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willbefunorelse's review against another edition
3.0
I fired up the Fire, settled down underneath a fuzzy blanket and a fuzzy cat, and I'm happy to say I read this entire book in a single day.
For the full review - including ... not much else, to be honest; just a plot rehash? I mean, the book's good and the review's all right - follow the link to That's What She Read.
Guster Reading Challenge:
"Medicine" / Goldfly
Take a sick day and read a book
For the full review - including ... not much else, to be honest; just a plot rehash? I mean, the book's good and the review's all right - follow the link to That's What She Read.
Guster Reading Challenge:
"Medicine" / Goldfly
Take a sick day and read a book
solaana's review
The way they transport paintings to and fro in this book gives me HIVES.
danny_bananny's review against another edition
3.0
This is a conflicted 3 stars, I really liked a lot of things about this, but I wish it had been a full length book. I absolutely loved the art theme, the characters were likeable and interesting, and it dipped into a couple things that you rarely see in Regency romances (not going to include spoilers, even if minor). There just wasn’t quite enough exploration of those, and a few of the internal conflicts of the main characters also felt like they didn’t get enough. It might have been better to skip one or two of those things without it being full length? Having said that, it was enjoyable, and any subtraction is more about unfulfilled promise than anything else.
leslielikesthings's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
shomarq's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
elenajohansen's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I just love finding nuggets of gold unexpectedly from old freebie bundles, I had no idea I was sitting on a novella this charming!
I love so much about this--the artsy-craftsy vibes of both leads, the descriptive language, the palpable chemistry, the subversion of so many tropes I couldn't begin to list them all, the unconventional happy ending. Just about the only thing I would have liked more if done differently was the pacing--this is a novella, it was a whirlwind sort of romance that jumped to "I love you" after very few days of story time--but even that has its charm, because it comes naturally from the intensity of this secret fling and the extra layer of muse/painter to their relationship.
This author was actually on my TBR already for a much more recent novel, but I'm glad to see an older work so good, it gives me hope that they're all going to be worth reading--the bundle included the other book in this series, I'm going to read that next.
I love so much about this--the artsy-craftsy vibes of both leads, the descriptive language, the palpable chemistry, the subversion of so many tropes I couldn't begin to list them all, the unconventional happy ending. Just about the only thing I would have liked more if done differently was the pacing--this is a novella, it was a whirlwind sort of romance that jumped to "I love you" after very few days of story time--but even that has its charm, because it comes naturally from the intensity of this secret fling and the extra layer of muse/painter to their relationship.
This author was actually on my TBR already for a much more recent novel, but I'm glad to see an older work so good, it gives me hope that they're all going to be worth reading--the bundle included the other book in this series, I'm going to read that next.
rachelini's review
4.0
Lots good here, I wish it had been expanded a bit more. The whole backstory seemed there just for the plot, without much development.
jessreads137's review against another edition
4.0
It's been ten years since Hecuba Jones last burgled her way into a darkened house, but how else can she recover the lost paintings of her artist mother? Trying to reclaim her inheritance after it was sold off by her uncle in order for him to afford a first season for his daughters Hecuba is alone in the world while surrounded by people.
The Earl of Underwood is an artist who bought her mother’s paintings and discovers her in the middle of an attempt to steal them. In exchange for the paintings he requests her time because her beauty has him inspired to paint. There agreement is one that must be kept secret and therefore she sneaks over to his house at night for their painting sessions. Between sessions John continues to chase his inspiration, painting scandalous imaginings of her in compromising positions, but these images could lead to her ruin.
I really enjoyed this steamy and angsty historical romp. It was fairly short and steamy, the characters were enjoyable and I felt for Hecuba when she discovered that there was nothing left of what her parents had left for her. Her uncle was unlikable and it was hard to appreciate her love for her cousins when they were the indirect sources of her pain. A times I ached for Hecuba and the constraints that society placed on her. Overall it was a great read.
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
4.0
"I can think of a few things you do exceptionally well," he teased, but then the glint in his eyes became a steadier light. "But I think the base and bedrock of your genius is this, Miss Jones - you have a great talent for remaking the world around you."
This was a really sweet intro to Olivia Waite's writing. While it was all a little instantaneous for my usual tastes, it made sense in the context of the story, I think, since these two are both so different from the "norms" expected of them in the setting.
I really enjoyed Hecuba as a heroine; she's so feisty and strong-willed, but never in an over the top way at all. She's simply a tough, inspired young woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. My only complaint is that I never felt like we saw any grief from her over the recent passing of her parents, which I expected we would have seen play a more prominent role, but then again, it was overall a pretty light story so maybe it's for the best.
John Rushmore is a perfectly fine hero, and while I can't say anything stuck out about him as unusually special to me, I enjoyed him plenty. I'm especially fond of his comparisons of Hecuba to Greek characters like Circe, and the way he's so enraptured by her refusal to stick to societal norms. I never get tired of a genuinely feminist hero, especially in historical settings!
Mostly, I loved the descriptions of the paintings, pigments, and techniques. I'm no art expert by any means, but it felt very well-developed and like the author knows precisely what she's talking about. Oh, and we stan ladies supporting ladies like Hecuba and her awesome cousin Anne, who I can't wait to read about in the next book!