You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
2.75 Stars. The concept of an agent of the crown hiding in plain sight as a bumbling idiot is a fun one. Throw him into a secretive household to investigate a shady diamond mine owner where his niece is desperate to escape? Priceless, or st least it is for awhile. Lord Vere is comprised of extremes - so of course when he meets the girl who practically walks through his dreams, he immediately judges her lacking on all levels and misses the fact that he's staying in a household built on fear, and hates Ellisande from the first for...smiling. He apparently can see her smiles and patience through his idiotic ravings & know that she is looking to bait a husband (she couldn't just tell he was stupid and didn't want to insult him in front of his friends?) and fails to see another actor playing a role, smiling automatically as a trained response after living as an emotionally abused captive her entire life.
And as soon as he realizes it, there's still no pity- he still sees her only as a deceiver.
Lord Vere isn't flat out unlikable but he just keeps disappointing as a hero that his best felt a little too late (and our heroine only keeps from looking like an idiot for falling for him thru his feelings being revealed to the reader alone so often...)
By the end of the book, the twists feel convoluted - unnecessarily complicated. The central love story feels hollow in comparison to the secondary characters of Freddie & Angelica.
Also by the end of the book, Ellisande still doesn't seem to call her husband by his first name or any name. She doesn't use monikers with him at all... This just adds to the intimacy gap. Ultimately the pair is set up for an entertaining which I probably would have enjoyed seeing a bit of, but the book for me instead ended on a great big 'meh.'
And as soon as he realizes it, there's still no pity- he still sees her only as a deceiver.
Lord Vere isn't flat out unlikable but he just keeps disappointing as a hero that his best felt a little too late (and our heroine only keeps from looking like an idiot for falling for him thru his feelings being revealed to the reader alone so often...)
By the end of the book, the twists feel convoluted - unnecessarily complicated. The central love story feels hollow in comparison to the secondary characters of Freddie & Angelica.
Also by the end of the book, Ellisande still doesn't seem to call her husband by his first name or any name. She doesn't use monikers with him at all... This just adds to the intimacy gap. Ultimately the pair is set up for an entertaining
Spoiler
factory reset on their lives as Lord Vere decides to have "another accident" that will cure is idiocy that was prompted by a fall from a horse 13 years prior so that he might take his place in the house of Lords, and Lady Vere will pretend to slowly become smarter (after having come off as a bit vapid after their marriage to make their relationship believable.)
I adored the intrigue of this book. A government agent acting the part of an idiot in order to hide in plain sight was brilliant. I liked the characters individually. The scenes of them together were rough for me even for historical romance. Standards have changed and while it took me out of the story a bit, I did still enjoy the book.
GOD, SHERRY THOMAS IS SO FUCKING BRILLIANT 😫
I find that I really love Sherry Thomas's writing style. She has that hint of elegance. This book was great; I thoroughly enjoyed it.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not sure if ST books are for me.. they're too angsty and the "heroes" are friggin' assholes. I thought once Vere figured out why Eli is so dead-set on marrying someone (to escape her uncle) that he would have some sympathy for her situation and understand, if not exactly approve of, her motivations and scheming ways. Instead, he realizes what she's about and still feels no remorse in treating her like shit. If that's the case then Vere's family (specifically Freddie) and friends who believe in his dummy act should also never forgive him for tricking them for 13 years. Despite whatever motivations he has to serve his country, who cares? That's despicable to lie and scheme and trick people, right Vere? No forgiveness. What a hypocritical dick.
There's not enough chemistry or romance for me to want to continue with this HR book. I'm not in the mood for angst or a ridiculous asshole H. Too bad because I love Sherry Thomas's writing, she's clearly very talented, I just dislike the execution of the stories she tells and the MMCs aren't lovable as a reader. I hope she writes something I enjoy better one day.
DNF @ 4 hours into 11hr AB.
There's not enough chemistry or romance for me to want to continue with this HR book. I'm not in the mood for angst or a ridiculous asshole H. Too bad because I love Sherry Thomas's writing, she's clearly very talented, I just dislike the execution of the stories she tells and the MMCs aren't lovable as a reader. I hope she writes something I enjoy better one day.
DNF @ 4 hours into 11hr AB.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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:
No