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kaytebarry's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
jackiehorne's review against another edition
DNF at 25%
A bluestocking zoologist/daughter of an earl asks a friend—a male anthropologist from a wealthy, but not titled, family—to pretend to be a "rake" so that his attentions to her at social events will lead another male scientist to whom she is attracted to pay attention to her. "Rake" here means someone who appears to be a seductive bad boy, but who doesn't have the reputation for actually sexually ruining any innocent women; this kind of rake is "the darling of the ton," rather than someone society eschews. Of course, the shy anthropologist, who has been crushing on the bluestocking for years, agrees. Amusing, if silly, scenes ensue, as readers know far earlier than either protagonist does that the two are meant for one another.
So many readers recommend Leigh for her feminist sensibilities, and as this book is the start of a new series, I thought I would give it a try, despite having not enjoyed previous books by this author. But this one, too, was a miss for me. I personally dislike historical romances that, while accurate in many of their historical details, have their protagonists espousing utterly modern, progressive attitudes, with no sense that such attitudes would have been radical for the times, especially among the titled and wealthy. I'm not suggesting that no one at the time would have held such opinions, but I am frustrated by authors who ignore how such opinions would have put their holders beyond the social pale. Because by portraying such attitudes as commonplace, or not worthy of much notice, the courage it took for those who actually did hold such attitudes in the past gets erased.
Here are a few examples:
"The best part about the library was its policy of admitting anyone, male or female, white or black, young or aged, impoverished or wealthy, provided that the person seeking entrance displayed a genuine love of the sciences." (Kindle Loc 156)
"Tobacco serves a ceremonial and spiritual purpose for many tribes in the Americas. If I used it, it would be like stealing from them."
To his relief, she didn't look upset or irritated by his refusal. "Of course." She added with a pained expression, "Most commercial tobacco crops are tended and harvested by slaves. It's... repugnant." (961)
"Clearly... Linnaeus's biases shaped what ought to be perfectly objective science."
"What's perfectly objective?" Grace asked.... "Anyone who claims there is such a thing as objective truth is wrong." (1349)
"My gut churns when I read Westerners' accounts of other societies.... Many of them drip with a sense of cultural and racial superiority—and they twist science to defense abhorrent ideas and practices." (1349)
She was always torn about coming to the British Museum—it held such vast repositories of knowledge, yet everything came at a price. Even the friezes from the Parthenon had been ripped from their homeland and brought to England. It hardly seemed right.
Did Sebastian ever come here? Surely he'd find exhibits of interest—but maybe he, too, thought the museum to be a highly problematic space. (1864)
"I became aware of the harmful effects of humanity on the natural world. I became determined to study it so that everyone can learn its significance." (2138)
There may be a positive side to including current-day progressive values in historical romance: it may make readers more amenable to such values. But for me, such anachronistic values take me right out of the story.
A bluestocking zoologist/daughter of an earl asks a friend—a male anthropologist from a wealthy, but not titled, family—to pretend to be a "rake" so that his attentions to her at social events will lead another male scientist to whom she is attracted to pay attention to her. "Rake" here means someone who appears to be a seductive bad boy, but who doesn't have the reputation for actually sexually ruining any innocent women; this kind of rake is "the darling of the ton," rather than someone society eschews. Of course, the shy anthropologist, who has been crushing on the bluestocking for years, agrees. Amusing, if silly, scenes ensue, as readers know far earlier than either protagonist does that the two are meant for one another.
So many readers recommend Leigh for her feminist sensibilities, and as this book is the start of a new series, I thought I would give it a try, despite having not enjoyed previous books by this author. But this one, too, was a miss for me. I personally dislike historical romances that, while accurate in many of their historical details, have their protagonists espousing utterly modern, progressive attitudes, with no sense that such attitudes would have been radical for the times, especially among the titled and wealthy. I'm not suggesting that no one at the time would have held such opinions, but I am frustrated by authors who ignore how such opinions would have put their holders beyond the social pale. Because by portraying such attitudes as commonplace, or not worthy of much notice, the courage it took for those who actually did hold such attitudes in the past gets erased.
Here are a few examples:
"The best part about the library was its policy of admitting anyone, male or female, white or black, young or aged, impoverished or wealthy, provided that the person seeking entrance displayed a genuine love of the sciences." (Kindle Loc 156)
"Tobacco serves a ceremonial and spiritual purpose for many tribes in the Americas. If I used it, it would be like stealing from them."
To his relief, she didn't look upset or irritated by his refusal. "Of course." She added with a pained expression, "Most commercial tobacco crops are tended and harvested by slaves. It's... repugnant." (961)
"Clearly... Linnaeus's biases shaped what ought to be perfectly objective science."
"What's perfectly objective?" Grace asked.... "Anyone who claims there is such a thing as objective truth is wrong." (1349)
"My gut churns when I read Westerners' accounts of other societies.... Many of them drip with a sense of cultural and racial superiority—and they twist science to defense abhorrent ideas and practices." (1349)
She was always torn about coming to the British Museum—it held such vast repositories of knowledge, yet everything came at a price. Even the friezes from the Parthenon had been ripped from their homeland and brought to England. It hardly seemed right.
Did Sebastian ever come here? Surely he'd find exhibits of interest—but maybe he, too, thought the museum to be a highly problematic space. (1864)
"I became aware of the harmful effects of humanity on the natural world. I became determined to study it so that everyone can learn its significance." (2138)
There may be a positive side to including current-day progressive values in historical romance: it may make readers more amenable to such values. But for me, such anachronistic values take me right out of the story.
desthomas's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
alikatson's review
3.0
The story itself was cute overall, however, some of the modern phrases and actions were throwing me off.
ann_petiterose's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
valeria_gzz's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3 stars. This would’ve been so much better if it was shorter on the “she doesn’t like me😔” “he doesn’t like me😔” like DUDE COME ON. I’m supposed to believe these are smart people but they can’t see they like each other?? At first ok I get it BUT AFTER?? Ugh
The beginning was five stars though, it was soo cute and silly. The makeover part was fun too because it was really just getting Seb nicer clothes, him gaining confidence, and learning how to easily talk to people.
All that to say this would’ve been five stars for me if it was shorter :/
The beginning was five stars though, it was soo cute and silly. The makeover part was fun too because it was really just getting Seb nicer clothes, him gaining confidence, and learning how to easily talk to people.
All that to say this would’ve been five stars for me if it was shorter :/
aprilalwayswithabook's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.75
The miscommunication at the end was a little long, but otherwise I enjoyed it immensely.
jaydavies's review against another edition
2.0
While the storyline is refreshing in that the man changes himself to help a lady. Instead of the typical lady changing herself to catch a mans attention. I felt it lacking in that Sebastian had to change in order for Grace to recognize her love for him. Meanwhile she is disappointed that her crush is suddenly interested in her. Honestly I just felt terrible for Sebastian in the end, it was like he was being used. I wish there had be more interacts between Sebastian and Grace before they had sex. It really just didn’t fit the story in my opinion.