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annies0627's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
princessmeg's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
Having just finished The Inferno and The Picture of Dorian Gray, I needed something frothy and fun. I've read the other two books in this series, so I knew this one should fit the bill. It did.
This time around, Letty Alsworthy finds herself in a very compromising position with her sister's suitor, Lord Geoffrey Pinchingdale. She also promptly finds herself married off to Geoff. He leaves for Ireland on their wedding night and the indomitable Letty follows him. She later finds out that Geoff is a spy working with the Pink Carnation to stop an uprising in Ireland.
That sounds very dry, but these books are a funny little delight to read. The dialogue is witty, the characters are always fun and likeable, and there's just the right balance of romance and action. I recommend them if you just need a fun little break.
This time around, Letty Alsworthy finds herself in a very compromising position with her sister's suitor, Lord Geoffrey Pinchingdale. She also promptly finds herself married off to Geoff. He leaves for Ireland on their wedding night and the indomitable Letty follows him. She later finds out that Geoff is a spy working with the Pink Carnation to stop an uprising in Ireland.
That sounds very dry, but these books are a funny little delight to read. The dialogue is witty, the characters are always fun and likeable, and there's just the right balance of romance and action. I recommend them if you just need a fun little break.
macboone's review against another edition
5.0
Part of my Pink Carnation reading frenzy over the holidays. All fun reads.
katietopp's review against another edition
4.0
I love these books, easy fun reads with strong female characters who do things with and without love. HERE FOR IT
courtknee_bee's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
One of my lesser favorites, particularly from the first half of the series. While the spy-related plot is interesting and exciting, the romance leaves something to be desired. I don't think the couple ever says "I love you?" Lord Vaughn is the only truly interesting character here, and it's not even his book.
2022 Pink Carnation Re-Read Rankings
1. [b:The Secret History of the Pink Carnation|84351|The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (Pink Carnation, #1)|Lauren Willig|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442617435l/84351._SY75_.jpg|2950861] (#1)
2. [b:The Masque of the Black Tulip|397844|The Masque of the Black Tulip (Pink Carnation, #2)|Lauren Willig|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442518160l/397844._SY75_.jpg|2584] (#2)
3. [b:The Deception of the Emerald Ring|25802|The Deception of the Emerald Ring (Pink Carnation, #3)|Lauren Willig|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1427729363l/25802._SY75_.jpg|26522] (#3)
So far it follows exactly in order of the series...
One of my lesser favorites, particularly from the first half of the series. While the spy-related plot is interesting and exciting, the romance leaves something to be desired. I don't think the couple ever says "I love you?" Lord Vaughn is the only truly interesting character here, and it's not even his book.
2022 Pink Carnation Re-Read Rankings
1. [b:The Secret History of the Pink Carnation|84351|The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (Pink Carnation, #1)|Lauren Willig|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442617435l/84351._SY75_.jpg|2950861] (#1)
2. [b:The Masque of the Black Tulip|397844|The Masque of the Black Tulip (Pink Carnation, #2)|Lauren Willig|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442518160l/397844._SY75_.jpg|2584] (#2)
3. [b:The Deception of the Emerald Ring|25802|The Deception of the Emerald Ring (Pink Carnation, #3)|Lauren Willig|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1427729363l/25802._SY75_.jpg|26522] (#3)
So far it follows exactly in order of the series...
rosannelortz's review against another edition
3.0
Letty Alsworth is decidedly against the idea of elopement. When she discovers that her older sister Mary intends to run off in the middle of the night with Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe, she throws a cloak over her nightdress and goes downstairs to expostulate with the crazed gentleman. In an unexpected turn of events, Letty finds herself thrown into the carriage and compromised beyond repair. Now she must bear the indignity of marrying her sister's besotted swain and the whole of society knowing about the botched affair.
Geoffrey never wanted to elope, but Mary had insisted that it was the only way. When he finds himself leg-shackled to Letty instead, he thanks his lucky stars that the War Office has a mission for him and hightails it to Ireland to find intelligence on the radicals there. What he doesn't expect is for his mulish new wife to follow him there and nearly blow his cover to the French agents. Infuriated, frustrated, and falling in love despite himself, Geoffrey must find a way to find a hidden munitions depot while protecting Letty at the same time.
While reading this book, I could not help but think of Georgette Heyer's Devil's Cub. The setup--one sensible young lady being carried off on an elopement while trying to stop her less moral sister from doing just that--was entirely too similar not to evoke comparison. Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe is no wolfish Marquis of Vidal, however. Rather than opposites attracting, Willig's strait-laced operative (the second-in-command in the League of the Purple Gentian) is a perfect fit for the dearly domestic Letty. Per usual, the spying plot (and the Pink Carnation) was on the silly side, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Interspersed with the story of Letty and Geoff, the dual narrative also continues the modern-day romance of Eloise and Colin. Regrettably, not much happened during the course of their story. One wonders how much longer their (non-)relationship can drag on since this is now book three of it.... Perhaps they'll finally admit they like each other in book four? One can only hope.
Geoffrey never wanted to elope, but Mary had insisted that it was the only way. When he finds himself leg-shackled to Letty instead, he thanks his lucky stars that the War Office has a mission for him and hightails it to Ireland to find intelligence on the radicals there. What he doesn't expect is for his mulish new wife to follow him there and nearly blow his cover to the French agents. Infuriated, frustrated, and falling in love despite himself, Geoffrey must find a way to find a hidden munitions depot while protecting Letty at the same time.
While reading this book, I could not help but think of Georgette Heyer's Devil's Cub. The setup--one sensible young lady being carried off on an elopement while trying to stop her less moral sister from doing just that--was entirely too similar not to evoke comparison. Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe is no wolfish Marquis of Vidal, however. Rather than opposites attracting, Willig's strait-laced operative (the second-in-command in the League of the Purple Gentian) is a perfect fit for the dearly domestic Letty. Per usual, the spying plot (and the Pink Carnation) was on the silly side, but I enjoyed it all the same.
Interspersed with the story of Letty and Geoff, the dual narrative also continues the modern-day romance of Eloise and Colin. Regrettably, not much happened during the course of their story. One wonders how much longer their (non-)relationship can drag on since this is now book three of it.... Perhaps they'll finally admit they like each other in book four? One can only hope.
lizaroo71's review against another edition
3.0
this book is the third in the pink carnation series and the first one that was a bit convoluted (i felt). the characters are developed well enough, but i felt the story of the ring of spies in ireland was not really finished. i guess the fourth in the series will pick up right where this left off.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Kate Reading once again did an excellent job reading both English and American characters. One of my favorite Willig novels - Letty is just as enjoyable a character on audio as she is in print :)