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readundancies's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was a cute fast-paced historical mystery romance, and while it was not as fleshed out as it could’ve been, I think it was still worth getting invested in.
I really appreciated how the romance between Michael and Amelie stemmed from a firm basis in trust and friendship first. I also loved the family dynamics displayed in this one. The strength and loyalty between Amelie and her cousins and Aunt was solid, and their affection for one another was not only endearing, but comforting as well, especially went put up alongside the righteous feminism Amelie and her Aunt portrayed.
Everything fit together nicely plot wise. There was not a whole lot of mystery to the crimes being investigated regarding Radcliffe but the process of watching our leads piecing things together well made up for it with how engaging it was. The stakes changed over the course of the novel in a very believable way; they were progressively increasing as the plot ensued and it made sense. The ending was both dramatic and over the top in that classic climactic ending kinda way.
From a historical standpoint, I think the bounds of propriety and what was considered appropriate and acceptable manners and decorum of the time may have been neglected. I don’t believe that Amelie and Michael would’ve ever been allowed to work together, let alone be allowed to spend time alone with one another as the two at times found themselves to be.
All in all, I liked this. It was a very cozy and clean historical romance featuring a restless matchmaker set alongside a more serious detective involved in an increasingly dangerous investigation surrounding a widower who is all too ready to search for love again a mere six months after his wife mysteriously perished in the Thames. I could totally go for a couple of sequels concerning Eva and Charlotte finding their own HEAs, especially if Winston and the mystery surrounding his father is involved. Just saying. I would not be opposed in the least.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Child death
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