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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
DNF at 9%
I'm just not in the mood for this right now. Moving on
I'm just not in the mood for this right now. Moving on
lighthearted
medium-paced
Olivia shaking up Alistair's life was SO much fun. It was definitely more enjoyable having seen Alistair at his lowest in That Scandalous Summer. Really looking forward to finishing the series...
I'm only about halfway through but I have to say, this is one of the most engaging and well-written romance books I've read! I am glued to the pages and loving every moment!
If I have a complaint about Meredith Duran, it's her pacing. I was reading and thoroughly enjoying this, but at about the 60% mark I felt there's no way I could buy into the romance. I was convinced, at some point, it would just be manufactured and suddenly Alastair would melt and nothing would make sense, and it would be unconvincing.
However, I put Meredith Duran in a tier of brilliant romance novelists. Infallible, of course not. But the kind that can pull off magic.
Alastair was a complete and utter monster. And while the lizard part of my brain can be like "Oh, dangerous and sexy," and the logical part can be "Oh, pathetic and abusive," the part that Duran as an author can wave like a magic wand is the romance. Because at 75% - 75%! - (or something) I was suddenly fully invested in them. And oddly, I liked the complete jackasses voice just as much if not more than the Olivia's. And that's saying something, because Olivia is on that shelf reserved for the best of them.
Anyway, I'm not actually complaining about her pacing here, I'm marveling at it. And I am astonished by Duran's ability to turn the villain into the hero while he still maintains his edge. And her ability to write a heroine like Olivia, a romance and a book like this, which gives me joy.
I would guess this isn't going to work for everyone, but I do like her struggling heroes so much.
However, I put Meredith Duran in a tier of brilliant romance novelists. Infallible, of course not. But the kind that can pull off magic.
Alastair was a complete and utter monster. And while the lizard part of my brain can be like "Oh, dangerous and sexy," and the logical part can be "Oh, pathetic and abusive," the part that Duran as an author can wave like a magic wand is the romance. Because at 75% - 75%! - (or something) I was suddenly fully invested in them. And oddly, I liked the complete jackasses voice just as much if not more than the Olivia's. And that's saying something, because Olivia is on that shelf reserved for the best of them.
Anyway, I'm not actually complaining about her pacing here, I'm marveling at it. And I am astonished by Duran's ability to turn the villain into the hero while he still maintains his edge. And her ability to write a heroine like Olivia, a romance and a book like this, which gives me joy.
I would guess this isn't going to work for everyone, but I do like her struggling heroes so much.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved the premise at first but then I realized I couldn’t stand the male love interest
Ok what I like the most about this book, is what’s his name gaining perspective on his own mundane experience. We all have a tendency to think whatever Is happening to us is the worst thing to ever happen and wallow in it but he is starkly reminded that it’s not in fact true and to a degree he just needs to get over himself. It sounds crass but it tends to be how these things go.
I love Duran’s commitment to melodrama, someone will be kidnapped shot at or in a duel and I eat it up every time.
I enjoy the premise I enjoy the characters and I think the conclusion makes sense, the emotions built well over time. Just a really solid book.
I love Duran’s commitment to melodrama, someone will be kidnapped shot at or in a duel and I eat it up every time.
I enjoy the premise I enjoy the characters and I think the conclusion makes sense, the emotions built well over time. Just a really solid book.
This was so much better than I was expecting! I was really tempted to give it 5 stars. I was a bit worried when I saw that it involved Alistair, who I really didn't like from [b:That Scandalous Summer|14822924|That Scandalous Summer (Rules for the Reckless, #1)|Meredith Duran|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1364942113s/14822924.jpg|20476452], but I shouldn't have been. Alistair and Olivia are so much more interesting than Michael and Elizabeth. I also love it when there's an actual interesting plot. And oh God... that library scene!