Scan barcode
mjmbecky's review against another edition
4.0
As with each of the novels in this series so far, there is a level of tension, and in this case, I actually really enjoyed the distance and frustration introduced so early on in the story. Rather than a shallow, "I love you and feel passionate towards you" from the get-go, we have two characters who have to learn more about one another. Honestly, Letty is a sweet character, and one that I felt got blamed for too much of Lord Pinchingdale's frustrations. Although Letty is not described as the beauty that her sister Mary is, we get the sense that Letty has a keen mind and strength that gives her strength. Lord Pinchingdale, however, is also someone we learn to see as a man dealing with the job he is expected to carry out in the midst of the chaos of marrying the sister of the woman he originally meant to marry. Yes, he comes off as the scoundrel, but the misunderstandings the couple must overcome help to create a story that you believe a little more than the two previous to it.
In my opinion, this was my favorite installment of the three in the series. Because of Letty's confidence and personality, and the work that the couple has to go through to actually learn to love one another, they make this mystery/spy romance pretty charming. There is something vulnerable, yet strong, about Letty that I really liked, and I appreciated that she could stand on her own two feet.
As a side note to this story, this was the book in the series that finally made me a frustrated and left wanting more with the secondary story being told in the present, from the researcher Eloise Kelly. Through her work on her thesis, her research has taken her deeper and deeper into the female spy ring, thanks to the letters and journals owned by Colin Selwick. In the other installments, the present-day research plays a major backseat, but in this novel we really grow to care about Eloise getting her research, and maybe getting a handsome, rich Colin on the side?!? I don't know why, but the Eloise & Colin storyline reminded me of an earlier Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy twist. It's only a shady reminder, but still there to taunt a bit!
In my opinion, this was my favorite installment of the three in the series. Because of Letty's confidence and personality, and the work that the couple has to go through to actually learn to love one another, they make this mystery/spy romance pretty charming. There is something vulnerable, yet strong, about Letty that I really liked, and I appreciated that she could stand on her own two feet.
As a side note to this story, this was the book in the series that finally made me a frustrated and left wanting more with the secondary story being told in the present, from the researcher Eloise Kelly. Through her work on her thesis, her research has taken her deeper and deeper into the female spy ring, thanks to the letters and journals owned by Colin Selwick. In the other installments, the present-day research plays a major backseat, but in this novel we really grow to care about Eloise getting her research, and maybe getting a handsome, rich Colin on the side?!? I don't know why, but the Eloise & Colin storyline reminded me of an earlier Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy twist. It's only a shady reminder, but still there to taunt a bit!
elemenoreed's review against another edition
3.0
I would actually give this book 2.5 stars. It just didn't really work for me in some areas, especially after how great the last book was. My problem with this book really lies with the two main characters, Geoff and Letty. When Letty wakes in the pre-dawn hours of a London night, she hears suspicious thuds coming from her sister, Mary's, room. Knowing what her sister was about, Letty checks the ally and, sure enough, there is a carriage there, waiting to whisk her sister off to an elopement with Geoffrey, Lord Pinchingdale. In an effort to stop her sister dragging their family name through the muddied streets of England, Letty leaves the comfort of her room so that she can tell Lord Pinchingdale to clear off and come back in the morning like a proper gentleman. I could understand Letty's motives, I just couldn't believe she could be quite so interfering. And it wasn't an endearing sort of interfering. I shudder to think what my older sister's reaction would be if I attempted to thwart her romance... However, nothing works out according to Letty's plan as she is unceremoniously tossed into the carriage by the driver and taken straight to Lord Pinchingdale, who grabs her from the carriage and kisses her heartily in full view of a few of their acquaintances out for a late night pint. Of course, since Letty has been compromised, Geoff feels it his duty to marry her.
Both characters, of course, don't handle this forced marriage well. Neither one communicates with the other. This was exceedingly frustrating for me, as the reader, because I feel like this actually detracted from the plot rather than drove it on. And because of this awkwardness, the plot moved in jumps and starts like someone learning how to drive a stick shift car. Immediately after the wedding, Geoff takes off for Ireland, without even telling his new wife , to rendezvous with the Pink Carnation in an effort to thwart an Irish uprising. Honestly, I have a hard time believing that a man who felt honor bound to marry a woman he didn't want to marry because of a mistaken midnight kiss would feel much less honor bound to then inform this woman that he would be leaving on their wedding day for an extended period of time. Geoff then proceeds to act like a pouting five year old for much of the rest of the book, which does nothing to recommend his character to me. And then to have him realize in a single moment that Letty couldn't be what he thought her to be and to simultaneously develop feelings for her stretched even my suspension of disbelief.
And Letty is basically useless as a character. This book probably would have been a lot better without her presence in it. She's not particularly smart or witty. She makes rash decisions without really thinking them through that generally have unpleasant consequences for all involved. She blunders through everything and gets in the way of the important spy work that is going on for the sake of her country. She's not all that likeable and so I didn't really care much what happened to her.
The Eloise plot was pretty satisfying, though, and I really looked forward to the moments when the historical story would break off and the modern story would resume. I'm looking forward to seeing how her story progresses in the next book and I am happy to see a bit of character growth in her. So, despite how I feel about this book, I am full steam ahead to the next book, which I believe focuses on Lord Vaughn, so I know there will, at the very least, be some diverting dialogue.
Both characters, of course, don't handle this forced marriage well. Neither one communicates with the other. This was exceedingly frustrating for me, as the reader, because I feel like this actually detracted from the plot rather than drove it on. And because of this awkwardness, the plot moved in jumps and starts like someone learning how to drive a stick shift car. Immediately after the wedding, Geoff takes off for Ireland, without even telling his new wife , to rendezvous with the Pink Carnation in an effort to thwart an Irish uprising. Honestly, I have a hard time believing that a man who felt honor bound to marry a woman he didn't want to marry because of a mistaken midnight kiss would feel much less honor bound to then inform this woman that he would be leaving on their wedding day for an extended period of time. Geoff then proceeds to act like a pouting five year old for much of the rest of the book, which does nothing to recommend his character to me. And then to have him realize in a single moment that Letty couldn't be what he thought her to be and to simultaneously develop feelings for her stretched even my suspension of disbelief.
And Letty is basically useless as a character. This book probably would have been a lot better without her presence in it. She's not particularly smart or witty. She makes rash decisions without really thinking them through that generally have unpleasant consequences for all involved. She blunders through everything and gets in the way of the important spy work that is going on for the sake of her country. She's not all that likeable and so I didn't really care much what happened to her.
The Eloise plot was pretty satisfying, though, and I really looked forward to the moments when the historical story would break off and the modern story would resume. I'm looking forward to seeing how her story progresses in the next book and I am happy to see a bit of character growth in her. So, despite how I feel about this book, I am full steam ahead to the next book, which I believe focuses on Lord Vaughn, so I know there will, at the very least, be some diverting dialogue.
alsoannabanana's review against another edition
3.0
Fast and enjoyable like Willig's two previous books. I'll be honest though, I read this one more for the current day (Eloise-Colin) plot line than I did for the historical portion. I enjoyed the Letty-Geoff relationship but felt that it was a little cliche. Starting the fourth book tomorrow.
hollie313's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
mstephm's review against another edition
3.0
For those who enjoy slightly spurious historical fiction. Still, fun.
prgchrqltma's review against another edition
4.0
Characters: younger sister, spy/older sister's love interest
World Building: standard, 19th century explosives, Irish rebellion
Plot: discovering and neutralizing weapons cache
Sex: medium, not much
Read another: Yes
The contemporary romance is becoming jarring in the novel's flow, especially because not much happens.
World Building: standard, 19th century explosives, Irish rebellion
Plot: discovering and neutralizing weapons cache
Sex: medium, not much
Read another: Yes
The contemporary romance is becoming jarring in the novel's flow, especially because not much happens.
ashwise360's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
daisycloudgazer's review against another edition
5.0
See my reviews for the first two books. This one is just as phenomenal, just as fun, and just as heartwarming. There isn't a single book from this series that I wouldn't recommend!