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nanum's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
mamelia00's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
flajol's review against another edition
4.0
A Bachelor Establishment isn't perfect, but it is fun, and I can easily forgive its transgressions. It's almost like my favourite author decided to write a slightly tongue-in-cheek regency romance.
sprainedbrain's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
anisenoor's review
4.0
I really enjoyed the historical and mystery elements of the book but couldn’t quite work out how it was supposed to be written by Isabella Barclay, a character from Jodi Taylor’s time travelling series, The Chronicles of St Mary’s. I thought elements of that character would be woven into the narrative somehow but it never seemed to happen.
ksophialydia's review
4.0
It pains me a bit that I can't give this book five stars as I've done with all of Jodi Taylor's other novels and short stories.
A Bachelor Establishment is well-written- secure in its voice, plot, characters, and pacing. Whereas many contemporaries writing Regency period fiction misstep by having an element or two slightly too modern, Taylor has a firm grasp on not only the story elements, but also how Regency period novels were written. Which is to say, this didn't feel like a period novel written by a modern author, so I applaud and hail Taylor's ability.
What makes me give this novel four stars instead of five is that it lacked the sharp with and fast humor that stars prominently in Taylor's other work. There are humorous exchanges in this book, but fewer than I've become accustomed to from the author. But reflecting on how the inclusion of more humor would alter the story, and how it fits as a Regency story, I have no real complaint about it. I wouldn't change a thing about this book. It's not meant to be comedic, it's a whodunit with a dash of romance, and it succeeds marvelously as such.
TL;DR: if you want a Regency novel without the trappings of (possibly) intimidating prose or heavy padding, this book is for you. It reads like it was written in the 19th century, but stripped down a bit for modern time (as in the leisure time one has for reading) sensibilities.
A Bachelor Establishment is well-written- secure in its voice, plot, characters, and pacing. Whereas many contemporaries writing Regency period fiction misstep by having an element or two slightly too modern, Taylor has a firm grasp on not only the story elements, but also how Regency period novels were written. Which is to say, this didn't feel like a period novel written by a modern author, so I applaud and hail Taylor's ability.
What makes me give this novel four stars instead of five is that it lacked the sharp with and fast humor that stars prominently in Taylor's other work. There are humorous exchanges in this book, but fewer than I've become accustomed to from the author. But reflecting on how the inclusion of more humor would alter the story, and how it fits as a Regency story, I have no real complaint about it. I wouldn't change a thing about this book. It's not meant to be comedic, it's a whodunit with a dash of romance, and it succeeds marvelously as such.
TL;DR: if you want a Regency novel without the trappings of (possibly) intimidating prose or heavy padding, this book is for you. It reads like it was written in the 19th century, but stripped down a bit for modern time (as in the leisure time one has for reading) sensibilities.
kaos127's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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
4.0