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cozydormouse's review against another edition
1.0
Can't bring myself to finish this. It reads like a really, really long and poorly constructed Harlequin novel.
hrh_victoria's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 3.5/5
Review: This was less impressive than The Tea Rose. I was disappointed by the novel's constant POV-swapping--particularly when it focused on Seamus and Willa, who, I feel, have little to do with this novel (and likely more to do with setting up the next). Donnelly is still drawing on the early 20th century's fascination with melodrama, which would be fine by me if it didn't mirror The Tea Rose so closely. And did anyone else find Charlotte's character a bit hard to buy into?
Still, there was much to love about India and Sid and much to be said of Donnelly's attention to historical detail. Perhaps the novel didn't merit the full 700 pages it filled, but it did a darn good job of keeping my attention through all 700 pages.
Review: This was less impressive than The Tea Rose. I was disappointed by the novel's constant POV-swapping--particularly when it focused on Seamus and Willa, who, I feel, have little to do with this novel (and likely more to do with setting up the next). Donnelly is still drawing on the early 20th century's fascination with melodrama, which would be fine by me if it didn't mirror The Tea Rose so closely. And did anyone else find Charlotte's character a bit hard to buy into?
Still, there was much to love about India and Sid and much to be said of Donnelly's attention to historical detail. Perhaps the novel didn't merit the full 700 pages it filled, but it did a darn good job of keeping my attention through all 700 pages.
michellel123's review against another edition
4.0
Took a while to get going, but I ended up really loving it. Set in 1900, India Selwyn-Jones is a rich, young woman who has just graduated as a doctor. Unlike her family and fiancé, Freddie Lyton, who want her to marry and play a society lady, India is serious about her calling and begins to practice medicine, eventually working to establish a clinic in London's poor area. In her work she comes across known mobster Sid Malone when she treats him, and they fall in love. Unlike her cunning and cold politician fiancé, Sid turns out to be genuine, although they are both stubborn and allow misunderstandings to become bigger than they needed to be. The story is perhaps marked by too much unrealistic characterisation and unlikely coincidence, but I really enjoyed it and how it all came together at the end.
carleeclarke's review against another edition
4.0
I like this book, purely because it was fun to read. I didn't however understand the relationship between Sid and India. India seemed quite bland a character to me and their relationship lacked development. It was like, "I hate you! I love you! I hate you! I can't live without you!" But never felt believable. And also, India drove me crazy. For being a "strong" woman, she sure felt weak at times. Overall, a fun, fluffy read. But not the best book I've ever read.
readingwithmygoldens's review against another edition
2.0
So I was very disappointed in this book. Very. The things I kind of let slide in the first book, only were exaggerated more and just became worse. The coincidences, the drama, the unbelievability of it all...I just kind of had enough. I wanted to throw in the towel at around page 400, however I couldn't find any website in a quick search which gave a full summary so I skimmed the parts about Seamie, which I know continue on to the next book and forged on. I am mostly glad that I did, however I am so sad that the book wasn't for me, what it could have been.
I think part of my problem was I never really like India. I believe this was more personal than anything, but I just never connected with her like I wanted to. It was all so forced to me - YOU MUST LIKE HER - SHE IS THE HEROINE OF THIS STORY - I kind of felt like it was being rammed down my throat and it was a little fake to me. I would have been more than pleased to just continue with Fiona and Joe. The "love story" between India and Sid was very forced to me. It could have been done differently...not so forced. And why was this book so long?? Way too long, this could have ended way before it did.
*Kind of spoilerish**
What really frustrated me so much is that I understand India really wanted to protect her daughter and raise her in a way that made her legitimate since she was Sid's daughter, however she gave up literally her entire life??? She gave up practicing medicine??? She had all the power in the situation I felt when she was negotiating with Freddie - meaning the money - and she just let's him tell her she cannot practice medicine and here she is this really strong woman??? I just don't buy it. So I really was lost after that.
Will I read the last book in the trilogy? Maybe. If I were to pay a 1.00 or 2.00 for it. I certainly would not pay full price. Reason being because I know WWI is going to be a huge factor and that interests me a lot and I want to see how she handles that with the characters.
Overall, very disappointed.
I think part of my problem was I never really like India. I believe this was more personal than anything, but I just never connected with her like I wanted to. It was all so forced to me - YOU MUST LIKE HER - SHE IS THE HEROINE OF THIS STORY - I kind of felt like it was being rammed down my throat and it was a little fake to me. I would have been more than pleased to just continue with Fiona and Joe. The "love story" between India and Sid was very forced to me. It could have been done differently...not so forced. And why was this book so long?? Way too long, this could have ended way before it did.
*Kind of spoilerish**
What really frustrated me so much is that I understand India really wanted to protect her daughter and raise her in a way that made her legitimate since she was Sid's daughter, however she gave up literally her entire life??? She gave up practicing medicine??? She had all the power in the situation I felt when she was negotiating with Freddie - meaning the money - and she just let's him tell her she cannot practice medicine and here she is this really strong woman??? I just don't buy it. So I really was lost after that.
Will I read the last book in the trilogy? Maybe. If I were to pay a 1.00 or 2.00 for it. I certainly would not pay full price. Reason being because I know WWI is going to be a huge factor and that interests me a lot and I want to see how she handles that with the characters.
Overall, very disappointed.