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emmalb1984's review against another edition
5.0
In a story of concealed identities on the road to happy ever after, Janice Preston writes a love story with well crafted, likeable characters who just need to overcome a few bumps in the road.
I have been a fan of Janice Preston’s books since her debut ‘Mary and The Marquis’, and what I really like about her subsequent books is that she mentions characters from her previous novels (in this case Richard Stanton, the hero of ‘From Wallflower to Countess’), which is a nice touch if you have read the other books, but no hinderance to the story if you haven’t. Indeed, we previously met Leo in the same story as Richard, and it was nice to see his own story being told. Similarly, the characters in her novels may be Dukes and members of high society, but they are never your typical regency rich men who live the high life; they have their own issues, and are generally not your stereotypical perfect man.
Both Leo and Rosalind are well crafted characters who make you want to root for their future happiness. The fact both are concealing their true identities when they first meet (Leo is a Duke wanting to avoid women who are attracted to his title, and Rosalind is posing as a widow to evade family problems), makes an interesting concept as the start of their love story is effectively built on a lie, and once the truth is revealed there is a need for both to re-evaluate their feelings, although they clearly want to be together.
As with the author’s previous books, the secondary characters are also well crafted and essential to the plot - Anthony Lascelles makes a great villain.
As this is the first of a two part series (I assume the second book will be about Leo’s brother Vernon), I look forward to reading it, and finding out what happens to Leo and Rosalind after this book ended.
chandelierskies's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
robinwalter's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Nice to see two adults in a Regency romance and nice for a change to have the female character more in need of growth.
jessbookishlife's review
5.0
I won this book in a giveaway Janice did here in Goodreads and let me first say: I was so damn excited about that.
I even tweeted about it and, to my surprised, Janice answered me back. I got to connect to her on Twitter! YEY! She was very kind and sweet which made me even more thankful for receiving her book.
I did start and put down the book a couple of times this past few weeks. The main reason was because I know I would love the book and I know she hadn’t publish the next book yet, which meant I would have to wait in agony. So, I couldn’t start because I was as sad as I was excited. And I still am.
As the book begun to reach the ending I would get happy and sad. A bittersweet feeling… And then, SAUDADE came as soon as I read the last word and reality set in. Nostalgia, the feeling of missing someone/something… The happy memories of the moments reading the book… And I know I would love it and feel this way before reading it. That’s why this book is one of my favorites.
Besides that, this book and Janice writing, made me discover that I actually enjoy regency and historical romances. I haven’t read many of them and now I’m very open to read more. Especially Janice’s.
I finished reading the book at 1am. I was in such a good part of the book that I couldn’t put it down. I had been reading only two chapters a day because I didn’t want to end it, but as soon as I got to that part of the book I forgot to stop and finished reading it. LOVED IT!
Now, about the book… Like I said, it’s one of my favorites. I’m not usually the type of reader that reviews what she reads, I do recommend the books I like to my friends and family, but I don’t do reviews. Although that may be true, I felt like Janice and this book deserve at least that. So here it is.
First of all, I enjoyed how Janice wrote the book and the concept created. It’s not a typical Cinderella story. It was unusual and refreshing how she used the ‘evil uncle’ instead of the old used ‘evil step-mother’.
Another thing I did enjoy was the fact that the characters are older than most stories we see. They aren’t very old, Leo is in his 40s (if I’m not mistaken) and Rosalind is 30. But that’s old enough to stand out for some people, me included, since it’s been sometime since I read a book about someone in their 30s.
Rosalind is the older sister protecting and always taking care of her brothers and sister. As an older sister, I can relate to that, even though I’m 22 years old (23 in October). Besides, for the past 4 years I have been helping my grandparents a lot. Plus, Rosalind also has that motherly personality, that I’ve seen in a lot of mothers.
Leo is, in one word, dreamy. I love him. He’s a father, he’s caring and he said something that I loved:
I loved it so much I had to tweet about it.
One thing I liked too was Freddie. He’s such an intriguing character. I wonder if Janice is going to let us follow his live in a book too. Or at least tell us more in future books, because I found him very fascinating, and I love that he’s now following his own path in a way.(Thank God for Leo!)
He wanted to be independent and I get it, I can relate to that, and I can relate in some ways to Rosalind’s thoughts and worries. My little brother isn’t in the same circumstances as Freddie, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to protect him. Just like I know he wants to protect me. So, I just hope that in future books Freddie appears even if a minor/secondary character, giving people advices or some type of wisdom. I don’t know why but the way he sometimes spoke to Ros made him sound like a man of knowledge.
Now, I really want to read the next one and I would even do another review for those books too. I knew that Janice would write about Leo’s sons and daughters, at least I hoped, and today she told me on Twitter that she would be writing about Vernon, Cecily, and Olivia, Dominic and Alexander (Leo’s daughter and sons). Now I’m excited. Vernon’s book will be (hopefully) out in October. What a perfect birthday present that would be.
I will be waiting for the next book, maybe my mom will give it to me on my birthday.
I totally recommend this book to everyone, and I hope – if you check it out – that you enjoy it as much as I did.
I even tweeted about it and, to my surprised, Janice answered me back. I got to connect to her on Twitter! YEY! She was very kind and sweet which made me even more thankful for receiving her book.
I did start and put down the book a couple of times this past few weeks. The main reason was because I know I would love the book and I know she hadn’t publish the next book yet, which meant I would have to wait in agony. So, I couldn’t start because I was as sad as I was excited. And I still am.
As the book begun to reach the ending I would get happy and sad. A bittersweet feeling… And then, SAUDADE came as soon as I read the last word and reality set in. Nostalgia, the feeling of missing someone/something… The happy memories of the moments reading the book… And I know I would love it and feel this way before reading it. That’s why this book is one of my favorites.
Besides that, this book and Janice writing, made me discover that I actually enjoy regency and historical romances. I haven’t read many of them and now I’m very open to read more. Especially Janice’s.
I finished reading the book at 1am. I was in such a good part of the book that I couldn’t put it down. I had been reading only two chapters a day because I didn’t want to end it, but as soon as I got to that part of the book I forgot to stop and finished reading it. LOVED IT!
Now, about the book… Like I said, it’s one of my favorites. I’m not usually the type of reader that reviews what she reads, I do recommend the books I like to my friends and family, but I don’t do reviews. Although that may be true, I felt like Janice and this book deserve at least that. So here it is.
First of all, I enjoyed how Janice wrote the book and the concept created. It’s not a typical Cinderella story. It was unusual and refreshing how she used the ‘evil uncle’ instead of the old used ‘evil step-mother’.
Another thing I did enjoy was the fact that the characters are older than most stories we see. They aren’t very old, Leo is in his 40s (if I’m not mistaken) and Rosalind is 30. But that’s old enough to stand out for some people, me included, since it’s been sometime since I read a book about someone in their 30s.
Rosalind is the older sister protecting and always taking care of her brothers and sister. As an older sister, I can relate to that, even though I’m 22 years old (23 in October). Besides, for the past 4 years I have been helping my grandparents a lot. Plus, Rosalind also has that motherly personality, that I’ve seen in a lot of mothers.
Leo is, in one word, dreamy. I love him. He’s a father, he’s caring and he said something that I loved:
‘You are mistaken. The mark of a gentleman has nothing to do with money or with fine possessions. Birth is, of course, important but it is manners that mark the true gentleman. Manners and the treatment of others and, in particular, the treatment of those of lower birth. If you do not understand that, Anthony – and believe it – you will never earn your place in society.’ (page 78, Chapter Six)
I loved it so much I had to tweet about it.
One thing I liked too was Freddie. He’s such an intriguing character. I wonder if Janice is going to let us follow his live in a book too. Or at least tell us more in future books, because I found him very fascinating, and I love that he’s now following his own path in a way.
He wanted to be independent and I get it, I can relate to that, and I can relate in some ways to Rosalind’s thoughts and worries. My little brother isn’t in the same circumstances as Freddie, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to protect him. Just like I know he wants to protect me. So, I just hope that in future books Freddie appears even if a minor/secondary character, giving people advices or some type of wisdom. I don’t know why but the way he sometimes spoke to Ros made him sound like a man of knowledge.
Now, I really want to read the next one and I would even do another review for those books too. I knew that Janice would write about Leo’s sons and daughters, at least I hoped, and today she told me on Twitter that she would be writing about Vernon, Cecily, and Olivia, Dominic and Alexander (Leo’s daughter and sons). Now I’m excited. Vernon’s book will be (hopefully) out in October. What a perfect birthday present that would be.
I will be waiting for the next book, maybe my mom will give it to me on my birthday.
I totally recommend this book to everyone, and I hope – if you check it out – that you enjoy it as much as I did.
magickislife's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book and the fact that they did not just have an easy go of it. A rough ride to a happy ending.
lowbrowreaderofzerof_cks's review
3.0
3.5 stars
Written OK, story isn't bad or absurd but the book fails to engage me fully. I find myself skimming a lot. Can't really make myself fully like either of the protagonists although there's nothing really wrong with them.
Written OK, story isn't bad or absurd but the book fails to engage me fully. I find myself skimming a lot. Can't really make myself fully like either of the protagonists although there's nothing really wrong with them.
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