Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
The epitome of blerg. Who cares? There are always things in Julia Quinn novels that don’t make sense, but this book seemed to have some serious plot holes. Namely, why did Cecilia think she could still get married to someone else in England after Edward’s godmother knew that they were married? You would think there would be some sort of talk. Her fake marriage wouldn’t just be erased from everyone’s minds. And her brother conveniently kept a ton of money that Cecilia could use to pay her boat fair back? Also, was her brother really a traitor? She just left that whole plot line unresolved. Where was the editor?!? Did Julia Quinn need quick money? This read like a second draft- NOT a finished novel.
The whole love story was unbelievable and kind of shallow. Falling in love with someone because you read their letters has already been done (Eloise’s story), and on top of that, it’s been done better (Eloise’s story again). There was not enough substance in the letters to make me believe that Edward would have fallen in love with Cecilia after reading them. They were so boring that I have a hard time believing he would read them at all. Cecilia has the personality of a stale graham cracker, and Edward is a watered-down version of every male Bridgerton. In fact, this book is a watered down version of a much better Bridgerton novel. It tries to do way too much, and yet accomplishes nothing. Hopefully Shondaland saves this one when they inevitably do another Bridgerton spin-off series.
It’s hard to write books that are all so similar without making them sound the same. Julia Quinn has certainly run through the Regency Romance genre. This book had promise to be different though- running away to America? A fake marriage? The redcoats? The American Civil War? Do not be excited. Julia Quinn dives into territory that she does not have any knowledge of, making her world shallow and uninteresting. She tried to write a book that she can’t write, as she has no solid knowledge of the time period. Instead of focusing on interesting historical moments or building a strong sense of place in New York, the whole book consisted of Cecilia being jealous and creating problems for herself that shouldn’t exist while Edward talks about his lost memory and not about anything interesting. This book might as well have taken place in Kent because besides for the weird Dutch bakery that showed up twice there was no sense of place (I should mention the whole military hospital thing but that was boring to read about). Also the way that Cecilia talked about people of color in New York did not sit right with me. I know the book takes place during the regency period, but… idk.
And the whole side plot that was about Cecilia’s missing (dead) brother was stupid too. Who cares? We all thought he was dead, and that being true made the book oh so boring. It would have been more interesting if he would have run off with someone in Connecticut or Haarlem- or was lying to everyone just like Cecilia. Maybe he should have been a deserter. Or a secret ally to the 13 colonies? Also Edward is able to drop everything and sail back to England to get to Cecilia? And the explanation is “I talked to the captain and got it settled?!?” Stupid. Unrealistic.
Again, so much promise, but this book fell so flat. Julia Quinn- stick to what you know!!
The whole love story was unbelievable and kind of shallow. Falling in love with someone because you read their letters has already been done (Eloise’s story), and on top of that, it’s been done better (Eloise’s story again). There was not enough substance in the letters to make me believe that Edward would have fallen in love with Cecilia after reading them. They were so boring that I have a hard time believing he would read them at all. Cecilia has the personality of a stale graham cracker, and Edward is a watered-down version of every male Bridgerton. In fact, this book is a watered down version of a much better Bridgerton novel. It tries to do way too much, and yet accomplishes nothing. Hopefully Shondaland saves this one when they inevitably do another Bridgerton spin-off series.
It’s hard to write books that are all so similar without making them sound the same. Julia Quinn has certainly run through the Regency Romance genre. This book had promise to be different though- running away to America? A fake marriage? The redcoats? The American Civil War? Do not be excited. Julia Quinn dives into territory that she does not have any knowledge of, making her world shallow and uninteresting. She tried to write a book that she can’t write, as she has no solid knowledge of the time period. Instead of focusing on interesting historical moments or building a strong sense of place in New York, the whole book consisted of Cecilia being jealous and creating problems for herself that shouldn’t exist while Edward talks about his lost memory and not about anything interesting. This book might as well have taken place in Kent because besides for the weird Dutch bakery that showed up twice there was no sense of place (I should mention the whole military hospital thing but that was boring to read about). Also the way that Cecilia talked about people of color in New York did not sit right with me. I know the book takes place during the regency period, but… idk.
And the whole side plot that was about Cecilia’s missing (dead) brother was stupid too. Who cares? We all thought he was dead, and that being true made the book oh so boring. It would have been more interesting if he would have run off with someone in Connecticut or Haarlem- or was lying to everyone just like Cecilia. Maybe he should have been a deserter. Or a secret ally to the 13 colonies? Also Edward is able to drop everything and sail back to England to get to Cecilia? And the explanation is “I talked to the captain and got it settled?!?” Stupid. Unrealistic.
Again, so much promise, but this book fell so flat. Julia Quinn- stick to what you know!!
I was pretty uncomfortable this whole book with the continuing lie of their marriage. I understand why it carried on so long, logically. Morally though it was rough. The pairing was sweet! I liked Edward with his best friends sister, Cecilia, they made a cute pair, having fallen in love with eachother before ever meeting in person. Indeed I think that made it a little harder to stomach all the lying. In all, this was not my favorite book. Not a ton happened other than a few walks and an investigation into Edwards memory and Cecelias Brother. I was underwhelmed with this second book.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5*
Review in Portuguese:
http://pepitamagica.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/livro-girl-with-make-believe-husband-de.html
After reading the first book of the Bridgerton’s prequel, I couldn’t wait to go and buy the second one. But this one was, clearly (and sadly), behind it.
I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t like romances based on lies. It’s true that this one had a real valid reason for its lies, but it didn’t start very well for me.
Celia is a character that I’m not sure I like…. I’m more inclined for the negative. Edward, yes, Celia… She had so many opportunities to tell the truth and in the end she runs away?!?! No, I think I can clearly say I don’t like her.
I didn’t laugh with this book, I didn’t have fun with it… I might have had a smile or two for Edward’s jokes, but that was it.
It was just bad luck that I read it right after such a good book like Because of Miss Bridgerton. This one doesn’t even come close to it. It’s not bad, it just didn’t seem written by the same author and the story didn’t do it for me.
It ended up being a disappointment.
Review in Portuguese:
http://pepitamagica.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/livro-girl-with-make-believe-husband-de.html
After reading the first book of the Bridgerton’s prequel, I couldn’t wait to go and buy the second one. But this one was, clearly (and sadly), behind it.
I’m going to be honest with you, I don’t like romances based on lies. It’s true that this one had a real valid reason for its lies, but it didn’t start very well for me.
Celia is a character that I’m not sure I like…. I’m more inclined for the negative. Edward, yes, Celia… She had so many opportunities to tell the truth and in the end she runs away?!?! No, I think I can clearly say I don’t like her.
I didn’t laugh with this book, I didn’t have fun with it… I might have had a smile or two for Edward’s jokes, but that was it.
It was just bad luck that I read it right after such a good book like Because of Miss Bridgerton. This one doesn’t even come close to it. It’s not bad, it just didn’t seem written by the same author and the story didn’t do it for me.
It ended up being a disappointment.
Julia Quinn makes me smile without fail and this novel is no exception. Really enjoyed this. The romance was sweet and the couple were really compatible. I think just a little more focus on why the h continued to lie but overall it was not jarring to me. The book ended at the right time so the pacing was good. Highly recommend this!
On a side note. It was Interesting to see the War for Independence from the English perspective. Usually it’s the napoleonic wars where France is the villain and given that England won that encounter, the narrative has consistency in English media. This setting of the novel though was unusual since movies usually show the American perspective with the fight framed against the evil of the British empire. Plus I always enjoy seeing old America.
On a side note. It was Interesting to see the War for Independence from the English perspective. Usually it’s the napoleonic wars where France is the villain and given that England won that encounter, the narrative has consistency in English media. This setting of the novel though was unusual since movies usually show the American perspective with the fight framed against the evil of the British empire. Plus I always enjoy seeing old America.
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-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:
Yes