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cdntree's review against another edition
1.0
Got to be honest - made it through Part 2 and I'm out. It was not good. Its forced and there seems to be alot of filler just so she can get from one point in the story to the other...I don't stop reading many books but this one - yikes!
tina_choy75's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book! Another great story. The first book a new series. Can't wait to see how the story end.
gr8reader's review against another edition
5.0
BTB is an author I have always enjoyed. She doesn't disappoint. Her stories are not just sunshine, roses and romance. Looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.
taralpittman's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first foray into the writing of Barbara Taylor Bradford and, I must say, I wish I’d started sooner! I was hooked by her writing, and this beautiful new world she has created, from the very beginning; however, the further I got into this novel the harder it was to put it down!
I love these characters, their struggles, their relatability, this time period, all of it! I can hardly wait for the next installment of this new series; what a surprising delight!
I love these characters, their struggles, their relatability, this time period, all of it! I can hardly wait for the next installment of this new series; what a surprising delight!
bookish_jeanie's review against another edition
1.0
I tried...y’all I tried so hard...I very rarely do not finish books but this one I had to give up on. BTB has such a long distinguished career that I was excited to start this journey with her but I found the story flat and the characters a little TOO perfect.. there was no grit. I was gifted an arc of the second book in the series and I’ll give it an honest go. I stopped reading this about 90 pages in. I truly wanted to love these characters. On a positive note, they descriptions of the clothing, buildings, and general world were beautiful.
kahale's review against another edition
2.0
If you like Downton Abbey you will like this book. it is set in England at the end of the 17th century and has a little of everything - history, love, sex, fashion, adventure, and merchandising. The hero of the story comes up from rags to riches and the rich girl falls in love with an older man who passes away and leaves her a huge estate. Everything that everyone could want.
nikkiethereader's review against another edition
4.0
James has the dedication and drive to change things as society knows it. Even though he was born into the poorer side of society, he's got the drive to become as successful as any of the rich. With his grandparents' help, that dream becomes a reality for him. Alexis is driven to be successful in her father's company. She refuses to marry and let a man take over and control her life. She's afraid if she marries that the husband will take over everything and not let her work at all.
I really enjoyed this book at all. I was confused in the beginning because I didn't fully get why there was talk about two different people who weren't even in the same circles of society. I had assumed that eventually, they must cross paths. That's the only way that the story would make much sense to me. Either way, I really did enjoy reading about both of them and the people in their lives. I can say that I feel like there were a few instances where historical accuracy was pushed just a tad. This thing doesn't really bother me personally. I recognize that I'm reading a fictional book. It may bother some people though.
I really adored James. He was strong. He was compassionate. He cared about those he was around and he was loyal. If somebody wronged him, he wanted to make sure they got fair treatment. It's really admirable. Alexis was really amazing as well. I honestly feel that I would be just like her in that time era. She's a strong woman who is passionate about her career. It's amazing!
Other than the issues I highlighted, I thought this was a pretty amazing book. I am looking forward to reading book two in May. I can't wait to see what happens from here. I don't want to get too much into it. I'd hate to spoil the book to anybody who will be reading in the future. It's a very light and enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed this book at all. I was confused in the beginning because I didn't fully get why there was talk about two different people who weren't even in the same circles of society. I had assumed that eventually, they must cross paths. That's the only way that the story would make much sense to me. Either way, I really did enjoy reading about both of them and the people in their lives. I can say that I feel like there were a few instances where historical accuracy was pushed just a tad. This thing doesn't really bother me personally. I recognize that I'm reading a fictional book. It may bother some people though.
I really adored James. He was strong. He was compassionate. He cared about those he was around and he was loyal. If somebody wronged him, he wanted to make sure they got fair treatment. It's really admirable. Alexis was really amazing as well. I honestly feel that I would be just like her in that time era. She's a strong woman who is passionate about her career. It's amazing!
Other than the issues I highlighted, I thought this was a pretty amazing book. I am looking forward to reading book two in May. I can't wait to see what happens from here. I don't want to get too much into it. I'd hate to spoil the book to anybody who will be reading in the future. It's a very light and enjoyable read.
brandijm's review against another edition
2.0
No character development, slow and boring plot line. Such a disappointment
lib_07's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh. The dialog was such a slog to get through. So stilted. So many characters written to be perfect and with no problems in life just took me out of the story. There is a sequel and I don’t know if I have it in me.
squeegybeckinheim's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this intriguing historical novel set in the Victorian period. This is my first Bradford, so I have nothing to compare this to in terms of her "usual" fare. That being said, I enjoyed it immensely. It needs just a touch of polish to clean up a typo here and there, but overall it was very well done. I had certain expectations that were not met, which is not necessarily a bad thing in this case. After finishing this story and reading that this is to be a quartet, this certainly feels more like a prequel to what may be the bones of the overall story. It laid out the pieces and set a foundation for what is to come. I am absolutely interested in the future of these characters and resolution to some of the unanswered questions that remain. I appreciate that though the Ripper Murders are mentioned, they are only a topical piece of minutae and not a focus as is the case with most Victorian novels. I will be reading the next installment when it becomes available, and feel that a casual reader of historical fiction will be satisfied by this start to a new series.