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debralewi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
5.0
lizzybethjane_977's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
rosekk's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this funny historical romance. It had all the elements of an Austen novel, shuffled together with an original twist.
zoemaja's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it. I wasn’t sure at first and thought it started out a little boring. But eventually the characters charmed me and I loved it by the end.
beth_menendez's review against another edition
4.0
Notes to expand on:
Excellent wry wit
Lovely sarcasm
Fantastic Butler
Enjoyable characters
Nice mystery thrown in
Still, a proposal in a week?
Much like a nice sorbet
Excellent wry wit
Lovely sarcasm
Fantastic Butler
Enjoyable characters
Nice mystery thrown in
Still, a proposal in a week?
Much like a nice sorbet
dhilderbrand's review against another edition
3.0
3 3/4 - really really close to a 4
a super fun read
a super fun read
doodlebuginarug's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
zencat's review against another edition
4.0
This was fun. Light reading. I can't imagine Isabella Barclay writing this!
a_ab's review against another edition
2.0
This could have easily been a 4 or even 5 star book. It is well written and has interesting engaging characters, an intriguing mystery and great narrative style.
But.
When a historical book set in 19th century England begins with a male character declaring to the female character that he would have beaten her for her behavior, had she been his wife, it is an absolute end of the line for any romantic potential between them. The female character's personal history of suffering violent abuse from her now dead first husband is an extra nail in that coffin.
So, when the author later chooses to develop that relationship into not only a romance, but into a romance that is to become a marriage, the elephant in the room needs to be addressed. I read the whole bloody thing waiting for it to be addressed, and it never was, discrediting the whole novel entirely.
Because, literally, nothing else matters.
At which point even 2 stars become too generous a rating.
Seriously, did the author simply forget about that incident by the time she was finishing the book? Did none of the editors or beta readers point it out? WTF?
But.
When a historical book set in 19th century England begins with a male character declaring to the female character that he would have beaten her for her behavior, had she been his wife, it is an absolute end of the line for any romantic potential between them. The female character's personal history of suffering violent abuse from her now dead first husband is an extra nail in that coffin.
So, when the author later chooses to develop that relationship into not only a romance, but into a romance that is to become a marriage, the elephant in the room needs to be addressed. I read the whole bloody thing waiting for it to be addressed, and it never was, discrediting the whole novel entirely.
Because, literally, nothing else matters.
At which point even 2 stars become too generous a rating.
Seriously, did the author simply forget about that incident by the time she was finishing the book? Did none of the editors or beta readers point it out? WTF?
lian_tanner's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful and very funny take on the Regency romance, with mature characters and a witty, sparring relationship. Got it from the library, but I'm going to buy a copy, because it's a definite reread.