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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
I debated about what to rate this. So going with 3.5 and benefit of the doubt.
It was enjoyable to read. Very quick paced. Very light-hearted and just light reading. Typical Hall style that I really enjoy.
But I felt sad for Valentine and was annoyed at Arabella. I don’t feel like Valentine deserved what happened to him and he’s such a lovely character. But it wasn’t a total bad thing. The plot was very panto-like, so the exaggeration works.
But the representation in this novel is so good. I really appreciate how LGBT themes are presented.
It was enjoyable to read. Very quick paced. Very light-hearted and just light reading. Typical Hall style that I really enjoy.
But I felt sad for Valentine and was annoyed at Arabella. I don’t feel like Valentine deserved what happened to him and he’s such a lovely character. But it wasn’t a total bad thing. The plot was very panto-like, so the exaggeration works.
But the representation in this novel is so good. I really appreciate how LGBT themes are presented.
I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! I haven't read anything regency/historical queer romance from Alexis Hall before and this is just perfect. I adored the wild hijinks of Valentine and Bonny chasing Arabella across the countryside, falling in love, Valentine discovering he was queer (likely ace/aromantic as well) and the entire story was just so much fun, heartfelt and sexy. So witty and wild, I adore it and can't wait for more. The other characters introduced in this book were fantastic and fingers crossed they all (or at least most of them) get their own books!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really wanted to like this more than I did. The sweet moments between main male characters recovered some stars for it, and we do love to see some demisexual representation.
That said, the story takes way too long to get going and most of the tension that was supposed to be supplied by "oh no, this is taboo in regency England" is immediately contradicted by "but it's an anancronistic fantasy romance, relax." Maybe that juxtaposition could have worked if the latter bit was done tongue-in-cheek, as a wink from author to audience, but instead it just kept knocking me out of the story. Because in a world where imprisioning or shooting a Duke has no consequences, why should I care about him being openly gay either?? It completely robbed the protag's low moments of their gravitas, and makes him seem like an asshole for simply being...a historically accurate protag in a not-historically accurate novel. I felt like all the other characters spent the entire work gaslighting him about it, which did not endear me to them.
Most of the characters make me grind my teeth more than celebrate their wins, and I hate that in a queer novel where I should love them all. For God's sake, I even disliked the genderfluid character, which was just...frustrating, when there's already so little representation of us.
That said, the story takes way too long to get going and most of the tension that was supposed to be supplied by "oh no, this is taboo in regency England" is immediately contradicted by "but it's an anancronistic fantasy romance, relax." Maybe that juxtaposition could have worked if the latter bit was done tongue-in-cheek, as a wink from author to audience, but instead it just kept knocking me out of the story. Because in a world where imprisioning or shooting a Duke has no consequences, why should I care about him being openly gay either?? It completely robbed the protag's low moments of their gravitas, and makes him seem like an asshole for simply being...a historically accurate protag in a not-historically accurate novel. I felt like all the other characters spent the entire work gaslighting him about it, which did not endear me to them.
Most of the characters make me grind my teeth more than celebrate their wins, and I hate that in a queer novel where I should love them all. For God's sake, I even disliked the genderfluid character, which was just...frustrating, when there's already so little representation of us.
In the author's own words, this book is a "big gay regency romp" -- I found it silly and enjoyable, and a nice palate cleanser after some of the heavier stuff I've read lately.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t really do it for me. I wasn’t particularly fond of the duke for at least the first 100+ pages (‘woe is me. i’m a rich, white man, pls listen to my trials and tribulations’) and while he grew marginally better in the latter half, it still wasn’t enough. Bonny was much better as a character, but again, there was nothing extremely compelling about him, or about their relationship. I spent the whole time vaguely annoyed at their antics and only managed to finish it because I have a completist streak and I was far enough along that I wanted to mark it off my Goodreads challenge.
It was vaguely intriguing that the duke was possibly demi—I do love some demi rep—but it wasn’t a huge part of the story.
I think this could be the right fit for some folks—a fun, light romp through the English countryside—but it wasn’t for me at this time.
It was vaguely intriguing that the duke was possibly demi—I do love some demi rep—but it wasn’t a huge part of the story.
I think this could be the right fit for some folks—a fun, light romp through the English countryside—but it wasn’t for me at this time.
First physical book I've read in a hot second. Although maybe wouldn't recommend this format as harder to define the many interesting rare Victorian words. Or I'm just uneducated.
Overall Something Fabulous was quite enjoyable and comforting as per most Alexis Hall books. The epigraphs and author's notes were notably fun (literally since I wrote about them in my records) and there were some banger lines from the icon, Bonny. The 4th wall breaks were also delightful. Also flower's an adorable nickname.
P.S. would've read it faster but only read it 30 min a day, before bed.
Overall Something Fabulous was quite enjoyable and comforting as per most Alexis Hall books. The epigraphs and author's notes were notably fun (literally since I wrote about them in my records) and there were some banger lines from the icon, Bonny. The 4th wall breaks were also delightful. Also flower's an adorable nickname.
P.S. would've read it faster but only read it 30 min a day, before bed.