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bookishmillennial's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews because I don’t like leaving them. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless of the lack of stars. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
Pub Date: 9/12/2023 -- I received an ARC from Forever Publishing & am voluntarily providing an honest review!
This takes place in 1818 in London, England, and was an absolute delight! Our main character, 29-year-old Marjorie Wynchester, is the wallflower, proud spinster, and homebody of her family, and finds comfort in painting and art. Her siblings lead investigations, and she typically takes the backseat rather than joining in on the action. Lord Adrian Webb has returned to London after seven years and is hoping to reconnect with his younger sister Iris, and to regain her trust. When his former employer Snowely, finds out that the art pieces Adrian provided him are fakes and not the originals, he forced Adrian into an almost indentured servitude and confinement at his home to forge currency, which is also high treason. Adrian was ready to leave all of this behind, but now is stuck in a sketchy situation.
Marjorie is highly offended once she and her siblings find out that someone is selling counterfeit art, and decides to take things into her own hands. She decides to become her family's spy on the inside, and disguises herself as another forger to convince Snowely that he should hire her (she introduces herself as Mary). This is where she is in forced proximity with Adrian, and they peel back the layers of the other that the rest of society doesn't care to see. They have a bit of a slow burn romance, which was so sweet and I'd say the steam is 1.75/5.
Notable side characters: Elizabeth is a hoot! She doesn't want children, and makes funny remarks about men. Plus, the next book is about her, so I'm definitely reading that! The rest of the Wynchester family seems so close knit, caring and joyful. I could definitely feel the care they had for each other.
Marjorie is deaf, and it's discussed a few times (Marjorie is clearly very confident about her abilities, and doesn't let anyone speak poorly of her because of it), but I'd love to hear from ownvoices reviewers in how they thought the representation felt!
Pub Date: 9/12/2023 -- I received an ARC from Forever Publishing & am voluntarily providing an honest review!
This takes place in 1818 in London, England, and was an absolute delight! Our main character, 29-year-old Marjorie Wynchester, is the wallflower, proud spinster, and homebody of her family, and finds comfort in painting and art. Her siblings lead investigations, and she typically takes the backseat rather than joining in on the action. Lord Adrian Webb has returned to London after seven years and is hoping to reconnect with his younger sister Iris, and to regain her trust. When his former employer Snowely, finds out that the art pieces Adrian provided him are fakes and not the originals, he forced Adrian into an almost indentured servitude and confinement at his home to forge currency, which is also high treason. Adrian was ready to leave all of this behind, but now is stuck in a sketchy situation.
Marjorie is highly offended once she and her siblings find out that someone is selling counterfeit art, and decides to take things into her own hands. She decides to become her family's spy on the inside, and disguises herself as another forger to convince Snowely that he should hire her (she introduces herself as Mary). This is where she is in forced proximity with Adrian, and they peel back the layers of the other that the rest of society doesn't care to see. They have a bit of a slow burn romance, which was so sweet and I'd say the steam is 1.75/5.
Notable side characters: Elizabeth is a hoot! She doesn't want children, and makes funny remarks about men. Plus, the next book is about her, so I'm definitely reading that! The rest of the Wynchester family seems so close knit, caring and joyful. I could definitely feel the care they had for each other.
Marjorie is deaf, and it's discussed a few times (Marjorie is clearly very confident about her abilities, and doesn't let anyone speak poorly of her because of it), but I'd love to hear from ownvoices reviewers in how they thought the representation felt!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Confinement, and Sexism
Minor: Ableism
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