration was not up to par with her Secret Carnation series or That Summer.
The Other Daughter was delightful in that it had a few twists and turns that were smile-inducing, but, overall, it was unexciting. The fact that Rachel puts her father an a pedestal since he had died when she was four years old was realistic, but annoying and, at times, trite. I expect better from Willig, and generally look forward to the frame tale that coincides with the historical story, but that this stand-alone didn't have.
The Other Daughter was delightful in that it had a few twists and turns that were smile-inducing, but, overall, it was unexciting. The fact that Rachel puts her father an a pedestal since he had died when she was four years old was realistic, but annoying and, at times, trite. I expect better from Willig, and generally look forward to the frame tale that coincides with the historical story, but that this stand-alone didn't have.
So good! Lauren's stand alones have yet to disappoint. This is my favorite so far. Twists that keep coming and raw emotion that had me tearing up with the characters. Bravo.
Upon the death of her mother, Rachel Woodley, along with new acquaintance Simon Montfort, becomes Vera Merton in a Gatsby-esque world to uncover secrets of her family's past. The romance, drama and intrigue part of it is not unlike the Bronte sisters or Jane Austen, but despite the forced plot lines near the beginning, the story comes together nicely.
After reading a few too many regency romances of late it was a breath of fresh air to experience the 1920s. I loved the frenetic quality of the world Willig builds, the world of the young, rich, and beautiful. It made me think of the hedonist Phrynee Fisher and how the characters hide behind the wildly joyful mask of the party, which covers up the scars of war.
It really was the world building that made me love this book, and the witty banter. I struggled to really be moved by Rachel's growth, and the romance kind of only showed up at the very end. Perhaps I'm dense, but I would prefer to have more build up to a romance. It was like the main characters were actors who didn't have chemistry with each other.
It really was the world building that made me love this book, and the witty banter. I struggled to really be moved by Rachel's growth, and the romance kind of only showed up at the very end. Perhaps I'm dense, but I would prefer to have more build up to a romance. It was like the main characters were actors who didn't have chemistry with each other.
This one was a bit silly, but I enjoyed it a great deal. Couldn't put it down. The tone is breezy and the jokes are funny. When it tries to have pathos, it comes off a bit overdone, but that just allows the reader to continue having fun. The decoy love interest was a bit much to take-- does anyone truly believe the fake-out, anyway?-- but otherwise I'd have to say this book was a joy.