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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
First, I should note that I love the word "spinster" and suggest that all perpetually single women not doing as society pressures ought to reclaim it in a positive way. I hope to start a trend here, people. The spinster in question here is Georgiana. Pleased at her status, she accidentally gets ensnared in an engagement when a battle of wits with a duke results in a kiss. Caught together, their imminent nuptials are a rush job to protect her honor, something that makes neither party happy. However, a shared love of books and political discussion thrown on top of the spark of passion that got them into this mess, starts to cast things in a more optimistic light.
So why did I love it? First, I loved that our hero is neurodiverse. His Darcy-esque arrogance and stoicism is revealed to be far more nuanced when you see how he thinks and when you hear of the challenges in his childhood. I appreciated both the representation and the depth of his character. It also adds complexity to the couple's interactions beyond a classic personality clash trope. Georgiana is an amusing lead, vivacious and witty. She doesn't care much for crowds, but she picks up a debate with vigor and defends her opinions with careful logic. I loved her political acumen and the space given her in the book to level critiques at society rather than floating along with it while the reader is shielded from or expected to accept historical realities.
I was genuinely satisfied with this HEA and look forward to more from the series. Plus, the author has quite a backlist that I should investigate (late to the party here, folks). Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled for the opportunity to read and review this book. It's out this week, 2/9! Treat yourself to a Valentine better than real life. Too bitter? Oops.
So why did I love it? First, I loved that our hero is neurodiverse. His Darcy-esque arrogance and stoicism is revealed to be far more nuanced when you see how he thinks and when you hear of the challenges in his childhood. I appreciated both the representation and the depth of his character. It also adds complexity to the couple's interactions beyond a classic personality clash trope. Georgiana is an amusing lead, vivacious and witty. She doesn't care much for crowds, but she picks up a debate with vigor and defends her opinions with careful logic. I loved her political acumen and the space given her in the book to level critiques at society rather than floating along with it while the reader is shielded from or expected to accept historical realities.
I was genuinely satisfied with this HEA and look forward to more from the series. Plus, the author has quite a backlist that I should investigate (late to the party here, folks). Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled for the opportunity to read and review this book. It's out this week, 2/9! Treat yourself to a Valentine better than real life. Too bitter? Oops.
ItCute, fairly low angst historical. I liked both of the MCs a lot and thought the neurodiverse hero was written well (but I'll wait for own voice reviewers to weigh in). The rake thing was a little forced because hero definitely didn't act/seem like a rake but that didn't really have an effect on the over all story.
Thanks Macmillan for my free review copy!
Thanks Macmillan for my free review copy!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I love a good historical romance and I know Eva Devon is somewhat of a master in the genre, so I had high hopes. While this one wasn’t my favorite regency, there were a number of things I really did enjoy, and I had a great time reading it.
Georgiana Bly is from a lower class, and wants to be a spinster for the rest of her life. Hiding away from people, lost among stacks of books, is where she’s happiest. Edward Stanhope, Duke of Thornfield, hates crowds, hates hosting balls, is annoyed when his routine is thrown off, and has an Aunt trying to set him up in a marriage every other minute. When Georgiana and Edward meet at a ball being hosted at his house, it’s completely by chance. She’s hiding out in his library when he stumbles in, muddy from a day of riding. She refuses to leave his quiet little oasis, and he threatens to kiss her and ruin her reputation if she doesn’t.
Clearly, Georgiana doesn’t leave. So they kiss and sparks fly (this book moves fast and I love it).
And then Edward’s Aunt walks in and the rumors begin to spread faster than you can blink.
This is how Edward and Georgiana end up engaged, and thus our journey begins. Edward is stoic, rude, and standoffish, while Georgiana is stubborn, opinionated, and in awe of her new surroundings. While Edward and Georgiana navigate their new relationship (filled with steamy nights and stolen encounters) they learn to trust one another and get to know each other on a deeper level. What I loved the most is that Edward wasn’t any of his worst qualities intentionally, and with the help of Georgiana, learns how to truly be himself and how to interact more comfortably with others. This was the first historical romance for me in which there is a neurodiverse character (our hero, and you figure it out pretty quickly) and while I’m not sure how well it was executed (it’s not my place to judge), it was still wonderful to see. I think how it was discussed (or rather, not discussed) also fit the tone of the story and the time period, and I absolutely loved reading about how this had an impact on Edward’s relationship with Georgiana, and how they worked through it.
Now, this story wasn’t perfect, there were definitely a lot of loose ends that seemed to have been neglected and the story jumped forward a few times in a way that didn’t always work, but it was still enjoyable. I liked our two main characters enough that I could look beyond everything else, and while there wasn’t too much of a plot so much as just circumstance, the characters were strong enough to drive the entire story forward through to the end. It’s supposed to be a slight twist on Pride & Prejudice, and while it’s not totally obvious, the connections can be made if you really think about it. I wouldn’t call it a retelling, but you can see how it was some of the inspiration behind the story.
Plus the epilogue was a lot of fun and I read it about 4 times. Edward is my favorite.
All this to say, it was a fun story with unique characters, and I really enjoyed it. It was my first Eva Devon, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Many thanks to Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy!
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.
Miss Georgiana Bly is more at home in a library than on a dance floor, but her propensity to hide soon finds her in hot water when she is seen embracing Edward Stanhope, the icy Duke of Thornfield, in his private library. Now they are forced to marry, lest her and her family are ruined. For Edward, he knows he should marry, if only to beget an heir, but he hates being in company, and when his solitude is broken. Georgiana is as far away from the perfect duchess as you could find, but Edward, and his Aunt Agatha, must work together to support her, and she might just turn out to be the making of Edward, after all.
This book just blew me away, and I could not put it down as soon as I started it. I hated even clicked on about the Pride and Prejudice reference when I first read the synopsis, but thinking back to the plot, I can see that link. Georgiana is from a genteel family in Yorkshire, but they don't have any connections, and it's only really luck they happen to be at the Duke of Thornfield's ball. She is a lovely character, who faces some difficulty in her transition to Duchess, but she is strong, and her caring nature allows her to blow off all naysayers, and even melt Edward's icy heart. Their relationship was swoony, from near strangers when they met - and kissed - to slowly getting to know each other's history, and what makes them tick. I loved Edward too, who lost his parents when he was young, and had been treated abominably by his nurse and tutors for his behaviour - I think he may be on the autistic spectrum - and really felt ill at ease when with near strangers. He pushed against Georgiana's attempts to learn more, at first, but soon softened, and it was then it was clear they really loved each other. Yes, there are some moments of angst - a la Lydia and Wickham's elopement, but not quite, and I can't wait to read more from this author.
Miss Georgiana Bly is more at home in a library than on a dance floor, but her propensity to hide soon finds her in hot water when she is seen embracing Edward Stanhope, the icy Duke of Thornfield, in his private library. Now they are forced to marry, lest her and her family are ruined. For Edward, he knows he should marry, if only to beget an heir, but he hates being in company, and when his solitude is broken. Georgiana is as far away from the perfect duchess as you could find, but Edward, and his Aunt Agatha, must work together to support her, and she might just turn out to be the making of Edward, after all.
This book just blew me away, and I could not put it down as soon as I started it. I hated even clicked on about the Pride and Prejudice reference when I first read the synopsis, but thinking back to the plot, I can see that link. Georgiana is from a genteel family in Yorkshire, but they don't have any connections, and it's only really luck they happen to be at the Duke of Thornfield's ball. She is a lovely character, who faces some difficulty in her transition to Duchess, but she is strong, and her caring nature allows her to blow off all naysayers, and even melt Edward's icy heart. Their relationship was swoony, from near strangers when they met - and kissed - to slowly getting to know each other's history, and what makes them tick. I loved Edward too, who lost his parents when he was young, and had been treated abominably by his nurse and tutors for his behaviour - I think he may be on the autistic spectrum - and really felt ill at ease when with near strangers. He pushed against Georgiana's attempts to learn more, at first, but soon softened, and it was then it was clear they really loved each other. Yes, there are some moments of angst - a la Lydia and Wickham's elopement, but not quite, and I can't wait to read more from this author.