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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
So close to being 5 stars because I loved this book! I loved that it held my interest so much, and that the author didn't result to triggering shock tactics, but instead did excellent writing and a brilliant story.
The only reason it's not 5 stars is because I only give that now to books I say wow to or that have a big impact on me. But this is a brilliant book and I'm very glad to have read it.
The only reason it's not 5 stars is because I only give that now to books I say wow to or that have a big impact on me. But this is a brilliant book and I'm very glad to have read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy
This was too much like trashy romance in full-cast audio - perhaps a try with the book when I can skip over some of it, but really I did not find any of the main characters particularly likeable so maybe only when I have exhausted by to-read list!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Inspired by the stories of Consuelo Vanderbilt and the other dollar princesses of the Victorian era who went to Europe to marry impoverished noblemen with lofty titles. Both bride and groom have plenty of flaws, but I enjoyed the story of this marriage and its rocky start. The secondary characters were very well-developed.
I was hooked by the end of the first chapter staying up well past midnight for several nights trying to finish. It was a wonderful trip to England as the very wealthy American looking for a titled husband. The twists and turns up to the end made for an exciting read.
"Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts’, suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage."
"Traveling abroad with her mother at the turn of the twentieth century to seek a titled husband, beautiful, vivacious Cora Cash, whose family mansion in Newport dwarfs the Vanderbilts’, suddenly finds herself Duchess of Wareham, married to Ivo, the most eligible bachelor in England. Nothing is quite as it seems, however: Ivo is withdrawn and secretive, and the English social scene is full of traps and betrayals. Money, Cora soon learns, cannot buy everything, as she must decide what is truly worth the price in her life and her marriage."
I expected this book to be just a bit of light historical fiction. Instead, I got chick-lit set in a historical time period. Overall I was disappointed by this book, especially as a fan of ITV’s Victoria, but I wanted a light read and I guess that’s what I got. *shrug*
Goodwin was clearly inspired by the likes of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, but her attempt at incorporating the twists and turns of the latter’s work fell a bit flat. A little mystery in a book is a great thing, but not when that mystery is whether we are supposed to love or loathe important characters. At one point I had a brief thought that Cora might have a mental break and set her gilded prison on fire. Alas, such a plot twist was clearly too daring for this book.
Goodwin was clearly inspired by the likes of Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, but her attempt at incorporating the twists and turns of the latter’s work fell a bit flat. A little mystery in a book is a great thing, but not when that mystery is whether we are supposed to love or loathe important characters. At one point I had a brief thought that Cora might have a mental break and set her gilded prison on fire. Alas, such a plot twist was clearly too daring for this book.
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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:
Complicated
Really good read! Nice and easy to get through and an interesting story if you wanted a historical fix.