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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
CWs: mentions of suicide, racism
Described as an antidote for those “suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms,” this book is a sweeping, character driven novel that really launches you back to the era. Oddly enough, it has some gothic notes reminiscent of “Rebecca,” minus the mastery of course: crumbling estates, grumpy husbands with secrets, and a young wife just trying to fit in.
I really liked how it wasn’t afraid to be a darker read in some spots. The characters were mostly miserable and *heavily* flawed, and the ending was far from rainbows and butterflies. Despite being close to 500 pages long, I didn’t want it to be shorter. I got pleasantly lost in the gossip and wrapped up into the massive digressions about the characters’ pasts.
I really, really liked it. That being said, if you aren’t having Downton Abbey withdrawal, you might find this verbose read to be a tad.....verbose.
I recommend this to fans of historical romance who might want a little bit of a darker journey than what they’re used to.
Described as an antidote for those “suffering Downton Abbey withdrawal symptoms,” this book is a sweeping, character driven novel that really launches you back to the era. Oddly enough, it has some gothic notes reminiscent of “Rebecca,” minus the mastery of course: crumbling estates, grumpy husbands with secrets, and a young wife just trying to fit in.
I really liked how it wasn’t afraid to be a darker read in some spots. The characters were mostly miserable and *heavily* flawed, and the ending was far from rainbows and butterflies. Despite being close to 500 pages long, I didn’t want it to be shorter. I got pleasantly lost in the gossip and wrapped up into the massive digressions about the characters’ pasts.
I really, really liked it. That being said, if you aren’t having Downton Abbey withdrawal, you might find this verbose read to be a tad.....verbose.
I recommend this to fans of historical romance who might want a little bit of a darker journey than what they’re used to.
Not very well written and kind of boring. I had high hopes, but all of the characters were just unpleasant. The dynamics of the black maid from America and her new British beau were a little interesting.
good historical romance. Brooding Lord, nice American guy and a girl with too much money. fun romp
This book was okay- it satisfied the Downton Abbey vibes that came off from the synopsis, but the drama at the end of the novel I think was a bit too late in coming. I liked most of the characters, and admired Cora’s strength and decision at the end of book.
3.5 stars. See review here: http://www.westillread.com/review-the-american-heiress/
Amusing, but predictable without much excitement. An incredibly abrupt and disappointing ending.
I had such high hopes for this being a delicious read, but was severely disappointed. The plot started out as compelling, seeing the tale of Cora and Ivo unfold through multiple points of view. Along with the secondary plotline that followed her maid's life a bit as well. But most of the characters seemed flat to me, with little development throughout the course of the narrative. Cora was just a spoiled brat the whole way through, hardly likable or relatable to me. Ivo, her intended husband, is pretty much portrayed like a Mr. Rochester out of Jane Eyre (minus the crazy wife locked away in the attic). But even then, his character seems to fall flat. But one thing that really bothered me was the dismissive nature of Ivo's disappearance of her husband after she humiliates him with the painting she had done in private with the artist. Where he went, what he did, none of it was really explained. And I kept thinking he was with Charlotte, even though he claimed he wasn't once Cora and him reconciled. And throwing in the bit about Charlotte being involved with Ivo at the end, Cora uncovering the pearl necklace, etc. seemed a bit disjointed in the flow of the story. Like it was thrown into the plot as a last minute addition twist that seemed suspicious to me. I never really trusted Ivo's excuse he made up for not being in Charlotte's room. I don't know why, but everything that came out of his mouth afterward didn't seem genuine to me. I did enjoy the brief interaction between Charlotte and Teddy at the train station though. I thought that worked nicely considering Cora decided to stay with Ivo in the end. I didn't completely hate this book. It was good at some parts, but the second half of it just didn't feel as strong to me as the first.
I really enjoyed this book! It was a little long in sections and seemed to drag on, but I thought there were many fabulous moments! The imagery that was presented was beautiful! I'd recommend this book for sure!
Cora Cash is a beautiful, rich, american heiress. But her life is controlled by her mother, and she is seeking a way out of her control. She knows that if she were to marry her money would be in her control and her mother would no longer have a say. She attempts to persuade her childhood friend to marry her but he is unsure of his feelings and puts his career before love and turns her down. Her mother has set up a trip abroad for her to find a potential spouse. One day while on a fox hunt she hears voices in the forest, but when she goes closer her horse suddenly rears and she is thrown and knocked unconscious. She awakes to the face of a handsome man, Duke Ivo who she is immediately smitten by.
She is thrown into a whirlwind romance which results in marriage and a son. Longheld secrets come out in a very public and humiliating way that nearly derail her whole life. At first I was really annoyed by how spoiled Cora was but then I ended up feeling sorry for her. She was so consumed with her problems that she couldn’t see those that others were having around her, such as her maid and her husband. A good quick read, part love story, part coming of age tale. I listened to this one on audiobook and really enjoyed the narrators accent.
She is thrown into a whirlwind romance which results in marriage and a son. Longheld secrets come out in a very public and humiliating way that nearly derail her whole life. At first I was really annoyed by how spoiled Cora was but then I ended up feeling sorry for her. She was so consumed with her problems that she couldn’t see those that others were having around her, such as her maid and her husband. A good quick read, part love story, part coming of age tale. I listened to this one on audiobook and really enjoyed the narrators accent.