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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Is this a 4⭐️ quality book? Not at all. The premise is supremely silly and the plot mostly predictable. But I found it so endearing and had so much fun reading it that I’m giving it a higher rating anyway.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received an ARC copy of this book (which at this point, I know the book has already been out in the world for over a week), but I wanted to leave a review regardless. That being said, because it's an ARC copy, there may be a few things that have been updated/changed.
Honestly, I was a little bored by the book, which I hate to say. Was it the writing? Was it the pacing? Was it the fact that it was set in a time period where everything is slow and unspoken? Probably a combination of all three. But something that I really noticed was the constant repetition. The same words/phrases/thoughts were used frequently throughout the book, and while I understand the need for them (after all, people tend to have the same thoughts over and over again), I feel like they would have been better served if we could see those thoughts start to change. If at the beginning Emmeline tells herself that the children will be returned after eight weeks, then three weeks into this project when she has the same thought I want her to realize that she doesn't feel the same relief that she'd felt previously at the thought.
There were just so many things that happened too slowly, and then with Will I feel like everything was slow but then instalove. We don't get a lot of introspection into the emotions of the characters, so while there was certainly some moments, I really wanted to see more of that.
In regards to the romance, it should also be noted that there is NOT spice in this book (as it may be suggested). Sex is mentioned briefly, and there are a couple of moments where the characters mention their attraction to each other, but the romance is more of the Jane Austen era, and even then we don't really get to see that tension.
Also, Emmeline mentions that when they'd tried to have children previously, it had been awkward and uncomfortable and eventually she'd stopped leaving her door open for him. This set-up really had me thinking that we would get to see her slowly open back up to him and have Em realize how much better their physical relationship could be when she actually felt things for him...but we never got that.
There WAS a part where the little boy had set both Will and Em against each other (we love a good misunderstanding trope) and I thought "this is it, they'll have a big argument and realize that the reason they're so upset is because they're in love"...and that never happened. They realized it like a page later and then just let it go. There was some closeness and then a kiss and that was it. It just all felt very anticlimactic.
I think the strangest part for me, though, were the characters of the children. Honestly I just don't think they're believable. At times, the kids are way too smart for being 5 and 8 years old, and at other moments they behave exactly as I would expect them too. Now, perhaps because they grew up in an orphanage/on the streets, these kids are a bit more mature than they have to be, but some instances just felt very jarring.
All in all, this book was okay, and made me smile a few times, but I was really ready for a Bridgerton-like experience, and I was disappointed.
Honestly, I was a little bored by the book, which I hate to say. Was it the writing? Was it the pacing? Was it the fact that it was set in a time period where everything is slow and unspoken? Probably a combination of all three. But something that I really noticed was the constant repetition. The same words/phrases/thoughts were used frequently throughout the book, and while I understand the need for them (after all, people tend to have the same thoughts over and over again), I feel like they would have been better served if we could see those thoughts start to change. If at the beginning Emmeline tells herself that the children will be returned after eight weeks, then three weeks into this project when she has the same thought I want her to realize that she doesn't feel the same relief that she'd felt previously at the thought.
There were just so many things that happened too slowly, and then with Will I feel like everything was slow but then instalove. We don't get a lot of introspection into the emotions of the characters, so while there was certainly some moments, I really wanted to see more of that.
In regards to the romance, it should also be noted that there is NOT spice in this book (as it may be suggested). Sex is mentioned briefly, and there are a couple of moments where the characters mention their attraction to each other, but the romance is more of the Jane Austen era, and even then we don't really get to see that tension.
Spoiler
In complete honestly, the romance aspect really let me down. I really wanted to see them fall in love with each other, and though Will has kind of always been in love with her, it was Emmeline who hadn't ever looked at him that way before.Also, Emmeline mentions that when they'd tried to have children previously, it had been awkward and uncomfortable and eventually she'd stopped leaving her door open for him. This set-up really had me thinking that we would get to see her slowly open back up to him and have Em realize how much better their physical relationship could be when she actually felt things for him...but we never got that.
There WAS a part where the little boy had set both Will and Em against each other (we love a good misunderstanding trope) and I thought "this is it, they'll have a big argument and realize that the reason they're so upset is because they're in love"...and that never happened. They realized it like a page later and then just let it go. There was some closeness and then a kiss and that was it. It just all felt very anticlimactic.
I think the strangest part for me, though, were the characters of the children. Honestly I just don't think they're believable. At times, the kids are way too smart for being 5 and 8 years old, and at other moments they behave exactly as I would expect them too. Now, perhaps because they grew up in an orphanage/on the streets, these kids are a bit more mature than they have to be, but some instances just felt very jarring.
All in all, this book was okay, and made me smile a few times, but I was really ready for a Bridgerton-like experience, and I was disappointed.
4.25/5⭐️
This one was such fun…unbelievable, but wonderful just the same. This is my third from this author, and I’m definitely looking for more.
Emmeline, a young woman of 18, hurriedly weds her childhood friend William (20) in order to retain her beloved country home. Her grandfather (a duke) has stipulated that the couple must have a child within 5 years to keep it.
After 8 childless years, in a desperate effort to save their home, Emmie “invents” 2 children (on paper). When she and William are summoned for the duke’s birthday celebration, they “borrow” George & Rose, siblings from an orphanage. Then things get interesting and even wackier. And you can probably guess where it leads.
Yes, even though the premise is over-the-top, it’s also heart tugging and amusing. And the focus (other than on the kids), is the slow build to love for a more mature couple than they were as very young adults (and surprise, there are no intimate scenes…and even more surprising, I didn’t miss them). Even though it did drag a bit in places, the outstanding characters (leads, children and household staff) were worth the leisurely pace. Totally enjoyed.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing the free early arc of Something in the Heir for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
This one was such fun…unbelievable, but wonderful just the same. This is my third from this author, and I’m definitely looking for more.
Emmeline, a young woman of 18, hurriedly weds her childhood friend William (20) in order to retain her beloved country home. Her grandfather (a duke) has stipulated that the couple must have a child within 5 years to keep it.
After 8 childless years, in a desperate effort to save their home, Emmie “invents” 2 children (on paper). When she and William are summoned for the duke’s birthday celebration, they “borrow” George & Rose, siblings from an orphanage. Then things get interesting and even wackier. And you can probably guess where it leads.
Yes, even though the premise is over-the-top, it’s also heart tugging and amusing. And the focus (other than on the kids), is the slow build to love for a more mature couple than they were as very young adults (and surprise, there are no intimate scenes…and even more surprising, I didn’t miss them). Even though it did drag a bit in places, the outstanding characters (leads, children and household staff) were worth the leisurely pace. Totally enjoyed.
My thanks to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing the free early arc of Something in the Heir for review. The opinions are strictly my own.
Very cute Regency romance, but dragged just a wee bit. Loved the ending.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
This is such a delightful story!! It's wonderfully historical and English, has found family, a bit of humor, and even some second chance romance in the most unlikely form.
I absolutely loved the contrasting personalities of the two main characters and how they worked to better each other. They complimented each other so well and while the steam level was on the low end, I felt it was perfect for this charming little story. Instead of bringing the heat, this book was a lot about sweet, unexpected love in many different places.
The family and staff of Winnover will win your heart, I promise this book does not disappoint!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
I absolutely loved the contrasting personalities of the two main characters and how they worked to better each other. They complimented each other so well and while the steam level was on the low end, I felt it was perfect for this charming little story. Instead of bringing the heat, this book was a lot about sweet, unexpected love in many different places.
The family and staff of Winnover will win your heart, I promise this book does not disappoint!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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