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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
This book is an interesting start to a new series. Four wallflowers in need of husbands befriend each other and try to help the others find husbands. In this installment Annabelle, her brother, and her mother are broke. After her father died the family lost all their money and it is up to Annabelle to find a husband to help save her family. Simon has had his eye on Annabelle for years, but he is considered 'middle class' even though his fortune rivals any of those who are considered 'peers.'
This book did a good job of hinting at one direction and then pulling a fast one. For a good amount of the book Annabelle, and the reader, is under the assumption that Simon only wants Annabelle as a mistress and is waiting for her financial worries to get strong enough for her to relent- regardless of how she'd be shunned from society if she fell like that. Then, in a crazy turn of events, the reader realizes that Simon was waiting for her to realize she doesn't need/want a peer and could have him as a husband instead. A cute twist that redeemed Simon in my eyes- I hate when potential love interests try to lower the standards of the women they desire, and expecting Annabelle to be a mistress all because of finances instead of valuing her worth as a person was starting to grind my gears.
Another thing I really liked is that this series seems to be focusing more on the industrial revolution/technological advancements and the money that can be made if you don't follow 'tradition.' Simon makes it very clear that the way of the peers (dukes, earls, etc.) is dying. The guarenteed income these positions have relied on for generations is shrinking due to the peers not jumping on the changes that are happening around the world. They are sitting on their shrinking lands and shrinking money instead of getting involved and investing in the future (railroads, tech, etc.).. and then shun those who make fortunes doing what they refused to do because 'traditions' and 'peerage' is seen as more elite regardless of wealth. It really highlighted how people can be blind if they never go out and see the world, and how devasting it can be if we ignore advancements being made. Most of the historical romances I read about peerage England don't include this type of plot line, so I'm interested to see how the next books continue it!
This book did a good job of hinting at one direction and then pulling a fast one. For a good amount of the book Annabelle, and the reader, is under the assumption that Simon only wants Annabelle as a mistress and is waiting for her financial worries to get strong enough for her to relent- regardless of how she'd be shunned from society if she fell like that. Then, in a crazy turn of events, the reader realizes that Simon was waiting for her to realize she doesn't need/want a peer and could have him as a husband instead. A cute twist that redeemed Simon in my eyes- I hate when potential love interests try to lower the standards of the women they desire, and expecting Annabelle to be a mistress all because of finances instead of valuing her worth as a person was starting to grind my gears.
Another thing I really liked is that this series seems to be focusing more on the industrial revolution/technological advancements and the money that can be made if you don't follow 'tradition.' Simon makes it very clear that the way of the peers (dukes, earls, etc.) is dying. The guarenteed income these positions have relied on for generations is shrinking due to the peers not jumping on the changes that are happening around the world. They are sitting on their shrinking lands and shrinking money instead of getting involved and investing in the future (railroads, tech, etc.).. and then shun those who make fortunes doing what they refused to do because 'traditions' and 'peerage' is seen as more elite regardless of wealth. It really highlighted how people can be blind if they never go out and see the world, and how devasting it can be if we ignore advancements being made. Most of the historical romances I read about peerage England don't include this type of plot line, so I'm interested to see how the next books continue it!
The Wallfowers series is about the elder generation (the parents of the Ravenels series), so that's fun. Otherwise, classic Kleypas with all the hits.
I enjoyed reading Secrets of a Summer Night. It was so nice to see their growing friendship and the part where they discussed what they were looking for in their future partners had me giggling knowing who their partners will be in the future.
I know most readers were annoyed with Annabelle but I actually quite liked her here. I would feel the same way if someone offered me to become his mistress and that was what Simon did in the beginning.
Simon grew on me as the story progressed. I love their dinner date, the chess game and Simon saving her and gifting her with ankle boots.
With that said, I felt disappointed with how LK handled the second part of the story after Simon and Annabelle were married. I enjoyed Simon chasing Annabelle during the first half of the book but in the final part, there was a lack of development in terms of romance. A big chunk of the final chapters were mostly information overload and while I enjoy reading about history in my HR novels, I felt bored while reading it. Towards the end, I felt like the plot revolved more on Annabelle’s family woes and Simon throwing money to sort it all out. In a way, I felt it took away from telling the love story of Simon and Annabelle.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
Good story, both are nice and Annabelle and Simon have sweet friends; long and good end
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fell apart at the end. What was the point of the last 100 pages?
adventurous
funny
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
Am I going to be historical romance girl now? It seems so
All men with money are considered no need for polished, beautiful and polite gentlemen. We are in dire straits here our FMC has no funds and may be thrown out of her rented home. Her mother being put in an awful situation and her brother needing schooling, she begins her hunt with her friends. While our MMC has no noble ties but a successful business man, obsessed with having her. Though in a not so polite manner which she rebuffs many times. Until she reaches a point of desperation he knows, where they finally get to know each other. We get small snippets of his pov which is depressing I would have loved to see his transformation. They are passionate and have good chemistry. I would have loved to read more about their life after and how they lived together.
lighthearted
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