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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
It was a decent book. I don’t normally read too much romance or historical fiction. Some parts were slow and used a little too much old time wording. There were some good parts with all of the courting and then the drama of saving Archie and Kitty’s sister. I’m glad they James and Kitty finally professed their love for each other.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
While books such as these usually sweep me off my feet, Irwin's book left me halfway pleased. The characters were also oblivious and only considerate of their own thoughts and feelings. It drove me a little mad.
Super fun and extremely charming!! Yes it’s really just pride and prejudice, but our girls got a gun and a plan to get her bag!
I listened to this in one work day it was really such a joy and the ending was so sweet.
3 ⭐️ only because it felt like rereading P&P so it felt like a bit of a slog to listen through at times
I listened to this in one work day it was really such a joy and the ending was so sweet.
3 ⭐️ only because it felt like rereading P&P so it felt like a bit of a slog to listen through at times
3.5. Easy going and fun, I wished it was spicier but overall a nice reading.
As an avid fan of Jane Austen, especially Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, I've been dying to find more works that emulate the Regency style. While it's not the same as Austen's works, with a modern voice, it has its own merits and certainly stands up as a good Regency romance.
And, thankfully, does not contain any smut. Which was greatly important to me. I wanted slow burn, tension, the chastity of an Austen romance. While they do kiss (on the lips no less!) a few times towards the end of the book, I felt this didn't detract away from my desire to have a purely Austen experience.
It was closer than most, and for that I was thankful.
And Kitty wasn't your typical Austen protagonist either (unless you could possibly liken her to Emma but not really?) and that only served to make her more enjoyable to read. She was her own character and stood her ground. She was scheming and open (to her family and closest confidants at least) about needing a fortune to save her family. And by Jove, she was going to get one! I enjoyed following her through each suitor as they came and went, seeing how she would navigate the ton and their many interrogations about her birth, family situation etc
Lord Radcliffe / Radcliffe / James was a very suitable Regency love interest too. I liked how they went from enemies to lovers! And, while it might have seen quite obvious to most, I was still pleasantly surprised that they came together in the last few chapters - even though I was definitely pining for them to become a couple from about halfway through the book. I would have been just as content for them to remain friends because I enjoyed their back and forth bickering and banter regardless. He definitely had his Darcy moments too.
The supporting cast from Radcliffe's family (especially Archie and Lady Radcliffe (his mother)), to 'Aunt' Dorothy, Cecily, the various members of the ton and then their servants, were also a delight to read about. I really enjoyed each new ball or dinner that Kitty attended since there was enough variation that it never felt 'samey'. It was easy to follow who each character was as well since they were distinct in their personalities and portrayals. Especially Archie and Cecily. The younger Mr Radcliffe had been Kitty's first target before she was warned off by his older brother, Lord Radcliffe. He has his own subplot going on with a dubious friendship and a spiral down into less than savoury hobbies.
And Cecily, who is so adamant her sister should marry for love, spends a lot of the time quoting literature and giving attention to Lord Montagu whenever she attends a ball. Which, her sister (and Lady Radcliffe) warn her against but she largely gets ignored by Kitty, who is consumed with the ever existing dread of having to marry a rich man to save her family. A big plot point made with this is how Kitty doesn't get the choice to marry for love.
The climax of the book does have a lot going on - dual scenes of Archie being saved from losing his fortune in a fixed gambling game and Cecily being saved from eloping with another titled gentleman - but they were well written enough, and given adequate space each to breathe, that I didn't feel overwhelmed or like too much was happening. Also, Archie thinking Kitty was in love with him and his panic over it was quite amusing too.
Overall, this was a good read and I flew through it. Definitely think if you're a fan of Jane Austen, you could give this a go!
And, thankfully, does not contain any smut. Which was greatly important to me. I wanted slow burn, tension, the chastity of an Austen romance. While they do kiss (on the lips no less!) a few times towards the end of the book, I felt this didn't detract away from my desire to have a purely Austen experience.
It was closer than most, and for that I was thankful.
And Kitty wasn't your typical Austen protagonist either (unless you could possibly liken her to Emma but not really?) and that only served to make her more enjoyable to read. She was her own character and stood her ground. She was scheming and open (to her family and closest confidants at least) about needing a fortune to save her family. And by Jove, she was going to get one! I enjoyed following her through each suitor as they came and went, seeing how she would navigate the ton and their many interrogations about her birth, family situation etc
Lord Radcliffe / Radcliffe / James was a very suitable Regency love interest too. I liked how they went from enemies to lovers! And, while it might have seen quite obvious to most, I was still pleasantly surprised that they came together in the last few chapters - even though I was definitely pining for them to become a couple from about halfway through the book. I would have been just as content for them to remain friends because I enjoyed their back and forth bickering and banter regardless. He definitely had his Darcy moments too.
The supporting cast from Radcliffe's family (especially Archie and Lady Radcliffe (his mother)), to 'Aunt' Dorothy, Cecily, the various members of the ton and then their servants, were also a delight to read about. I really enjoyed each new ball or dinner that Kitty attended since there was enough variation that it never felt 'samey'. It was easy to follow who each character was as well since they were distinct in their personalities and portrayals. Especially Archie and Cecily. The younger Mr Radcliffe had been Kitty's first target before she was warned off by his older brother, Lord Radcliffe. He has his own subplot going on with a dubious friendship and a spiral down into less than savoury hobbies.
And Cecily, who is so adamant her sister should marry for love, spends a lot of the time quoting literature and giving attention to Lord Montagu whenever she attends a ball. Which, her sister (and Lady Radcliffe) warn her against but she largely gets ignored by Kitty, who is consumed with the ever existing dread of having to marry a rich man to save her family. A big plot point made with this is how Kitty doesn't get the choice to marry for love.
The climax of the book does have a lot going on - dual scenes of Archie being saved from losing his fortune in a fixed gambling game and Cecily being saved from eloping with another titled gentleman - but they were well written enough, and given adequate space each to breathe, that I didn't feel overwhelmed or like too much was happening. Also, Archie thinking Kitty was in love with him and his panic over it was quite amusing too.
Overall, this was a good read and I flew through it. Definitely think if you're a fan of Jane Austen, you could give this a go!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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