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izzya's review
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
terriaminute's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
This epistolary novel (novella?) is compelling specifically because of the character arc, which works because the pacing's excellent. For awhile I was going to dock it half a star for the unrealistic diary entries, but that becomes part of the story, Seb's note-taking ability. And, it is a magical alternate reality, after all.
I admire how easily gender differences and pronouns are handled. Good job, author. Also, the language is beautifully consistently early 1800s England plus magic plus less bigotry. Really lovely to read. Also-also, the 14 August 1817 made me laugh out loud.
I admire how easily gender differences and pronouns are handled. Good job, author. Also, the language is beautifully consistently early 1800s England plus magic plus less bigotry. Really lovely to read. Also-also, the 14 August 1817 made me laugh out loud.
blueskyreview's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
This is the coziest kind of cozy fantasy romance, perfect for readers who just want to escape into a bear hug of a book with loveable characters. This is set in the queer-normative, alt-Regency world Wallace has built throughout the Meddle-and-Mend series, and though this was my entry point, I still felt able to quickly learn this world and its characters. It's epistolary, told entirely through diary entries, and evidences the significant growth and reflection of a youngest sibling struggling to find a place and a purpose in adulthood. The romance is secondary to this character development, and it's a beautifully affirming love story between our cisgender male narrator and a transgender man he meets through the course of his new job assisting a master spellcaster.
I want to read the remainder of this series and look forward to having a cozy fantasy world to return to in between my generally higher-angst romance reads!
I want to read the remainder of this series and look forward to having a cozy fantasy world to return to in between my generally higher-angst romance reads!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault
Sexual assault - and a correlated panic attack/traumatic episode - appear as part of a side character's backstory. Assault is described non-graphically and occurs off-page, though the traumatic episode does occur on page.mobooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
bellsb00ksandwritings's review
5.0
4.5/5 Just like the other books in this series, I enjoyed reading Dear Bartleby greatly. It was once again cozy and comforting with tons of rep, so a perfect read to relax and feel better.
This time, the story follows Seb, who is sent down by his father from Oxford for playing one prank too many, and is ordered to stay with two of his older siblings. At first, he hates it there, but as he adjusts to his new living arrangements with his older siblings, Seb's perspective gradually shifts, revealing a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him, and he slowly realizes that it might be the best thing that has happened to him.
What I liked most about Dear Bartleby were Seb's character development and his friendship with Pip (and not just because Pip is oh so precious to me). I loved Laurence and I was rooting for him and Seb to end up together, but their relationship didn't feel as special as Gavin and Charles's, or even the connection Seb and Pip shared. I certainly don't mean that I wanted to see Seb and Pip end up as lovers, just that their friendship felt very true and special.
I also have to add that the entire story is told through Seb's diary entries, but it read just as easily as any other book, so don't let it stop you if you think that might not be your thing.
Highly recommended. I'm already looking forward to the next story!
This time, the story follows Seb, who is sent down by his father from Oxford for playing one prank too many, and is ordered to stay with two of his older siblings. At first, he hates it there, but as he adjusts to his new living arrangements with his older siblings, Seb's perspective gradually shifts, revealing a deeper understanding of himself and the world around him, and he slowly realizes that it might be the best thing that has happened to him.
What I liked most about Dear Bartleby were Seb's character development and his friendship with Pip (and not just because Pip is oh so precious to me). I loved Laurence and I was rooting for him and Seb to end up together, but their relationship didn't feel as special as Gavin and Charles's, or even the connection Seb and Pip shared. I certainly don't mean that I wanted to see Seb and Pip end up as lovers, just that their friendship felt very true and special.
I also have to add that the entire story is told through Seb's diary entries, but it read just as easily as any other book, so don't let it stop you if you think that might not be your thing.
Highly recommended. I'm already looking forward to the next story!
hedonicbooks's review
5.0
This book is a treasure. I'm not sure what kind of magic Sarah Wallace puts in their books, but I loved every single word.
Dear Bartleby is the fourth book in this series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I would advise you to at least read the first book because all the characters that I met and loved in Letters to Half Moon Street play major parts in this one.
This is the story of Sebastian Hartford, a troubled 20 year old man who is sent by his father from Oxford to the small town of Tutting-on-Cress for playing one too many pranks on his teachers. He is set to live with his older brother, Gavin, and his husband, Mr. Charles Kentworthy. His sister is living with them as well, so Seb is basically thrust into the hands of his family, with the purpose of doing some introspection and ultimately grow up.
The book is narrated solely through Seb's journal entries, and my god, the emotions that come alive through his words are both heartwarming and heartbreaking, I actually teared up a few times. He undergoes the most wonderful transformation, going from a lost, lonely, insecure guy to a stronger, polished and more settled version of himself, a side of himself that was there all along, but stifled by all that mischief and by keeping the wrong company. The character growth is absolutely outstanding.
In a magic filled, queer normative world, he strikes a beautiful friendship with Mr. Laurence Ayles, one of the applicants for the Royal Spellcaster job. He is a trans man, and their friendship gradually develops into something more, the way it progressed was so organic and absolutely brilliant. Their connection was so strong and tender, it made my heart burst with happiness.
Seb is working for Lord Finlington who is meant to search for the best 3 candidates for this particular post. He ends up being invaluable to the lord, and it was brilliant to see him flourish like that. Seb is also taken under his brother in law's wing, Charles taking it upon himself to educate him on various aspects. I loved their dynamic so much, how every relationship Seb develops is handled with so much care and compassion. He learns the meaning of true friendship, his worth, but also his place in the family. This entire group of characters make my heart happy. He even mends his relationship with his father, and ah, that was so emotional to witness.
I will say, I am mad at myself for not reading book 2 and 3 first, because one of the side characters, Pip, is too precious. He becomes one of Seb's closest friends, and although his story is heartbreaking, they're friendship is beautiful and I wish I had more insight into Pip's life before reading this book. Because I cried when the incident involving Pip happened. I cried so much.
If you want a magical world, with kind, caring and diverse characters that unconditionally love and support each other, this is the book for you. Seb is an unforgettable character, his journal entries paint such a vivid image of his struggles, the feelings of inadequacy that plague him at the beginning, the loneliness that envelops him like a toxic vise, only to later witness his transformation, the way he is slowly building himself up, taking charge of his life by making decisions based on his wants, finding and exploring his strengths.
I am in awe of this author for managing to create such a complex and beautiful character.
I have a lot more notes that I've made while reading this ARC, and I could write a thousand more words, but I better not. I do however encourage you all to pick this book up.
Dear Bartleby is the fourth book in this series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. I would advise you to at least read the first book because all the characters that I met and loved in Letters to Half Moon Street play major parts in this one.
This is the story of Sebastian Hartford, a troubled 20 year old man who is sent by his father from Oxford to the small town of Tutting-on-Cress for playing one too many pranks on his teachers. He is set to live with his older brother, Gavin, and his husband, Mr. Charles Kentworthy. His sister is living with them as well, so Seb is basically thrust into the hands of his family, with the purpose of doing some introspection and ultimately grow up.
The book is narrated solely through Seb's journal entries, and my god, the emotions that come alive through his words are both heartwarming and heartbreaking, I actually teared up a few times. He undergoes the most wonderful transformation, going from a lost, lonely, insecure guy to a stronger, polished and more settled version of himself, a side of himself that was there all along, but stifled by all that mischief and by keeping the wrong company. The character growth is absolutely outstanding.
In a magic filled, queer normative world, he strikes a beautiful friendship with Mr. Laurence Ayles, one of the applicants for the Royal Spellcaster job. He is a trans man, and their friendship gradually develops into something more, the way it progressed was so organic and absolutely brilliant. Their connection was so strong and tender, it made my heart burst with happiness.
Seb is working for Lord Finlington who is meant to search for the best 3 candidates for this particular post. He ends up being invaluable to the lord, and it was brilliant to see him flourish like that. Seb is also taken under his brother in law's wing, Charles taking it upon himself to educate him on various aspects. I loved their dynamic so much, how every relationship Seb develops is handled with so much care and compassion. He learns the meaning of true friendship, his worth, but also his place in the family. This entire group of characters make my heart happy. He even mends his relationship with his father, and ah, that was so emotional to witness.
I will say, I am mad at myself for not reading book 2 and 3 first, because one of the side characters, Pip, is too precious. He becomes one of Seb's closest friends, and although his story is heartbreaking, they're friendship is beautiful and I wish I had more insight into Pip's life before reading this book. Because I cried when the incident involving Pip happened. I cried so much.
If you want a magical world, with kind, caring and diverse characters that unconditionally love and support each other, this is the book for you. Seb is an unforgettable character, his journal entries paint such a vivid image of his struggles, the feelings of inadequacy that plague him at the beginning, the loneliness that envelops him like a toxic vise, only to later witness his transformation, the way he is slowly building himself up, taking charge of his life by making decisions based on his wants, finding and exploring his strengths.
I am in awe of this author for managing to create such a complex and beautiful character.
I have a lot more notes that I've made while reading this ARC, and I could write a thousand more words, but I better not. I do however encourage you all to pick this book up.
strange_little_ranger's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
readsknitsrepeats's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After reading the entires series (4 books so far) I must say I really adored book 1 (epistolary) and 4 (diary entries). I didn't expect to like those styles, but found them both a lovely way to learn about the characters.
I hope to hear more from this world and be able to read more about all these characters!
I hope to hear more from this world and be able to read more about all these characters!
a_ab's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
4.75
4.75*s. This series is so consistently wonderful that I require hair-splitting decimals to differentiate my reactions to the books within it!
This is another epistolary book (yay!), this time — a diary, which is delightful, but less fun than the letters from the first book. This book is also just a tiny bit too long for my liking, but I did like Seb's "coming of age" story a great deal — it's much less dire and traunatic than Pip's, but it might have required more character growth and change than any other character in this series had to do within these books.
And it was lovely to see these wonderful characters thriving.
I can already tell that I'll be reaching for this series whenever I need a dose of pure joy. (Books 1 and 4 — for sure, but the others, too, probably.)
This is another epistolary book (yay!), this time — a diary, which is delightful, but less fun than the letters from the first book. This book is also just a tiny bit too long for my liking, but I did like Seb's "coming of age" story a great deal — it's much less dire and traunatic than Pip's, but it might have required more character growth and change than any other character in this series had to do within these books.
And it was lovely to see these wonderful characters thriving.
I can already tell that I'll be reaching for this series whenever I need a dose of pure joy. (Books 1 and 4 — for sure, but the others, too, probably.)