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fmcfranny's review against another edition
3.0
I absolutely loved this book. The characters were fun to read about. I laughed at so many points (there were also some 'oh no he didn't' moments). Poppy is some kind of amusing with her fantasy true love and then the metaphorical slap upside the face that has her facing reality, which ironically comes from something she said to herself and everyone took seriously. It was obvious that inspiration for this came from the Sandra Bullock movie While You Were Sleeping. But it did not copy the movie so it was still very interesting, funny, and so upbeat. Struan was way more intense than most characters ever written. He was so in your face and strong. Just not your normal hero, which was fabulous. I loved the diversity. I am very eager to read more of this series.
cala_p's review against another edition
4.0
Sophie Jordan always seems to write a cute historical romance, and this book was no exception.
Poppy is a mere shop girl who always sells flowers to one particular Duke, whom she forms a crush on. The interesting part of this book was indeed the realism of that crush. Because while she dreams of him, and later deems he can do no wrong, that she knows "so" much about him when his half brother is claiming other things, she does drop hints into knowing how he really is. When she is admiring him for sending flowers to all his conquests, she also admires that he writes each one a personalized note. She contradicts his greatness by seeing truth, but like in any crush, doesn't act on it and even refuses to admit that it's wrong; she sees the wrong in a positive way.
When he gets into a fight with his half-brother and hero of the story, Straun, she saves him from an oncoming carriage but it ends up putting him into a coma, in which she claims to be his fiancee to gain entrance into his life and make sure he is okay. The funny part of this book is that the little white lie took off and his whole family takes her in as the future daughter-in-law, going as far as helping Poppy's sister and inviting both to their Christmas festivities away from town, where everything goes down.
In between the lie there is strong Straun. At first questioning of her involvement, and later taken in by her personality which then drives desire and the romance that blooms between them. Straun's story is a sad one. The duke's father (thus his father) refused to acknowledge him after ruining his mother, and both were left poor to fend for themselves. So he has grown up hating his father for abandoning him, and also his brother for refusing to see the bad their father did and accept him into the family. Already, he is salty about all this so now that Poppy is in the picture, with him, but being engaged to his brother, she is choosing him over Straun and it's definitely a nice literary reflection of the past.
Poppy and Straun are so cute together! They gave me tingles. I liked that Straun wasn't just nobility, rogue or not, he wasn't even at the same titles as everyone else, but still wealthy and still appreciated Poppy for herself. Given his lower status, he wasn't looking for someone to give him status. It is a beautiful character reflection for him to just love someone for them. It was all so sweet, and by the end even heartbreaking. It does, of course, have a HEA mind you but getting there was the journey of this wonderful book!
Poppy is a mere shop girl who always sells flowers to one particular Duke, whom she forms a crush on. The interesting part of this book was indeed the realism of that crush. Because while she dreams of him, and later deems he can do no wrong, that she knows "so" much about him when his half brother is claiming other things, she does drop hints into knowing how he really is. When she is admiring him for sending flowers to all his conquests, she also admires that he writes each one a personalized note. She contradicts his greatness by seeing truth, but like in any crush, doesn't act on it and even refuses to admit that it's wrong; she sees the wrong in a positive way.
When he gets into a fight with his half-brother and hero of the story, Straun, she saves him from an oncoming carriage but it ends up putting him into a coma, in which she claims to be his fiancee to gain entrance into his life and make sure he is okay. The funny part of this book is that the little white lie took off and his whole family takes her in as the future daughter-in-law, going as far as helping Poppy's sister and inviting both to their Christmas festivities away from town, where everything goes down.
In between the lie there is strong Straun. At first questioning of her involvement, and later taken in by her personality which then drives desire and the romance that blooms between them. Straun's story is a sad one. The duke's father (thus his father) refused to acknowledge him after ruining his mother, and both were left poor to fend for themselves. So he has grown up hating his father for abandoning him, and also his brother for refusing to see the bad their father did and accept him into the family. Already, he is salty about all this so now that Poppy is in the picture, with him, but being engaged to his brother, she is choosing him over Straun and it's definitely a nice literary reflection of the past.
Poppy and Straun are so cute together! They gave me tingles. I liked that Straun wasn't just nobility, rogue or not, he wasn't even at the same titles as everyone else, but still wealthy and still appreciated Poppy for herself. Given his lower status, he wasn't looking for someone to give him status. It is a beautiful character reflection for him to just love someone for them. It was all so sweet, and by the end even heartbreaking. It does, of course, have a HEA mind you but getting there was the journey of this wonderful book!
ravensherwood's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
skyhazzard's review
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
4.5
This was really fun. I really enjoyed Poppy’s character and seeing how she handled this situation she found herself in. And dealing with her teenage sister who seemed to be a handful. Also I loved Struan, what a man. His half brother was definitely a dick and did not change one ounce but I’m glad he ended up forming a relationship with the ladies in the family.
I did want a little more Poppy and Struan which is why it’s not quite 5 stars.
I did want a little more Poppy and Struan which is why it’s not quite 5 stars.
sauvegypsy'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
3.75
punkassbookjockey84's review against another edition
4.0
Poppy Fairchurch works in a flower shop and has a desperate crush on the Duke of Autenberry, who often frequents the shop and who she dreams will one day notice her. But when a carriage accident knocks him into a coma, a slip of the tongue has Poppy betrothed to him and irrevocably attached to his endearing family. The only one not buying her story is Struan Mackenzie, the duke's bastard half-brother. He knows Poppy is lying (though not quite about what) but neither can help their attraction to each other.
I really wanted to love this book because While You were Sleeping is one of my favorite movies. And despite the potential of Struan (gotta love a Scotsman, especially the ruggedly handsome variety) he was just kind of an ass. I never could quite understand what was supposed to be endearing him to her. They did kind of have a moment where they were both discussing their difficult childhoods that I felt was supposed to maybe be showing his softer side, but then he went right back to being an ass. I couldn't quite believe that she could fall in love with him at any point in his behavior.
I really wanted to love this book because While You were Sleeping is one of my favorite movies. And despite the potential of Struan (gotta love a Scotsman, especially the ruggedly handsome variety) he was just kind of an ass. I never could quite understand what was supposed to be endearing him to her. They did kind of have a moment where they were both discussing their difficult childhoods that I felt was supposed to maybe be showing his softer side, but then he went right back to being an ass. I couldn't quite believe that she could fall in love with him at any point in his behavior.
aqtbenz's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Sexual content, and Medical content
Minor: Abandonment
shelbyday's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very entertaining and the characters had great chemistry. The only thing that bothered me was the hero was a bit too aggressive. I feel like consent was not adequately portrayed in some of the physical scenes. She would say no and he would tell her she really wanted him. It made me feel a little icky. He would pin her to a wall, at one point he wrapped his hand around her neck... This really put a damper on my enjoyment of the book. I feel the days of bodice ripping are gone. Let us instead empower strong female characters to vocalize exactly what they want and need. Having said that, I still plan on reading the next book though I am hoping the author is a bit more conscientious when it comes to the heroine saying yes and meaning it without any coercion or pressure.
lynx_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I loved listening to this book!
The characters were amazing and it brought back memories of Sandy Bullock's film "While you were sleeping"
The characters were amazing and it brought back memories of Sandy Bullock's film "While you were sleeping"