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00laura23's review against another edition
3.0
This book has strong characters and a good premise. Madeleine is a strong heroine who is fearless when it comes to fulfilling her artistic desire and ultimately the hole inside of her. She is smart, witty, and caring. While she is well loved by those closest to her, she doesn’t always feel like she belongs. Ferguson is strong, smart, and caring (in his own way). Neither has a love for society. Their romance is fun and interesting, especially for a couple who never wanted marriage. The sparks between them come across on the page.
This is one of those reads for me that was an ok read. While the characters and the premise were interesting, I just didn’t connect with the story the way that I like to. There were a couple of characters that I could have done without as I didn’t feel that they added anything to the overall story. It was an ok start to the series, and it will be interesting to see how the other books go.
I listened to this book on audio and the narrator did a decent job.
This is one of those reads for me that was an ok read. While the characters and the premise were interesting, I just didn’t connect with the story the way that I like to. There were a couple of characters that I could have done without as I didn’t feel that they added anything to the overall story. It was an ok start to the series, and it will be interesting to see how the other books go.
I listened to this book on audio and the narrator did a decent job.
softstarrynights's review against another edition
2.0
Come find me at www.cartonmanettedarnay.wordpress.com for more bookish content!
Unsurprisingly, judging by the cover, this is a romance novel and it was perfectly fine. The plot follows Lady Madeline, who moonlights as an actress, and the recently returned Rake, Ferguson, Duke of somewhere. The romance was decent, but there wasn't enough drama, which is surprisingly in a plot that supposedly has plenty of secrets. Somehow I never really felt like there was any danger, or maybe that the stakes were never high enough, for me to worry about the couple. I like a heaping of angst with my romances, and this barely has a sprinkle, so it just wasn't quite my cup of tea. Still, worth a read if you're in the mood for an adult romance, and not too picky.
Unsurprisingly, judging by the cover, this is a romance novel and it was perfectly fine. The plot follows Lady Madeline, who moonlights as an actress, and the recently returned Rake, Ferguson, Duke of somewhere. The romance was decent, but there wasn't enough drama, which is surprisingly in a plot that supposedly has plenty of secrets. Somehow I never really felt like there was any danger, or maybe that the stakes were never high enough, for me to worry about the couple. I like a heaping of angst with my romances, and this barely has a sprinkle, so it just wasn't quite my cup of tea. Still, worth a read if you're in the mood for an adult romance, and not too picky.
sarm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
aquariandancer's review
5.0
This was a refreshingly new story. It kept me guessing what would happen next. This was a wonderful debut.
*I received this book for free from the author. (FTC Guidelines)
*I received this book for free from the author. (FTC Guidelines)
karinajean's review against another edition
3.0
I am certain I read this book a while ago - it was an amazon freebie - but I guess I never logged it.
debra0330's review
4.0
This book was good, for a Regency romance, except for one small detail... I couldn't stand Lady Madeleine Vaillant, the female protagnist. I found her to be selfish, whiny and unbelievably self-centered. Not to mention ridiculous for her reasons in passing up "Ferguson" Avenel, the Duke of Rothwell, when he made his first heartfelt attempt at winning her heart.
I must say, Ferguson, despite (or maybe because of) his contentious relationship with his family, is a complex, wonderfully written character, one of the stronger male protagaonists I've come across in a Regency romance. Secondary characters are wonderfully written, and I see a multitude of possibilities for story offshoots, although at this point, I think there are only 2 more already written, one involving Madeleine's cousin Amelia and the other, Rothwell's sister, Elle.
This book is worth a read, if only to drool over Rothwell, who despite his past, has no problem expressing how he really feels about Madeleine. She is one lucky almost on the shelf spinster, and I'm glad she finally realized it.
I must say, Ferguson, despite (or maybe because of) his contentious relationship with his family, is a complex, wonderfully written character, one of the stronger male protagaonists I've come across in a Regency romance. Secondary characters are wonderfully written, and I see a multitude of possibilities for story offshoots, although at this point, I think there are only 2 more already written, one involving Madeleine's cousin Amelia and the other, Rothwell's sister, Elle.
This book is worth a read, if only to drool over Rothwell, who despite his past, has no problem expressing how he really feels about Madeleine. She is one lucky almost on the shelf spinster, and I'm glad she finally realized it.
bananatricky's review against another edition
3.0
I probably liked this more because I read that some reviewers felt there was too much sex and not enough plot. I disagree.
Lady Madeleine feels firmly on the shelf, sitting with the wallflowers at each ball, wearing her spinsters cap. But she has a secret, she is secretly acting at an obscure theatre in Seven Dials for two weeks.
Ferguson is quite frankly more difficult to pigeon-hole. A decade ago he engineered a disgrace so that his father would exile him to Scotland. Now his father has died, in circumstances which are by turns glossed over and forefronted, and he has inherited the Dukedom. Hating London he has returned only to get his two youngest sisters married.
Ferguson asks the spinster Maddie to bring his sisters out. The same night he sees her acting in Seven Dials - he does not suspect until he follows her coach home ...
Forced to act for another month Maddie fears exposure and disgrace, especially when the ton flock to the theatre. In order to protect her from rakes who want to make the actress their mistress Ferguson pretends to make her his - but soon realiss he likes this new Maddie a lot.
It's fun, abit silly and sets up several other stories.
Lady Madeleine feels firmly on the shelf, sitting with the wallflowers at each ball, wearing her spinsters cap. But she has a secret, she is secretly acting at an obscure theatre in Seven Dials for two weeks.
Ferguson is quite frankly more difficult to pigeon-hole. A decade ago he engineered a disgrace so that his father would exile him to Scotland. Now his father has died, in circumstances which are by turns glossed over and forefronted, and he has inherited the Dukedom. Hating London he has returned only to get his two youngest sisters married.
Ferguson asks the spinster Maddie to bring his sisters out. The same night he sees her acting in Seven Dials - he does not suspect until he follows her coach home ...
Forced to act for another month Maddie fears exposure and disgrace, especially when the ton flock to the theatre. In order to protect her from rakes who want to make the actress their mistress Ferguson pretends to make her his - but soon realiss he likes this new Maddie a lot.
It's fun, abit silly and sets up several other stories.
kimmiereadsalot's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Just the pallet cleanser I needed. I read it years ago when it was free on Apple Books. But I couldn’t remember much and it’s in the audible plus catalogue. Anyway. Mad and Ferguson are a fun couple. Very much enjoyed.
Emma Powell is a good narrator too.
Emma Powell is a good narrator too.
teaandbooklover's review against another edition
3.0
Wasn't too crazy about the story or the writing. I thought it all just too contrived and did not love either the Hero or the Heroine.
brittak's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5