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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
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
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
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:
N/A
Thank you NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for my copy of Something in the Heir.
Let's say in order to keep your beloved childhood home you have to be the next to marry. Although you have some suiters you can't wait because your cousin is ready engaged so you propose to your best friend and marry three days later. However, this only grants you five years to keep the house permantly you need kids. One problem you guys have no children and decide to lie and say you have two. Now you have a huge problem on your hands.
I could not put this book down. I absolutly loved it and wish I read it slower to truly appriciate it. The best part of the book was relationships between the characters but escpeically Rose and George.They just stole my heart. I really did not want it to end. One of my favorite reads of the year.
Let's say in order to keep your beloved childhood home you have to be the next to marry. Although you have some suiters you can't wait because your cousin is ready engaged so you propose to your best friend and marry three days later. However, this only grants you five years to keep the house permantly you need kids. One problem you guys have no children and decide to lie and say you have two. Now you have a huge problem on your hands.
I could not put this book down. I absolutly loved it and wish I read it slower to truly appriciate it. The best part of the book was relationships between the characters but escpeically Rose and George.They just stole my heart. I really did not want it to end. One of my favorite reads of the year.
I received a copy of this ARC through a Goodreads Giveaway
Content Warnings: Infertility discussed, classism, toxic family relationships, poverty, loss of parents, violence, and abuse.
Emmeline’s love of her childhood home, now her and her husband’s home, lead her down a very twisty road in an attempt to keep it. In order to keep the house, they were supposed to have a child within the first 5 years of their marriage. As they’ve been married 8 years now, and still reside in the house, Will never thought to question why they haven’t been asked to vacate. When Emmeline frantically informs him of the party they need to attempt, with their two children, he’s in shock as they have no children.
Knowing how much Emmeline has always loved their home Will is determined to help figure out how they can keep it. After attempting to think of friends’ children they could potentially borrow they land on the idea of borrowing orphans. How hard could it be to borrow a couple orphans and train them in how to act like a gentleman and lady in roughly 6 weeks?
Based on the summary I’d thought this was going to be a historical romance with the second chance trope as well as shenanigans due to the storyline. I was pleasantly surprised that this book is so much more. This book felt less like a romance between husband and wife and more a love story of found family and the steps you’ll take to keep it.
I absolutely adored that we bounce between the POVs of so many characters in this story. Getting to hear everyone’s inner thoughts, as the pretend family starts to feel more and more real, was so touching. This book gave me such warm and fuzzy feelings as Emmie and Will grow closer to the children and experience parenthood at a fast pace. And then seeing George and Rose start letting down their walls and learn to trust Emmie and Will. 🥰
If you’re looking for a historical fiction book full of love, found family, shenanigans, and trying to pull the wool over a grumpy old man’s eyes…I highly recommend getting ahold of this book after its September 20th release!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Classism
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was intrigued by the premise of the book based on the publisher's note. However, I was a little disappointed in the story.
Spoiler
As an adoptive mother, it was difficult to read about Emmeline's handling as she attempts to borrow children in multiple ways, exclusively to secure this estate, which just felt particularly wrong. She gets drunk and inappropriately asks some society friends, who say no, then goes to a local farmer, who has a dozen children he can't feed and tries to borrow them instead. Having not found what she is doing highly inappropriate, she then goes to an orphanage in London and makes a sizeable donation to secure George and Rose. (Keep in mind she had particular ages, hair colors, and eye colors in mind she needed!)
It really took me out of the romance and left me wondering why I was supposed to be rooting for Emmeline to keep her beloved home when she had so little care for others.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Spoiler
As an adoptive mother, it was difficult to read about Emmeline's handling as she attempts to borrow children in multiple ways, exclusively to secure this estate, which just felt particularly wrong. She gets drunk and inappropriately asks some society friends, who say no, then goes to a local farmer, who has a dozen children he can't feed and tries to borrow them instead. Having not found what she is doing highly inappropriate, she then goes to an orphanage in London and makes a sizeable donation to secure George and Rose. (Keep in mind she had particular ages, hair colors, and eye colors in mind she needed!)
It really took me out of the romance and left me wondering why I was supposed to be rooting for Emmeline to keep her beloved home when she had so little care for others.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.