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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
I DNFed at 100 pages I know I told my self I would give it a chance until 50% but I was soooo bored and nothing caught my attention. The characters were boring or insufferable. The only thing that even caught my interest was the puppy but I couldn’t even read to the point where I find out what happened to him.
Maybe one day I’ll pick it up again but for now it’s a no for me
Maybe one day I’ll pick it up again but for now it’s a no for me
Least favorite of Eloisa James’ Books
The first half of this novel is tedious and predictable. The third quarter is splendidly steamy. Finally something marginally interesting happened in the fourth quarter, but it only lasted a few pages. Very disappointing because the characters are great. I would recommend you read any other of Eloisa James’ books instead. Or at the very least, read this one last.
The first half of this novel is tedious and predictable. The third quarter is splendidly steamy. Finally something marginally interesting happened in the fourth quarter, but it only lasted a few pages. Very disappointing because the characters are great. I would recommend you read any other of Eloisa James’ books instead. Or at the very least, read this one last.
I loved this up until the very last quarter of the book. Things kind of took a darker emotional feeling, which felt uncomfortable for me personally. It was a heart wrenching moment in the story. Unfortunately for me it took away from the happy ending, making it feel rather flat and untrue.
It was cute, but the ending was... well, I just didn't buy the resolution to the situation. But... okay. Still, it was fun.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2.5
I've never thought of Eloisa James as a writer who has problems with plotting. But for the first 200 pages of this latest Regency historical, there is absolutely no plot. We have a promising set-up: a Boston heiress, Merry, has broken off two previous engagements and is determined that her third, to the younger twin son of a duke, will stick. But of course immediately after she accepts said man's proposal, she has a scintillating encounter with a mysterious dark stranger on a dark ballroom balcony. Said stranger of course turns out to be her betrothed's elder twin, the Duke of Trent. And Trent, of course, is immediately smitten with Merry.
Then, nothing happens. For 200 pages. There's some cute (if you like that sort of stuff) business with a lost dog, and lots of "I can't stop thinking about her/him, oh I have to stop thinking about her/him" moments. And pages of amusing banter between our two protagonists. And lots of annoying put-downs by Merry's betrothed. But no story.
Not until the two end up unexpectedly married (for reasons that make little sense, and are rather offensive if one believes in a woman's right to choose her own spouse) does a hint of plot enter, giving the reader a reason to emotionally engage. Although it's the typical storyline of the man not wanting to admit he's in love even as we see him falling, James tackles it with winsome charm.
Merry isn't one of James' typical smart women heroines; she's a bit flighty and a clear chatterbox. And she isn't given much at all of a backstory. Such a character can provide light amusement, but when set in a story without a plot, and lacking any real emotional stakes, the creation tends to fall more than a little flat.
Trent's backstory gave readers far more reasons to root for him. But there was little to explain his obsession with Merry besides insta-love.
A disappointing effort.
I've never thought of Eloisa James as a writer who has problems with plotting. But for the first 200 pages of this latest Regency historical, there is absolutely no plot. We have a promising set-up: a Boston heiress, Merry, has broken off two previous engagements and is determined that her third, to the younger twin son of a duke, will stick. But of course immediately after she accepts said man's proposal, she has a scintillating encounter with a mysterious dark stranger on a dark ballroom balcony. Said stranger of course turns out to be her betrothed's elder twin, the Duke of Trent. And Trent, of course, is immediately smitten with Merry.
Then, nothing happens. For 200 pages. There's some cute (if you like that sort of stuff) business with a lost dog, and lots of "I can't stop thinking about her/him, oh I have to stop thinking about her/him" moments. And pages of amusing banter between our two protagonists. And lots of annoying put-downs by Merry's betrothed. But no story.
Not until the two end up unexpectedly married (for reasons that make little sense, and are rather offensive if one believes in a woman's right to choose her own spouse) does a hint of plot enter, giving the reader a reason to emotionally engage. Although it's the typical storyline of the man not wanting to admit he's in love even as we see him falling, James tackles it with winsome charm.
Merry isn't one of James' typical smart women heroines; she's a bit flighty and a clear chatterbox. And she isn't given much at all of a backstory. Such a character can provide light amusement, but when set in a story without a plot, and lacking any real emotional stakes, the creation tends to fall more than a little flat.
Trent's backstory gave readers far more reasons to root for him. But there was little to explain his obsession with Merry besides insta-love.
A disappointing effort.
I loved this book!
Merry's instant connection with her betrothed's brother (though she did not know that at the time) created such a delicious tension. Forcing herself to like the man she is supposed to marry, and not wanting to jilt yet another match, made the anticipation palpable. I devoured this novel and couldn't wait for that sexual tension to explode.
Trent being so wholly enamoured with Merry from the first moment he meets her was everything. I enjoyed the little twist, but I wished we had gotten a little more info about how it came to be.
I however did not care for the 3rd act conflict, felt useless, but the resolution was cute.
Merry's instant connection with her betrothed's brother (though she did not know that at the time) created such a delicious tension. Forcing herself to like the man she is supposed to marry, and not wanting to jilt yet another match, made the anticipation palpable. I devoured this novel and couldn't wait for that sexual tension to explode.
Trent being so wholly enamoured with Merry from the first moment he meets her was everything. I enjoyed the little twist, but I wished we had gotten a little more info about how it came to be.
I however did not care for the 3rd act conflict,
