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mirrorchaser's review against another edition
4.0
I'd never heard of or read any of the other Wildes books, so it was my first time meeting all of the family. I didn't find that I was confused or that I "should have known" anything. I think that is the true trademark of a good prequel. I also didn't think this was a novella, because it was a fully fleshed out story! I think I would have been very happy to find this book if I had found the other books first. It checked all of my novella boxes, which is rare.
I thought the romance truly shined through in this book, and the characters had one very unusual thing in common for the time - they love their families! So many aristocratic families are far more interested in social climbing or businesses than they are in raising their children. That is clearly a factor that draws them closer together, aside from Hugo's love at first sight moment.
I thought the romance truly shined through in this book, and the characters had one very unusual thing in common for the time - they love their families! So many aristocratic families are far more interested in social climbing or businesses than they are in raising their children. That is clearly a factor that draws them closer together, aside from Hugo's love at first sight moment.
threeundertwopnw's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Not much plot. Love at first sight, followed by convincing the lady to marry him. A ton of filler excerpts at the end.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 out of 5 stars. This is a sweet short novel that gives us the story of the Duke of Lindow and his third wife, Ophelia, Lady Astley. It's a bit insta-love-y for my taste. They have approximately three encounters (they meet at a party, they meet at a Frost Fair, and they meet at a dinner after the opera) - all of those encounters are good and they have great dialog, but I didn't quite get them "together". But it was a nice, quick read and a good end to the early teasers Eloisa sent as gifts to readers who submitted proof of purchase for her Wilde series.
And I still want a novel of Lady Knowe, because she HAS TO have a heck of a story.
And I still want a novel of Lady Knowe, because she HAS TO have a heck of a story.
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
Hugo and Ophelia's story was very sweet, and it was nice to see a bit of Horatius and the pompous young man he was as well.
The second story Storming the Castle was cute but not overly engaging.
The second story Storming the Castle was cute but not overly engaging.
kdeshaies's review against another edition
5.0
This was perfect and exactly what I wanted. Love seeing Hugo and Ophelia’s story, they are so sweet. Absolutely adored it.
labyrinth_witch's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the more experienced tone of this novel- where she is on her second romance and he on his 3rd- though even then he still has to figure out why he had to pick someone that fits with his worldview, his family, and holds the same values. I think one of the few or the stories where Horatius is alive and part of the dynamic (though I have a theory about that). It’s interesting to read the series backward after reading the boys’ romances when they are older. Overall, loved it.
metzireadsromance's review against another edition
4.0
Ophelia and Hugo
Really sweet romance that portrays the second chances life has to give.
Really sweet romance that portrays the second chances life has to give.
strandedinbooks's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 stars? 3.5?
I’m...conflicted. And honestly not entirely sure where I stand. While I appreciated what a quick and easy read this was and had quite the laugh through some parts, I just found myself a bit detached from these characters and the constant emphasis on vanity. If I had to listen to our heroine mention how round she was or how red her hair was I was going to start throwing hands.
HOWEVER, I am aware of the fact (or at least I’d like to think this) that I’m sure I would have enjoyed this prequel a lot more had I actually read most, if not all, of the books in this series. I’ve only read one another one and I gave it the same conflicted rating as this one. Oh damn, I made a mistake
5/5 for that cover THO
I’m...conflicted. And honestly not entirely sure where I stand. While I appreciated what a quick and easy read this was and had quite the laugh through some parts, I just found myself a bit detached from these characters and the constant emphasis on vanity. If I had to listen to our heroine mention how round she was or how red her hair was I was going to start throwing hands.
HOWEVER, I am aware of the fact (or at least I’d like to think this) that I’m sure I would have enjoyed this prequel a lot more had I actually read most, if not all, of the books in this series. I’ve only read one another one and I gave it the same conflicted rating as this one. Oh damn, I made a mistake
5/5 for that cover THO