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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder
Minor: Child death
A sort of [b:The Scarlet Pimpernel|136116|The Scarlet Pimpernel|Emmuska Orczy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406764899l/136116._SX50_.jpg|750426] set up that surprised me with its unexpected nuance and depth, and how suited these characters really do seem to each other. Both Vere and Elissande are always acting: he as an "idiot"--think Bertie Wooster without the charm--so he can do vague spy-y stuff, and she to appease her evil uncle who is essentially keeping her and her aunt captive. She entraps him into marriage to escape, there are a few dub-con-y sex bits that I didn't like, and then they slowly start to learn the truth of each other. That part was real, real good for me. I also liked the poignancy of Vere's relationship with his brother, though I didn't understand the need for the seemingly extraneous romantic subplot for said brother. Regardless, another excellent end-of-the-year romance find -- after seeing Thomas' work everywhere for years! I'll definitely, finally read more of it.
dark
emotional
funny
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
This was 100% the norm when it comes to Sherry: beautifully written, compelling plot, unhinged characters. To be clear, I love that. My only complaint is that I would have liked more of a grovel. Or, ya know, any grovel at all. But, alas, we can't have it all - however, that would have given this 5 stars.
I have never really read anything like this story. Lord Vere is an idiot, except not really though - he is just playing one, because he is a secret agent for the Crown. If it sounds ridiculous, that's because it is, but I think that's what makes it so funny. Elissande says it best at one point: it actually takes a lot of effort and intelligence to be as dumb as Lord Vere. In the first two books of the series (including a favorite of mine, [b:The Luckiest Lady in London|17290655|The Luckiest Lady in London|Sherry Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365189080l/17290655._SY75_.jpg|23912902]) he is a side character, often mentioned in passing for being a dumb dumb. His whole life is beyond any type of realism, but that's okay - I don't read books to find plausibility. That being said, I feel like I never got to know the REAL him, and what I did know - well, once again, Elissande says it best - I might have preferred the idiot, because at least he was sweet and meant well, like a golden retriever.
As far as Elissande - by no means was she perfect, but good Lord, Vere really judged her harshly when you consider how often he too engaged in deception. Of course, it was okay for him to do it in service of the government, but for Elissande to do it in order to survive? Jezebel! But, alas, that is probably realistic. Women were held to a completely different standard than men. I recognize that when I read HR, and I try not to judge a story through today's standards, but it still would have been nice if Vere acknowledged her plight and lack of choices. However, he did make up for that to a certain extent by being the first man to protect her and never leave her side.
Let it be known, though: After her life-changing, canon event trauma, Elissande cried for one single night, the darkest night of her life, and then she picked up and moved on. Vere changed his life for over a decade and held on to anger and resentment that entire time. But sure, tell me again that women are the emotional sex.
I have never really read anything like this story. Lord Vere is an idiot, except not really though - he is just playing one, because he is a secret agent for the Crown. If it sounds ridiculous, that's because it is, but I think that's what makes it so funny. Elissande says it best at one point: it actually takes a lot of effort and intelligence to be as dumb as Lord Vere. In the first two books of the series (including a favorite of mine, [b:The Luckiest Lady in London|17290655|The Luckiest Lady in London|Sherry Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365189080l/17290655._SY75_.jpg|23912902]) he is a side character, often mentioned in passing for being a dumb dumb. His whole life is beyond any type of realism, but that's okay - I don't read books to find plausibility. That being said, I feel like I never got to know the REAL him, and what I did know - well, once again, Elissande says it best - I might have preferred the idiot, because at least he was sweet and meant well, like a golden retriever.
As far as Elissande - by no means was she perfect, but good Lord, Vere really judged her harshly when you consider how often he too engaged in deception. Of course, it was okay for him to do it in service of the government, but for Elissande to do it in order to survive? Jezebel! But, alas, that is probably realistic. Women were held to a completely different standard than men. I recognize that when I read HR, and I try not to judge a story through today's standards, but it still would have been nice if Vere acknowledged her plight and lack of choices. However, he did make up for that to a certain extent by being the first man to protect her and never leave her side.
Let it be known, though: After her life-changing, canon event trauma, Elissande cried for one single night, the darkest night of her life, and then she picked up and moved on. Vere changed his life for over a decade and held on to anger and resentment that entire time. But sure, tell me again that women are the emotional sex.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
best read ever from sherry thomas!!! such a shame that despite her decent writing skills, her other books have such lousy & awful & pathetic men leads, even the women sometimes. She should learn more about how internalized or hell even externalized misogyny affected most of her works.
adventurous
emotional
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
challenging
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
This was an absolutely wild ride. Vere is a secret agent trying to investigate Elissande's uncle who is conveniently out of the house, leaving Elissande somewhat in charge as her aunt is bedridden, so he concocts (involving rats of all things) to infiltrate with a seemingly innocuous house party. Elissande has schemes of her own to entrap Vere in marriage so that she and her aunt can escape from her abusive uncle's clutches. And that's only the beginning...
I am an absolute sucker for marriage of convenience and this is easily one of the wildest I've ever read. But not only that, but the character work, the plot twists, and the quality of Sherry Thomas's writing is absolutely breathtaking.
I am an absolute sucker for marriage of convenience and this is easily one of the wildest I've ever read. But not only that, but the character work, the plot twists, and the quality of Sherry Thomas's writing is absolutely breathtaking.