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jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
4 stars for characters, 2 stars for plot. As in her first book, IN FOR A PENNY, Lerner crafts nuanced, intriguing, and immensely appealing characters (primary and secondary). I love having a heroine who is often mean and angry but still worthy of love, and a male lead who isn't constrained by the straightjacket conventions of the alpha hero of historical romance is hugely appealing as well.
The plot of this follow-up, though, is overly ambitious, with several plot lines that don't seem vital to the romance or the character development. The opening chapters especially seem rather plot-heavy and contrived (why would Solomon move into the hotel? Why are the missing earrings introduced only to not be brought up again for 100 pages? Would members of the aristocracy really frequent a hotel run by a former courtesan? Why have the far from likely situation of a heroine who is not only the daughter of a marquess AND a former whore, but also a force recognized by power brokers in the criminal underworld?). I didn't really start to care for the characters until about a third of the way into the book, when the narrative got past establishing all these plot lines and allowed the relationship between the protagonists to breath and grow.
Given the difficulties Lerner had with her publisher (editor leaving mid-book; the company's financial difficulties leading to the long delay between the publication of IN FOR A PENNY and this title), that the book is less than perfect is perhaps not surprising, and makes me willing to overlook some of its flaws. Lerner's outstanding character constructions and lovely metaphors will keep her on my "to read as soon as a new one comes out" list, despite some of the weaknesses of this latest.
The plot of this follow-up, though, is overly ambitious, with several plot lines that don't seem vital to the romance or the character development. The opening chapters especially seem rather plot-heavy and contrived (why would Solomon move into the hotel? Why are the missing earrings introduced only to not be brought up again for 100 pages? Would members of the aristocracy really frequent a hotel run by a former courtesan? Why have the far from likely situation of a heroine who is not only the daughter of a marquess AND a former whore, but also a force recognized by power brokers in the criminal underworld?). I didn't really start to care for the characters until about a third of the way into the book, when the narrative got past establishing all these plot lines and allowed the relationship between the protagonists to breath and grow.
Given the difficulties Lerner had with her publisher (editor leaving mid-book; the company's financial difficulties leading to the long delay between the publication of IN FOR A PENNY and this title), that the book is less than perfect is perhaps not surprising, and makes me willing to overlook some of its flaws. Lerner's outstanding character constructions and lovely metaphors will keep her on my "to read as soon as a new one comes out" list, despite some of the weaknesses of this latest.
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
The first Rose Lerner book where I'm frantically yelling 'DUMP HIM!!!!!!!!' at the heroine.
Not that I disliked Solomon. I liked him a lot. I loved him! but I loved Serena sooooooooooooo much my heart wanted to burst. I loved her prickliness, her uncompromisingness, her hardness, her strength and her weakness, and how damn sweet she could be, even when she was trying not to be. The thing I love about Rose Lerner's characters is that even though there's always a healthy amount of tropeyness (WHICH I LOVE) her characters aren't like any others. I can't mistake Serena for any other heroine I've ever read about. She was such a real person, with her carefully built walls and insecurities and self-sabotaging ways. Watching her fall in love with Solomon felt so rewarding (except for the part where I was like 'date me instead!'). I wanted to strangle every person who was mean to her, which unfortunately means I have a lot of people to strangle.
The plot of the book itself was sort of all over the place, but it was entertaining, and anyway, I don't care about plot as much as I care about characters and interaction. Speaking of characters, Elijah easily comes in as second fave. Kiddo. T_T I'm so glad about the ending!
Man. I really really liked this book, but I really really loved Serena.
Not that I disliked Solomon. I liked him a lot. I loved him! but I loved Serena sooooooooooooo much my heart wanted to burst. I loved her prickliness, her uncompromisingness, her hardness, her strength and her weakness, and how damn sweet she could be, even when she was trying not to be. The thing I love about Rose Lerner's characters is that even though there's always a healthy amount of tropeyness (WHICH I LOVE) her characters aren't like any others. I can't mistake Serena for any other heroine I've ever read about. She was such a real person, with her carefully built walls and insecurities and self-sabotaging ways. Watching her fall in love with Solomon felt so rewarding (except for the part where I was like 'date me instead!'). I wanted to strangle every person who was mean to her, which unfortunately means I have a lot of people to strangle.
The plot of the book itself was sort of all over the place, but it was entertaining, and anyway, I don't care about plot as much as I care about characters and interaction. Speaking of characters, Elijah easily comes in as second fave. Kiddo. T_T I'm so glad about the ending!
Man. I really really liked this book, but I really really loved Serena.
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
Cleverly crafted and well written, with a twisty plot and relatable characters.
samnreader's review
3.75
Not my favorite Lerner by any means, but lovable LOVABLE characters and her lovely creation of romantic acts between characters never fails, slightly meandering in plot but still satisfying. 3.75 rounded up.
roseybot's review
3.0
Well that took me over a month to read and it’s real strange for a Rose Lerner book.
The beginning was very slow and only at about 75% did things get moving. Then it turned into my good old Rose Lerner style and I was crying and laughing (hence getting a 3).
There was a little too much going on in this book — spies, mobsters, Prinny etc. it was overwhelming and while the story stayed pretty focused on our lovers I felt disconnected from them.
I love Rose Lerner, but if this was the first book I read by her I dunno if I’d’ve picked up the next one (True Pretenses is one of my all time favorite romances think of the loss!)
Still it ended strong so I am more in favor than against.
The beginning was very slow and only at about 75% did things get moving. Then it turned into my good old Rose Lerner style and I was crying and laughing (hence getting a 3).
There was a little too much going on in this book — spies, mobsters, Prinny etc. it was overwhelming and while the story stayed pretty focused on our lovers I felt disconnected from them.
I love Rose Lerner, but if this was the first book I read by her I dunno if I’d’ve picked up the next one (True Pretenses is one of my all time favorite romances think of the loss!)
Still it ended strong so I am more in favor than against.
nakedsushi's review
2.0
(2.5 stars)
I had high hopes for this one since people were saying that it was a twist on the more traditional romance book. The female character is supposedly the alpha in this book and had all the experience and does the chasing. It started off that way, but the man still ends up being all "I know better than you" in the end. Boring. The mystery and espionage angle was also a little preposterous. I did like the inclusion of the gay characters, which was a departure from your usual regency romance, but it didn't save this book.
At least this was a short, fast read.
I had high hopes for this one since people were saying that it was a twist on the more traditional romance book. The female character is supposedly the alpha in this book and had all the experience and does the chasing. It started off that way, but the man still ends up being all "I know better than you" in the end. Boring. The mystery and espionage angle was also a little preposterous. I did like the inclusion of the gay characters, which was a departure from your usual regency romance, but it didn't save this book.
At least this was a short, fast read.
storytimed's review
5.0
My fave, mostly because it features a woman with mysterious and angsty criminal past and sweet ingenue-y man, neatly flipping your standard romance novel dynamic. Solomon is a fantastic hero, and I love that both he and Serena have actual jobs that they work at and everything.