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allyardon's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
justinejustreads's review against another edition
4.0
I am a simp for MB. Sometimes I wonder why. This one was a bit boring. Some of her books are boring tbh, particularly the series starters... but I'll still gladly read her writing because it's good. Devlin was a self-righteous prick, but you know what? So is your mom. Look, idk what to tell you, but if you like your heroes to have morals and your books to have very little sex, and for the sex to not be particularly hot, read Mary.
books_ergo_sum's review
emotional
slow-paced
2.0
Did not expect to be ranting about this book—but here I am.
I was ready to love the dense description and the Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell-esque introduction to the entire family, the Ravenswood estate, and almost every person in the surrounding country. And you know I love a second chance romance with an on-page first chance timeline.
But every new part of this story added something to the “I’m bothered” pile.
That first timeline was A) too long to B) provide so little. It was 40% of the book yet the MCs only had two (short and un-swoony) conversations during it? I needed that first timeline to contain on-page falling in love and some justification for why they hadn’t gotten over each other. And it did neither.
Then I hated the description of our hero during the off-page six years, for the way that it nonsensically undermined his character arc. Why did we turn the guy who, on-page (in both timelines), was pathologically avoidant and borderline cowardly into a brave and decisive leader off-page? And why did we take an MMC who, on-page, was giving demisexual vibes and turn him into someone who had slept with tons women, never the same one twice off-page? Especially given the particular plot of this book?? (And don’t get me started on the Pretty Woman-ish thing about kissing because I hated it)
Now, I’ve read my share of “I’m incapable of love” sad boi heroes. But this made no sense! He was so transparently loving—I did not buy this conflict. One bit. With lines like: “… spoken straight to his heart. The heart he did not possess.” I was dying.
And then, where was the love story in the second chance timeline? They barely interacted!
But my biggest issue was how we set up seemingly intractable problems that destroyed this family for years… only to too-easily solve them with unprompted internal monologues and annoyingly unearned new-to-the-character self-awareness. That was how every single conflict was resolved in this book. Infuriating.
I was ready to love the dense description and the Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell-esque introduction to the entire family, the Ravenswood estate, and almost every person in the surrounding country. And you know I love a second chance romance with an on-page first chance timeline.
But every new part of this story added something to the “I’m bothered” pile.
That first timeline was A) too long to B) provide so little. It was 40% of the book yet the MCs only had two (short and un-swoony) conversations during it? I needed that first timeline to contain on-page falling in love and some justification for why they hadn’t gotten over each other. And it did neither.
Then I hated the description of our hero during the off-page six years, for the way that it nonsensically undermined his character arc. Why did we turn the guy who, on-page (in both timelines), was pathologically avoidant and borderline cowardly into a brave and decisive leader off-page? And why did we take an MMC who, on-page, was giving demisexual vibes and turn him into someone who had slept with tons women, never the same one twice off-page? Especially given the particular plot of this book?? (And don’t get me started on the Pretty Woman-ish thing about kissing because I hated it)
Now, I’ve read my share of “I’m incapable of love” sad boi heroes. But this made no sense! He was so transparently loving—I did not buy this conflict. One bit. With lines like: “… spoken straight to his heart. The heart he did not possess.” I was dying.
And then, where was the love story in the second chance timeline? They barely interacted!
But my biggest issue was how we set up seemingly intractable problems that destroyed this family for years… only to too-easily solve them with unprompted internal monologues and annoyingly unearned new-to-the-character self-awareness. That was how every single conflict was resolved in this book. Infuriating.
lashawnwiltz's review
3.0
I am a long-time fan of Mary Balogh and I couldn't wait to get my hands on the first book in this new series!
But I admit I found this one slow to start. I know there had to be a lot of setup for the new series( background characters issues etc). But the descriptions in the beginning just kept describing how perfect everything and everyone was! They were all slightly.. boring lol And Our two main characters in this book had one day before they were forced apart.
It felt like the book stalled but then quickly picked up and I couldn't put it down!
I do wish there had been more of a slow burn when they got back together 6 years later. I wanted more from these two, more explanations more character development. And I honestly found myself looking forward to the stories of the siblings in future books more. Like Ben and Phillipa especially.
BUT all that to say that I still liked the book. I don't know if it will live up to the Sightly series or the Westcott or if will simply be a great series all on its own. Either way, I'll be waiting for the next book to see if it does!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
But I admit I found this one slow to start. I know there had to be a lot of setup for the new series( background characters issues etc). But the descriptions in the beginning just kept describing how perfect everything and everyone was! They were all slightly.. boring lol And Our two main characters in this book had one day before they were forced apart.
It felt like the book stalled but then quickly picked up and I couldn't put it down!
I do wish there had been more of a slow burn when they got back together 6 years later. I wanted more from these two, more explanations more character development. And I honestly found myself looking forward to the stories of the siblings in future books more. Like Ben and Phillipa especially.
BUT all that to say that I still liked the book. I don't know if it will live up to the Sightly series or the Westcott or if will simply be a great series all on its own. Either way, I'll be waiting for the next book to see if it does!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
wonderandread's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
bethanyread's review
4.0
Very good new series. Very interesting story line about a man who grew up thinking his family was perfect and learning about some of the lies. Wonderful characters - including Gwyneth, Alad, Devlin, Pippa. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. Pippa's should be great -- definitely saw that one coming, Stephanie's should be really interesting and assuming we'll get a Ben story along with Nicholas. Loved all the information given.
katiemulcahy122's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
When I read the Westcott series, I had some issues with each book repeating the family history, usually by shoehorning it into unnecessary conversations, but at least I enjoyed the characters and general writing.
This book made me feel insane. Like, the event mentioned in the blurb doesn't occur till 40% in, and most of that is taken up by long and overwritten descriptions of the family, the house, the town, and the entire guest list of the party. And when we finally got a time jump, I was relieved because I thought things would progress a little more reasonably, but it all felt ridiculous and melodramatic.
I think if she was trying to show how Devlin had his youthful idealism crushed, it could have been done in the first 10% and been significantly more impactful. Because as it was, the first half of the book dragged and the second half had to fit too much.
This book made me feel insane. Like, the event mentioned in the blurb doesn't occur till 40% in, and most of that is taken up by long and overwritten descriptions of the family, the house, the town, and the entire guest list of the party. And when we finally got a time jump, I was relieved because I thought things would progress a little more reasonably, but it all felt ridiculous and melodramatic.
I think if she was trying to show how Devlin had his youthful idealism crushed, it could have been done in the first 10% and been significantly more impactful. Because as it was, the first half of the book dragged and the second half had to fit too much.
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing was good and the characters were charming, but the pacing was off. It all zipped along too neatly without really letting us get to know them
allcavesin's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.5
Mary Balogh just knows how to make me weep. While this wasn't one of my favorites of hers, I still loved it. I look forward to the rest of the series and the rest of the family's story.
rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
4.0
Oh boy. Well Gwynn and her family I thought were as charming as a loving family could be. The same could be said for Devlin’s as well. After reading the story I understand and see that special need that Gwyn and Devlin had for each other. I have to say that the narrative was a bit winded in the book. It wasn’t difficult to get through. The narrative offered the readers the story behind the romance. I liked that it provided me a little more information about each character. The romance turned into one of the most grandest love of all. The story was cute and sweet.