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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
slow-paced
I picked up this book on sale, and as I'm a fan of historical (and "historical") romances I expected to enjoy this one as well. I was not disappointed, and found it an excellent story that was far more grounded in reality than the Regencies and other rather fanciful stories that are a large component of my "fluff" category.
The story is simple, and one we've read many times over - Cora is an American heiress whose overbearing mother wants to marry a titled English lord, all in furtherance of her own societal clout back home in Newport. The trip is taken, the marriage occurs, the heir is born, and Cora is left to fend for herself in a strange world where little is as it seems, and unwritten rules exist to let her know she will always be the outsider. Add in her husband's affair, and a crisis is reached where Cora has to decide what she will do, what kind of duchess she will be, and how she will live her life.
Cora is the main character, with two strong supporting characters in her duke husband Ivo and in her colored-but-can-pass lady's maid Bertha. While Ivo is left as a mystery throughout much of the book, Bertha's story unwinds quietly besides and behind that of Cora, and I found it to be very interesting and at times moreso than Cora's. The writing is clear and masterful at providing clues that Cora doesn't always pick up on, but that an apt reader will catch on their own, which point to what's going on in the British world she's married into. There are misunderstandings, and culture differences, and finally Ivo has to stand up and admit to his past and his part in the problems in his marriage, before Cora can decide how to proceed.
I particularly liked this book because it was more realistic - Cora never gets the admiration and only barely grudging respect from the servants, other society wives try to set her up for failure, and the deep culture differences between "new money America" and "old blood Britain" are visible in varying degrees throughout the story. That made this much more real and with a different, deeper meaning than many fluffy Regencies provide, which isn't a snub on either this book or those, I'm just highlighting the difference. This was a solid story that I enjoyed, with character change and growth as well as stagnation in parts, which all summed up into a realistic portrait of the American heiress turned British duchess.
The story is simple, and one we've read many times over - Cora is an American heiress whose overbearing mother wants to marry a titled English lord, all in furtherance of her own societal clout back home in Newport. The trip is taken, the marriage occurs, the heir is born, and Cora is left to fend for herself in a strange world where little is as it seems, and unwritten rules exist to let her know she will always be the outsider. Add in her husband's affair, and a crisis is reached where Cora has to decide what she will do, what kind of duchess she will be, and how she will live her life.
Cora is the main character, with two strong supporting characters in her duke husband Ivo and in her colored-but-can-pass lady's maid Bertha. While Ivo is left as a mystery throughout much of the book, Bertha's story unwinds quietly besides and behind that of Cora, and I found it to be very interesting and at times moreso than Cora's. The writing is clear and masterful at providing clues that Cora doesn't always pick up on, but that an apt reader will catch on their own, which point to what's going on in the British world she's married into. There are misunderstandings, and culture differences, and finally Ivo has to stand up and admit to his past and his part in the problems in his marriage, before Cora can decide how to proceed.
I particularly liked this book because it was more realistic - Cora never gets the admiration and only barely grudging respect from the servants, other society wives try to set her up for failure, and the deep culture differences between "new money America" and "old blood Britain" are visible in varying degrees throughout the story. That made this much more real and with a different, deeper meaning than many fluffy Regencies provide, which isn't a snub on either this book or those, I'm just highlighting the difference. This was a solid story that I enjoyed, with character change and growth as well as stagnation in parts, which all summed up into a realistic portrait of the American heiress turned British duchess.
Easy read, not very much of a plot but sometimes you just need a pallet cleanser before you go on to your next amazing book. I would not buy, better check out from the public library!
This book was a solid 4, the ending was so weak like the author was just over it… it quickly fell to a 3.
I enjoyed reading this book. If you enjoy reading about the Gilded Age or watching Dowtown Abbey, you will appreciate the book. It was very evident that Daisy Goodwin did a great job researching subjects such as societal norms, class jewelry, attire, etc. of the era based on her detailed descriptions. I found the ending unrealistic for Teddy and Charlotte but for Cora and Ivo it was predictable (not the events leading to their endings) due to the era.
In case you are confused, this is not Cora of "Downtown" fame. Her American storyline is easily believable as Cora Levison, this is Cora Cash, the richest girl in America. Her mother whisks her away to England to find one thing money can't buy: a title.
The proposal happens remarkably fast and suddenly the heroine is plunged into English life as a Duchess. Unsurprisingly, there is a secret affair happening...I am not sure if the author meant for the parties involved to be obvious or if she things the "big reveal" at the end is a shocker. Let me tell you, it comes as no surprise to the reader. I felt as if the author expected me to be stupid and not put the overly obvious clues together. Every time a new revelation occurred, I rolled my eyes, wishing they would just reveal all the rest of the characters.
In the end, all is revealed, but there is not much resolution. Many of the character relationships are left in limbo and those that are redeemed seem forced.
The first part of Cora's story in America is glittery and fun to read, but I'm afraid the mystique of England does not live up to the hype of "Downton Abbey."
The proposal happens remarkably fast and suddenly the heroine is plunged into English life as a Duchess. Unsurprisingly, there is a secret affair happening...I am not sure if the author meant for the parties involved to be obvious or if she things the "big reveal" at the end is a shocker. Let me tell you, it comes as no surprise to the reader. I felt as if the author expected me to be stupid and not put the overly obvious clues together. Every time a new revelation occurred, I rolled my eyes, wishing they would just reveal all the rest of the characters.
In the end, all is revealed, but there is not much resolution. Many of the character relationships are left in limbo and those that are redeemed seem forced.
The first part of Cora's story in America is glittery and fun to read, but I'm afraid the mystique of England does not live up to the hype of "Downton Abbey."
I'm a fan of historical romances and this was a solid piece. Incredibly predictable and filled with vapid, superficial characters but still an enjoyable read.
well written but most of the characters irritated me and I wasn't a fan of the ending...there wasn't enough substance to restore my trust at the end.
Cheaters never prosper....except in Daisy Goodwin novels.
Dull and filled with manipulative male leads and weak bellied females.
Dull and filled with manipulative male leads and weak bellied females.
This book is similar to older costume drama/historical books from around the turn of the 20th century and before. It involves an American heiress being taken to England to meet a titled husband. She does but isn't prepared for all the lies and intrigue that she is totally unaware of being a fish out of water like she is.
It was a fun read though I thought it tied up the loose ends too quickly near the end of the book. That was a bit jarring to me though the rest of the book up to the end is quite enjoyable and well written.
It was a fun read though I thought it tied up the loose ends too quickly near the end of the book. That was a bit jarring to me though the rest of the book up to the end is quite enjoyable and well written.