You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
Crazy but, punctuation. It feels like there is too much description with the first page. It is not compelling enough of a concept to continue reading past the first two pages, for me.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
"Have you ever been surrounded constantly by a bunch of people you don't like at all but you still know all their drama because they won't stop telling you? That's how I felt reading this book." - Me
Also, I've noticed that in a lot of books and other media written by English people (mostly women), whenever they include a Black woman, she's always mixed race and looks white (or white enough) and never really talks about her blackness and any love interest she may have either ignores it completely or says something really weird about it.
Also, I've noticed that in a lot of books and other media written by English people (mostly women), whenever they include a Black woman, she's always mixed race and looks white (or white enough) and never really talks about her blackness and any love interest she may have either ignores it completely or says something really weird about it.
First off, I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey. I watched it on Netflix a few years ago back to back and bing watched it twice.
Now I don’t remember when I bought this book, nor do I remember why. When I read the back of it when picking it up, the synopsis did not jump to me, but I’ve had this book for many years, and thought to myself, while continuing with my alphabetical challenge of going through the author’s names for each alphabet, this fell into the category of “G” for Goodwin and I thought to myself, why the heck not. There wasn’t much else in my library that could have replaced it, so I decided to try it.
With that said, I did not think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. Throughout the whole thing, I kept being brought back to the Downton Abbey world (which wasn’t difficult considering the main character was named Cora, an American Heiress, and the mother in Downton Abbey was named Cora as well), but you see the life of the upstairs (Cora’s world where she falls in love with a Duke) and the downstair’s world (Bertha, Cora’s mood, trying to live in a new world she is not used to, and finding a love interest of her own).
You learn of the struggle that Cora goes through, entering a whole different world than what she grew up in, learning new things but also unfortunately realizing not every decision she makes, though normal back at home in America, is not a good decision in her new world.
Now I don’t remember when I bought this book, nor do I remember why. When I read the back of it when picking it up, the synopsis did not jump to me, but I’ve had this book for many years, and thought to myself, while continuing with my alphabetical challenge of going through the author’s names for each alphabet, this fell into the category of “G” for Goodwin and I thought to myself, why the heck not. There wasn’t much else in my library that could have replaced it, so I decided to try it.
With that said, I did not think I was going to enjoy this book as much as I did. Throughout the whole thing, I kept being brought back to the Downton Abbey world (which wasn’t difficult considering the main character was named Cora, an American Heiress, and the mother in Downton Abbey was named Cora as well), but you see the life of the upstairs (Cora’s world where she falls in love with a Duke) and the downstair’s world (Bertha, Cora’s mood, trying to live in a new world she is not used to, and finding a love interest of her own).
You learn of the struggle that Cora goes through, entering a whole different world than what she grew up in, learning new things but also unfortunately realizing not every decision she makes, though normal back at home in America, is not a good decision in her new world.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
🫑
Probably just under 4 stars, but worth rounding up. This book reminded me a lot of the Luxe Series by Anna Godbersen, combined with Roses. It was a fun, enjoyable read about the elite NY society of the early 1900s and the desire to attain the one thing money can't buy in the states - an aristocratic title.
The characters were a little confusing at times, and I didn't particularly like or dislike any of them. I have one burning plot question that went unanswered, but it didn't ruin the book, just left something somewhat unexplained. It ended as I thought it would, though it also kind of just...ended. It wraps up appropriately, but also feels like she wasn't entirely sure on what note to end. And almost left the door open for a sequel, which could be fun, but isn't necessary.
Overall, if you're looking for a bubblegum book that's easy and fun to read, this should satisfy that need.
The characters were a little confusing at times, and I didn't particularly like or dislike any of them. I have one burning plot question that went unanswered, but it didn't ruin the book, just left something somewhat unexplained. It ended as I thought it would, though it also kind of just...ended. It wraps up appropriately, but also feels like she wasn't entirely sure on what note to end. And almost left the door open for a sequel, which could be fun, but isn't necessary.
Overall, if you're looking for a bubblegum book that's easy and fun to read, this should satisfy that need.
medium-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
I love historical fiction, so this book was perfect for me, especially as it was all about high society and manners and romance and secrets. I would have preferred that Cora were a slightly stronger character; everyone lauds her for being so independent because she´s American, but I thought that her final decision was giving in too much. Overall, though, it was a delightful read.
10-9-2014 Noble Book Discussion: I enjoyed the book overall and we had a lively discussion.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I grew fond of Cora throughout this story.
I think she would have been above being an influencer but I see her loving her feminine independence
In a perfect world Bertha and Cora live in a house to raise Guy
Without Ivo’s whiplash personality lol
I thought this was an ok story.
I think she would have been above being an influencer but I see her loving her feminine independence
In a perfect world Bertha and Cora live in a house to raise Guy
Without Ivo’s whiplash personality lol
I thought this was an ok story.