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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed this historical romance, particularly Aaron and Isabelle's different positions in their society in the unique setting of the Jewish community in London in the 1830s. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series - Solomon Weiss ended up being a compelling side character in this book, and I am looking forward to his story . I want to learn more about Rebecca in a future book as well!
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I don’t think historical romance is a genre for me
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The best historical romances should not only tell a love story but also feel like they make the historical world feel a little bit richer. This Cinderella telling takes places in the Jewish communities of Victorian London. As a reader the societal obsession with status, money, and acceptance feel familiar but are unique to this enclave who are working toward acceptance and recognition in a different way than the typical Regency ton. The author does a great job of guiding the reader through the world.
Now to the romance. I am a sucker for a historical romance business lady and Isabella Lira delivers! She is cold, calculating, and afraid to love anyone who isn't already in her carefully curated inner circle. It is through her interactions with Aaron Ellenberg that she sees past what she things her life has to be into what it could be. And what it means to be a part of a legacy versus making life for your own. Meanwhile, Aaron is caught in his own self-narratives about his lack of worth as an orphan without a trade. Is is with Isabella that he seems himself in a new light and opens himself up to love.
This romance is so swoony and the sexy. The scene in the garden is some a plus intimate writing. The only reason this review isn't higher is because the book hasn't stuck with me as much as I hoped it would. Still, a strong recommend.
Now to the romance. I am a sucker for a historical romance business lady and Isabella Lira delivers! She is cold, calculating, and afraid to love anyone who isn't already in her carefully curated inner circle. It is through her interactions with Aaron Ellenberg that she sees past what she things her life has to be into what it could be. And what it means to be a part of a legacy versus making life for your own. Meanwhile, Aaron is caught in his own self-narratives about his lack of worth as an orphan without a trade. Is is with Isabella that he seems himself in a new light and opens himself up to love.
This romance is so swoony and the sexy. The scene in the garden is some a plus intimate writing. The only reason this review isn't higher is because the book hasn't stuck with me as much as I hoped it would. Still, a strong recommend.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The characters never stopped talking. About the same thing. I just couldn't get into it. I felt like I was getting hit over the head with what Isabelle wanted and what Allen (or whatever his name is) wanted and I just got to the point where I was thinking, "YES, please, get on with it." I know author was going for angsty, but it just didn't hit right. Normally I love angst.
"Marry Me by Midnight" is a fun historical romance twist on Cinderella, with gender-flipped roles and a Jewish lens--one of my favorite aspects of the story. I didn't really get Aaron's character, but Isabelle was really fun.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I loved the premise of this but it felt like such a slog for some reason. Partly, I think, because Aaron keeps talking about how he's bad at everything and yet has this powerful charisma and friendliness and is shown to be quite clever at various times. I know book smarts and street smarts are different but it felt like what we were being shown and what we were being told didn't quite match up. Also, I don't know that we needed Isabelle to also be a genius with weapons? I do want to read more of this author's work in the future to see if it was just that this one didn't work for me. And I loved all the details of Jewish life in London in the 1830s; it's a community and a history I know very little about.
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes