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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Short and sweet
These stories were quick to read and fun. I like how they each were different and had love win out in all of them.
These stories were quick to read and fun. I like how they each were different and had love win out in all of them.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
At first glance, I thought that as someone who doesn't read a lot of historical romance, picking up Eloisa's Midsummer Delights would be a good way to tip my toes into the genre. Yeah, in theory, that was a fabulous idea. In theory... What really happened was that I wanted them to be longer... Not necessarily full length books, but at least longer novellas. All three short stories were adorable. They were long enough to fully grab my attention and short enough to leave me wanting more. Which means I'll probably have to try reading my first full length Eloisa James book in the near future. Anyhoo, out of the three short stories, I didn't have a favorite. I thought they were all equally adorable.
I received an advance copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I received an advance copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
These stories all felt like ideas rather than fleshed out stories. The first one was fine, if a bit sudden in the revelation of their love, especially hers for him. The second one was a bit cute. The third, however, really made me want her to smack him once or twice. Really hard. And then make him grovel. And I do not condone violence in interpersonal relationships, but really, that boy needed a smack or two.
This is a collection of three short stories by Ms. James, and I'm going to post a mini review for each of them.
A Midsummer Night's Disgrace
I adored this story, and wanted to badly for it to be a full length novel. However, doing that likely would have ruined it because the length it was ended up being perfect to tell the story. I love Cecilia and Theo's history together, and their shared love of music is wonderful. I especially liked the part about the guitar lessons - it made me swoon a little bit, I will admit. Theo is the only gentleman in this three story collection who made me completely melt, and I need to read more about him so I can sigh dreamily. Cecilia is another character who I want to know more about and watch (read about?) moving through society and her life. I loved her overhaul of her personal image and I definitely either want to be her or at least have her as a friend. 5 stars that are SO shiny and bright they carry the other two stories.
At Midnight
OK, the summary for At Midnight is totally wrong. It says "Elias hopes to turn his fortunes around and come back a respectable man to claim the only woman for him, Miss Penelope White." Well that's just blatantly untrue, since the story takes place over the course of one night at a masquerade ball, Where Elias' best friend is going to propose to Penny at midnight. Elias thinks he can't marry Penny because his father lost his family estate gambling, and then Penny's father bought it, so everyone would gossip and say he was just marrying her to get his fortune back, when really he's loved her since childhood but couldn't say anything because of just that reason. He takes advantage of the anonymity of the masquerade to finally tell her how he feels and steal a kiss, one last moment with her before he leaves the country forever because he can't bear to see her and his BFF get married. That being said, that was a really good story, and I felt kind of bad for dumb Elias. I really enjoyed the sort-of spin on Cinderella in this story. 4 stars.
Ever After
I know I've read this before somewhere! It must have been at the end of The Ugly Duchess, because that's where Goodreads is telling me it was previously printed. But I distinctly remember the bits about the strawberry patch, and him being grateful he was gone because if he'd been there she'd have likely been on the boat too. Rothwell is another dummy who almost ruins things because of his obtuse man-ness, much like Elias in the previous story. Still, this is a good story and I enjoyed the re-read. 4 stars.
*I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss+ and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
A Midsummer Night's Disgrace
I adored this story, and wanted to badly for it to be a full length novel. However, doing that likely would have ruined it because the length it was ended up being perfect to tell the story. I love Cecilia and Theo's history together, and their shared love of music is wonderful. I especially liked the part about the guitar lessons - it made me swoon a little bit, I will admit. Theo is the only gentleman in this three story collection who made me completely melt, and I need to read more about him so I can sigh dreamily. Cecilia is another character who I want to know more about and watch (read about?) moving through society and her life. I loved her overhaul of her personal image and I definitely either want to be her or at least have her as a friend. 5 stars that are SO shiny and bright they carry the other two stories.
At Midnight
OK, the summary for At Midnight is totally wrong. It says "Elias hopes to turn his fortunes around and come back a respectable man to claim the only woman for him, Miss Penelope White." Well that's just blatantly untrue, since the story takes place over the course of one night at a masquerade ball, Where Elias' best friend is going to propose to Penny at midnight. Elias thinks he can't marry Penny because his father lost his family estate gambling, and then Penny's father bought it, so everyone would gossip and say he was just marrying her to get his fortune back, when really he's loved her since childhood but couldn't say anything because of just that reason. He takes advantage of the anonymity of the masquerade to finally tell her how he feels and steal a kiss, one last moment with her before he leaves the country forever because he can't bear to see her and his BFF get married. That being said, that was a really good story, and I felt kind of bad for dumb Elias. I really enjoyed the sort-of spin on Cinderella in this story. 4 stars.
Ever After
I know I've read this before somewhere! It must have been at the end of The Ugly Duchess, because that's where Goodreads is telling me it was previously printed. But I distinctly remember the bits about the strawberry patch, and him being grateful he was gone because if he'd been there she'd have likely been on the boat too. Rothwell is another dummy who almost ruins things because of his obtuse man-ness, much like Elias in the previous story. Still, this is a good story and I enjoyed the re-read. 4 stars.
*I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss+ and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
Sweet short stories but it felt like they were too short.
A collection of short stories and not a novel these made me smile. There were full of the tropes the Ms James uses - especially the plethora of dukes - but the vignettes are told expertly. The characters are thin but the echos of faiths tales make this more engaging than it has any right to. The short story length is much more successful than her other fairy tale book where the conceit stretches to snapping point. Here is it short but sweet. Perfect dessert to devour on one sitting. Loved it!
This was a really sweet collection of short stories. You could definitely see how they could be turned into full length novels if EJ wanted, but the quick reunions and falling in love was really lovely.
Too many epic fantasy novels left me craving something short and sweet, and Midsummer Delights is exactly that. Even briefer than a typical anthropology, it was just classic historical romance as our couples, meet, romance and are (usually!) engaged within 30 pages.
lighthearted
medium-paced