Scan barcode
keen23's review against another edition
3.0
Fun, new to me series. I already have Book 2 on hold at the library.
selsha's review against another edition
2.0
Actual quotes from the book as Livia arrives in her new home: "It was a place to LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE!" and "Now it was filled with LIGHT, LOVE, JOY." (attempting not to gag)
Good story but so poorly written. It feels like it's trying way too hard to be a Jane Austen romcom.
At first, I didn't like a single character in this book. Livia comes across as immature, constantly playing the victim with a "woe is me" attitude. And Gabriel? He's just a Mr. Darcy wannabe.
Now, I love cheesy, over-exaggerated historical romances, but this book takes it to a whole new level of bad writing. The cheesy elements just don't stick.
Finally, just when I start to gain some interest, the book takes a sudden turn in a completely different direction. It's frustrating how it often starts on one storyline, like a tense conversation in the parlor, and then abruptly shifts focus to Livia's internal monologue for the next three pages. Did the conversation even finish? How did it end? And then, it tries to snap back to said conversation or without warning, it's suddenly the next day.
The book rambles on, leaving stories hanging in the middle of the page. It leaves important things out and then overstuffs it with random nothings.
Overall, liked the story, detested the writing.
Good story but so poorly written. It feels like it's trying way too hard to be a Jane Austen romcom.
At first, I didn't like a single character in this book. Livia comes across as immature, constantly playing the victim with a "woe is me" attitude. And Gabriel? He's just a Mr. Darcy wannabe.
Now, I love cheesy, over-exaggerated historical romances, but this book takes it to a whole new level of bad writing. The cheesy elements just don't stick.
Finally, just when I start to gain some interest, the book takes a sudden turn in a completely different direction. It's frustrating how it often starts on one storyline, like a tense conversation in the parlor, and then abruptly shifts focus to Livia's internal monologue for the next three pages. Did the conversation even finish? How did it end? And then, it tries to snap back to said conversation or without warning, it's suddenly the next day.
The book rambles on, leaving stories hanging in the middle of the page. It leaves important things out and then overstuffs it with random nothings.
Overall, liked the story, detested the writing.
max_pink's review against another edition
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
2.75 Stars
A competently written historical romance that feels…weirdly unromantic? Livia starts out in a bad situation, struggling with self-worth issues, and then spends the rest of this book in better circumstances with…people who magnify her self-worth issues. At every turn, she’s just insulted and emotionally dragged through the mud.
Gabriel is…eh. He’s so emotionally constipated that I’m not really convinced he ever really opened up.
I think I’m also pretty tired of wealthy landed gentlemen in these books having a chip on their shoulders about gold diggers. Like, y’all. This is a dependence YOU created. Deal with it.
I’m not totally sure I buy them being in love, either. It seemed to come out of nowhere.
It sounds like I really didn’t like this book. And that’s not true. I finished it, so the writing was compelling enough. Really, the star of the show here is Mrs. Penhallow, Gabriel’s grandmother. I love a bitter, meddling matriarch, and her development over the course of the book is really engaging.
That being said, it’s kind of a problem when my favorite character in a romance is…neither of the main couple. This just wasn’t a super fun read, tbh.
Carolyn Morris did excellent audio narration, though.
norwayellesea's review against another edition
5.0
At thirty-years-old, Gabriel Penhallow needs a wife after avoiding family expectations whilst serving in the Diplomatic Corps. Now back in England, his Grandmother's determined for him to find a bride and an heir to continue the family line. When Grandmama finds a perfect match for him, he accepts his fate, only what happens next is quite what she'd intended for her grandson.
Livia Stuart has lived with her Uncle Charles and Aunt Bella since she becoming orphaned in India as a small child. She's lonely except for the miserable visits from Cecily Orr. When Cecily's parents Lord and Lady Glanville announce there's to be an engagement announcement at the Ball they are hosting for their daughter and one the Marriage Mart's most eligible men; Gabriel Penhallow, there's an offer for Livia to attend and view the proceedings from behind a palm display in the Egyptian themed ballroom. Only, the proceedings at the Ball doesn't go quite to plan and Livia somehow managed to get herself engaged.
Humour and melodrama by the plenty in this wonderful début novel by Lisa Berne. The protagonists play a delightful game of push and pull, as they tentatively try to build a relationship. Both are stubborn when pride obstructs common sense. Nothing is plain sailing as someone tries to sabotage the highly improper engagement more than the couple themselves. Then there's the formidable force that's Mrs Penhallow, who's determined everything should be done her way...if only her Grandson would listen.
"Perhaps," he suggested to his grandmother, irony in his tone, "I ought to propose first"
All in all, a well written and highly entertaining Regency novel, with a devilishly handsome hero and a strong, determined and beautiful heroine who against all the odds find their perfect happy ending at Surmont Hall. With the mention of an unsavoury Scottish cousin, Alasdair and an amusing cameo appearance from Hugo Penhallow, we're given a little taste of what is to follow in this delightful new series.
***arc generously received courtesy of Avon Books via Edelweiss+***
Livia Stuart has lived with her Uncle Charles and Aunt Bella since she becoming orphaned in India as a small child. She's lonely except for the miserable visits from Cecily Orr. When Cecily's parents Lord and Lady Glanville announce there's to be an engagement announcement at the Ball they are hosting for their daughter and one the Marriage Mart's most eligible men; Gabriel Penhallow, there's an offer for Livia to attend and view the proceedings from behind a palm display in the Egyptian themed ballroom. Only, the proceedings at the Ball doesn't go quite to plan and Livia somehow managed to get herself engaged.
Humour and melodrama by the plenty in this wonderful début novel by Lisa Berne. The protagonists play a delightful game of push and pull, as they tentatively try to build a relationship. Both are stubborn when pride obstructs common sense. Nothing is plain sailing as someone tries to sabotage the highly improper engagement more than the couple themselves. Then there's the formidable force that's Mrs Penhallow, who's determined everything should be done her way...if only her Grandson would listen.
"Perhaps," he suggested to his grandmother, irony in his tone, "I ought to propose first"
All in all, a well written and highly entertaining Regency novel, with a devilishly handsome hero and a strong, determined and beautiful heroine who against all the odds find their perfect happy ending at Surmont Hall. With the mention of an unsavoury Scottish cousin, Alasdair and an amusing cameo appearance from Hugo Penhallow, we're given a little taste of what is to follow in this delightful new series.
***arc generously received courtesy of Avon Books via Edelweiss+***
bookworm_anna's review against another edition
4.0
enjoyably emotional story. Definitely got the feels reading this. Enjoyed the slow burn. ending/resolution felt a bit rushed, but overall enjoyed the book.
tales_of_a_bookbug's review against another edition
4.0
A really good historical romance that I enjoyed reading!Gabriel isn't interested in marrying, but he will do it since that is what is expected of him and though his grandmother has chosen the Lady Cecilia for him, there is just something about Livia that makes him kiss her.And obviously they're caught and now have to marry.
Livia's parents died when she was young, so her uncle is more than happy to wash his hands off her.Livia isn't that interested in marrying this arrogant cad, especially one who mistook her for a servant just the day before.But society dictates that they must and now she has to listen to his grandmother.
Will love bloom along the way or will they be destined for an unhappy marriage?
Gabriel and Livia were interesting main characters, but too stubborn and hardheaded at times.The way the connection between them developed from a simple attraction to a beautiful relationship was amazing.Livia undergoes many transformations and learns a lot.She was intelligent,feisty but a bit naive in the beginning of the book.But that changes.
The way they fell in love with each other was good, but there is also a lot of push and pull.There are many conflicts and misunderstandings which could have been solved by proper communication, but eh, we wouldn't have a book then would we?
I loved Gabriel's grandmother and his cousin Hugo!They were amazing secondary characters.
I loved the fact that the author mixed in humor too, as it breaks off the monotony in a HR book.
I can't wait to read Hugo's story in the next book!
Livia's parents died when she was young, so her uncle is more than happy to wash his hands off her.Livia isn't that interested in marrying this arrogant cad, especially one who mistook her for a servant just the day before.But society dictates that they must and now she has to listen to his grandmother.
Will love bloom along the way or will they be destined for an unhappy marriage?
Gabriel and Livia were interesting main characters, but too stubborn and hardheaded at times.The way the connection between them developed from a simple attraction to a beautiful relationship was amazing.Livia undergoes many transformations and learns a lot.She was intelligent,feisty but a bit naive in the beginning of the book.But that changes.
The way they fell in love with each other was good, but there is also a lot of push and pull.There are many conflicts and misunderstandings which could have been solved by proper communication, but eh, we wouldn't have a book then would we?
I loved Gabriel's grandmother and his cousin Hugo!They were amazing secondary characters.
I loved the fact that the author mixed in humor too, as it breaks off the monotony in a HR book.
I can't wait to read Hugo's story in the next book!
tweedlebug's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0