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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
Truly childish antics here. One simple conversation could have solved everything. From page 1. I almost DNF'd but I persevered for the Diana zingers.
The author has a fantastic style, but the characters’ failure to communicate made me mad at them. Hopefully, the next pair are more likeable.
Based on Goodreads' rubric, I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, but I ultimately rounded up because the premise and characters were, quite frankly, refreshing for a historical romance.
Pros:
The premise.
I like comedy of error storylines. I like when there are misunderstandings that need to be resolved (Emma, The Importance of Being Earnest, Much Ado About Nothing, etc.). This reminds me of a combination of The Scarlet Pimpernel-- where spouses are estranged due to a misunderstanding that led to an argument-- and the Friends' episode "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" (she knew that he knew that she knew, etc.). I was hooked by the story from the prologue.
The characters.
I enjoyed all the characters in the story, even the antagonists. I was relieved to find a heroine that didn't act as though the rules of society didn't apply to her. (How many times I have rolled my eyes at heroines who acted as though they were not living in 19th century England!) I want to see sequels, particularly with Diana and Jeremy, and Emily and Belfy.
Historically accurate.
Have I mentioned that it's a pet peeve of mine when I read books that are ridden with historical inaccuracies? This one, thankfully, seemed well researched and mostly true to the timeframe. THANK YOU, Martha Waters! (There were a few parts I questioned, like using the term "corsets" instead of "stays" for the Regency era, but nothing was too jarring.)
Cons:
Escalation.
There were many set-ups that could have escalated but didn't. James flirted with his brother's former love but then instantly regretted and wrote a letter apologizing? That could have been delayed a little. His brother West not getting into his own war/duel with his brother? Could have been played up. There are several instances where one of the characters thinks of a new scheme (Belfry's disguise, Sophie's pretend infatuation with James, Diana's meddling) but it was quickly dismissed. So many missed opportunities to further the plot! Which brings me to the other main con--
Repetitiveness.
How many times did the main characters seem to come to the same conclusion over and over again? As I mentioned beforehand, there were many opportunities for their feud to escalate and continue, but instead each person kept realizing that it was simply a ploy by the other, and they only continued their games out of anger. I would have preferred actual misunderstandings continuing to happen that needed to be sorted. This could have been a novella, for all the times I kept reading that either James or Violet wanted to put their feud at a rest and then got angry and changed their mind 2 pages later.
All in all, I really enjoyed this one and can see this being adapted in film. Considering this is her first work, I was impressed with the refreshing take [a:Martha Waters|19284253|Martha Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562337507p2/19284253.jpg] has to give to historical romance. Perhaps as I read her future works she may be referred to as one of my favorites!
Also, I read that she's a children's librarian from South Florida? I have a feeling we would have a lot to talk about.
Pros:
The premise.
I like comedy of error storylines. I like when there are misunderstandings that need to be resolved (Emma, The Importance of Being Earnest, Much Ado About Nothing, etc.). This reminds me of a combination of The Scarlet Pimpernel-- where spouses are estranged due to a misunderstanding that led to an argument-- and the Friends' episode "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" (she knew that he knew that she knew, etc.). I was hooked by the story from the prologue.
The characters.
I enjoyed all the characters in the story, even the antagonists. I was relieved to find a heroine that didn't act as though the rules of society didn't apply to her. (How many times I have rolled my eyes at heroines who acted as though they were not living in 19th century England!) I want to see sequels, particularly with Diana and Jeremy, and Emily and Belfy.
Historically accurate.
Have I mentioned that it's a pet peeve of mine when I read books that are ridden with historical inaccuracies? This one, thankfully, seemed well researched and mostly true to the timeframe. THANK YOU, Martha Waters! (There were a few parts I questioned, like using the term "corsets" instead of "stays" for the Regency era, but nothing was too jarring.)
Cons:
Escalation.
There were many set-ups that could have escalated but didn't. James flirted with his brother's former love but then instantly regretted and wrote a letter apologizing? That could have been delayed a little. His brother West not getting into his own war/duel with his brother? Could have been played up. There are several instances where one of the characters thinks of a new scheme (Belfry's disguise, Sophie's pretend infatuation with James, Diana's meddling) but it was quickly dismissed. So many missed opportunities to further the plot! Which brings me to the other main con--
Repetitiveness.
How many times did the main characters seem to come to the same conclusion over and over again? As I mentioned beforehand, there were many opportunities for their feud to escalate and continue, but instead each person kept realizing that it was simply a ploy by the other, and they only continued their games out of anger. I would have preferred actual misunderstandings continuing to happen that needed to be sorted. This could have been a novella, for all the times I kept reading that either James or Violet wanted to put their feud at a rest and then got angry and changed their mind 2 pages later.
All in all, I really enjoyed this one and can see this being adapted in film. Considering this is her first work, I was impressed with the refreshing take [a:Martha Waters|19284253|Martha Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562337507p2/19284253.jpg] has to give to historical romance. Perhaps as I read her future works she may be referred to as one of my favorites!
Also, I read that she's a children's librarian from South Florida? I have a feeling we would have a lot to talk about.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
Full review at link: Wild and Wonderful Reads
*DNF*
Sometimes books just don’t work for a person. To Have and to Hoax is one of those books for me.
I read approximately fifty percent (50%) of this book before I decided to walk away from it. Because I didn’t finish the book, I will not be assigning a star rating.
Based on the synopsis, I was hoping to read a fun, Regency rom com featuring a second chance romance of a married couple. I also knew going in that miscommunication (one of, if not my absolute, least favorite tropes) played a part.
I prefer not to outright bash the book simply because it wasn’t my jam and knowing that many will enjoy it. So, here are a few reasons why I abandoned ship:
-The pacing is really slow. By the time I stopped reading, there still hadn’t been any actual romance or indication that the main characters were moving towards a rekindled relationship. There are a few lines hinting at attraction or bottled up desire but they are few and far between. The bitterness and resentment between the characters became a bit much for me.
-I had zero connection with any characters.
-The banter has its moments! Often, though, I found it more petty which made the dialogue dislikeable.
-Although I knew miscommunication was part of the story, it became quite cringey and frustrating the longer I read.
As I said before, To Have and to Hoax didn’t work for me, but that’s not to say it won’t work for someone else. However, I simply can’t recommend this book.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
*DNF*
Sometimes books just don’t work for a person. To Have and to Hoax is one of those books for me.
I read approximately fifty percent (50%) of this book before I decided to walk away from it. Because I didn’t finish the book, I will not be assigning a star rating.
Based on the synopsis, I was hoping to read a fun, Regency rom com featuring a second chance romance of a married couple. I also knew going in that miscommunication (one of, if not my absolute, least favorite tropes) played a part.
I prefer not to outright bash the book simply because it wasn’t my jam and knowing that many will enjoy it. So, here are a few reasons why I abandoned ship:
-The pacing is really slow. By the time I stopped reading, there still hadn’t been any actual romance or indication that the main characters were moving towards a rekindled relationship. There are a few lines hinting at attraction or bottled up desire but they are few and far between. The bitterness and resentment between the characters became a bit much for me.
-I had zero connection with any characters.
-The banter has its moments! Often, though, I found it more petty which made the dialogue dislikeable.
-Although I knew miscommunication was part of the story, it became quite cringey and frustrating the longer I read.
As I said before, To Have and to Hoax didn’t work for me, but that’s not to say it won’t work for someone else. However, I simply can’t recommend this book.
*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book. Please note that it, in no way, had an effect on my opinion or review.
If you liked Bridgerton, but always wanted it to be a little steamier and a little less sexist, this is the series for you. Found all of them to be highly enjoyable, although my personal favorite is the second. Can be read as standalones.
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
Super cute. Was essentially the episode of friends where everyone finds out about Monica and Chandler.