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kaydeedickins's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ohwhysosad's review
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
gdonahue's review
4.0
Very fun romance novella that can be read out of order (in my opinion). Cute sapphic romance with some fun steamy scenes and a meeting of the minds between a working class woman working as a housekeeper for vampires and a female scientist who is indentured to that household. They connect over math and poetry (aww), and with a bit of angst happiness ensues.
ashkitty93's review
4.0
Sweet novella about Genevieve Lefoux and her new lover Imogene Hale. I loved getting to see Alexia and Conall (even in small roles), and Imogene's general confusion over their family workings kept me giggling. I wonder if she'll show up in the Custard Protocol books? One can hope :) I love this world.
And thanks to Muffin for the ebook loan!
And thanks to Muffin for the ebook loan!
daffz's review
4.0
I enjoyed this novella by Gail Carriger a lot more than I enjoyed her previous one, but that was probably largely because I care a lot about Madame Lefoux and was really happy to finally see her get her happy ending.
Even though Genevieve was my main draw to this story, I really ended up liking Imogene as a character too. It made me more conscious of the fact that stories set in settings and times like these often focus on the upper classes, while the lower classes are largely background characters. In this story, Carriger depicted a lower class life very well without making Imogene's story only about that. She didn't know how to read, but she was still good with numbers and smart in other ways.
All in all, another lovely addition to this awesome universe. I can't wait to see what comes next.
Even though Genevieve was my main draw to this story, I really ended up liking Imogene as a character too. It made me more conscious of the fact that stories set in settings and times like these often focus on the upper classes, while the lower classes are largely background characters. In this story, Carriger depicted a lower class life very well without making Imogene's story only about that. She didn't know how to read, but she was still good with numbers and smart in other ways.
All in all, another lovely addition to this awesome universe. I can't wait to see what comes next.
seeinghowitgoes's review
5.0
It was lovely to see this novella focused on Genevieve Lefoux, she's always been one of my favourite characters in the Parasol universe and it was a welcome return to the character.
Imogene Hale is hiding a secret, wanting to find someone to share her secret with she begins work at the local hive and becomes earmarked for much more than she intended. It's a lovely little romance, full of the injustices of the classes and era, and all of the lovely comeuppance you could wish for.
Imogene Hale is hiding a secret, wanting to find someone to share her secret with she begins work at the local hive and becomes earmarked for much more than she intended. It's a lovely little romance, full of the injustices of the classes and era, and all of the lovely comeuppance you could wish for.
ninj's review
5.0
Very engaging, with a push/pull relationship pursuit against a supernatural backdrop, amusingly written.
toriedawn1's review
5.0
I am a sucker for all of Gail's books but I especially love it where characters that we have watched grow have finally got their happy ending, afterall we met Vieve at 9 in the finishing school series and in this book she is 37 and finally ready for a happily ever after. It is only a short story, an easy read but packed full of romance, sentiment and fun.
kaffebeanz's review
4.0
Classic Carriger wit with a real sense of romance in very honest language. Had me chuckling and feeling while pulled right back into the world I loved so much from her other works.
iam's review
5.0
4.5 stars
I was absolutely delighted when I found this book. I'm so happy Madam Lefoux is getting her happy ending (as well as several other characters in other books.)
Imogene is a new character to the Parasolverse and I found her as a POV character very intriguing since she is VERY different from Alexia, Sophronia and Prudence.
Born on the countryside and very well aware of her sapphic inclinations (and polite society's stance on such things), Imogene decides to work for the nearby vampire hive, hoping that the rumors about vampires' "perversions" are true (and so she can financially support her family).
While working for the vampires turns out not quite as she expected, she then meets Madam Lefoux and not only in love with her but also finds her inventions and equations quite fascinating - but there are complications.
One thing that surprised me was that this novella seemed to be a bit more serious than the author's other books. I think that's mostly because Imogene is not gentry - as a parlormaid she has no social power whatsoever and is constantly at the mercy of her superiors: those being the vampires and quite a big part of their household.
In this context the novella contains sexual harassment, bullying, repeated sexual and physical assault and a certain undertone of hopelessness. Both the lesbian main character and the lesbian love interest also have a lot of internalized homophobia, talking about their "perversions" or "corrupting" other women.
It's still definitely not a sad heavy book - there's still a lot of the typical humor - and Imogene remains, while not exactly optimistic, a very strong silent type, and I loved reading about her.
One minor thing I found a bit weird was how Imogene was repeatedly said to be "very young" or even "too young" - even though she's 28 at the beginning of the book, and Alexia has been called an "old spinster" at 26 already.
I adored the countless cameos of well-known characters from other books of the Parasolverse. In fact, all characters who aren't household staff (and a few of those as well) have been at least minor if not major side- or main-characters in other books.
Plot wise in ties in with the Parasol Protectorate books a lot, if only to reference or mention certain things that happened. I don't think that technically one wouldn't understand Romancing the Inventor if one hasn't read the Parasol Protectorate books, but for me personally a lot of the charm lay with those mentions and cameos.
I was absolutely delighted when I found this book. I'm so happy Madam Lefoux is getting her happy ending (as well as several other characters in other books.)
Imogene is a new character to the Parasolverse and I found her as a POV character very intriguing since she is VERY different from Alexia, Sophronia and Prudence.
Born on the countryside and very well aware of her sapphic inclinations (and polite society's stance on such things), Imogene decides to work for the nearby vampire hive, hoping that the rumors about vampires' "perversions" are true (and so she can financially support her family).
While working for the vampires turns out not quite as she expected, she then meets Madam Lefoux and not only in love with her but also finds her inventions and equations quite fascinating - but there are complications.
One thing that surprised me was that this novella seemed to be a bit more serious than the author's other books. I think that's mostly because Imogene is not gentry - as a parlormaid she has no social power whatsoever and is constantly at the mercy of her superiors: those being the vampires and quite a big part of their household.
In this context the novella contains sexual harassment, bullying, repeated sexual and physical assault and a certain undertone of hopelessness. Both the lesbian main character and the lesbian love interest also have a lot of internalized homophobia, talking about their "perversions" or "corrupting" other women.
It's still definitely not a sad heavy book - there's still a lot of the typical humor - and Imogene remains, while not exactly optimistic, a very strong silent type, and I loved reading about her.
One minor thing I found a bit weird was how Imogene was repeatedly said to be "very young" or even "too young" - even though she's 28 at the beginning of the book, and Alexia has been called an "old spinster" at 26 already.
I adored the countless cameos of well-known characters from other books of the Parasolverse. In fact, all characters who aren't household staff (and a few of those as well) have been at least minor if not major side- or main-characters in other books.
Spoiler
Especially Mayor Channing Channing of the Chesterfield Channings's involement in this book was a huge but extremely pleasant surprise.Plot wise in ties in with the Parasol Protectorate books a lot, if only to reference or mention certain things that happened. I don't think that technically one wouldn't understand Romancing the Inventor if one hasn't read the Parasol Protectorate books, but for me personally a lot of the charm lay with those mentions and cameos.