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karinapplesauce's review
This is somehow linked to the Wallflowers, but I’m not sure how, but keep in mind that I have a lot of time between reading books.
It’s been a while since I had a successful read with Romance, so I was pretty pleased with this one. Like most, you can see things coming a mile away but it’s still a lot of fun.
Aline is fun, McKenna is fun, and things weren’t too problematic as can happen.
It’s been a while since I had a successful read with Romance, so I was pretty pleased with this one. Like most, you can see things coming a mile away but it’s still a lot of fun.
Aline is fun, McKenna is fun, and things weren’t too problematic as can happen.
ollivertigo's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mreallyhatesyou's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
sakeenah's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
research_department's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
3.25 ⭐️, it was good
Stats: MF (x 2) historical (Victorian England) romance, third person omniscient/past tense, open door, second chance romance, misunderstood FMC
I had to check the copyright date (2004), because it felt of a certain vintage, with such lines as “[h]e was a man who made a woman feel safe, and at the same time, deliciously overpowered.” The overall atmosphere was reminiscent of Downton Abbey, with a house party at an earl’s residence (but ostensibly Victorian era, rather than Edwardian). This is the first book that I’ve read by Lisa Kleypas, and at first I thought I was going to DNF this for being anachronistic, but I gave it another chapter, and I decided to just surrender to the story. Once I did that, I decided not to let the red flag MMCs bother me either. One MMC is arrogant and bent on revenge; he gets nicknamed “Sturm und Drang” by the gay best friend (yes, this Victorian romance has a gay best friend). The other MMC is an alcoholic rake. But hey, they’re both wealthy and strong and love the FMCs. I’m giving it a hard time, but it was also kind of fun. After the opening chapters (which are set 12 years earlier than the majority of the book), the characters are grown up, and have some depth (even the MMCs). There was a misunderstood FMC and some angst (although not as much angst as I was hoping for). The pacing was steady. The writing was solid. If you’re in the mood for something a little retro with alphahole MMCs with hearts of gold and hairy chests, this might be just the thing.
Stats: MF (x 2) historical (Victorian England) romance, third person omniscient/past tense, open door, second chance romance, misunderstood FMC
I had to check the copyright date (2004), because it felt of a certain vintage, with such lines as “[h]e was a man who made a woman feel safe, and at the same time, deliciously overpowered.” The overall atmosphere was reminiscent of Downton Abbey, with a house party at an earl’s residence (but ostensibly Victorian era, rather than Edwardian). This is the first book that I’ve read by Lisa Kleypas, and at first I thought I was going to DNF this for being anachronistic, but I gave it another chapter, and I decided to just surrender to the story. Once I did that, I decided not to let the red flag MMCs bother me either. One MMC is arrogant and bent on revenge; he gets nicknamed “Sturm und Drang” by the gay best friend (yes, this Victorian romance has a gay best friend). The other MMC is an alcoholic rake. But hey, they’re both wealthy and strong and love the FMCs. I’m giving it a hard time, but it was also kind of fun. After the opening chapters (which are set 12 years earlier than the majority of the book), the characters are grown up, and have some depth (even the MMCs). There was a misunderstood FMC and some angst (although not as much angst as I was hoping for). The pacing was steady. The writing was solid. If you’re in the mood for something a little retro with alphahole MMCs with hearts of gold and hairy chests, this might be just the thing.
timetravelreader's review
3.0
The main character’s rationale for keeping secrets and wrecking her life and her love’s is frustratingly irrational. Despite that, the book is emotional and engaging, and is now one of my historical romance favorites.
riareadsromance's review
4.0
This was a re-read from yearssss ago, though I only really read the Gideon/Livia bits apart from at the end. I love love love the relationship between Gideon and Livia, the yearning, the heat, the respect and understanding is all just swoon. I do also like McKenna and Aline’s story, although I do find the one-note nature of their plot a bit frustrating. Even though I understand Aline’s issues with her scars, it’s annoying that it’s the main conflict in the whole book and then she gets over it in 2 pages after one conversation with her brother. But other than that this book is another brilliant Kleypas read with humour, warmth and wit in spades.
booketofbooks's review
emotional
medium-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
4.25
aeblack's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
onetrooluff's review
2.0
Meh. Blew right through this so I could pass on my Wallflowers books as a set. I liked the later series books much better... I think I'm just done with romances.