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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It's an ok book. I'd be surprised if I remember much of it next week. A not unfamiloar topic of a lady with a deep connection to the house. But the writing is more tell than show, so reading is quick and unimpressionable. To much detail in the epilogue.
A fun, colourful story about a young women living in an rundown castle (which she has a great attachment to) and her foe, the young man who inherited it. I loved both the well written character development, and Jennie Goutet’s masterful use of the English language. The setting was very quaint & atmospheric, and I’d highly recommend this book as the perfect spring read.
Rating: ★★★★☆ 4 stars
Genre: Historical fiction (regency)
Romantic Content: Level 3 - Kissing
Swearing: None that I remember
I thoroughly enjoyed this story of a young lady, left to basically raise herself in her home/castle after the death of her parents when she was 10 years old. Now, 10 years later, her guardian, a distant uncle she never really knew, died and left the castle to another man instead of her as he’d said he would. That man’s nephew shows up unexpectedly to take possession of the castle, sending her to a nearby cottage.
This book is filled with a host of characters, including a disagreeable companion, kind servants, and a male childhood friend.
I love Jennie Goutet’s writing style and the narration of the audiobook (free on YouTube) is perfect. I highly recommend this closed-door Regency romance!
This book is filled with a host of characters, including a disagreeable companion, kind servants, and a male childhood friend.
I love Jennie Goutet’s writing style and the narration of the audiobook (free on YouTube) is perfect. I highly recommend this closed-door Regency romance!
lighthearted
slow-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
This was a cute story, it was easy to listen to the audio while doing things around the house.
I enjoyed the main characters, they were likable and reasonable. I felt badly for Marianne and the things that were not taught her to succeed in her position in life, and for the deceptions & disappointments she endured. Perry was a nice enough fellow from the beginning and a true gentleman, even while dealing with the extreme frustrations that Marianne caused, as she too was so hurt and frustrated. I enjoyed how their friendship developed.
The audio is worth listening to, Stevie Zimmerman has a pleasant voice and keeps all the characters easy to understand and follow.
I enjoyed the main characters, they were likable and reasonable. I felt badly for Marianne and the things that were not taught her to succeed in her position in life, and for the deceptions & disappointments she endured. Perry was a nice enough fellow from the beginning and a true gentleman, even while dealing with the extreme frustrations that Marianne caused, as she too was so hurt and frustrated. I enjoyed how their friendship developed.
The audio is worth listening to, Stevie Zimmerman has a pleasant voice and keeps all the characters easy to understand and follow.
cute
It was a cute story and sweet characters. However it was just too predictable to be fully enjoyed. There were also too many easy-outs to make things happy and work out.
It was a cute story and sweet characters. However it was just too predictable to be fully enjoyed. There were also too many easy-outs to make things happy and work out.
I checked this out earlier this month and just didn’t connect with any part of the story and decided to stop
“Everyone is a stranger until they become a friend.”
What a perfect book to cozy up with on a stormy day! Loved this latest book from Jennie Goutet & the first book in the Castles and Courtship series. It’s a delightful slow burn, enemies to lovers Regency romance with lovely characters, a touch of mystery, and of course swoonworthy kisses.
Marianne Edgewood has been managing her family’s castle since the death of her parents. When her uncle passes away, the castle’s inheritance goes to a stranger. Marianne resents the unexpected arrival of the new owner and all the changes he wants to enact.
Peregrine Osborn is excited to take up his baron uncle’s challenge to prove he’s worthy of his inheritance. After a number of setbacks, he’s finally been given a castle in Kent to prove his worthiness. Unfortunately, the resident miss proves to be an obstacle to his plans, but as he gets to know this beautiful, endearing combatant, he begins to lose his heart to her.
Loved Perry & Marianne! Marianne quickly drew my sympathy. She lost both parents at a young age and has an indifferent companion to guide her. She tends to be a little clumsy and her first society dance proves to be disastrous. While she’s somewhat naive and lacks the knowledge of all the social graces and fashions, her sweet, caring disposition endears her to Perry and brings out his protective instincts.
I enjoyed watching their relationship change from one of resentment to friendship to love. Loved Perry’s growth throughout the story. He goes from an ambitious, social seeking young man to thoughtful and caring as he learns what’s most important.
All the side characters bring a welcome addition to the story. I enjoyed the friendships between Marianne and her servants and the new friend she makes. Also liked Perry’s friends, especially Raife.
Definitely a must read for clean Regency romance fans! The well written dialogue, romance, characters, and delightful story provide pure enjoyment. Thanks to the author for the arc! All opinions are my own and freely given.
What a perfect book to cozy up with on a stormy day! Loved this latest book from Jennie Goutet & the first book in the Castles and Courtship series. It’s a delightful slow burn, enemies to lovers Regency romance with lovely characters, a touch of mystery, and of course swoonworthy kisses.
Marianne Edgewood has been managing her family’s castle since the death of her parents. When her uncle passes away, the castle’s inheritance goes to a stranger. Marianne resents the unexpected arrival of the new owner and all the changes he wants to enact.
Peregrine Osborn is excited to take up his baron uncle’s challenge to prove he’s worthy of his inheritance. After a number of setbacks, he’s finally been given a castle in Kent to prove his worthiness. Unfortunately, the resident miss proves to be an obstacle to his plans, but as he gets to know this beautiful, endearing combatant, he begins to lose his heart to her.
Loved Perry & Marianne! Marianne quickly drew my sympathy. She lost both parents at a young age and has an indifferent companion to guide her. She tends to be a little clumsy and her first society dance proves to be disastrous. While she’s somewhat naive and lacks the knowledge of all the social graces and fashions, her sweet, caring disposition endears her to Perry and brings out his protective instincts.
I enjoyed watching their relationship change from one of resentment to friendship to love. Loved Perry’s growth throughout the story. He goes from an ambitious, social seeking young man to thoughtful and caring as he learns what’s most important.
All the side characters bring a welcome addition to the story. I enjoyed the friendships between Marianne and her servants and the new friend she makes. Also liked Perry’s friends, especially Raife.
Definitely a must read for clean Regency romance fans! The well written dialogue, romance, characters, and delightful story provide pure enjoyment. Thanks to the author for the arc! All opinions are my own and freely given.
the 'poor-me, i'm so sad and abandoned' thing gets a little old when she's got servants waiting on her. otherwise, i like the dynamic
Do you like cozy romances in crumbling castles? An Amiable Foe is a book about new starts, misconceptions and finding what we need is not what we’ve been looking for.
This is the first release in the Castles and Courtship series and I think each one is going to be delightful, especially going into spring and summer.
Jennie did a good job creating an opposites attract romance in a forced proximity setting. I think one of my favorite parts was the character growth of the MMC and how he learned to be his own man and not what other expected him to be!
While these two could have been enemies I think their personalities made them fast friends and there were some fun and memorable moments shared between them!
Loved the setting and can’t wait to see where this series takes us.
Thank you sweet @aladyinfrance for my beautiful copy. Review is my own✨