Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so boring and bad. It felt like the main characters were using the kids as props and didn't actually think of them as people. Also it was hard to tell who's pov it was in most of the time and why did we get random characters povs?
I received an arc through netgalley.
I received an arc through netgalley.
lighthearted
slow-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:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Marriage of convenience with a side of found family thrown in! The plot was surprisingly not entirely predictable, and even if it had been the characters were charming enough that I would have loved it anyways.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a funny and entertaining book, but I would not class it as a romance- if historical comedy was a genre, this would be it. I thought the storyline with the children would run parallel to the romance, but it was fairly non-existant. I think a clearer blurb would have helped with expectations!
This was a funny and entertaining book, but I would not class it as a romance- if historical comedy was a genre, this would be it. I thought the storyline with the children would run parallel to the romance, but it was fairly non-existant. I think a clearer blurb would have helped with expectations!
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book is damned delightful - fun and sweet, and exactly what I was in the mood for (surprising because I haven’t been reading much historical fiction lately!)
The book starts with the setup of what is the longest running fake relationship situation I’ve ever read
Emmie is about to lose her home. Her parents are moving on and her grandfather - who controls the estate she was raised on - has a placed a couple stipulations on who gets the house. One being that the first relative to marry will get the house.
She’s exceptionally fond of Will, a dear friend. And, if one feels pressured to find themselves married in a hurry, who better than a someone like that to attach yourself too?And since Will was a such good friend - and one who possibly secretly harbored more than a little love for her - he wasn’t about to *not* go along with her scheme.
Fast forward 8 years, and they’ve settled into a …not quite cold, but cordial relationship. A parternship, really.
But all that’s about to change. There was a second stipulation to them getting the estate, they were supposed to have a child in the first 5 years. And now the grandfather is throwing himself a party, where they are meant to bring the children they never did have. They’re going to need to work together to find not just one child, but two that fit the descriptions that Emmie has been secretly feeding her family in letters over the years.
The fun starts when they plan to borrow a couple kids to play their children. All the hijinks you’d expect trying to teach a couple street wise orphans used to fending for themselves how to appear as quiet and well trained society children. Add in Will feeling things he used to, and Emmie some things she didn’t let herself the first time. The relationship is looking less fake all the time - and it “only” took 8 YEARS - They have some quality banter, but of a cautious sort. Of course as they’re (finally) getting closer to each other they’re getting closer to the children too. And those kids - I loved them, and especially enjoyed their interactions with the house staff.
This one has a lot of heart and a wonderfully satisfying ending!
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the arc!
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the arc!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am growing to love historical romances. I have learned that they don't have to be trite or substance-less. This, however, is a trite and fairly substance-less novel. The premise is based on the most toxic relationships for everyone: Emmie, Will, and the two children they take in. I realize that the novel is working with the 'marriage of convenience' trope, but when Enoch described their wedding night as "the way he'd unbalanced their agreement and made their partnership about an intimacy she certainly hadn't been ready for", I cringed. If that doesn't merit some examination for consent issues, I don't know what does. In addition, while Enoch's use of nineteenth-century slang is extensive and admirable, her use of the phrase "gifted me" is not historically accurate or necessary. The phrase "gave me" is surely sufficient. Secondly, the ending is wrapped up in less than ten pages with little to no satisfying detail as to how such arrangements came to be. We understand that Emmie and Will become reconciled, but again, the exact nature of that reconciliation is also hidden from the readers. Both of these details make the plot very unbelievable and unsatisfying. I will continue to read historical romances, but I will not be recommending this novel.
I am growing to love historical romances. I have learned that they don't have to be trite or substance-less. This, however, is a trite and fairly substance-less novel. The premise is based on the most toxic relationships for everyone: Emmie, Will, and the two children they take in. I realize that the novel is working with the 'marriage of convenience' trope, but when Enoch described their wedding night as "the way he'd unbalanced their agreement and made their partnership about an intimacy she certainly hadn't been ready for", I cringed. If that doesn't merit some examination for consent issues, I don't know what does. In addition, while Enoch's use of nineteenth-century slang is extensive and admirable, her use of the phrase "gifted me" is not historically accurate or necessary. The phrase "gave me" is surely sufficient. Secondly, the ending is wrapped up in less than ten pages with little to no satisfying detail as to how such arrangements came to be. We understand that Emmie and Will become reconciled, but again, the exact nature of that reconciliation is also hidden from the readers. Both of these details make the plot very unbelievable and unsatisfying. I will continue to read historical romances, but I will not be recommending this novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Bullying, Sexual assault, Vomit