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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
lighthearted
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:
No
This one might be my least favorite of the Bridgerton/Rokesby series so far.
Quinn's novels delight with their witty banter and fun male/female relationships. This one seemed MUCH more a straight romance with little of the banter that makes me laugh out loud.
Edward seemed a little naive about so many things and Cecilia seemed ever more over the top with her lying and deceiving. I just couldn't get past that part of the novel.
Hopefully the next one will be better.
Quinn's novels delight with their witty banter and fun male/female relationships. This one seemed MUCH more a straight romance with little of the banter that makes me laugh out loud.
Edward seemed a little naive about so many things and Cecilia seemed ever more over the top with her lying and deceiving. I just couldn't get past that part of the novel.
Hopefully the next one will be better.
Not my favorite of the bridgerton Books but still good. I enjoy the audio renditions on hoopla very much! Great to listen to while cleaning!
Julia Quinn is one of my favorite authors of Regency Romance and certainly a go-to when I need to escape modern day. There's just something about a regency romance and the "simple" rules of society that calls to me. The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband is a little different than her norm. The story doesn't take place in the 'ton or at a house party in the English countryside (which are always delightful), but on the island of Manhattan during a war. The story is centered around Cecilia Harcourt and her decision to leave England for New York and try to find her injured brother Thomas. This leads Cecilia to an impulsive decision to claim she's the "wife" by a proxy wedding ceremony to Edward Rokesbys, all while Edward is knocked out and suffering a bout of amnesia. The joy of the story is seeing how this plays out.
The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband can be likened to a regency version of While You Were Sleeping. I myself love the amnesia trope as the drama is inherent, there's a sense betrayal and that she might make Edward feel like a fool. And oh, there's the difference between doing something that is right and doing something wrong. Even if it isn't really hurting anyone, can she justify her actions? And what of Cecilia's predicament? She'll return to England at some point, but as who and to where? She's an incredibly brave, bright, and intuitive woman, but she knows she must come clean with Edward about the true state of their marriage. It's inevitable but it can be avoided in the short term. The question really is how will Edward find out?
The reality is that she and Edward have been getting to know each other through the very slow process of letters exchanged between Cecilia and her brother. The story is perfectly plotted and well paced. Every chapter opens with a snippet from the letters and we see how Edward and Cecilia have managed to flirt across the miles. This is not something either of them talk about, Edward because he doesn't exactly remember everything (although really he's just missing the past three months) and Cecilia because it might jar Edwards memory. But they do have a sweet connection and I loved being in their heads as they reason through their actions. They seem to offer each other something that neither realized they needed until they actually meet. There's so much more going on in this story, but you simply must read it to find out. If you love Regency Romance and something a little different, this is a great read.
*I received a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband can be likened to a regency version of While You Were Sleeping. I myself love the amnesia trope as the drama is inherent, there's a sense betrayal and that she might make Edward feel like a fool. And oh, there's the difference between doing something that is right and doing something wrong. Even if it isn't really hurting anyone, can she justify her actions? And what of Cecilia's predicament? She'll return to England at some point, but as who and to where? She's an incredibly brave, bright, and intuitive woman, but she knows she must come clean with Edward about the true state of their marriage. It's inevitable but it can be avoided in the short term. The question really is how will Edward find out?
The reality is that she and Edward have been getting to know each other through the very slow process of letters exchanged between Cecilia and her brother. The story is perfectly plotted and well paced. Every chapter opens with a snippet from the letters and we see how Edward and Cecilia have managed to flirt across the miles. This is not something either of them talk about, Edward because he doesn't exactly remember everything (although really he's just missing the past three months) and Cecilia because it might jar Edwards memory. But they do have a sweet connection and I loved being in their heads as they reason through their actions. They seem to offer each other something that neither realized they needed until they actually meet. There's so much more going on in this story, but you simply must read it to find out. If you love Regency Romance and something a little different, this is a great read.
*I received a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I finished it one day! Miscommunication trope was so heavily dragged out that is why it got 4 stars instead of 5. But the intimacy and spice was a total 5 star for me. I just wish things were resolved much faster vs the last couple of chapters.
If you like "While You Were Sleeping", this is a delightful little story in that same vein. The stakes are high, and you truly buy the feelings these two developed for each other through their letters. One of the best of Julia Quinn's works.
Soooooo boring! And the amnesia cliche, really? I absolutely hate plots that entirely rely on someone refusing to just tell a simple truth. At least the author’s obsession with a misplaced hymen seems to have stopped.
I listened to this on Audible, which may have swayed me, since it takes me much longer to listen to something than read it, but I just didn't feel as strong a connection to these characters as I have in past books. It was fine, but not up to the same par as I expect!
I was so looking forward to this novel. For me, the “lie” lingers too long. I would have enjoyed seeing their romance develop when openness and honesty was available.
The writing was great.
The writing was great.