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michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
This book is one of my RomCon panel books.
My initial reaction to this book wasn't great. I saw the book cover and read the blurb in the back of the book and I was less than excited. But I had to read it because it was my panel book for Romcon so I took a deep breath and began... I ended up really, really liking it!
The writing is wonderful, really witty, lots of humor and just a really fun lighthearted romance. I loved both of the leads-- I thought them both refreshingly lovely characters. McAlistair, is your quintessential hero with a very dark past but he is not a lord of the realm and is comfortable financially. Instead he is a hermit living in the woods behind the heroine's home for the past eight years and in love with her for just as long. Evie Cole is 26 years old and described as having a "curvy" figure. She also has a long scar on the side of her face and have an unnoticeable limp due to a carriage accident when she was younger. I thought them both refreshingly lovely characters. I like books where for a number of days the hero and heroine are left to themselves because it makes me believe in their relationship more and that ultimate HEA, especially when there wasn't much interaction between the two before the story began. Well, that happened in this book and McAlistair and Evie got into some chuckle-out-loud antics.
There's is a little mystery in the book but I thought there was really no need for it and the book would have been fine without it. Know though that this book is the third in Ms. Johnson's Providence series but it's a standalone book (though I do want to read the first two books after reading this one). I don't know if you share my opinion of the cover but don't let it fool you or the blurb (which paints Evie to be sort of silly with the eavesdropping bit). If you're looking for a fun, lighthearted historical romance, you can't go wrong with this book. I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars
My initial reaction to this book wasn't great. I saw the book cover and read the blurb in the back of the book and I was less than excited. But I had to read it because it was my panel book for Romcon so I took a deep breath and began... I ended up really, really liking it!
The writing is wonderful, really witty, lots of humor and just a really fun lighthearted romance. I loved both of the leads-- I thought them both refreshingly lovely characters. McAlistair, is your quintessential hero with a very dark past but he is not a lord of the realm and is comfortable financially. Instead he is a hermit living in the woods behind the heroine's home for the past eight years and in love with her for just as long. Evie Cole is 26 years old and described as having a "curvy" figure. She also has a long scar on the side of her face and have an unnoticeable limp due to a carriage accident when she was younger. I thought them both refreshingly lovely characters. I like books where for a number of days the hero and heroine are left to themselves because it makes me believe in their relationship more and that ultimate HEA, especially when there wasn't much interaction between the two before the story began. Well, that happened in this book and McAlistair and Evie got into some chuckle-out-loud antics.
There's is a little mystery in the book but I thought there was really no need for it and the book would have been fine without it. Know though that this book is the third in Ms. Johnson's Providence series but it's a standalone book (though I do want to read the first two books after reading this one). I don't know if you share my opinion of the cover but don't let it fool you or the blurb (which paints Evie to be sort of silly with the eavesdropping bit). If you're looking for a fun, lighthearted historical romance, you can't go wrong with this book. I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars
freemajo's review against another edition
3.0
Romance tropes: war hero, orphan, woman in peril, on the road, protector
McAlistair is a taciturn hermit who is also a retired assassin. *rolls eyes* Evie quietly helps women leave abusive spouses/pimps/landlords. After an anonymous threat is sent her way, McAlistair steps in to rush her to safety.
There were some cute bits of humor to this, and Evie was an enjoyable character. I never believed in McAlistair, and the chemistry between them was nonexistent—the sex was nothing to write home about either. The pacing was sloooow especially at the end.
The author also misused words that should have been caught by an editor: “lord of the manner” and “the generous flair of her hips.” It’s manor and flare, ma’am.
Content warning: child abuse, rape trigger
McAlistair is a taciturn hermit who is also a retired assassin. *rolls eyes* Evie quietly helps women leave abusive spouses/pimps/landlords. After an anonymous threat is sent her way, McAlistair steps in to rush her to safety.
There were some cute bits of humor to this, and Evie was an enjoyable character. I never believed in McAlistair, and the chemistry between them was nonexistent—the sex was nothing to write home about either. The pacing was sloooow especially at the end.
The author also misused words that should have been caught by an editor: “lord of the manner” and “the generous flair of her hips.” It’s manor and flare, ma’am.
Content warning: child abuse, rape trigger
rani_reeds's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amshofner's review
4.0
Sometimes when you find an author you like (Hello, Alissa Johnson!), you have to set aside your dislike of reading series out of order and just dive in.
Especially, you know, when Goodreads goes down and you're at the library looking to get in and out and on with life. As one does.
So, obviously, two couples preceded this book. And I suffered the usual confusion about existing characters and their relationship dynamics, but rather than being frustrated, I reserved the first book in the series at the library. Problem solving. 'Tis good.
McAlistair's Fortune told me that I may have hit my limit on "I want you, but I'm not good enough for you" heroes. McAlistair was like that, but... his history with Evie (rawr, moonlight kisses) saves him from being too eye rolling. He was fighting himself, not his love for Evie.
And Evie... despite her approach of the situation (I'm also not sure the historical accurarcy of the situation; it's almost more romantic suspense than historical, though it was historical---still, I liked it), she was fun. Evie and McAlistair together were better.
I'm ready for the rest of the books in the series. Bring it on, Alissa Johnson!
Especially, you know, when Goodreads goes down and you're at the library looking to get in and out and on with life. As one does.
So, obviously, two couples preceded this book. And I suffered the usual confusion about existing characters and their relationship dynamics, but rather than being frustrated, I reserved the first book in the series at the library. Problem solving. 'Tis good.
McAlistair's Fortune told me that I may have hit my limit on "I want you, but I'm not good enough for you" heroes. McAlistair was like that, but... his history with Evie (rawr, moonlight kisses) saves him from being too eye rolling. He was fighting himself, not his love for Evie.
And Evie... despite her approach of the situation (I'm also not sure the historical accurarcy of the situation; it's almost more romantic suspense than historical, though it was historical---still, I liked it), she was fun. Evie and McAlistair together were better.
I'm ready for the rest of the books in the series. Bring it on, Alissa Johnson!
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