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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A charming love story sprinkled with warmth and wit!
There is something so magical about a castle, especially for an American like myself. The fact that people actually live in Castles still is so foreign to me, it is the stuff of dreams! Add in a handsome charming castle owner, A cast of fantastic secondary characters, and a bit of a mystery... and you’ve got yourself one Fantabulous story! Sarah Bennett’s words are simply beautiful and full of whimsy and delight!
Lucy needs an escape from the hustle and bustle of London and gets her self a job at Bluebell Castle. When Lucy arrives she is expecting to be met by an old stuffy man, however Arthur is anything but. Handsome and charming, Lucy is hoping that Arthur is not a distraction. Her job is to assess the value of the items in the castle, because the castle is in some financial trouble. When Lucy happens upon an old painting, it might be the answer to everyone’s problems, the missing piece to the castle puzzle.
Lucy was a fabulous character sweet and strong with a vulnerable side. The romance between Arthur and Lucy was pretty darn adorable! The secondary characters in the story were all very well drawn. I loved meeting all the castle workers and Arthur’s siblings. This is the first book in the trilogy, so I am assuming the next two books will be Tristan and Iggy‘s stories and I am definitely looking forward to those! Fun, flirty, and fantastic absolutely recommend!
There is something so magical about a castle, especially for an American like myself. The fact that people actually live in Castles still is so foreign to me, it is the stuff of dreams! Add in a handsome charming castle owner, A cast of fantastic secondary characters, and a bit of a mystery... and you’ve got yourself one Fantabulous story! Sarah Bennett’s words are simply beautiful and full of whimsy and delight!
Lucy needs an escape from the hustle and bustle of London and gets her self a job at Bluebell Castle. When Lucy arrives she is expecting to be met by an old stuffy man, however Arthur is anything but. Handsome and charming, Lucy is hoping that Arthur is not a distraction. Her job is to assess the value of the items in the castle, because the castle is in some financial trouble. When Lucy happens upon an old painting, it might be the answer to everyone’s problems, the missing piece to the castle puzzle.
Lucy was a fabulous character sweet and strong with a vulnerable side. The romance between Arthur and Lucy was pretty darn adorable! The secondary characters in the story were all very well drawn. I loved meeting all the castle workers and Arthur’s siblings. This is the first book in the trilogy, so I am assuming the next two books will be Tristan and Iggy‘s stories and I am definitely looking forward to those! Fun, flirty, and fantastic absolutely recommend!
A fluffy, predictable novel, but still enjoyable. I read the “series” out of order but it didn’t negatively impact my understanding or experience. I enjoyed the characters and will likely read more of this series as it continues. Definitely a relaxing, light story.
Writing Style
For some books I find this really hard to describe, and this is one of those books. It almost felt like at times it was character driven, while at others it was driven by the story or the location. I don’t know if there’s a technical description for it, but I found the balance of all those different approaches really relaxing.
This let me just absorb what was on the page and feel like I was there with them as much as possible. I did find myself wishing I could enjoy reading them in the bath, but by the time I realised I wanted that it was too late to run a bath. And unfortunately, I don’t own a portable bath to travel to and from work in (not that I’m sure that’s socially acceptable?) to get my extra level of relaxation that way.
And man, those bluebell descriptions reminded me of the park behind the house I grew up in. But for me it was a field of daisies not bluebells. Not quite as fancy. But you still get the whole running in a field of flowers feeling which is amazing. So those descriptions brought me back to those childhood summer days where I’d read in amongst the flowers and my dad would almost trip over me coz, he couldn’t see me coz the flowers were so tall.
Those were good times so it’s nice to remember them sometimes.
Initial Thoughts
I was a bit confused as to what was happening in the first 2-3 chapters because it didn’t label the time to show we were covering certain days across winter with months between them. Once I realised this, I was OK, especially since it was pretty much entirely based in spring/early summer after that.
Since I’d been held on tenterhooks waiting for this book to arrive, I was ready to dive straight in and get immersed in the story. And I found this super easy to do, especially with a glass of wine on hand late on a Saturday afternoon and throughout Saturday night.
This book felt like a really great reading companion for a weekend night, which I really haven’t felt like I’ve had for quite some time.
Final Thoughts
Throughout the whole book I found myself picturing the countryside, the types of stones used, the layout of the castle, all those dogs running around and how picturesque it must be. Living somewhere like this would be a dream for me. Minus the money issues of course.
To read about how the other half live was mesmerising for me. But what I really liked were the moments when Lucie and Arthur were able to recognise their own faults and do something about them. They may have needed help sometimes to see their own faults. But they didn’t run away, gloss over or hide from them in in fear of what others would think of them.
Except a small moment from Lucie. But I can understand that and respect her for making sure Arthur found out the truth from her regardless.
My only fault with this book was the ending. I wanted more than like the 2 pages of them meeting up and making up to know what happens to them. An epilogue would have been perfect to wrap it up nicely. Unless it’s a series? Is it a series?
For some books I find this really hard to describe, and this is one of those books. It almost felt like at times it was character driven, while at others it was driven by the story or the location. I don’t know if there’s a technical description for it, but I found the balance of all those different approaches really relaxing.
This let me just absorb what was on the page and feel like I was there with them as much as possible. I did find myself wishing I could enjoy reading them in the bath, but by the time I realised I wanted that it was too late to run a bath. And unfortunately, I don’t own a portable bath to travel to and from work in (not that I’m sure that’s socially acceptable?) to get my extra level of relaxation that way.
And man, those bluebell descriptions reminded me of the park behind the house I grew up in. But for me it was a field of daisies not bluebells. Not quite as fancy. But you still get the whole running in a field of flowers feeling which is amazing. So those descriptions brought me back to those childhood summer days where I’d read in amongst the flowers and my dad would almost trip over me coz, he couldn’t see me coz the flowers were so tall.
Those were good times so it’s nice to remember them sometimes.
Initial Thoughts
I was a bit confused as to what was happening in the first 2-3 chapters because it didn’t label the time to show we were covering certain days across winter with months between them. Once I realised this, I was OK, especially since it was pretty much entirely based in spring/early summer after that.
Since I’d been held on tenterhooks waiting for this book to arrive, I was ready to dive straight in and get immersed in the story. And I found this super easy to do, especially with a glass of wine on hand late on a Saturday afternoon and throughout Saturday night.
This book felt like a really great reading companion for a weekend night, which I really haven’t felt like I’ve had for quite some time.
Final Thoughts
Throughout the whole book I found myself picturing the countryside, the types of stones used, the layout of the castle, all those dogs running around and how picturesque it must be. Living somewhere like this would be a dream for me. Minus the money issues of course.
To read about how the other half live was mesmerising for me. But what I really liked were the moments when Lucie and Arthur were able to recognise their own faults and do something about them. They may have needed help sometimes to see their own faults. But they didn’t run away, gloss over or hide from them in in fear of what others would think of them.
Except a small moment from Lucie. But I can understand that and respect her for making sure Arthur found out the truth from her regardless.
My only fault with this book was the ending. I wanted more than like the 2 pages of them meeting up and making up to know what happens to them. An epilogue would have been perfect to wrap it up nicely. Unless it’s a series? Is it a series?
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. This is a charming love story, with a dash of mystery and intrigue. The cover attracted me to this book and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. I’ve not read anything by this author before, but after reading this i definitely will be. This is a perfect summer read.
A romance set in a beautiful idyllic castle? Yes please. I’m game for that. I loved the relationship between Arthur and Lucy and the whole set of the the story was wonderful. It was definitely an easy, feel good read and I loved the family that centred around this tale. It made for very enjoyable reading and was very entertaining too. It’s one of those lovely books that you look forward to returning to and get addicted with ease. I can’t wait to move onto the next one now!
On the biggest night of art appraiser Lucie Kennington’s life, the unveiling of the masterpiece she discovered spells disaster instead. After leaving the gallery under a cloud of suspicion compounded by her late father’s fraudulent schemes, her mother convinces her to apply for a temporary position in Derbyshire helping a baronet appraise the family’s art and artifacts in the hopes of finding a treasure. Instead of the elderly man she expects, she is greeted by the young, handsome Sir Arthur Ludworth who has inherited a crumbling castle without the funds to repair it. Rounding out the family are his fellow triplets Tristan and Igraine, Uncle Lancelot, and Great-Aunt Morgana. (Yes, the Arthurian obsession is real).
The first book of Bennett’s new Bluebell Castle trilogy is a light-hearted, fun novel set in Britain, perfect for summer reading. There is romance, a compelling art mystery, loads of dogs, and acres of bluebells. Best of all, there are two more books on the way that will give readers the opportunity to share Tristan and Iggy’s love stories. A winner!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from HQ Digital through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
The first book of Bennett’s new Bluebell Castle trilogy is a light-hearted, fun novel set in Britain, perfect for summer reading. There is romance, a compelling art mystery, loads of dogs, and acres of bluebells. Best of all, there are two more books on the way that will give readers the opportunity to share Tristan and Iggy’s love stories. A winner!
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from HQ Digital through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
I don't know which castle inspired this novel, but it sounds amazing. You can call me biased since I have a castle crush with its memories and unwritten histories and well, finding a hidden treasure is everyone's childhood dream. Sadly, there are not many secret tunnels left to unearth anymore, and so, even though the novel is a tad bit unrealistic, it fulfils every romantic's dream.
The book offers a very light and enjoyable read with one of the perfect happy endings. The castle and its beautiful scenery come alive through Bennett's mesmerising diction and I so wish it were all real . . . you could have always counted me as the permanent visitor there.
As for the characters, we get a dual point of view through Lucie and Arthur and for my part I favoured Lucie. She has a vulnerability in her that invites our protective instincts. In spite of the dent in her confidence, she is honest and honourable, a virtue that is difficult to encounter these days.
The castle community, now reduced to a small number, shows a camaraderie that can only be found in some medieval era. The stiff-necked Maxwell transports us almost to another time period and Betsy and Mrs. W adds to the effect. Arthurs's siblings, Tristan and Iggie are equally lovable and I am so looking forward to their stories (especially Tristan's, no offence Iggie) in the upcoming books.
The book offers a very light and enjoyable read with one of the perfect happy endings. The castle and its beautiful scenery come alive through Bennett's mesmerising diction and I so wish it were all real . . . you could have always counted me as the permanent visitor there.
As for the characters, we get a dual point of view through Lucie and Arthur and for my part I favoured Lucie. She has a vulnerability in her that invites our protective instincts. In spite of the dent in her confidence, she is honest and honourable, a virtue that is difficult to encounter these days.
The castle community, now reduced to a small number, shows a camaraderie that can only be found in some medieval era. The stiff-necked Maxwell transports us almost to another time period and Betsy and Mrs. W adds to the effect. Arthurs's siblings, Tristan and Iggie are equally lovable and I am so looking forward to their stories (especially Tristan's, no offence Iggie) in the upcoming books.
I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. This is a charming love story, with a dash of mystery and intrigue. The cover attracted me to this book and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. I’ve not read anything by this author before, but after reading this i definitely will be. This is a perfect summer read.
Thank you publisher for the book!
However, i had to dnf the book at 16% because i found myself skimming the pages and when i tried to focus what was happening i just didn't care at all. The plot and the cover look so adorable, yet i some how didn't get myself to read it till the end.
However, i had to dnf the book at 16% because i found myself skimming the pages and when i tried to focus what was happening i just didn't care at all. The plot and the cover look so adorable, yet i some how didn't get myself to read it till the end.