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hollys_book_musings's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! All the intrigue and romance and the little bit of action thrown in at the end. I love the dialogue between the characters. I grew to love the two main characters and was frustrated with how she treated Philip. This was my first one I read by Sarah M Eden and have since read the prequel which was excellent. And am now reading/listening to the second one in the series.
rebroxannape's review
2.0
After being disappointed by Stella Riley's The Parfit Knight, the first of the Rockcliffe series of historical romances, I thought I’d get right back on the horse and try again with Friends and Foes the first of the Jonquil Brothers series. I didn’t like this one either. My main problem with this book was that I found the heroine, Sorrell, a real pill. I had multiple problems with the way she acted, but that pretty much sums it up.
There were a lot of things that Sarah Eden wrote that did not make sense. When her good friend and kind hosts learned of her disability, why didn’t they move her to a bedroom on the first floor? No, she just keeps trudging painfully up and down two flights of stairs throughout the whole book. Why did she keep having debilitating weakness, illness, and fever from broken bones that healed (albeit poorly) years ago? I’m not a medical professional but I’ve never heard of such a thing. When the misunderstanding over “the correspondent” she was visiting in town happened why did she think our hero Phillip was discouraging her from pursuing medical relief from her constant pain when she knew he had no idea she was even considering such a thing? My head was spinning. Even if Phillip thought she was having an affair when she was seeing a doctor and was jealous, why didn’t he help her off the floor when she was begging for help after she had fallen in the library? Even if it kind of served her right because she was constantly refusing help she greatly needed, what happened to his sense of human decency all of a sudden? Why did he lie to Sorrell that he was unacquainted with Garner when he knew Sorrell not only saw them together, but had a conversation with both of them together at the inn? Some spy. And worst of all are the loose ends. The author just dropped the important plot point of her possibly getting her leg fixed, for example. If I had been engaged with the plot and characters or if the writing had been outstanding, I could have overlooked these silly mistakes, but as it was I was constantly irritated and frustrated.
Oh well, I guess I need to move away from historical romances. It wouldn't be the first time.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/
There were a lot of things that Sarah Eden wrote that did not make sense. When her good friend and kind hosts learned of her disability, why didn’t they move her to a bedroom on the first floor? No, she just keeps trudging painfully up and down two flights of stairs throughout the whole book. Why did she keep having debilitating weakness, illness, and fever from broken bones that healed (albeit poorly) years ago? I’m not a medical professional but I’ve never heard of such a thing. When the misunderstanding over “the correspondent” she was visiting in town happened why did she think our hero Phillip was discouraging her from pursuing medical relief from her constant pain when she knew he had no idea she was even considering such a thing? My head was spinning. Even if Phillip thought she was having an affair when she was seeing a doctor and was jealous, why didn’t he help her off the floor when she was begging for help after she had fallen in the library? Even if it kind of served her right because she was constantly refusing help she greatly needed, what happened to his sense of human decency all of a sudden? Why did he lie to Sorrell that he was unacquainted with Garner when he knew Sorrell not only saw them together, but had a conversation with both of them together at the inn? Some spy. And worst of all are the loose ends. The author just dropped the important plot point of her possibly getting her leg fixed, for example. If I had been engaged with the plot and characters or if the writing had been outstanding, I could have overlooked these silly mistakes, but as it was I was constantly irritated and frustrated.
Oh well, I guess I need to move away from historical romances. It wouldn't be the first time.
https://rebekahsreadingsandwatchings.com/
eamelyk's review
4.0
4.5/5 stars!
Such a nice read. The main characters were funny and adorable. The french spy mystery kept me on my toes, especially near the end.
A wholesome read overall.
Such a nice read. The main characters were funny and adorable. The french spy mystery kept me on my toes, especially near the end.
A wholesome read overall.
leslireads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
What a perfect enemies to lovers. This is a reread for me and I love it every time.
jamielouh's review
5.0
This is the second time I have read this book, but I remembered very little from the first reread. I honestly feel like I enjoyed it more the second time. I love Sorrel and Philip, and I want Sorrel to be happy and free of pain! Philip gave me big Scarlet Pimpernel vibes, which I loved.
veenaea12's review against another edition
3.0
“Do you want all sixty-seven of your brothers in here?”
Sorrel and Philip each have some good lines in their war of words but this is probably one of my favorites since it showcases Sorrel’s quick wit and the sentence alone tells us how close Philip is to his large family.
The “war” they have declared on each other is kind of meh. But Sorrel being able to see past Philip’s careful disguise of a dandy and Philip helping her with her own insecurities, it made up for their flat war.
Sorrel and Philip each have some good lines in their war of words but this is probably one of my favorites since it showcases Sorrel’s quick wit and the sentence alone tells us how close Philip is to his large family.
The “war” they have declared on each other is kind of meh. But Sorrel being able to see past Philip’s careful disguise of a dandy and Philip helping her with her own insecurities, it made up for their flat war.
channywax's review
I've been in the mood for some good regency books and this one was so good! Love Sarah Eden's stuff. Reading Drops of Gold now! :)
missyglosenger's review
4.0
I have really enjoyed Sarah Eden's other books and this one didn't disappoint. I liked the witty dialogue and the characters. It was a quick, fun read.
jillccox's review against another edition
3.5. Thoroughly predictable and simplistic, but that is the draw of this genre for me. The writing and sentiment are lovely.