3.76 AVERAGE


Always delightful to read another Julia Quinn.

So, as someone who used to read a lot of romance novels and stopped several years ago when I got into fanfic, I worried that I would never again love a book about new characters. I started another book set in this specific time period (I'm currently overly invested in learning Am. Rev. history) and was frustrated that I wasn't getting into it.

A friend reminded me that if I'm not enjoying something to put it down and try another. This was the other and I will tell you I was invested in the characters immediately. The notes at the end of the letters sent between the main character (Cecilia) and her brother (Thomas) were endearing. You could tell that Edward and Cecilia were becoming enamored with one another as they wrote to eachother.

YES, Cecilia lies - I see this is a bone of contention for some. Eh, as someone who loves fic tropes, I was fine with it. I was more than fine with it, I loved it.

There is a satisfying conclusion and a large part of me hopes that there's to be a sequel someday where Thomas is found to be alive and fallen for a Patriot woman. I found the character who told of his death to be quite suspicious.

3,5
funny lighthearted sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
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: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
adventurous lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Eh, it was okay. Not quite sure how this is necessarily a prequel, but okay.
adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes