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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
It was a quick read and I appreciated the way the author tried to bring out a rich back story, but I never really connected with it.
emotional
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first Meredith Duran read! She's often touted with other angsty historical romance author powerhouses, and this one definitely delivered on that front, along with a lot of surprises and turns in the mystery plot, and very complex, challenging, dark characters. Looking forward to reading more of her backlist!
Hitting me square in the chest with one of my favourite tropes, smart heroines who can't help but butt their noses into affairs that have nothing to do with them! After skipping Rules for the Reckless #1, I decided to go with the flow and continue onto it's sequel since originally it had been the book that was recommended.
There's something fun about the stories that come out as a result of mixing upper and lower stairs, Olivia while masquerading as a housekeeper is desperately searching through Alastair's documents for a dossier complete with blackmail documents.
It's all very improbable but a lot of fun seeing the servants running around misbehaving.
There's something fun about the stories that come out as a result of mixing upper and lower stairs, Olivia while masquerading as a housekeeper is desperately searching through Alastair's documents for a dossier complete with blackmail documents.
It's all very improbable but a lot of fun seeing the servants running around misbehaving.
slow-paced
This is the first full-length historical I've read in a REALLY long time, and everything about it just clicked for me. I particularly liked that while the big thing waiting to be revealed made me feel like SICK with anticipation for a Ensuing Drama (and the payoff there was good!!), the misunderstanding didn't stick for longer than a couple quick chapters - they wanted to talk about it, they wanted to know, even when they were frustrated and betrayed.
I also really weirdly dug the Work that Alistair had to put into himself over the course of the book. Olivia helped him early on (in a way I love watching!) but he had understandable (and pretty different, compared to standard sad man backstories) reason to be where he was, and he had to put a lot into pulling himself off the ground, and it was genuinely pretty thrilling to see it happen. I liked Olivia's story too - I was so convinced it was going to be one thing, and it wasn't!, and she was such a sturdy character without being OTT or unbelievable or scrappy, if that makes sense.
My biggest complaint is that I would've liked to spend a little more time with them after the denouement - I knew they'd be good together and why, but it would've been so nice to see them together without the issues of his ambition or her station or their pasts hanging over their heads.
I also really weirdly dug the Work that Alistair had to put into himself over the course of the book. Olivia helped him early on (in a way I love watching!) but he had understandable (and pretty different, compared to standard sad man backstories) reason to be where he was, and he had to put a lot into pulling himself off the ground, and it was genuinely pretty thrilling to see it happen. I liked Olivia's story too - I was so convinced it was going to be one thing, and it wasn't!, and she was such a sturdy character without being OTT or unbelievable or scrappy, if that makes sense.
My biggest complaint is that I would've liked to spend a little more time with them after the denouement - I knew they'd be good together and why, but it would've been so nice to see them together without the issues of his ambition or her station or their pasts hanging over their heads.