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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
*I received an E-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
Before I say anything, I feel like I should point out that I’m not a big fan of historical fiction and romance
London, Victorian Era.
After their parents passed away, Joanna Ryde and her sisters are left penniless. Finding a job as a woman is hard. So Joanna decides to disguise herself as boy and find a job to support her sisters. She becomes Jonathan Ryde. And off she goes to a prestigious boys’ boarding school.
To be honest I enjoyed it reading this book. It was fast-paced, easy and funny, unlike other historical fictions I’ve read before. Supposedly, the events took place in Victorian Era London, but I didn’t quite feel like it, more like old English times, not specifically Victorian. The conversations the characters had with each other made it somehow less believable.
Jo’s humor and witty remarks cracked me up a lot, which was possibly my favourite thing in the book. I liked her a lot at first, but then I felt like she was a bit annoying, she was contradicting herself. It was touching how much of her life she’d sacrifice for her sisters’ sake, and for her own dreams and ambitions.
Hanson was a pain in the ass most of the time, mysterious and hard to figure out. Which at times I found very intriguing, then at other times I wanted to strangle the man.
Sofia and Terry were my favourite characters in the book, they were just too cute and adorable. Sofia was very realistic and relatable. And Terry was really sweet and loyal.
At some point, probably the second half of the book, I felt like things happened really fast and got really, really messy. Nothing was making sense and I was on an emotional rollercoaster, I didn’t know what exactly to do or feel with what was happening.
Then things started to unravel once and for all.
The ending was actually very satisfying and I think that it was well-earned, despite certain things that happened all through the book.
Overall it wasn’t that bad, I think it just wasn’t the best for me.
It’s just so cute and fluffy, too cheesy for my own taste, but it was so easy and helped clear my mind. Not nerve wrecking like my usual reads. So if you’re into romance and historical fiction I’d recommend this book.
Before I say anything, I feel like I should point out that I’m not a big fan of historical fiction and romance
London, Victorian Era.
After their parents passed away, Joanna Ryde and her sisters are left penniless. Finding a job as a woman is hard. So Joanna decides to disguise herself as boy and find a job to support her sisters. She becomes Jonathan Ryde. And off she goes to a prestigious boys’ boarding school.
“We are all vain when it comes to dressing up and showing off in society; some of us do it less obviously than others, but no one is free of charge.”
To be honest I enjoyed it reading this book. It was fast-paced, easy and funny, unlike other historical fictions I’ve read before. Supposedly, the events took place in Victorian Era London, but I didn’t quite feel like it, more like old English times, not specifically Victorian. The conversations the characters had with each other made it somehow less believable.
“If stupidity were a crime, I would be hanged without trial.”
Jo’s humor and witty remarks cracked me up a lot, which was possibly my favourite thing in the book. I liked her a lot at first, but then I felt like she was a bit annoying, she was contradicting herself. It was touching how much of her life she’d sacrifice for her sisters’ sake, and for her own dreams and ambitions.
Hanson was a pain in the ass most of the time, mysterious and hard to figure out. Which at times I found very intriguing, then at other times I wanted to strangle the man.
Sofia and Terry were my favourite characters in the book, they were just too cute and adorable. Sofia was very realistic and relatable. And Terry was really sweet and loyal.
At some point, probably the second half of the book, I felt like things happened really fast and got really, really messy. Nothing was making sense and I was on an emotional rollercoaster, I didn’t know what exactly to do or feel with what was happening.
Then things started to unravel once and for all.
The ending was actually very satisfying and I think that it was well-earned, despite certain things that happened all through the book.
Overall it wasn’t that bad, I think it just wasn’t the best for me.
It’s just so cute and fluffy, too cheesy for my own taste, but it was so easy and helped clear my mind. Not nerve wrecking like my usual reads. So if you’re into romance and historical fiction I’d recommend this book.
All through my reading my eyes were glued to the page's number. Because. I did. Not. Want. It. To. End. This one was just- so utterly beautiful. I didn't expect it to surprise me this much. I mean from the synopsis alone i could get: historical romance, victorian londen, boarding school, gender bent, just the right age gap, mentor-apprentice relationship (both romantic and platonic) and hate to love! It's like the author took all my favorite tropes and settings and casted them into one magical pot. What else could i possibly do beside devouring it with delight and gratitude? So yes i expected fun times. And i got plenty. But it was so much more than that. It got a beautiful message.
Slowly the delightful tropes apparent in the synopsis took shape as genuine concepts. Friendships formed, realistic and exciting development in the characters and their relationships happened, hate didn't snap into love but went through the complete road of friendship first, self-discovery and self-worth were so beautifully discussed. I related to Joanna greatly and was happy to see her gain confidence through what she faced and overall for the conclusion she reached. Hanson was just the perfect partner anyone could hope for. He was understanding. He passionately invested his feelings in the people around him, helped, advised, shared burdens and was immensely proud of anyone who did their best. I get Joanna for wanting to be like him. He deserved all the love and respect he received and more. It was extremely enjoyable and fascinating to watch their relationship bloom the way it did. They were so damn adorable and dorks and i loved every moment of it to bits.
"You asked if I knew about your feelings.'
'I did no such thing. I asked weather you knew about my fees.'
'This makes no sense.”
“You are being a child.'
'You are the one coming after me.'
'I have a reason to come after you.'
'Which is?'
'Stop walking away from me, and you will find out.'
'You can tell me from where you are.'
'Alright,' he began walking a little quicker, and I did too. 'I want to kiss you.”
^ the kiss sadly we never got ughh
My only dissatisfaction is that I couldn't see much of their romance even after everything settled at the end. A post-marriage short story will be most welcome.
Slowly the delightful tropes apparent in the synopsis took shape as genuine concepts. Friendships formed, realistic and exciting development in the characters and their relationships happened, hate didn't snap into love but went through the complete road of friendship first, self-discovery and self-worth were so beautifully discussed. I related to Joanna greatly and was happy to see her gain confidence through what she faced and overall for the conclusion she reached. Hanson was just the perfect partner anyone could hope for. He was understanding. He passionately invested his feelings in the people around him, helped, advised, shared burdens and was immensely proud of anyone who did their best. I get Joanna for wanting to be like him. He deserved all the love and respect he received and more. It was extremely enjoyable and fascinating to watch their relationship bloom the way it did. They were so damn adorable and dorks and i loved every moment of it to bits.
"You asked if I knew about your feelings.'
'I did no such thing. I asked weather you knew about my fees.'
'This makes no sense.”
“You are being a child.'
'You are the one coming after me.'
'I have a reason to come after you.'
'Which is?'
'Stop walking away from me, and you will find out.'
'You can tell me from where you are.'
'Alright,' he began walking a little quicker, and I did too. 'I want to kiss you.”
^ the kiss sadly we never got ughh
My only dissatisfaction is that I couldn't see much of their romance even after everything settled at the end. A post-marriage short story will be most welcome.
I really enjoyed myself reading this book.It had all the things I love- Victorian London,boarding school,cross dressing,forbidden love.I know it’s stupid to give a book 3 star, only because there wasn’t enough romantic moments
I was so looking forward to reading this and I am so happy that I finally got the chance! Very cute and kept me engaged until the end.
3.5 stars
When the writing doesn't do justice for wonderful not-so-original but interesting elements.
The second half felt like an epilogue telling everything that happened hastily for the sake of concluding the story. Nevertheless, this was such a joyful read.
When the writing doesn't do justice for wonderful not-so-original but interesting elements.
The second half felt like an epilogue telling everything that happened hastily for the sake of concluding the story. Nevertheless, this was such a joyful read.