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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
DNF at 40%
I wanted to love this queertastic historic romance! But it just didn't work for me. Maybe it was too rom-com? Maybe it was that the plot seemed to depend solely on miscommunication? Maybe it was that Bonny and Peggy are the most interesting and they are relegated to supporting character status by the prose?
But I think mostly it was that Valentine is an idiot and kind of an ass for the entire boo. I don't understand why he doesn't know anything about anything... If there were other perspectives in the book I think I could have powered through but since it is entirely from Valentine and so far I hate him... I am going to call it.
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to love this queertastic historic romance! But it just didn't work for me. Maybe it was too rom-com? Maybe it was that the plot seemed to depend solely on miscommunication? Maybe it was that Bonny and Peggy are the most interesting and they are relegated to supporting character status by the prose?
But I think mostly it was that Valentine is an idiot and kind of an ass for the entire boo. I don't understand why he doesn't know anything about anything... If there were other perspectives in the book I think I could have powered through but since it is entirely from Valentine and so far I hate him... I am going to call it.
Thank you to the author and publisher for my complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review from 25 May 2022.
Was a little slow to get into it but once I did it was great!
I loved all the characters and Valentine's cluelessness was incredible - I may have scared my cat laughing at one point...
Was a little slow to get into it but once I did it was great!
I loved all the characters and Valentine's cluelessness was incredible - I may have scared my cat laughing at one point...
The protagonists were insufferable, specially Bonny. Could not get past it
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
This book was so witty and charming! I had so much fun chasing after Belle and all of the chaos this cast got in to. Im very happy Valentine got his HEA in the end.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not in this world or any other was there a need for the author to make Arabella that annoying.
fast-paced
Gay fiction is the perfect summer read. A cute romance imaging a far less judge mental 19th century than that which existed to the benefit of Bonny and Valentine.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
With Alexis Hall it's always interesting what you'll find because he just doesn't stick to one kind of story. This time it's a miss for me, but it's not due to writing or style, it's me.
Duke so-and-so has proposes to the girl he was supposed to propose to by his late father (who was friends with the girl's father). Duke didn't do it in a romantic way, so the brain-haired girl (sorry, my judgement) flees (supposedly to the Americas). Her twin brother notifies the Duke and the both of them follow her. The three of them used to be friends (because of you know the friendship of their fathers), in a kind of way the two men re-kindle the friendship and more in spite of the many obstacles on the way. Duke realizes why he was so not keen on marriage to any woman, they find a happy end without having to marry off anyone.
Escapism like this should have been a welcome thing right now, with so many horrible events going on (attack on Ukraine by Russia etc.), the writing is fine as usual.
Yet, the protagonists got on my nerves mightily. I seem to like my men a bit manlier than the two main heroes. And the fleeing twin is just so unbelievably shallow and harebrained. I guess I prefer my heroines to be more no nonsense types. Well, at least not so over-the-top romantic.
Just not my cup of tea, not at all!
Listened to the audiobook - not a good idea thought he narrator did a good job. But things that annoy you can't be blocked out as easily as with reading it yourself. I can skim over the annoying parts more easily.
Well, I'm still looking forward to Alexis's next book (A lady for a duke) as it promises to have less silly protagonists.
Duke so-and-so has proposes to the girl he was supposed to propose to by his late father (who was friends with the girl's father). Duke didn't do it in a romantic way, so the brain-haired girl (sorry, my judgement) flees (supposedly to the Americas). Her twin brother notifies the Duke and the both of them follow her. The three of them used to be friends (because of you know the friendship of their fathers), in a kind of way the two men re-kindle the friendship and more in spite of the many obstacles on the way. Duke realizes why he was so not keen on marriage to any woman, they find a happy end without having to marry off anyone.
Escapism like this should have been a welcome thing right now, with so many horrible events going on (attack on Ukraine by Russia etc.), the writing is fine as usual.
Yet, the protagonists got on my nerves mightily. I seem to like my men a bit manlier than the two main heroes. And the fleeing twin is just so unbelievably shallow and harebrained. I guess I prefer my heroines to be more no nonsense types. Well, at least not so over-the-top romantic.
Just not my cup of tea, not at all!
Listened to the audiobook - not a good idea thought he narrator did a good job. But things that annoy you can't be blocked out as easily as with reading it yourself. I can skim over the annoying parts more easily.
Well, I'm still looking forward to Alexis's next book (A lady for a duke) as it promises to have less silly protagonists.