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annalissaprice's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jaimiejaimiejaimie's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun read! Characters were interesting and surprisingly diverse for the historical setting. Also, the sex scenes were sexy. I'm looking forward to the next one.
sablil's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
romancelibrary's review
3.0
I received this ARC from NetGalley and voluntarily chose to write a review.
This was actually pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised.
The writing was decent, and my only issue with it has to do with the writer not clearly describing the characters' physical appearances until much later. For instance, I never knew that Gavin was a blonde until after the wedding. Another example would be Norris. At first, I assumed that he was an aged butler and that's how I constantly pictured him. But then all of a sudden, we find out way after that Norris is actually a young, handsome man. It was hard to switch my perceptions this abruptly. I think characters should be described the minute they are introduced to reduce this kind of confusion for the reader.
I really enjoyed Ina as a character and I rooted for her from the very beginning. I did like Gavin at first, but then he started getting on my nerves. Surprisingly, I thought Ina was patient even though she needed to accept the fact that she was a baronet's wife. I understood where she was coming from, especially with Gavin's bitch of a mother and sister-in-law constantly degrading Ina.
Gavin started angering me after him and Ina went to Oak Park. And when he revealed his feelings, he had the nerve to act as though he deserved a cookie for having loved Ina for so many years. He acted belligerently as if he deserved to get Ina's love after being her good friend for so many years. What even?? It's like he completely changed. He wasn't like that at all before and I understand that he was saying this while he was angry, but still. That is too much. He even thought that Ina was disloyal after all the years he stood by her. I'm sorry, do you want another cookie for being a good friend? To be honest, I don't think Ina was disloyal at all. Gavin should have reprimanded his female relatives more harshly. And he should have done a better job defending his wife.
Anyway, that was my main complaint. I really did enjoy the angst though. I think the author did a great job with the marital conflict. In the end, both Ina and Gavin realize that they needed to compromise.
There were, however, some unresolved issues: Now that they are titled, will Gavin and Ina have children? They never discussed that. Did Gavin keep withdrawing after they reconciled? How exactly will they divide their time between England and Scotland?
Anyway, this was still an enjoyable read. I only wish these unresolved issues were answered. I look forward to Moray's story! I originally thought he might end up with one of Ina's friends, but his heroine is a new character. This should be exciting.
This was actually pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised.
The writing was decent, and my only issue with it has to do with the writer not clearly describing the characters' physical appearances until much later. For instance, I never knew that Gavin was a blonde until after the wedding. Another example would be Norris. At first, I assumed that he was an aged butler and that's how I constantly pictured him. But then all of a sudden, we find out way after that Norris is actually a young, handsome man. It was hard to switch my perceptions this abruptly. I think characters should be described the minute they are introduced to reduce this kind of confusion for the reader.
I really enjoyed Ina as a character and I rooted for her from the very beginning. I did like Gavin at first, but then he started getting on my nerves. Surprisingly, I thought Ina was patient even though she needed to accept the fact that she was a baronet's wife. I understood where she was coming from, especially with Gavin's bitch of a mother and sister-in-law constantly degrading Ina.
Gavin started angering me after him and Ina went to Oak Park. And when he revealed his feelings, he had the nerve to act as though he deserved a cookie for having loved Ina for so many years. He acted belligerently as if he deserved to get Ina's love after being her good friend for so many years. What even?? It's like he completely changed. He wasn't like that at all before and I understand that he was saying this while he was angry, but still. That is too much. He even thought that Ina was disloyal after all the years he stood by her. I'm sorry, do you want another cookie for being a good friend? To be honest, I don't think Ina was disloyal at all. Gavin should have reprimanded his female relatives more harshly. And he should have done a better job defending his wife.
Anyway, that was my main complaint. I really did enjoy the angst though. I think the author did a great job with the marital conflict. In the end, both Ina and Gavin realize that they needed to compromise.
There were, however, some unresolved issues:
Anyway, this was still an enjoyable read. I only wish these unresolved issues were answered. I look forward to Moray's story! I originally thought he might end up with one of Ina's friends, but his heroine is a new character. This should be exciting.
susanmasf's review
3.0
In a book like this, readers expect a happily ever after and what matters is how you get there (and whether the characters are compelling/enjoyable in their setting). I tend to get annoyed when the obstacles in the way are the usual "we can't be bothered to actually talk to each other" communication issues. In other words, the characters set up their own obstacles instead of having external ones to overcome.
This book falls into that trap - the characters are pushed together at the beginning and spend the rest of the book avoiding each other or failing to talk about their feelings/wishes/anything, even though they have been best friends for years.
On the other hand, the writing is good and the characters are different, even if I didn't particularly like them. I'd continue the series or try something else by this author to see if it was just these characters that didn't particularly suit me. It would be interesting to learn more about the history/background of "The Matchmaker of Edinburgh" and how that character will be used throughout the series.
Overall, this is a standard historical romance - good for an afternoon's distraction but not one I'd go out of my way to recommend.
**Received free through Goodreads Giveaways**
This book falls into that trap - the characters are pushed together at the beginning and spend the rest of the book avoiding each other or failing to talk about their feelings/wishes/anything, even though they have been best friends for years.
On the other hand, the writing is good and the characters are different, even if I didn't particularly like them. I'd continue the series or try something else by this author to see if it was just these characters that didn't particularly suit me. It would be interesting to learn more about the history/background of "The Matchmaker of Edinburgh" and how that character will be used throughout the series.
Overall, this is a standard historical romance - good for an afternoon's distraction but not one I'd go out of my way to recommend.
**Received free through Goodreads Giveaways**
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