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jayykitty's review against another edition
4.0
A "delicious entanglement" indeed! I thought this was a cute take on a gender-swapped My Fair Lady
anncastle67's review against another edition
3.0
I read this as part of a book swap and I thought it was cute but ok. I had to knock it down because at several points throughout the books there were so many jumps I had to check that I didn't miss something. I also felt there was so much build up to the end but it was all wrapped up very quickly compared to the rest of the book.
ellagant's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The book wrapped up way too fast and way too perfectly.
amor_j_daino_600390's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
anaidelawless's review against another edition
4.0
This was so good...
First of all, this is a retelling of Pygmalion, but it it gender-bent and the author set the story in an alternative history of her own making, which was really cool. I also like that this was not as much about making the person speak like a noble, but to make them a great culinarian, which for me added a bit more value. It was also filled with mouth-watering recipes so beware and do not read it when you are hungry.
When it comes down to retellings I am not only rating the book, but also how well it captured the feel of the original and by what kind of changes it made. This was one of those, where a lot of alterations were made, but it still very well captured the feeling of the original and in some aspect it expanded certain elements I missed in the original. Also the characters are really similar to the those in the play, but at the end they grow and change more then I felt like they did in the play. So Higgins is still an asshole (man or a woman), Pickering is still kind and apologetic for Higgins, but this time with a lot more agency and understanding and Eliza (Elijah) gets a whole new issue to worry about. There are many new characters since this is a full novel, and my favourite was probably the Goose. Also Freddy got the short end of the sick and is basically the only one who changed for the worse (my Freddy would not behave like this I swear).
So to summarize this is a retelling from the point of of 21st century so of course it is more palatable for me, then a play from 1912. And some of the changes were the ones I was really hoping for. So I will probably remember the original for making me quite angry and making me think about the message, the context and the implications. And I will remember this retelling as a fantasy for what I would like to happen.
And I need to read this author's Jane Austen inspired novel.
First of all, this is a retelling of Pygmalion, but it it gender-bent and the author set the story in an alternative history of her own making, which was really cool. I also like that this was not as much about making the person speak like a noble, but to make them a great culinarian, which for me added a bit more value. It was also filled with mouth-watering recipes so beware and do not read it when you are hungry.
When it comes down to retellings I am not only rating the book, but also how well it captured the feel of the original and by what kind of changes it made. This was one of those, where a lot of alterations were made, but it still very well captured the feeling of the original and in some aspect it expanded certain elements I missed in the original. Also the characters are really similar to the those in the play, but at the end they grow and change more then I felt like they did in the play. So Higgins is still an asshole (man or a woman), Pickering is still kind and apologetic for Higgins, but this time with a lot more agency and understanding and Eliza (Elijah) gets a whole new issue to worry about. There are many new characters since this is a full novel, and my favourite was probably the Goose. Also Freddy got the short end of the sick and is basically the only one who changed for the worse (my Freddy would not behave like this I swear).
So to summarize this is a retelling from the point of of 21st century so of course it is more palatable for me, then a play from 1912. And some of the changes were the ones I was really hoping for. So I will probably remember the original for making me quite angry and making me think about the message, the context and the implications. And I will remember this retelling as a fantasy for what I would like to happen.
And I need to read this author's Jane Austen inspired novel.
m_l_valentine's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
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? No
3.0
rulubear's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
After reading Dangerous Alliance, I was really excited to jump into My Fine Fellow. I don't really know much about My Fair Lady, so I'll admit that I was intrigued to see how this was going to play out. With the roles reversed, I ended up enjoying the characters a lot more than I expected to. I did think that the beginning was rather slow though but that's because of all the information we are getting.
Once we started diving into food and the romance, well, it definitely got better. Like a lot better in my opinion. I also really enjoyed the representation throughout this. Penelope is half-Filipina and Elijah is Jewish. Both deal with their fair share of prejudices and bigotry throughout the book.
In a way, I think it brought them closer together. Whether it was romantically or with the amazingly yummy food being constantly described throughout this book. Seriously, I'm starving. Other than that, things don't magically come easily to anyone and that was honestly refreshing. You see the struggles that they go through and watch them grow or adapt from it. Some may be obvious to the eye, but others aren't.
In the end, I definitely enjoyed this retelling. Kind of makes me want to watch My Fair Lady or eat something delicious.
Once we started diving into food and the romance, well, it definitely got better. Like a lot better in my opinion. I also really enjoyed the representation throughout this. Penelope is half-Filipina and Elijah is Jewish. Both deal with their fair share of prejudices and bigotry throughout the book.
In a way, I think it brought them closer together. Whether it was romantically or with the amazingly yummy food being constantly described throughout this book. Seriously, I'm starving. Other than that, things don't magically come easily to anyone and that was honestly refreshing. You see the struggles that they go through and watch them grow or adapt from it. Some may be obvious to the eye, but others aren't.
In the end, I definitely enjoyed this retelling. Kind of makes me want to watch My Fair Lady or eat something delicious.
edavis0423's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
adrzeck's review against another edition
4.0
This Goodreads description makes me so upset!!!
This book is My Fair Lady meets Top Chef.
Is there some gossipy columnist I'm trying to figure out? NO! Is the central point of the book trying to find a spouse for the duke? NO! Stop it it's not Bridgerton!
This book is My Fair Lady meets Top Chef.
Is there some gossipy columnist I'm trying to figure out? NO! Is the central point of the book trying to find a spouse for the duke? NO! Stop it it's not Bridgerton!