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theromanticace's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
amberwallace2012's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent!
What can go wrong with hiring a lady to play as your fiancé when your mother (who is determined to see you married) is coming for a visit? Hugh Standish, the Earl of Fareham, is about to find out. Hugh hires a young lady named Minerva to act as his fiancé, but little do either of them know that their fake engagement will start to feel real.
I really enjoy reading the "fake engagement turns to real love" trope and regency era novels. The characters felt real and relatable. However, I adored the butler, Payne. His name suits him greatly as he is at times a pain to his master with his sassy and often insubordinate ways, yet was still appreciated by the Earl and his mother. He doesn't hold back on telling Hugh precisely what he thinks, he has a dry sense of humor, and yet he supports Hugh and Minerva throughout the story.
I found this book to be humorous and fun, and often found myself laughing out loud. A great start to a series of novels following the Merriwell sisters.
What can go wrong with hiring a lady to play as your fiancé when your mother (who is determined to see you married) is coming for a visit? Hugh Standish, the Earl of Fareham, is about to find out. Hugh hires a young lady named Minerva to act as his fiancé, but little do either of them know that their fake engagement will start to feel real.
I really enjoy reading the "fake engagement turns to real love" trope and regency era novels. The characters felt real and relatable. However, I adored the butler, Payne. His name suits him greatly as he is at times a pain to his master with his sassy and often insubordinate ways, yet was still appreciated by the Earl and his mother. He doesn't hold back on telling Hugh precisely what he thinks, he has a dry sense of humor, and yet he supports Hugh and Minerva throughout the story.
I found this book to be humorous and fun, and often found myself laughing out loud. A great start to a series of novels following the Merriwell sisters.
cmb810's review against another edition
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
4.25
bookednbookish's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
bookishblades's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
3.5
somelady's review against another edition
4.0
This was a nice light-hearted historical rom-com book. Hugh, the main male character, has commitment issues and invented a fake fiancee named Minerva to keep his mother from meddling in his life. Unfortunately for Hugh, his mother sent a letter announcing that she was boarding a ship bound for England to visit Hugh and meet his fiancee. Realizing that his ruse is about to be discovered, Hugh miraculously runs into a woman whose name just so happens to be Minerva. Hugh comes up with a plan to pay Minerva to pretend to be his fiancee while his mother is in town. Minerva, who really needs the money, decided to him up on the offer.
The whole story was entertaining and there were some humourous parts. I liked most of the characters even though I think Hugh was probably one of my least favorites. This is mainly because of Hugh's reason for being resistant to commitments and relationships. I also thought that all of this could have been straightened out with better communication between Hugh and his mother but then we wouldn’t have much of a story. I really enjoy the antics and the side characters. There were many times I smirked or quietly chuckled to myself. However, I loved when Minerva’s sister Diana and Hugh’s friend Giles interacted. I thought their banter was slightly more entertaining and I wanted to hear more. Overall, I thought this story was nice and I enjoyed reading it.
The whole story was entertaining and there were some humourous parts. I liked most of the characters even though I think Hugh was probably one of my least favorites. This is mainly because of Hugh's reason for being resistant to commitments and relationships. I also thought that all of this could have been straightened out with better communication between Hugh and his mother but then we wouldn’t have much of a story. I really enjoy the antics and the side characters. There were many times I smirked or quietly chuckled to myself. However, I loved when Minerva’s sister Diana and Hugh’s friend Giles interacted. I thought their banter was slightly more entertaining and I wanted to hear more. Overall, I thought this story was nice and I enjoyed reading it.
laurenkraigco's review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
3.5
moodreader_mary's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
maddamn's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
It was good, not great. Very typical in terms of tropes. Period piece, but not as good as others because it didn’t have much depth. The characters were my favorite part because they were funny and mostly lovable. This is kind of a “comedy of errors” type book where within a scheme everything that can go wrong does.