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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
After coming across Willig's Pink Carnation series a few years ago, I was excited that she was branching out into other novels. The concept of the book was interesting enough, a Great Gatsby flavored revenge story. I had the good luck to win an advanced reading copy through the Goodreads Giveaway, in exchange for a review.
"The Other Daughter" was much better than the Pink Carnation series, although this book did have its faults. I appreciated Willig's construction of the secondary characters, such as Lady Ardmore, a woman hellbent on maintaining her grip on a bygone era, Cece, a Bright Young Thing representative of the 20's. I did like the protagonist Rachel/Vera, thought at times I felt her scheming and anger at the Ardmores, a little over the top. For the most part, I felt she leapt a little too strongly towards revenge, and that the planning the preparation for the revenge scheme, could have been a little more fleshed out.
However, despite these critiques, I still liked Willig's take on a Roaring Twenties story. I look to Willig's other ventures.
"The Other Daughter" was much better than the Pink Carnation series, although this book did have its faults. I appreciated Willig's construction of the secondary characters, such as Lady Ardmore, a woman hellbent on maintaining her grip on a bygone era, Cece, a Bright Young Thing representative of the 20's. I did like the protagonist Rachel/Vera, thought at times I felt her scheming and anger at the Ardmores, a little over the top. For the most part, I felt she leapt a little too strongly towards revenge, and that the planning the preparation for the revenge scheme, could have been a little more fleshed out.
However, despite these critiques, I still liked Willig's take on a Roaring Twenties story. I look to Willig's other ventures.
Four minus. Definitely a notch above most historical/romantic fiction--witty dialogue, an intriguing premise, a twisty plot and some post-WW I angst. But in the end, the romance took over, and there was not enough to support it.
A good read for a cold day in front of the fire, however.
A good read for a cold day in front of the fire, however.
The perfect book to stumble across at the right moment.
What starts out as a novel, about a woman going in search of a father whom she believed to be dead, turns into a plot ripened with revenge. Lauren Willig shows how feelings of despair and loneliness can turn towards revenge, and how revenge can unwittingly turns innocents into victims. The Other Daughter is witty, and has the sparring dialogue reminiscent of Cary Grant Rosalind Russel. Rachel's journey from lowly nanny to socialite will grip you from that very first page.
It's a complex plot with colorful characters all consumed by their own demons. The 1920's breathes off the page in glitz, free flowing gin, and glamour. Simon helps navigate Rachel through the world of parties and clubs, as she seeks to gain access to her estranged father via cousins and her half-siblings. I do hope there is a part two, the ending felt rushed and fates of Oliva, Cece, and her father seem to hang off a precipice.
If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, The Great Gatsby, My Fair Lady, or Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, this is the book for you.
What starts out as a novel, about a woman going in search of a father whom she believed to be dead, turns into a plot ripened with revenge. Lauren Willig shows how feelings of despair and loneliness can turn towards revenge, and how revenge can unwittingly turns innocents into victims. The Other Daughter is witty, and has the sparring dialogue reminiscent of Cary Grant Rosalind Russel. Rachel's journey from lowly nanny to socialite will grip you from that very first page.
It's a complex plot with colorful characters all consumed by their own demons. The 1920's breathes off the page in glitz, free flowing gin, and glamour. Simon helps navigate Rachel through the world of parties and clubs, as she seeks to gain access to her estranged father via cousins and her half-siblings. I do hope there is a part two, the ending felt rushed and fates of Oliva, Cece, and her father seem to hang off a precipice.
If you are a fan of Downton Abbey, The Great Gatsby, My Fair Lady, or Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, this is the book for you.
A pleasant-enough historical romance with a nice-enough heroine and an not-quite-plausible-enough -- and yet much-too-predictable -- plot.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So glad I discovered this author. Another great read
4.5 Stars - I enjoyed this historical novel and found the main character, Rachel, both real and interesting. The author does a great job of showing us Rachel's emotions and we are taken on her path of thinking as she confronts her problems and trials. Even the other characters are well-developed and I can see them all clearly in my mind. I thought the book was less about revenge and more about self-discovery as Rachel finds the answers to what she's looking for. I especially loved that the character of Simon is really developed through his interactions with Rachel.
Badly plotted with tons of manufactured drama. Also poorly edited. I really hate books where the characters do not communicate and drama in sues.
**3.5 stars**
Unpopular opinion: I liked this one better than That Summer. I love the whole poor-girl-disguises-herself-to-meet-secret-rich-family story line in pretty much any book. I still left my rating not super high because I thought the writing was a bit repetitive and predictable, and I thought the love story was unbelievable. I also experienced this weird combo where I really liked reading it, but it also wasn't a book that I was really excited to pick up?
Unpopular opinion: I liked this one better than That Summer. I love the whole poor-girl-disguises-herself-to-meet-secret-rich-family story line in pretty much any book. I still left my rating not super high because I thought the writing was a bit repetitive and predictable, and I thought the love story was unbelievable. I also experienced this weird combo where I really liked reading it, but it also wasn't a book that I was really excited to pick up?
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No