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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
A quick and fun read. Predictable but enjoyable nonetheless.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I couldn't stop myself from reading this one particularly rainy morning on the commute to work. I was reading something else, but I needed something light and this fitted the bill exactly.
Having read her latest book Blackmoore last month I had picked this up for my Kindle and while it usually takes me ages to get around to reading a book I buy this one went straight to the top of the pile.
Having loved Blackmoore I was a bit worried that I wouldn't take to this book as well and in many ways I didn't. Marianne was another great female lead, but she seemed less mature and it was more luck than anything else that got her through.
I could tell this was her debut too, it read a little more clunky and definitely didn't feel as polished as Blackmoore. The timescale of the book, a few weeks at most, also seemed less likely, although it did make the plot work well, but for real romance? I think it takes longer.
These were just minor points though as the hallmarks (if you can call them that after two novels) of Julianne Donaldson's work are there, great romantic interest, female protagonists, country estate and a mystery. I found the story enjoyable and it was good escapism. The romantic lead wasn't a typical alpha male which I liked and is probably one of the things that warms me so much to these books. Marianne is intelligent, artistic and loves books so that endears her to me too. The story trots along nicely and as you do pretty much no what will happen at the end you don't know how it will happen so I read it quickly as I wanted to see it all come together. I zipped through the book in no time at all and am disappointed there isn't another one I can get right now!
Having read her latest book Blackmoore last month I had picked this up for my Kindle and while it usually takes me ages to get around to reading a book I buy this one went straight to the top of the pile.
Having loved Blackmoore I was a bit worried that I wouldn't take to this book as well and in many ways I didn't. Marianne was another great female lead, but she seemed less mature and it was more luck than anything else that got her through.
I could tell this was her debut too, it read a little more clunky and definitely didn't feel as polished as Blackmoore. The timescale of the book, a few weeks at most, also seemed less likely, although it did make the plot work well, but for real romance? I think it takes longer.
These were just minor points though as the hallmarks (if you can call them that after two novels) of Julianne Donaldson's work are there, great romantic interest, female protagonists, country estate and a mystery. I found the story enjoyable and it was good escapism. The romantic lead wasn't a typical alpha male which I liked and is probably one of the things that warms me so much to these books. Marianne is intelligent, artistic and loves books so that endears her to me too. The story trots along nicely and as you do pretty much no what will happen at the end you don't know how it will happen so I read it quickly as I wanted to see it all come together. I zipped through the book in no time at all and am disappointed there isn't another one I can get right now!
no rating because DNF
DNF details: semi-dropped read 35% then skipped to last 25%
what i liked -
-breezy writing style that was engaging and fluid
what wasn’t for me -
-realized that the story was going to focus on a lot of tropes that aren’t my favorite and that i wasn’t in love with the characters - it reminded me of bridgerton season two so if you liked that you’d love this!
DNF details: semi-dropped read 35% then skipped to last 25%
what i liked -
-breezy writing style that was engaging and fluid
what wasn’t for me -
-realized that the story was going to focus on a lot of tropes that aren’t my favorite and that i wasn’t in love with the characters - it reminded me of bridgerton season two so if you liked that you’d love this!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
fun and clever, not terrible writing but not praiseworthy in any way
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The plot, the tension, the romance, the humor *chef’s kiss* I loved every moment of this book.