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snellreader100's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cluelessbookshelves's review against another edition
4.25
🎧 John Hartley's compo of voice and accent is pure bliss for my ears.
🎧 Oh. Mr. Hartley is talking in English with a French accent. I'm melting.
🎧 I devoured this book. Seb is indeed a Saint. Of the kind where you clearly say you are not real. Damn. Courting, and cravats, and proper English, and libraries, and gowns. This was much better than the first book of the series and now I am afraid the rest have a lot to stand up to.
🎧 The performance of Mr. Hartley was amazing. One of a few times I didn't mind of a solo narration. He was so good in every role he performed. Icing on the cake the Spanish accent at the end.
🎧 Oh. Mr. Hartley is talking in English with a French accent. I'm melting.
🎧 I devoured this book. Seb is indeed a Saint. Of the kind where you clearly say you are not real. Damn. Courting, and cravats, and proper English, and libraries, and gowns. This was much better than the first book of the series and now I am afraid the rest have a lot to stand up to.
🎧 The performance of Mr. Hartley was amazing. One of a few times I didn't mind of a solo narration. He was so good in every role he performed. Icing on the cake the Spanish accent at the end.
ari913's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
felishacb's review against another edition
The MMC used the threat of rape because he didn't like what his wife was wearing. Sexual violence is not romantic or acceptable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Abandonment, and Sexual violence
emeraldgrey's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
a trainwreck but i couldn't look away
sweetcreature89's review against another edition
4.0
(This review was originally written in 2013 but never posted).
Okay, it's stupid to say, but I almost didn't read this book because the female lead has the same nickname as my daughter. I'm really glad that I did though, because this book is really great.
It took me no time at all to get into it and I fell into the story line really easily. Even though most of the things are really easy to figure out, this book is really well written and I would have no problems recommending it to someone that is open to historical romance. Normally I'm not much into historical novels, but it's ones like these that are the exception. I would definitely read this story again and it has made me aware of a great author.
I would love to read more of Quincy's work in the future.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Character: Sebastian.
Okay, it's stupid to say, but I almost didn't read this book because the female lead has the same nickname as my daughter. I'm really glad that I did though, because this book is really great.
It took me no time at all to get into it and I fell into the story line really easily. Even though most of the things are really easy to figure out, this book is really well written and I would have no problems recommending it to someone that is open to historical romance. Normally I'm not much into historical novels, but it's ones like these that are the exception. I would definitely read this story again and it has made me aware of a great author.
I would love to read more of Quincy's work in the future.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Character: Sebastian.
rj921's review against another edition
4.0
This is one of my comfort-reads and I was very surprised to find out that it does not exist in my Goodreads shelves.
Mirabella was married to Sebastian when she was just thirteen for reasons she is not aware of. After completing her schooling she goes on a tour of the Continent, finally returning to London to pick up the mantle of a wife. To extend her period of freedom by a few more days, she falsely informs her husband that her arrival has been delayed and spends this time exploring what the city has to offer. During this time she meets a handsome man and they are both drawn to each other. Unbeknownst to either of them, that man is none other than Sebastian Stanhope, her lawfully wedded husband.
I usually enjoy mistaken identity tropes and this one was no exception. Sometimes the binds of society and personal prejudices need to be set aside to truly realise the connection with someone. Sebastian was an amazing and compassionate character. Mirabella is a strong-willed woman who had mistaken Sebastian’s attempt to let her have her freedom as a lack of concern and hence she felt like she had no family who cared for her. Upon learning of the deception she is very hurt and thinks that it was a way of toying with her affections and forms a grossly inaccurate opinion of Sebastian’s character, but as they spend time together their interactions make her realise how much he cares about her and others. The tension in the book is mostly about Bella’s hesitation to trust Sebastian, hindered by deliberate misguidance by a nefarious character. There is also a side plot involving Tabitha and Monty, two of Bella’s friends. Since Sebastian is Camryn’s brother, we get to see familiar characters from the previous book.
I am fairly certain I haven’t read book 3, but I can’t completely be sure as I am completely certain I've read book 1 and don’t remember anything beyond the main characters’ names. I like the author’s writing style so I will try and read them both someday.
Mirabella was married to Sebastian when she was just thirteen for reasons she is not aware of. After completing her schooling she goes on a tour of the Continent, finally returning to London to pick up the mantle of a wife. To extend her period of freedom by a few more days, she falsely informs her husband that her arrival has been delayed and spends this time exploring what the city has to offer. During this time she meets a handsome man and they are both drawn to each other. Unbeknownst to either of them, that man is none other than Sebastian Stanhope, her lawfully wedded husband.
I usually enjoy mistaken identity tropes and this one was no exception. Sometimes the binds of society and personal prejudices need to be set aside to truly realise the connection with someone. Sebastian was an amazing and compassionate character. Mirabella is a strong-willed woman who had mistaken Sebastian’s attempt to let her have her freedom as a lack of concern and hence she felt like she had no family who cared for her. Upon learning of the deception she is very hurt and thinks that it was a way of toying with her affections and forms a grossly inaccurate opinion of Sebastian’s character, but as they spend time together their interactions make her realise how much he cares about her and others. The tension in the book is mostly about Bella’s hesitation to trust Sebastian, hindered by deliberate misguidance by a nefarious character. There is also a side plot involving Tabitha and Monty, two of Bella’s friends. Since Sebastian is Camryn’s brother, we get to see familiar characters from the previous book.
I am fairly certain I haven’t read book 3, but I can’t completely be sure as I am completely certain I've read book 1 and don’t remember anything beyond the main characters’ names. I like the author’s writing style so I will try and read them both someday.
hbeags's review
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
this was cute and i think i would've liked it more if not for bella's friends? their personalities all annoyed me and it just sucked to have them portrayed as so supportive and what not when they were really pretty shitty
mishukitty's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to really like this book. It had an unusual hero, Sebastian, who is morally upright an virtuous (most of the time--see later comment). He has had only one sexual relationship that he ends when forced into an arranged marriage with a 13 year old girl, Bella. He is kind, patient, and romantic when he meets Bella 6 years later.
Like I said, I really wanted to like this book.
BUT.... When Sabastian loses control, he becomes arrogant, cold and cruel. The scene that really disturbed me was when Bella disobeyed him by wearing a totally inappropriate gown to meet his family (which, by the way, they were amused and forgiving about), he threatens to RAPE her! This is a totally unacceptable (and unbelievable) plot twist.
Like I said, I really wanted to like this book.
BUT.... When Sabastian loses control, he becomes arrogant, cold and cruel. The scene that really disturbed me was when Bella disobeyed him by wearing a totally inappropriate gown to meet his family (which, by the way, they were amused and forgiving about), he threatens to RAPE her! This is a totally unacceptable (and unbelievable) plot twist.