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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Super easy read - plot I’ve never read and interesting characters with flaws. Just the kinda book I was needing
(Northanger Abbey x Pride & Prejudice) + marriage of convenience + spice^slowburn
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy for review.
1.5/5 stars. Of all the books in this series, this was definitely my least favorite. In the first half of the novel, Jane is so utterly unlikeable it's a wonder that Penvale falls in love with her at all. While I appreciate Waters trying to add a Gothic theme to this novel, I don't think it was done very well. All the fun of the "ghost story" was taken out of the story by letting us know upfront that it was Jane doing all the haunting. This book could have been so much more fun to read had the reader not known it was Jane all along. Both Jane and Penvale seemed dumb for putting on the haunting and somewhat falling for it, respectively. I also deeply despise the miscommunication trope. I understand that Jane hates people and doesn't want to let anyone in, but the whole "I know that she knows that I know" Friends story was played out in the first novel in this series. I hated it then, and I hate that it was brought back for this novel.
Overall, I was very disappointed by this novel. In bringing in someone outside of the core group of friends, Waters could have gone literally anywhere with this novel, and I don't think she took full advantage of this. I still think the earlier books in this series are the strongest.
1.5/5 stars. Of all the books in this series, this was definitely my least favorite. In the first half of the novel, Jane is so utterly unlikeable it's a wonder that Penvale falls in love with her at all. While I appreciate Waters trying to add a Gothic theme to this novel, I don't think it was done very well. All the fun of the "ghost story" was taken out of the story by letting us know upfront that it was Jane doing all the haunting. This book could have been so much more fun to read had the reader not known it was Jane all along. Both Jane and Penvale seemed dumb for putting on the haunting and somewhat falling for it, respectively. I also deeply despise the miscommunication trope. I understand that Jane hates people and doesn't want to let anyone in, but the whole "I know that she knows that I know" Friends story was played out in the first novel in this series. I hated it then, and I hate that it was brought back for this novel.
Overall, I was very disappointed by this novel. In bringing in someone outside of the core group of friends, Waters could have gone literally anywhere with this novel, and I don't think she took full advantage of this. I still think the earlier books in this series are the strongest.
Absolutely enjoyed this book. The haunting was such a funny plot. Though I never condone gaslighting, ghostlighting was quite novel.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a Regency Vows installment, I couldn't not enjoy this book — but I didn't love it as much as I wanted to. Something about Penvale and Jane's relationship felt very much based on convenience, and yes they had things in common, but I don't believe they would have become a couple or fallen in love if they were in any other environment than the one they were in. Luckily, I adored the antics, them both as individuals, their sweet connection, and their growth as characters. Unfortunately, making sense of them as a believable couple held this book back and makes my least favorite in an otherwise impeccable series.