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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
While I think this book had great potential, after a few chapters I couldn't take the obvious and long-winded writing any longer. Spending several paragraphs of introduction on each new character, making said characters appear without any explanation or reason, and double stating each and every dialogue tag are writing mistakes which belong in a rough draft, but not a finished novel. Even skipping ahead proved the writing quality does not improve but only gets worse. With shallow characterization, hit-you-over-the-head foreshadowing, and contemporary opinions forced onto a vastly different time period, this story about a Regency England "sleuth" is clearly not worth my time.
What a delightful surprise--a full-on Regency romance that is COMPLETELY appropriate for intermediate level students!!!! Finally!
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This mix of Victorian romance and mystery will certainly attract many of my girl students, but I found the writing uneven and stilted at times.
Yes, the main character is a frightfully modern woman (my chief issue with historical fiction), and a touch obnoxious, but overall... I enjoyed this book. It was a cute little romance novel for teenagers that stayed on the sweet side of affection.
I loved this book it was so good. The characters didn't become annoying like most books, it had an interesting plot that kept me wanting more. Such a sweet romance.
I loved this book! It had the perfect mix of romance and adventure. Alex wasn't a shrinking violet protag but still remained true to the Regency era.
Buddy Read
I enjoyed this more then i expected too, since i don't read a lot of Ya novels or books with teen mcs these days so i was wary. However i fell into the story easily enough and found rather easy reading, with interesting plot and focus upon the season.
The romance was lighthearted and sweet, with a lot of uncertainty between Gavin and Alex since they have been close friends growing up. It was new for both of them slowly falling in love with the other and recognising their feelings.
Must admit my favourite scenes mainly involved the friendship between the girls and they're so entertaining. Ella, Vivi and Alex all have rather different views in ways yet have such a beautiful bond. So much support for each other and lots of humorous scenes, with their comments that i just loved.
Also loved Stanhope he was a great character in many ways and i loved his friendship with Alex so much. His support and nudge for her to see Blackmoors feelings, flirting and just generally a lot of entertaining moments.
I liked the underlying mystery too and the small pov switches were interesting, i suspected the reveal early on but still incredibly done and made for some great adventurous scenes for the girls.
Although could have done with more development in areas such as the romance and side plots/characters. Maybe if had been a series would be ok, but sadly not so just left feeling like lots threads left open.
Overall an entertaining read. The ending was very sweet and happy, yet felt rather sudden so would have liked an epilogue. 3.5 stars boosted to 4.
I enjoyed this more then i expected too, since i don't read a lot of Ya novels or books with teen mcs these days so i was wary. However i fell into the story easily enough and found rather easy reading, with interesting plot and focus upon the season.
The romance was lighthearted and sweet, with a lot of uncertainty between Gavin and Alex since they have been close friends growing up. It was new for both of them slowly falling in love with the other and recognising their feelings.
Must admit my favourite scenes mainly involved the friendship between the girls and they're so entertaining. Ella, Vivi and Alex all have rather different views in ways yet have such a beautiful bond. So much support for each other and lots of humorous scenes, with their comments that i just loved.
Also loved Stanhope he was a great character in many ways and i loved his friendship with Alex so much. His support and nudge for her to see Blackmoors feelings, flirting and just generally a lot of entertaining moments.
I liked the underlying mystery too and the small pov switches were interesting, i suspected the reveal early on but still incredibly done and made for some great adventurous scenes for the girls.
Although could have done with more development in areas such as the romance and side plots/characters. Maybe if had been a series would be ok, but sadly not so just left feeling like lots threads left open.
Overall an entertaining read. The ending was very sweet and happy, yet felt rather sudden so would have liked an epilogue. 3.5 stars boosted to 4.