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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Oh my gosh! What a fun, ridiculous romp through the English countryside! This book was not at all what I expected. A while ago I read another of Alexis Hall's historical romances--A Lady for a Duke--and it was more serious. This novel is full of over-the-top, slapstick physical comedy, and I loved it.
The story begins with Valentine, a duke, proposing to Arabella, a childhood friend. She is so repulsed by his dry, unromantic proposal that she runs away. Her twin brother, Bonny, convinces Valentine to run after her and re-do the proposal. But along the way, Valentine begins to fall for Bonny. Much of this book is Valentine and Bonny's journey together--their conversations in the curricle, visits to roadside inns, and encounters with various characters. The scenery doesn't change that much, and I could totally imagine this book as a play!
There is so much to love about this book: Bonny's sureness and comfort in his sexual identity, giving Valentine the space and courage to discover the truths about his own identity. The profound emotional themes, despite the many laugh-out-loud moments. The case that is made for love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and grace. The only thing I didn't like about this book was Arabella. She was legit the WORST! Haha.
I am in the middle of an international move, and this has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life, and reading this book made everything so much more bearable. Pure happiness distilled!
The story begins with Valentine, a duke, proposing to Arabella, a childhood friend. She is so repulsed by his dry, unromantic proposal that she runs away. Her twin brother, Bonny, convinces Valentine to run after her and re-do the proposal. But along the way, Valentine begins to fall for Bonny. Much of this book is Valentine and Bonny's journey together--their conversations in the curricle, visits to roadside inns, and encounters with various characters. The scenery doesn't change that much, and I could totally imagine this book as a play!
There is so much to love about this book: Bonny's sureness and comfort in his sexual identity, giving Valentine the space and courage to discover the truths about his own identity. The profound emotional themes, despite the many laugh-out-loud moments. The case that is made for love, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and grace. The only thing I didn't like about this book was Arabella. She was legit the WORST! Haha.
I am in the middle of an international move, and this has been one of the most stressful weeks of my life, and reading this book made everything so much more bearable. Pure happiness distilled!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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:
No
This book is gloriously silly. I was in turns cracking up and clutching my heart at Valentine’s earnestness. I also am very pleased that Bonny is fat—not something I often see in romances.
This will absolutely be the book I’ll go to when I need cheering up. What a delightful romp!
This will absolutely be the book I’ll go to when I need cheering up. What a delightful romp!
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I felt like this had potential but Arabella was so singularly annoying and she and Bonny's treatment of Valentine so ridiculous that I didn't enjoy what might otherwise have been an enjoyable book. As far as I was concerned, Arabella was so utterly ridiculous she actually deserved to find herself destitute and alone in America.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
very irritating characters with little chemistry between anyone. the nonsensical plot wouldn't be so annoying if it was well-written but the pacing and dialogue is just horrible. belle is maybe the most insufferable character i've ever had the displeasure of meeting in a book and the fact that every chapter is basically her lying and manipulating people into literally wanting to kill an innocent man just does not work well in the humorous context the author is aiming for. i really love the concept of lgbt people existing in historical media without it being treated like a spectacle or suffering The Horrors but there's a point in this book where it's just silly that valentine so clueless about Gay People when literally everyone he meets is gay. i don't think you can have the (half-assed) angsty self-discovery with him balanced with That. at least, this book can't, because the writing is awful. it really feels like valentine is just being gaslit the entire time and by the end he sees himself as a villain for honestly just doing what's 'expected' of the period while every other character has a more 'progessive' mindset because that's how they're characterized and it's very strange
Happily Ever After!
The best queer romance I’ve read in a long while. I laughed and cried and had to put it down in public because I was too invested in the characters! What a beautiful romance. We all deserve a Bonny or a Valentine.
The best queer romance I’ve read in a long while. I laughed and cried and had to put it down in public because I was too invested in the characters! What a beautiful romance. We all deserve a Bonny or a Valentine.
Man do I love Alexis Hall.
This book is rather unique as 1) two of the four main characters are quite annoying and 2) the story is extremely linear and little more than an excuse for a lot of emotions (in a good way, think "Jane Austen") - and yet it's great fun and hard to put down.
Lovely dialogues as always, loads of silly drama i simply ate up with a spoon, a shitload of queer characters (i do mean that, everyone is extremely queer), it's basically an Austen novel with more gays are funnier dialogues, and i for one never wanted anything else.
This book is rather unique as 1) two of the four main characters are quite annoying and 2) the story is extremely linear and little more than an excuse for a lot of emotions (in a good way, think "Jane Austen") - and yet it's great fun and hard to put down.
Lovely dialogues as always, loads of silly drama i simply ate up with a spoon, a shitload of queer characters (i do mean that, everyone is extremely queer), it's basically an Austen novel with more gays are funnier dialogues, and i for one never wanted anything else.
I’m torn on rating this book. It was extremely addictive & took me less than a day to read. It was romantic & laugh-out-loud funny in parts. But it troubled me how most of the characters treated Valentine badly a lot of the time & then made him feel like he deserved it, when I don’t really think he did. Also, I found 1 character to be truly unbearable, & it seemed like the book wanted me to relate to her, & all the other characters made excuses for her, but all I could think about was how much I hated her. So, I’m not sure where I land on a rating.