Reviews

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn

silverkelpie's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

renrevelous's review against another edition

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

The book began and ended well. I felt like the deception dragged on too long or possibly that it was too frequently fretted over by Cecilia.

Edward racing to the ship was sweet, and the introduction to the family as well.

sasha101's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

amcriah's review against another edition

3.0

Enjoyable characters and a really entertaining plot for me. I read this while I was sick and it was the perfect thing to pass the time.

piamarie's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-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

5.0

dguelere's review against another edition

5.0

Puts o melhor dos irmãos sem dúvida

w3tiger13's review against another edition

lighthearted slow-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? No

4.0

addieisreading's review against another edition

3.0

"The loss of hope versus the certainty of truth. It’s not an easy judgment to make.”

It had everything to be one of my favourite historical romances written for entertainment that I'd read this year but, at the last 20% of the book the ball hits the crossbar, and we never see the score. Or rather: we see it, but we (me) do not feel the euphoria of having finished it.

What I mean is that the beginning was it for me. The plot was on point, the main character's dynamic worked really well, there was a reason for things to be happening, and the characters were really smart despite making dubious decisions—at least they were aware of how suspicious the situations surrounding them seemed.

Spoiler

When Edward started to doubt this whole situation, I felt blessed. Cecilia was postponing her responsibility in telling the truth for too long and him having the possibility of discovering it by himself felt like poetic justice, even more, but then he started to be cruel and ignore her even in her pain and I started to wonder how the hell didn't see notice he had his memories back). The ending—which the chase and the romantic scene at the ship—wasn't as satisfying as I thought it would be because there were a lot of issues unsolved and the author decided to rush through that part.

Spoiler

The fact that Edward didn't work through his trust issues and relied solely on the fact that he loved Cecilia even before the memory loss (which was really cute and well-planned in the story) was such an annoyance! No matter how cute the scene was if it left a bittersweet taste of—ok, they love each other, but do they trust each other? And the author wants to make that a happy ending? Hmmm... Let's say that, had it been a drama instead of a romance, that would make more sense.

Not to mention the writing, which is just acceptable—it describes what it must and delivers good dialogues, nothing more.

All in all, I admit that the only reasons why I enjoyed this reading were the cute moments between them and the fact that I've brainwashed myself to believe that the story was another one, one more developed.

ysabeel_'s review against another edition

emotional 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

3.5

brookeyjane's review against another edition

medium-paced

1.0