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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
HR Communities keep on blabbering on and again about this book contrary to my opinion, that I just HAD to re-read it. This book didn't strike me as anything special at first read and I instantly forgot it as soon as I finished it. This is probably my first Balogh book and it made me see her as a very boring–great writer, but lacks excitement.
After two years of devouring Historical Romances, only then I started to appreciate her unique approach to the genre. There's a certain substance and hidden premises in the beautiful words she weaves. Now I stand corrected and rectify my 3 stars to 5 full stars, cause this book simply deserves it.
I remember Catherine as a very embarrassing heroine but now I can relate more to her. She's just a beautiful heroine who stands firmly to her beliefs and what she thinks is right and has fun with whatever the circumstances beget. And she is perfectly paired with a hardened and cold hero who is just smitten with everything she does, even if he doesn't realize it at first.
But the icing in this book is the snake of a villain. I LOVE to hate villains who don't do soap opera things like kidnapping or interrupting a ball with a rifle or something. No. this book has a gaslighter villain who you might not recognize at first but will shock you as he does it more and more obviously. It reminded me of how little hisses of a snake could ruin a person's entire life. The mature and clever approach this book was built on was simply magnetic and I really enjoyed it this second read.
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3rd read. SOLID 5 STARS STILL. Somehow, I loved this even more the third read. And 2 years ago I would've scoffed at the idea of me being a re-read person.
I feel like what makes this superior to other books is it's reminiscence of Jane Austen's vibe. The main couple's exploration of each other's characters was phenomenally well done. Paired that with a great plot twist of a villain, then you'll get this masterpiece.
After two years of devouring Historical Romances, only then I started to appreciate her unique approach to the genre. There's a certain substance and hidden premises in the beautiful words she weaves. Now I stand corrected and rectify my 3 stars to 5 full stars, cause this book simply deserves it.
I remember Catherine as a very embarrassing heroine but now I can relate more to her. She's just a beautiful heroine who stands firmly to her beliefs and what she thinks is right and has fun with whatever the circumstances beget. And she is perfectly paired with a hardened and cold hero who is just smitten with everything she does, even if he doesn't realize it at first.
But the icing in this book is the snake of a villain. I LOVE to hate villains who don't do soap opera things like kidnapping or interrupting a ball with a rifle or something. No. this book has a gaslighter villain who you might not recognize at first but will shock you as he does it more and more obviously. It reminded me of how little hisses of a snake could ruin a person's entire life. The mature and clever approach this book was built on was simply magnetic and I really enjoyed it this second read.
--------
3rd read. SOLID 5 STARS STILL. Somehow, I loved this even more the third read. And 2 years ago I would've scoffed at the idea of me being a re-read person.
I feel like what makes this superior to other books is it's reminiscence of Jane Austen's vibe. The main couple's exploration of each other's characters was phenomenally well done. Paired that with a great plot twist of a villain, then you'll get this masterpiece.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I was a little worried that Wulfric would be too much of a haughty aristocrat to be a passionate romantic hero and I was right. He was a cold fish.
He reminded me of Mr. Darcy, with all the arrogance, icy stares and condescending proposals. (We all know that had Jane Austen been a little more realistic, Darcy would’ve first asked Elizabeth to be his mistress too.) He loosened up a bit towards the end though and wasn’t a total cold fish anymore. A lukewarm fish maybe? Definitely nothing hot.
Christine was his polar opposite sunshine type, which was necessary because who else would have patience for that man and his quizzing glass? She was also a badass, my favorite moment was when she snatched that glass from his hand and tossed it on a tree. YES!!!! Finally!!! I wanted to do it since the first book!
What I absolutely adored was the Bedwyns, their family dynamic and their matchmaking shenanigans. It was so much fun! I love cameos, it feels like meeting old friends, even Aidan grew on me since his book.
Overall a solid four star read. What am I going to read next, now that I finished the Bedwyns??
He reminded me of Mr. Darcy, with all the arrogance, icy stares and condescending proposals. (We all know that had Jane Austen been a little more realistic, Darcy would’ve first asked Elizabeth to be his mistress too.) He loosened up a bit towards the end though and wasn’t a total cold fish anymore. A lukewarm fish maybe? Definitely nothing hot.
Christine was his polar opposite sunshine type, which was necessary because who else would have patience for that man and his quizzing glass? She was also a badass, my favorite moment was when she snatched that glass from his hand and tossed it on a tree. YES!!!! Finally!!! I wanted to do it since the first book!
What I absolutely adored was the Bedwyns, their family dynamic and their matchmaking shenanigans. It was so much fun! I love cameos, it feels like meeting old friends, even Aidan grew on me since his book.
Overall a solid four star read. What am I going to read next, now that I finished the Bedwyns??
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
oh to have this kind of love
Smacked quite a bit of Pride and prejudice but lacked the style. Still, an enjoyable read.
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
emotional
funny
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
It was absolutely worth slogging through the entire series to make it to this book!! I’ve read a bunch of HR and this one will definitely be a favorite. I don’t know if I would recommend most of the other books in this series - they were ok, but nothing fantastic. At the same time though I don’t think you would get the full characterization of Wulfric without them so…take that for what you will