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carleneslibrary's review
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Of course this book is good because it's Georgette Heyer. However, this book relied too heavily on the miscommunication trope for my tastes, and it took me forever to get through the first half of the book because of it.
I despise the miscommunication trope, however Georgette Heyer is usually the exception to that rule because she uses it for comedic purposes so well that I don't mind the drama as much. This book' entire dramatic plot was miscommunication though and it wasn't my favorite because of that. Did it still have the hilarious and wild ending that Heyer is soo good at that made it all worth it? Yes. Am I still annoyed at how long it took me to get through the drama? Also yes.
Heyer is still the queen of swoony rom-coms, and I did still swoon and laugh out loud in this book, but it definitely isn't one of my favorites of hers.
I despise the miscommunication trope, however Georgette Heyer is usually the exception to that rule because she uses it for comedic purposes so well that I don't mind the drama as much. This book' entire dramatic plot was miscommunication though and it wasn't my favorite because of that. Did it still have the hilarious and wild ending that Heyer is soo good at that made it all worth it? Yes. Am I still annoyed at how long it took me to get through the drama? Also yes.
Heyer is still the queen of swoony rom-coms, and I did still swoon and laugh out loud in this book, but it definitely isn't one of my favorites of hers.
whosevita's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but that isn't to say I enjoyed it as much as Heyer's other books. The premise sounded so endearing to me. Two married people madly in love, who don't know it of eachtother. Both think they married eachtoher out of convience and money.
The romance was a little superficial. Heyer novels are never as explicit in declaration as modern romance seems to me. No: "I love you because of this and this and this." The characters are so likeable we can't help but already know what they like about eachother. With this book it was less so. A large part is that it was love at first sight. Not a favourite trope of mine. It was interesting enough that the book was about after that mairrage and the problems that arise after marrying do quickly without truly knowing eachtoher.
Cardross married Nel for her beauty and was afraid that he had been deceived. That beneath her youthfull frivolity she hid her deceit. She of course, is not wilfully deceiving him. He is wrong in his suspicion there, but it stands that he married her for her appearance. It isnt notably rebuked in the book. They don't really have any meaningful interaction where you can see how they care a out eachother.
I normally hate a misunderstanding, especially if the way to resolve all the problems is just to talk. However in this book the cards were so stacked against her that is was believable she felt she simply could not tell him. I didn't like the side stories of the usual devilish rake of a brother and a vapid excuse for a sister -found in every Heyer novel- but I understand they were necessary for the narritive.
The angst was good, the dialogue- like usual- perfect and I love how Georgette writes her male heroes. The cold civility used by Cardross to guard his heart was so well done.
The romance was a little superficial. Heyer novels are never as explicit in declaration as modern romance seems to me. No: "I love you because of this and this and this." The characters are so likeable we can't help but already know what they like about eachother. With this book it was less so. A large part is that it was love at first sight. Not a favourite trope of mine. It was interesting enough that the book was about after that mairrage and the problems that arise after marrying do quickly without truly knowing eachtoher.
Cardross married Nel for her beauty and was afraid that he had been deceived. That beneath her youthfull frivolity she hid her deceit. She of course, is not wilfully deceiving him. He is wrong in his suspicion there, but it stands that he married her for her appearance. It isnt notably rebuked in the book. They don't really have any meaningful interaction where you can see how they care a out eachother.
I normally hate a misunderstanding, especially if the way to resolve all the problems is just to talk. However in this book the cards were so stacked against her that is was believable she felt she simply could not tell him. I didn't like the side stories of the usual devilish rake of a brother and a vapid excuse for a sister -found in every Heyer novel- but I understand they were necessary for the narritive.
The angst was good, the dialogue- like usual- perfect and I love how Georgette writes her male heroes. The cold civility used by Cardross to guard his heart was so well done.
tani's review
4.0
Eons ago, I heard somewhere that Lois McMaster Bujold was influenced by Georgette Heyer's writing. Being a huge fan of Bujold, I instantly decided that I needed to read some Georgette Heyer. When I saw this book at a library booksale, I snatched it up. And then it sat on my bookshelf for a good 10 years, unread. Because that's just the kind of person I am.
Anyway. I liked this book a good deal more than I thought I would, especially given the truly terrible cover. (I took care to choose the one that I actually own, and it is awful.) I expected the book to be some overblown romance, despite the Bujold comparison. It was not quite that. I would call it more of a historical slice of life with a romantic subplot. The story, like many romances, does center on a series of misunderstandings and a lack of communication, but it didn't feel very much like a romance in any other sense. Although love is a big issue throughout the book, there isn't a lot of interaction between the main character and her husband/love interest. The book just doesn't spend enough time with the husband to really make me root for the romance between them. I was just rooting for the main character instead.
Actually, this reminded me a lot of the P. G. Wodehouse book that I read just before it, not merely because they were both very British books, but because a single misunderstanding is built on and creates a series of hijinks that in the end, come to a riotous conclusion. Only this book felt more innocent - in the Wodehouse, the characters were all too eager to throw each other under the bus. In April Lady, the characters are all trying to do the best thing for themselves in the same way, only without as much of the patent disregard for others that the Wodehouse characters seemed to have. In that respect, I'd say that Heyer wins out over Wodehouse for me.
On the other hand, there was a good portion in the middle of April Lady that was pretty dull. For the most part, the book centers on a single problem and the main character's attempts to solve that. It's only at the very end that things get convoluted and exciting. The middle was pretty boring, as Nell thinks of a solution, only to reject it, lament her quandary, and then think of another solution that she will soon reject. It got a little repetitive.
However, the payoff at the end was stellar! The last 20-30 pages of the book were what convinced me to upgrade this from 3 to 4 stars. Everything comes together in a truly wonderful manner, and I found myself completely drawn into the story. It really paid me off for my bit of boredom in the middle of the book, and I was very happy with it as an ending indeed.
It may not be soon, but I will definitely keep Georgette Heyer on my list of authors to read more from. She writes fun characters and a mostly engaging story, and she has a great ability to weave events together to create a truly satisfying conclusion.
Anyway. I liked this book a good deal more than I thought I would, especially given the truly terrible cover. (I took care to choose the one that I actually own, and it is awful.) I expected the book to be some overblown romance, despite the Bujold comparison. It was not quite that. I would call it more of a historical slice of life with a romantic subplot. The story, like many romances, does center on a series of misunderstandings and a lack of communication, but it didn't feel very much like a romance in any other sense. Although love is a big issue throughout the book, there isn't a lot of interaction between the main character and her husband/love interest. The book just doesn't spend enough time with the husband to really make me root for the romance between them. I was just rooting for the main character instead.
Actually, this reminded me a lot of the P. G. Wodehouse book that I read just before it, not merely because they were both very British books, but because a single misunderstanding is built on and creates a series of hijinks that in the end, come to a riotous conclusion. Only this book felt more innocent - in the Wodehouse, the characters were all too eager to throw each other under the bus. In April Lady, the characters are all trying to do the best thing for themselves in the same way, only without as much of the patent disregard for others that the Wodehouse characters seemed to have. In that respect, I'd say that Heyer wins out over Wodehouse for me.
On the other hand, there was a good portion in the middle of April Lady that was pretty dull. For the most part, the book centers on a single problem and the main character's attempts to solve that. It's only at the very end that things get convoluted and exciting. The middle was pretty boring, as Nell thinks of a solution, only to reject it, lament her quandary, and then think of another solution that she will soon reject. It got a little repetitive.
However, the payoff at the end was stellar! The last 20-30 pages of the book were what convinced me to upgrade this from 3 to 4 stars. Everything comes together in a truly wonderful manner, and I found myself completely drawn into the story. It really paid me off for my bit of boredom in the middle of the book, and I was very happy with it as an ending indeed.
It may not be soon, but I will definitely keep Georgette Heyer on my list of authors to read more from. She writes fun characters and a mostly engaging story, and she has a great ability to weave events together to create a truly satisfying conclusion.
papidoc's review against another edition
3.0
Light gothic romance fiction, among my Mom's favorites. Considerably better than the average gothic romance. Some of them are more like historical fiction, such as Simon the Coldheart. I read them from time to time when I was growing up. This one is not one of her best, but still humorous, especially as it wraps up.
tolutolu9597's review against another edition
3.0
Not sure if class this as a romance as there is very little romance in the book. A historical comedy for sure because it was hilarious and in that, I found the characters endearing and so I did find that I felt for their silly misunderstandings and struggles.
It isn't quite the historical romance I was expecting but still a sweet and enjoyable romance and I very much enjoyed the audiobook, Tanya Reynolds did a grand job.
It isn't quite the historical romance I was expecting but still a sweet and enjoyable romance and I very much enjoyed the audiobook, Tanya Reynolds did a grand job.
gigi_h's review
slow-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
4.0
balletbookworm's review
3.0
Sweet, but not nearly as good as [b:The Convenient Marriage|32106|The Convenient Marriage|Georgette Heyer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386919934s/32106.jpg|3183163] which has a similar plot at heart (older nobleman, much younger wife, ? marriage of convenience but also love) but falls short. Cardross isn't as droll as Rule, Nell is far more of a pea-goose than Horry (who is just as funny as she is naïve, Letty is annoying, and Dysart far more of an idiot than Winwood.
And as much as Heyer does dialogue so well there is a scene with two drunk Blades that goes on and on and on just when we need the plot to move.
Also, no dueling scene.
And as much as Heyer does dialogue so well there is a scene with two drunk Blades that goes on and on and on just when we need the plot to move.
Also, no dueling scene.
corvinaq's review against another edition
2.0
The first genuinely unpleasant GH I have ever read. The characters were unlikable and annoying, and the plot was tedious. Disappointing!