You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked very little of this book and yet I found it compulsively readable? I couldn't make myself drop it, even when I was extremely ??? about pretty much everything in the book.
The writing is...very Julia Quinn. I think I noticed it more in audiobook form, but she has a very rhythmic, repetitive style that goes "He thought a thing. He thought a synonym for the thing." or "She was adjective. Very adjective, so adjective." And there's the kind of off-the-cuff character decisions lampshaded with "he hadn't realized until he said it that he'd always wanted that." which maybe works sometimes but man I rolled my eyes A LOT this book.
Then, the plot. I would've liked it more if this were a paranormal soulmates book. It is the most instalove of instalove I've ever read. Jack and Grace have pretty much decided they've found The One the first time they meet (when he robs her coach) and they keep having those "how could she know he was The One when they'd barely spoken? But she did. He was." moments for the next TWO DAYS while the rest of the plot shakes out. I would've been way more invested in Grace and Tom, whom she's known for years and who's been avoiding his society marriage for just as long.
Meanwhile Jack spends the WHOLE TIME thinking about how he can ~barely restrain himself~ from having sex with Grace and when they do have sex he insists aggressively that she WILL have his babies someday. It's heterosexual alphahole in a way I just can't root for AT ALL anymore.
I don't think I've adequately described here how bonkers the pacing was in this book. Chapter 1: they fall in love. Chapters 2-17, they wonder why they're pining while Jack's grandmother yells at people. Chapter 18, they go to Ireland, Jack reveals he's dyslexic and feels unending guilt over his cousin who died with him in France, Tom offers to marry Grace/almost forces himself on her, Tom's fiance says she never wanted their society marriage and is glad to be rid of him, Jack attempts to destroy evidence of his legitimacy. Chapter 19, Jack is declared legitimate anyway, he declares he can marry Grace now if he's the Duke, the end. Epilogue: they have several children.
But I listened to the whole thing! I couldn't stop! I had to know how the runaway train got stopped! IDEK you guys, but it sure was a book.
The writing is...very Julia Quinn. I think I noticed it more in audiobook form, but she has a very rhythmic, repetitive style that goes "He thought a thing. He thought a synonym for the thing." or "She was adjective. Very adjective, so adjective." And there's the kind of off-the-cuff character decisions lampshaded with "he hadn't realized until he said it that he'd always wanted that." which maybe works sometimes but man I rolled my eyes A LOT this book.
Then, the plot. I would've liked it more if this were a paranormal soulmates book. It is the most instalove of instalove I've ever read. Jack and Grace have pretty much decided they've found The One the first time they meet (when he robs her coach) and they keep having those "how could she know he was The One when they'd barely spoken? But she did. He was." moments for the next TWO DAYS while the rest of the plot shakes out. I would've been way more invested in Grace and Tom, whom she's known for years and who's been avoiding his society marriage for just as long.
Meanwhile Jack spends the WHOLE TIME thinking about how he can ~barely restrain himself~ from having sex with Grace and when they do have sex he insists aggressively that she WILL have his babies someday. It's heterosexual alphahole in a way I just can't root for AT ALL anymore.
I don't think I've adequately described here how bonkers the pacing was in this book. Chapter 1: they fall in love. Chapters 2-17, they wonder why they're pining while Jack's grandmother yells at people. Chapter 18, they go to Ireland, Jack reveals he's dyslexic and feels unending guilt over his cousin who died with him in France, Tom offers to marry Grace/almost forces himself on her, Tom's fiance says she never wanted their society marriage and is glad to be rid of him, Jack attempts to destroy evidence of his legitimacy. Chapter 19, Jack is declared legitimate anyway, he declares he can marry Grace now if he's the Duke, the end. Epilogue: they have several children.
But I listened to the whole thing! I couldn't stop! I had to know how the runaway train got stopped! IDEK you guys, but it sure was a book.
I do not tend to read the romance genre, I probably won't again for awhile. This is enjoyable enough if all you are looking for is a typical period romance set in England/Ireland. If you look at the cover you know what you are getting. I read this since the book Bridgerton is based on was not available, but after having now finished the series and read this book I don't think I will bother.
although i really liked the book and gave it 4 stars but only because I read it after reading
Mr cavendish i presume' I believe it should be the right order to enjoy both books thoroughly so i read book 2 first and then book 1. but still book 1 didn't convince me to like jake more than Thomas. I only like Thomas or may be I am as noble and loyal as Thomas thats why I could not like Mr Jake more than him. I read this book just for knowing if Mr Jack felt bad for Thomas or not. Because I really hated Jack or the true duke of Wyndham for his arrival and ruining everything and just wanted to know his part of the story or wanted to satisfy myself by learning that may be Jack would feel bad or sorry for my dear Thomas. But did i confess I fell in love with Jack as well after reading this book and he is far more in distress as compare to Thomas so yes 4 stars for the sake of Thomas and Jake as well to proof he was a good man as well just in a wrong situation. And for the readers , if you guys really want to enjoy both books and you are as avid reader as me who want to finish both books in a day or in a row then please read book 2 first otherwise you would not be able to enjoy the read because the plot is same in both stories just different POVs. And for those who think it was a waste of time to write both books with same plot then I would say it is not because both stories are totally different and by story i mean 'love stories' and I really like the writer thought to share the same plot with two different POVs in two different books, it is very interesting and refreshing and I love it!
Mr cavendish i presume' I believe it should be the right order to enjoy both books thoroughly so i read book 2 first and then book 1. but still book 1 didn't convince me to like jake more than Thomas. I only like Thomas or may be I am as noble and loyal as Thomas thats why I could not like Mr Jake more than him. I read this book just for knowing if Mr Jack felt bad for Thomas or not. Because I really hated Jack or the true duke of Wyndham for his arrival and ruining everything and just wanted to know his part of the story or wanted to satisfy myself by learning that may be Jack would feel bad or sorry for my dear Thomas. But did i confess I fell in love with Jack as well after reading this book and he is far more in distress as compare to Thomas so yes 4 stars for the sake of Thomas and Jake as well to proof he was a good man as well just in a wrong situation. And for the readers , if you guys really want to enjoy both books and you are as avid reader as me who want to finish both books in a day or in a row then please read book 2 first otherwise you would not be able to enjoy the read because the plot is same in both stories just different POVs. And for those who think it was a waste of time to write both books with same plot then I would say it is not because both stories are totally different and by story i mean 'love stories' and I really like the writer thought to share the same plot with two different POVs in two different books, it is very interesting and refreshing and I love it!
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
the fact that the main character’s dyslexia is made out to be a “plot twist” in the last two chapters was simply ridiculous. the foundation of their relationship was flimsy. but i had fun.
As always, love a JQ novel. The two dukes angle was a fun twist. I loved the resolution, how the Duke and his wife worked together. Interesting little plot point regarding Jack and his cousin. The Dowanger is the absolute worst character potentially in all of the JQ books.