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queenjuly's review against another edition
4.0
I got this book for free on amazon and - judging from the cover and the premise - expected a cheesy, maybe even silly, bodice-ripping romance. To be honest, I normally don't read a lot of regency romances, but I know the typical covers and silently chuckled to myself while reading obscure titles. I was prepared for the worst and was pleasantly surprised, when I actually discovered a decent plot and well-rounded characters. I found Helena to be very likeable and to some extent even authentic. I'm not that familiar with customs and traditions in this particular era of time, since my whole knowledge is based on Jane Austen movies and the like, but Helena didn't strike me as one of those characters who dresses like an 1820-darling and simultaneously behaves and speaks like a modern day woman. There were of course a lot of slip-ups in etiquette, but they were either explained or caused consequences.
The romance was cute, but focused a lot on the physical attraction between the two of them. Especially Lucas couldn't think about Helena without getting a boner. On the other hand there was little unnecessary drama in their relationship, which I appreciated.
All in all I enjoyed myself a lot more than I expected. Though actually, I expected to be entertained, but more in a "this is so ridiculous" kind of way. Instead, Adele Clee provided a light, but nonetheless entertaining read. If I'm in the mood for some nice and qualitative regency again, I will definitively look out for her novels.
The romance was cute, but focused a lot on the physical attraction between the two of them. Especially Lucas couldn't think about Helena without getting a boner. On the other hand there was little unnecessary drama in their relationship, which I appreciated.
Spoiler
I'm talking about the incident at one of the balls, where Helena stumbled upon Lucas and Lady Colebrook, while they were already betrothed. I was relieved that she didn't immediatly cause a scene, but actually used her brain and trusted Lucas to be faithful.All in all I enjoyed myself a lot more than I expected. Though actually, I expected to be entertained, but more in a "this is so ridiculous" kind of way. Instead, Adele Clee provided a light, but nonetheless entertaining read. If I'm in the mood for some nice and qualitative regency again, I will definitively look out for her novels.
jrt5166's review
3.0
I very much enjoyed the heroine of this story, even if I sometimes felt her relationship with her sister didn't ring true.
chrissir's review
2.0
Das Buch war okay, aber nicht das große Highlight und wird wohl schnell wieder vergessen sein.
Gut fand ich, dass Helena nicht auf verschiedene Intrigen hereingefallen ist, sondern wirklich Vertrauen zu Lucas hatte. Woher das allerdings gekommen ist - ist mir etwas schleierhaft. Das war doch sehr Insta-Love...
Kann man lesen, muss man aber (leider) nicht
Gut fand ich, dass Helena nicht auf verschiedene Intrigen hereingefallen ist, sondern wirklich Vertrauen zu Lucas hatte. Woher das allerdings gekommen ist - ist mir etwas schleierhaft. Das war doch sehr Insta-Love...
Kann man lesen, muss man aber (leider) nicht
readclever's review
4.0
I had high hopes for the book. I really enjoyed Helena's intelligence and that Lucas appreciated her clever independence. She's a woman who clearly knows herself and doesn't flee from it. Something younger sister Amelia seems to somewhat admire--very begrudgingly so, however. The mystery/suspense was solid, especially when finding out more on the villains. I was pretty impressed with the overall story and the fact Helena didn't back down from Lucas nor did she let him simmer in the brooding personality many men in Regency books suffer from.
Then I hit the last 20 pages or so and I grew tired of the sudden overwrought reactions. Had those been reworked into more of the clearly defined characteristics, I would have given the book 5 stars instead of 4.
Then I hit the last 20 pages or so and I grew tired of the sudden overwrought reactions. Had those been reworked into more of the clearly defined characteristics, I would have given the book 5 stars instead of 4.
susanabra's review against another edition
5.0
Refreshingly different
take on Regency romance. The heroine is direct and honest to the point of impropriety, the hero's cynicism and arrogance have a well-founded psychological background and there is unabashedly sensual sex long before the HEA. If the author had wished to do so, this book could even have been the first in a Regency detective series. Most engaging, was a certain raw humanity in both heroine and hero, which contrasted strongly and effectively with Regency mores and manners. I enjoyed To Save a Sinner very much!
take on Regency romance. The heroine is direct and honest to the point of impropriety, the hero's cynicism and arrogance have a well-founded psychological background and there is unabashedly sensual sex long before the HEA. If the author had wished to do so, this book could even have been the first in a Regency detective series. Most engaging, was a certain raw humanity in both heroine and hero, which contrasted strongly and effectively with Regency mores and manners. I enjoyed To Save a Sinner very much!
trash_reader_'s review against another edition
relaxing
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
The main characters were amazing. I fell in love with them both. Helena reminded me quite a bit like Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice and I believe that made me like her even more. I was so involved in the drama and the romance that I read this book straight through and finished it in a few hours.
readclever's review against another edition
4.0
I had high hopes for the book. I really enjoyed Helena's intelligence and that Lucas appreciated her clever independence. She's a woman who clearly knows herself and doesn't flee from it. Something younger sister Amelia seems to somewhat admire--very begrudgingly so, however. The mystery/suspense was solid, especially when finding out more on the villains. I was pretty impressed with the overall story and the fact Helena didn't back down from Lucas nor did she let him simmer in the brooding personality many men in Regency books suffer from.
Then I hit the last 20 pages or so and I grew tired of the sudden overwrought reactions. Had those been reworked into more of the clearly defined characteristics, I would have given the book 5 stars instead of 4.
Then I hit the last 20 pages or so and I grew tired of the sudden overwrought reactions. Had those been reworked into more of the clearly defined characteristics, I would have given the book 5 stars instead of 4.
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