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hellishnell's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mostlyfated's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars.
My biggest complaint is that the romance felt way too much insta-love. The first meeting between Bishop and Daisy had the two literally lusting after each other within 5 seconds. Way too much time spent between the two flirting around each other and Bishop was basically flirting with all of his females “companions” which makes me question what makes Daisy really any different from the women who he was being friendly with. The end was fairly boring and I found myself skimming the rest of the book.
I just hope the second book is a lot better.
My biggest complaint is that the romance felt way too much insta-love. The first meeting between Bishop and Daisy had the two literally lusting after each other within 5 seconds. Way too much time spent between the two flirting around each other and Bishop was basically flirting with all of his females “companions” which makes me question what makes Daisy really any different from the women who he was being friendly with. The end was fairly boring and I found myself skimming the rest of the book.
I just hope the second book is a lot better.
readerpal656's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
amberreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
Marguerite "Daisy" Townsend is the orphaned daughter of an earl's younger son who has been brought up by a loving spinster aunt. Smart and determined, she has hung her own shingle as an inquiry agent. A client hires her to confirm if his wife is having an affair with David "Bishop" Blackwood, a man who has a reputation for having affairs with married women and being willing to admit them in court (thus helping women to secure divorces). Daisy manages to be hired into Bishop's household as a maid in order to complete her investigation. The sexual attraction and tension between Bishop and Daisy is evident immediately, but Daisy has trouble reconciling her physical response with her knowledge of Bishop's alleged actions with multiple married women. The pair eventually learn the truth about each other, just in time to pair up to help solve a murder in which Bishop is the main suspect.
I loved this book. Daisy and Bishop are lovely characters with great growth arcs. Daisy is confident in herself, her abilities, and her worth. Through time with Daisy, Bishop realizes that holding on to old hurts only gives those old hurts more power over his current and future existence. He walks away from his place on a chessboard the other player didn't even know he was on, which is such a great allegory inside the series being called the Chessmen. The mystery was easily unraveled, though I must admit that I did not see the final plot twist coming. Lorraine Heath is a master romance author who is able to give her characters both substance and spice. I can't wait for the next installment in this series!
4.5 stars, rounded to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.
I loved this book. Daisy and Bishop are lovely characters with great growth arcs. Daisy is confident in herself, her abilities, and her worth. Through time with Daisy, Bishop realizes that holding on to old hurts only gives those old hurts more power over his current and future existence. He walks away from his place on a chessboard the other player didn't even know he was on, which is such a great allegory inside the series being called the Chessmen. The mystery was easily unraveled, though I must admit that I did not see the final plot twist coming. Lorraine Heath is a master romance author who is able to give her characters both substance and spice. I can't wait for the next installment in this series!
4.5 stars, rounded to 5. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. The opinions herein are my own.
meganh10's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jordann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
fhamori's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dram8ic's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
_kvjones_'s review against another edition
1.0
Maybe 1.2 to be kind, but I truly struggled to get through this book.
I don't have the same problem of some reviews--the murder mystery was hardly that and did nothing to detract from the elements of romance, however, I could not get into the romance. The insta-lust was draining, the missed opportunity for intrigue and tension was almost insulting, and the only thing I particularly enjoyed was the relationship between Louisa and Martin.
I don't have the same problem of some reviews--the murder mystery was hardly that and did nothing to detract from the elements of romance, however, I could not get into the romance. The insta-lust was draining, the missed opportunity for intrigue and tension was almost insulting, and the only thing I particularly enjoyed was the relationship between Louisa and Martin.