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flaviadeer's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
booketofbooks's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
kabrahams's review against another edition
4.5
This was an absolutely wild ride. Vere is a secret agent trying to investigate Elissande's uncle who is conveniently out of the house, leaving Elissande somewhat in charge as her aunt is bedridden, so he concocts (involving rats of all things) to infiltrate with a seemingly innocuous house party. Elissande has schemes of her own to entrap Vere in marriage so that she and her aunt can escape from her abusive uncle's clutches. And that's only the beginning...
I am an absolute sucker for marriage of convenience and this is easily one of the wildest I've ever read. But not only that, but the character work, the plot twists, and the quality of Sherry Thomas's writing is absolutely breathtaking.
I am an absolute sucker for marriage of convenience and this is easily one of the wildest I've ever read. But not only that, but the character work, the plot twists, and the quality of Sherry Thomas's writing is absolutely breathtaking.
bean27's review against another edition
4.5
Really fun concept but was way too plot heavy. The romance wasn't as well-developed as it could have been. And similarly to the second book in the series (which I only could get 80% through) the woman is punished way too hard for her actions when the man is way more cruel. Although definitely not as bad as the previous book.
killerwhaletank's review against another edition
1.0
I had a lot of problems with this book. The premise was interesting and I think I could have liked it a lot if it had been executed differently. However, I found both characters very unlikeable and the plot hard to swallow. The hero in particular I had no respect for based on any of his actions or thoughts throughout the book. Their romance made me cringe… it was so toxic. Neither character could redeem themselves by the end of the book and the whole relationship between them and between the hero and his brother is just… ick.
There’s insta-love/lust which turns immediately into disgust with each other for a good half of the book. She tricks and uses him, he lies to her, he pretty much rapes her on their wedding night… they are supposedly falling in love but as he’s constantly pretending to be a different person and treats her pretty awfully throughout their marriage, it’s really hard to understand why. It’s just really hard to like either of them.
Not to mention the plot line (which is revealed early so it’s not a spoiler) that he’s been pretending to have been incapacitated by a brain injury (he pretends he’s an imbecile) since he was 16 (for 13 years!) just so he can move around society without suspicion and no one will think anything of it if he’s caught somewhere he’s not supposed to be. It was too much… and I didn’t buy the fact that apparently he’s universally liked even though he’s a “dimwit” because when they show him acting the part, he pretty much just spouts nonsense and annoys people, so why is he so tolerated? I don’t get it.
I think I would have loved the concept if he’s been portrayed more as a Freddy Standen type character (from Georgette Heyer’s Cotillion) who is someone that is universally liked but people think he’s simple and they underestimate him a lot. That’s not the case here.
And… I could not respect the hero for putting the burden of worrying about him and looking after him on his younger brother and not telling him the truth about his ruse. What a jerk thing to do. He gets forgiven WAY too easily when the truth eventually comes out.
I did not like this at all. I don’t know if Sherry Thomas romances are for me if they are all like this one.
There’s insta-love/lust which turns immediately into disgust with each other for a good half of the book. She tricks and uses him, he lies to her, he pretty much rapes her on their wedding night… they are supposedly falling in love but as he’s constantly pretending to be a different person and treats her pretty awfully throughout their marriage, it’s really hard to understand why. It’s just really hard to like either of them.
Not to mention the plot line (which is revealed early so it’s not a spoiler) that he’s been pretending to have been incapacitated by a brain injury (he pretends he’s an imbecile) since he was 16 (for 13 years!) just so he can move around society without suspicion and no one will think anything of it if he’s caught somewhere he’s not supposed to be. It was too much… and I didn’t buy the fact that apparently he’s universally liked even though he’s a “dimwit” because when they show him acting the part, he pretty much just spouts nonsense and annoys people, so why is he so tolerated? I don’t get it.
I think I would have loved the concept if he’s been portrayed more as a Freddy Standen type character (from Georgette Heyer’s Cotillion) who is someone that is universally liked but people think he’s simple and they underestimate him a lot. That’s not the case here.
And… I could not respect the hero for putting the burden of worrying about him and looking after him on his younger brother and not telling him the truth about his ruse. What a jerk thing to do. He gets forgiven WAY too easily when the truth eventually comes out.
I did not like this at all. I don’t know if Sherry Thomas romances are for me if they are all like this one.
nmcchristy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stone_es's review
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
randlepap's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I was drawn in by the story of this book, with two characters pretending and using masks to protect themselves or hide a part of their lives. With an under ying mystery plot to help move the story along. Elssiande and Lord Vere were interesting characters to read, perhaps not the most classic likeable character but had compelling motivations and personalities. This novel delivered on the tension, with two characters in a relationship with different expectations and reasons. Like most historical romances it was an easy read and held my attention.