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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
Hmmm. Well, this one didn't wow me the way that I thought that it would based on the reviews I had read. I couldn't help feeling as I listened to this audio book as if I would have been enjoying the book WAY better if I had been reading it myself ... and if I had read it in the 80s when it was originally published. I was not a huge fan of Anne Flosnik's narration. I kept thinking that her voice wasn't matching the tone of the words that she was speaking. I thought her Madelyne's voice sounded way too young and naive. Sure, Madelyne was young and naive, so I probably shouldn't count that against Anne Flosnik, but it still didn't quite sound right to my ears. I also felt like the tone of the narrator didn't quite capture some of the humor of the book. But, then again, I could have just been in the wrong frame of mind the whole time I was listening. I'm not sure. All I know is that I didn't really enjoy the audio narration of this story.
As for the story itself, I never could quite grow to love these characters. The story dragged on for way too long. So many times I just wanted for everyone to just move on and get to the final confrontation so that the whole thing could be over. That's never a good sign in a book. I think I've just come to realize that romance novels of the 1980s and 90s just aren't my thing. The heroes are a bit too alpha for my taste. I'm obviously in the minority for this story, but I have to give it three stars because I am convinced that the narration of this book lowered my enjoyment overall. In reality, the audio book was probably closer to a two star read. Bummer.
As for the story itself, I never could quite grow to love these characters. The story dragged on for way too long. So many times I just wanted for everyone to just move on and get to the final confrontation so that the whole thing could be over. That's never a good sign in a book. I think I've just come to realize that romance novels of the 1980s and 90s just aren't my thing. The heroes are a bit too alpha for my taste. I'm obviously in the minority for this story, but I have to give it three stars because I am convinced that the narration of this book lowered my enjoyment overall. In reality, the audio book was probably closer to a two star read. Bummer.
4 stars on the reread
It has been years since I read this book as I read it close to when it came out. I am unsure not the rating is more of a statement on my nostalgia, but it stands.
It has been years since I read this book as I read it close to when it came out. I am unsure not the rating is more of a statement on my nostalgia, but it stands.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Rating: 4/5 stars
Steam level: Multiple scenes with open-door content
Thoughts:
I can see why this book is such a big name in the romance community. There are many things to love about Honor’s Splendour, but the real treasure is the chemistry and dynamic between Madelyne and Duncan. It also has one of the most unique and moving couple introductions I have ever read. Dare I say, in its own way, this was definitely a meet cute. I can see why this couple has taken so much space in the historical romance community for almost 40 years (wow!).
Duncan is a tough, cold leader who separates himself from his family to uphold the legacy of his clan. Madelyne is sweet, headstrong, and innocent. She naturally offers understanding and care to those around her while hiding her fears behind a facade of indifference as a trauma response. When both characters come together, sparks fly, their initial personas crack, and their interactions are filled with hilarious misunderstandings. Duncan is very doting on Madelyne but doesn’t know how to show it, and she’s been raised by gentle people for most of her life, so she doesn’t know what to make of him either. Therefore, despite their very capable personalities, they engage in petty and childish arguments that are genuinely funny.
Overall, their romance was so sweet and adorable. I couldn’t stop smiling when reading their interactions. Their entire relationship development was all so candidly and endearingly portrayed, and it was very fun to read.
Read this if you like:
- Hilarious banter
- Teasing MMCs
- Sweet FMCs
Things I wish were different:
- There are parts of this story that are dated (see below in my triggers section).
- I couldn’t connect with Madelyne’s later decisions in the book.
Tropes: Opposites attract, leader MMC, marriage of convenience, sweet FMC, enemies to lovers, captive FMC (sort of), hilarious banter, teasing MMC
Trigger warnings (spoilers): Although many parts of this book still hold up, some parts are dated. In this day and age, I felt that the following topics could have been handled better:
Steam level: Multiple scenes with open-door content
Thoughts:
I can see why this book is such a big name in the romance community. There are many things to love about Honor’s Splendour, but the real treasure is the chemistry and dynamic between Madelyne and Duncan. It also has one of the most unique and moving couple introductions I have ever read. Dare I say, in its own way, this was definitely a meet cute. I can see why this couple has taken so much space in the historical romance community for almost 40 years (wow!).
Duncan is a tough, cold leader who separates himself from his family to uphold the legacy of his clan. Madelyne is sweet, headstrong, and innocent. She naturally offers understanding and care to those around her while hiding her fears behind a facade of indifference as a trauma response. When both characters come together, sparks fly, their initial personas crack, and their interactions are filled with hilarious misunderstandings. Duncan is very doting on Madelyne but doesn’t know how to show it, and she’s been raised by gentle people for most of her life, so she doesn’t know what to make of him either. Therefore, despite their very capable personalities, they engage in petty and childish arguments that are genuinely funny.
Overall, their romance was so sweet and adorable. I couldn’t stop smiling when reading their interactions. Their entire relationship development was all so candidly and endearingly portrayed, and it was very fun to read.
Read this if you like:
- Hilarious banter
- Teasing MMCs
- Sweet FMCs
Things I wish were different:
- There are parts of this story that are dated (see below in my triggers section).
- I couldn’t connect with Madelyne’s later decisions in the book.
Tropes: Opposites attract, leader MMC, marriage of convenience, sweet FMC, enemies to lovers, captive FMC (sort of), hilarious banter, teasing MMC
Trigger warnings (spoilers): Although many parts of this book still hold up, some parts are dated. In this day and age, I felt that the following topics could have been handled better:
Spoiler
sexism, victim shaming and blaming, ableism, and homophobia. I think this is important for other readers to know before beginning this book. Other triggers include discussions of previous SA and effects (of the side character), attempted SA, assault, animal attack.
I rather enjoyed the hero, Duncan, Baron Wexton. However, the heroine, Madelyn, was very trying for me at times. I often stopped caring what happened to her, and wanted Duncan to have a more likable partner. She shouted entirely too much, and constantly ordered people around, but insisted on calling herself a "gentle woman." She was brash and confrontational about stupid things at times, and I very often found myself wondering why Duncan would put up with her, because even in modern days she would be annoying; in that historical setting, she would be undermining Duncan's command, making him appear weak in front of his men, and that would not have been tolerated. She started off with such promise, when she attempted her "rescue" of Duncan in the beginning, aiding the "enemy." But then she did what she does a lot, she doesn't bother listening to what people are saying, preferring instead to jump to dumb conclusions. It became very frustrating to read her perspective. I finished the book because it wasn't all together terrible, and I did like Duncan so I wanted to see what happened with him. And Madelyn does get a little better, near the end of the book. Although, I was a little disappointed in the ending. It was supposed to be dramatic, but I found it a bit predictable and anticlimactic. I had guessed at the ending significantly earlier in the book in a moment of "wouldn't it be funny if this happened..." Well, then it did happen, and it was not funny.
As a side note, there is a secondary storyline involving Duncan's sister, Adela. I did not enjoy her character. I understand that something terrible happened to her and the scars of that event will forever be with her, but I found her to be more obnoxious than sympathetic.
As a side note, there is a secondary storyline involving Duncan's sister, Adela. I did not enjoy her character. I understand that something terrible happened to her and the scars of that event will forever be with her, but I found her to be more obnoxious than sympathetic.
Loved this book but had to put it down a little more than half way though because there was so much impending doom. I read something really light and funny and returned to this book and couldn't put it down until it was completely done. The audio version was good and I loved the story line.
This is my all time favorite historical author. I have all of her historical books in paperback. I started reading Ms. Garwood's books over over 20 years ago. This BOOK, THIS BOOK IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!!! I have re-read the original paperback so much that the pages were falling out and I had to get a new one with the new cover! I cannot say enough about Madelyne and Duncan. I love this story and couple to pieces. Duncan, Baron of Wexton, thinks to capture Madelyne, the sister of his enemy to repay what he believes Louddon did to Adela. However, through this beautiful, well-written, adventurous, stupendous, suspenseful and awesome story, Madelyne is the true captor and all because she warmed his feet!!! 10-I WILL NEVER GET ENOUGH, MAGNIFICENT, FANTASTIC, MY-GO-TO BOOK FOR WHEN I'M IN A SLUMP, MARVELOUS, BRIGHT STARS**********
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated