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chandelierskies's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
larisa2021's review
RHF book group is definitely refining my taste in HR...made it 40 pages or so into this book and had to stop. Too many anachronisms, even for "just" HR without the prowess of Grace Burrowes or Lisa Kleypas or Julia Quinn, never mind Stephanie Laurens.
So...onto the latest Grace Burrowes book.
So...onto the latest Grace Burrowes book.
readclever's review
3.0
I loved this book and the characters until the brothel. I just couldn't handle that bit because it made Alexandra, a very willful and physically strong woman, into nothing more than a plot device for man pain. I really enjoyed the overall Anastasia feel, though. There was a lot of doubt and a good use of the French Revolution, considering the marriages between European aristocracy at the time.
As a character, Alexandra was nearly the perfect heroine for me. Loyal, quick-witted against men's opinions, able to handle difficult situations, and loving of family who did the right things for the wrong reasons. When her mother started to go off the rails, to fall into fits of distemper, Alexandra simply accepted daughter duties...even when doubts crept in. She still loved Rhea. And I enjoyed the relationship between Alexandra and Aunt Hortense as well. These were women who respected each other and counted on as family. Warmed my heart.
I didn't feel that charitable about Lord Thorpe, who thought the worst of Alexandra, no matter what she did. He was way too broody and stuck in the past. Like most Regency heroes, honestly. He also had a tendency to not listen, like in the case of the balloon weights. His need to think the worst, to listen to toxic Ursula, and not his instincts. The Lady Pencross love in the past felt too pasted on as well. He should have been filled out more, given more characteristics, to be worthy of Alexandra.
The past and the conflict with her past seemed pretty well defined and somewhat answered. Not entirely, to set up the next book in the series, while making sure Alexandra handled the stress without removing the core of who she was. If it wasn't for the brothel and Thorpe's high-handedness, I would have rated it far higher. The stars are basically centered entirely around Alexandra and her family.
As a character, Alexandra was nearly the perfect heroine for me. Loyal, quick-witted against men's opinions, able to handle difficult situations, and loving of family who did the right things for the wrong reasons. When her mother started to go off the rails, to fall into fits of distemper, Alexandra simply accepted daughter duties...even when doubts crept in. She still loved Rhea. And I enjoyed the relationship between Alexandra and Aunt Hortense as well. These were women who respected each other and counted on as family. Warmed my heart.
I didn't feel that charitable about Lord Thorpe, who thought the worst of Alexandra, no matter what she did. He was way too broody and stuck in the past. Like most Regency heroes, honestly. He also had a tendency to not listen, like in the case of the balloon weights. His need to think the worst, to listen to toxic Ursula, and not his instincts. The Lady Pencross love in the past felt too pasted on as well. He should have been filled out more, given more characteristics, to be worthy of Alexandra.
The past and the conflict with her past seemed pretty well defined and somewhat answered. Not entirely, to set up the next book in the series, while making sure Alexandra handled the stress without removing the core of who she was. If it wasn't for the brothel and Thorpe's high-handedness, I would have rated it far higher. The stars are basically centered entirely around Alexandra and her family.
stringreads's review
3.0
Somewhat crazypants, but not over the top. I mean long lost heirs are always a bit crazy pants.
There was a bit in the middle where I was fully prepared to "accidentally" drop the book in the bathtub because it was going a bit rapey. The heroine was drugged and trying to get it on with the hero and it took some wrestling with his conscience but he did the right thing and walked away. If he hadn't I'd probably have drowned him or thrown the book at the wall.
There was a bit in the middle where I was fully prepared to "accidentally" drop the book in the bathtub because it was going a bit rapey. The heroine was drugged and trying to get it on with the hero and it took some wrestling with his conscience but he did the right thing and walked away. If he hadn't I'd probably have drowned him or thrown the book at the wall.
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