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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
There were some fun twists and turns, but I ultimately felt like this wasn't quite what I was expecting, and it's not something I'll reread.
This is SO GOOD! The synopsis alone should hook you more than any review I could write, but I guarantee you that the sheer joyful, sly humor of these characters and their unlikely romance is too fun to pass up. I reread this from time to time, when I want a witty comfort read.
Sherry Thomas is SO good
2020 reread:
Sherry Thomas, kicking me in the emotional ribs: THE MORTIFYING ORDEAL OF BEING SEEN AND UNDERSTOOD IN YOUR BROKENNESS, HUH? HUH???????
This isn’t an easier book the second time around– Sherry Thomas’ romances are about people clawing their way towards understanding and deeply hurting each other in the process. A specific comparison for the ~vibe~ is A LADY’S CODE OF MISCONDUCT by Meredith Duran, except this book’s plot is fueled by a more implausible situation wrt its hero. Both authors write flawed heroines enacting conscious cruelty in a genre that typically diverts all of that complexity into the heroes.
The timeline of the book is short– maybe a month? Two? And I wish two of our main female cast members had a Bechdel-passing scene, alone, together. I would have liked to explore that more.
2020 reread:
Sherry Thomas, kicking me in the emotional ribs: THE MORTIFYING ORDEAL OF BEING SEEN AND UNDERSTOOD IN YOUR BROKENNESS, HUH? HUH???????
This isn’t an easier book the second time around– Sherry Thomas’ romances are about people clawing their way towards understanding and deeply hurting each other in the process. A specific comparison for the ~vibe~ is A LADY’S CODE OF MISCONDUCT by Meredith Duran, except this book’s plot is fueled by a more implausible situation wrt its hero. Both authors write flawed heroines enacting conscious cruelty in a genre that typically diverts all of that complexity into the heroes.
The timeline of the book is short– maybe a month? Two? And I wish two of our main female cast members had a Bechdel-passing scene, alone, together. I would have liked to explore that more.
LOVED this. Intrigue, mystery, complex characters, and a twisting and satisfying plot. I'll definitely read more of Sherry Thomas's work. (Aside, I noticed that she thanks Courtney Milan at the end; I like that connection!). I don't always appreciate romances entangled with peril and nefarious characters, but this was done well and without overwhelming the story into a thriller. I had so much trouble putting this down, and it had a lot of historical romance elements rolled together and coexisting nicely. I'd love to read more about Vere and Elissande.
Spoiler
It's a shame he's no longer a secret agent, though; I really enjoyed that element!
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Yes
dark
funny
hopeful
tense
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
I was crying with laughter at the rat scene, and Vere’s behavior and monologues were unbelievably clever and perfect. Sherry Thomas is just so good.
I already knew the author from an interview on Smart Bitches, from her Holmes series, and from a YA trilogy that I loved. This was the first historical romance by her that I read, and I am very pleased with it.
The historical setting feels very authentic to me, all the characters and both romances are well developed and interesting, and there are adult people with good reasons for their behavior who talk intelligently with each other. The author not only knows something about the human mind, but also makes that knowledge visible to the reader with seemingly no effort and without ever impeding the enjoyment and the continuation of the story. Also there is some adventure to the plot, which I like with my romance, thank you very much. Both main characters are flawed yet competent people that I wanted to spend time with.
Kate Reading is a wonderful narrator and outdid herself with her depiction of Vere in and out of his role. Bravo.
The historical setting feels very authentic to me, all the characters and both romances are well developed and interesting, and there are adult people with good reasons for their behavior who talk intelligently with each other. The author not only knows something about the human mind, but also makes that knowledge visible to the reader with seemingly no effort and without ever impeding the enjoyment and the continuation of the story. Also there is some adventure to the plot, which I like with my romance, thank you very much. Both main characters are flawed yet competent people that I wanted to spend time with.
Kate Reading is a wonderful narrator and outdid herself with her depiction of Vere in and out of his role. Bravo.
4,5 stars rounded up for story
5 stars for narration by Kate Reading
When I started listening to His at Night I was hesitant. I'm not handling angst-filled stories well right now and while this sounded fun, I was worried it might be full of stress inducing misunderstandings. I'm glad I listened to a couple of friends and jumped in. Yes, there is a lot for the two leads to overcome in their relationship, but they are both good people and are trying their best given difficult circumstances. Thomas is able to infuse a good deal of humor in with the suspense and conflict, and in the end Vere and Ellisande comes across as complex characters worth rooting for. It is a very satisfying story.
When describing the story to one of my daughters, she expressed a concern about how the disability Vere is feigning is handled. Vere is an asset for the Home Office and acts as though he is mentally challenged due to a riding accident 13 years ago in order to be dismissed by people around him. His portrayal is light-hearted, but his persona is obviously not very smart and has difficulty remembering things. Under less deft hands it would be easy to make the mentally challenged persona of Lord Vere a caricature, and to be insensitive to people who are challenged in real life. I feel like Thomas handles this with sensitivity, while remaining true to the attitudes of the time. Vere's friends and family who also believe he was injured in the riding accident, still love and support him, and show infinite patience for his disability. While Vere's false persona is played for laughs a few times, it does not feel insensitive or disrespectful to me.
Kate Reading's narration is masterful on every level.
5 stars for narration by Kate Reading
When I started listening to His at Night I was hesitant. I'm not handling angst-filled stories well right now and while this sounded fun, I was worried it might be full of stress inducing misunderstandings. I'm glad I listened to a couple of friends and jumped in. Yes, there is a lot for the two leads to overcome in their relationship, but they are both good people and are trying their best given difficult circumstances. Thomas is able to infuse a good deal of humor in with the suspense and conflict, and in the end Vere and Ellisande comes across as complex characters worth rooting for. It is a very satisfying story.
When describing the story to one of my daughters, she expressed a concern about how the disability Vere is feigning is handled. Vere is an asset for the Home Office and acts as though he is mentally challenged due to a riding accident 13 years ago in order to be dismissed by people around him. His portrayal is light-hearted, but his persona is obviously not very smart and has difficulty remembering things. Under less deft hands it would be easy to make the mentally challenged persona of Lord Vere a caricature, and to be insensitive to people who are challenged in real life. I feel like Thomas handles this with sensitivity, while remaining true to the attitudes of the time. Vere's friends and family who also believe he was injured in the riding accident, still love and support him, and show infinite patience for his disability. While Vere's false persona is played for laughs a few times, it does not feel insensitive or disrespectful to me.
Kate Reading's narration is masterful on every level.
Didn’t love the sex in this book. There was a lot of consent issues going on. Especially on the topic of consuming alcohol and then having sex. The more I read romance novels, the more I feel like “we HAVE to do better!” and my views on what’s sexy and what I’ll put up with change often. I did otherwise REALLY enjoy this book and will revisit for sure at some point in the future. Very entertaining.