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samchase112's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Mystery and romance combine in this fun romp through historic (period???) England. The plot was fun, the characters were fun, and it was an enjoyable journey overall. I had a few issues that I want to talk about, but the main takeaway here is that this was an easy-to-read yet mysterious romance that I think would appeal highly to non-historical romance readers.
That being said, I think the romance was the least thought-out portion of this book. It was insta-lovey, moved extremely quickly, and not well set-up. A lot of the relationships between characters - in general - were not explained or explored. For example, we're led to believe that Caro and Kate (does everyone in this book need a nickname??? giving me fanfic vibes here...) meet in the first chapter, yet throughout the book Kate makes references to knowing Caro and her mannerisms, and vice versa, as well as she and Valentine know each other. It was clear that the mystery was most important to the author, and even that becomes muddled at some point, with so many connections and complications spinning webs throughout the murders. If this is true, then, I wish the author had simply focused on fleshing out the mystery and murders, with a side-helping of Kate and Eversham beginning to date, rather than full-on falling in love (and don't even get me started on Kate's ultimate decision). That being said, both characters were easy to love and fun to root for. The ending and character relationships simply became much too rushed because of all the competing storylines going on.
Ultimately, this was an enjoyable book, but it had many issues I'd expect from a debut novel, rather than a veteran author, that just jumped out at me and stuck in my mind.
That being said, I think the romance was the least thought-out portion of this book. It was insta-lovey, moved extremely quickly, and not well set-up. A lot of the relationships between characters - in general - were not explained or explored. For example, we're led to believe that Caro and Kate (does everyone in this book need a nickname??? giving me fanfic vibes here...) meet in the first chapter, yet throughout the book Kate makes references to knowing Caro and her mannerisms, and vice versa, as well as she and Valentine know each other. It was clear that the mystery was most important to the author, and even that becomes muddled at some point, with so many connections and complications spinning webs throughout the murders. If this is true, then, I wish the author had simply focused on fleshing out the mystery and murders, with a side-helping of Kate and Eversham beginning to date, rather than full-on falling in love (and don't even get me started on Kate's ultimate decision). That being said, both characters were easy to love and fun to root for. The ending and character relationships simply became much too rushed because of all the competing storylines going on.
Ultimately, this was an enjoyable book, but it had many issues I'd expect from a debut novel, rather than a veteran author, that just jumped out at me and stuck in my mind.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexism
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Stalking
Minor: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Child abuse, and Confinement
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