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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
The first half of this book did very little for me - I just couldn't get a grip on the characters or their motivations, especially the heroine. And then they started talking and it got so much better.
Julie Anne Long has written some of my favorite books, but this isn't one of them. I think my biggest problem was the heroine. She's mostly a mystery to the reader for over half the book. I found her too shallow for my liking.
Oh well, I suppose no author will thrill me with every single book.
Oh well, I suppose no author will thrill me with every single book.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I could not stand Tansy, the heroine. All of the attempts to round out her character and make her seem complex fell flat for me leaving my impression of her as annoying, vain, and naive. The romance didn't work for me because I just couldn't understand what made Ian change his point of view of Tansy. This was by far my least favorite book in this series.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Tansy and Ian aren’t terribly likable people when we meet them, which seems to be some of the critique leveled at this story. To me, however, their character “flaws” are powerful lessons in how people may seem “fine” when they are anything but, “functional” when they’re barely staying alive. Sticking with their unlikableness is a lesson in both empathy and patience, an exercise I felt deeply rewarded for as a reader. Both Tansy and Ian have undergone loss and trauma, and they don’t handle it like angels, but that only renders them more human and their character growth more profound. I read this whole story with a lump in my throat. I frequently teared up. They felt so real, and the manner in which they figured each other out and by the same token gave each other permission to be their imperfect selves was so emotionally satisfying. By the end of this story, I loved Tansy and Ian as much as they loved each other.
On a final note: I want to see more romance novels that normalize people who are struggling—to heal, to be sincere, to trust, to believe—and show that with the right person, with honesty and understanding, trust and laughter, they can find their happy ending, too.
On a final note: I want to see more romance novels that normalize people who are struggling—to heal, to be sincere, to trust, to believe—and show that with the right person, with honesty and understanding, trust and laughter, they can find their happy ending, too.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The entire Pennyroyal Green series is firmly in the Canon of Regency Romances. This whole series is awesome.
Here in the 9th installment, dashing, rakish, Captain Ian Eversea is captivated by American heiress Titania "Tansy" Danforth.
One of Long's greatest strength as an author is dialog. She writes so FANTASTIC dialog. The whole "Titsy" scene had be laughing out loud. Amazing!
If you love snappy dialog, great characters, and a series you can really sink your teeth into (yay extensive backlist!) check out Pennyroyal Green STAT!
Here in the 9th installment, dashing, rakish, Captain Ian Eversea is captivated by American heiress Titania "Tansy" Danforth.
One of Long's greatest strength as an author is dialog. She writes so FANTASTIC dialog. The whole "Titsy" scene had be laughing out loud. Amazing!
If you love snappy dialog, great characters, and a series you can really sink your teeth into (yay extensive backlist!) check out Pennyroyal Green STAT!
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I literally wept after closing the book. I started out really disliking the heroine and feeling like, even after the whole series, that I barely know Ian. But once they connected with each and started feeling truly seen I felt totally on board. I loved the duke in it too, and all those little moments with him were really rich. I was tearing up through the whole carriage ride etc., and laughed through my tears. I really think Julie Anne Long is better than even my favs of Eva Leigh, Vivienne Loret, Lorraine Heath, and Julia Quinn. She's absolutely top tier with depths of character and vivid imagery. I am so so sad that I'm close to done this series.