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noxefa's review against another edition
5.0
Siempre que me encuentro en un bloqueo lector, vuelvo a este libro porque sé que despertará todas las emociones que más amo como lectora. Es mi libro favorito de hace años, es mi lugar seguro y siempre vuelvo a él.
La trama es increíblemente preciosa y siempre me ha encantado por su sencillez. La historia es muy fácil de seguir y te atrapa desde un comienzo. A pesar de ser un libro que contiene la típica trama "enemies to lovers", nunca me deja de enamorar la relación que hay entre Gareth y Clare. Tomando en cuenta que está ambientada en la Edad Media, la descripción de la protagonista es muy fantástica; Clare es una mujer empoderada, independiente, con un tenue rechazo hacia el género masculino, trabajadora, disciplinada, inteligente y muy emocional; sus rasgos motivan a las lectoras femeninas, sin embargo, considerando la época en que esta historia sucede, se sabe perfectamente que esta personalidad no va a la par de las realidades femeninas medievales, pero aun así, no deja de encantarme, puesto que me vi seriamente identificada con Clare en todo el transcurso de la historia.
Gareth es simplemente el hombre soñado. A pesar de ser un hombre criado en una sociedad patriarcal y machista, y tener tenues actitudes que lo reflejan, Gareth es encantador y enamora por donde ande. La relación que tiene con Clare es casi de ensueño (digo casi, tomando en cuenta, tal y como dije, la época en que se encuentra ambientado el libro).
No tengo quejas respecto a este libro. Es básico, sencillo en todos los ámbitos, pero es exactamente eso lo que hace que encante. El toque de magia que corre por las páginas acelera el corazón, así como el amor descrito en cada párrafo. Me encantaría que este libro fuese más conocido, que más gente supiera de su existencia y pudiese disfrutar las casi 400 páginas que contiene; la primera vez que tuve la obra en mis manos lo leí en sólo una tarde, me atrapó tanto, que estuve horas y horas leyéndolo sin parar. Cuando lo terminé, me di cuenta que me había encontrado con un tesoro personal. Quizás la vida me dice que este libro no es famoso porque es sólo para mí.
Siempre lo recomendaré. Como libro favorito, siempre vuelvo a leerlo y jamás me aburro. Hace un par de días terminé de leerlo nuevamente y volvería a hacerlo cada vez que pueda. Simplemente encantador.
La trama es increíblemente preciosa y siempre me ha encantado por su sencillez. La historia es muy fácil de seguir y te atrapa desde un comienzo. A pesar de ser un libro que contiene la típica trama "enemies to lovers", nunca me deja de enamorar la relación que hay entre Gareth y Clare. Tomando en cuenta que está ambientada en la Edad Media, la descripción de la protagonista es muy fantástica; Clare es una mujer empoderada, independiente, con un tenue rechazo hacia el género masculino, trabajadora, disciplinada, inteligente y muy emocional; sus rasgos motivan a las lectoras femeninas, sin embargo, considerando la época en que esta historia sucede, se sabe perfectamente que esta personalidad no va a la par de las realidades femeninas medievales, pero aun así, no deja de encantarme, puesto que me vi seriamente identificada con Clare en todo el transcurso de la historia.
Gareth es simplemente el hombre soñado. A pesar de ser un hombre criado en una sociedad patriarcal y machista, y tener tenues actitudes que lo reflejan, Gareth es encantador y enamora por donde ande. La relación que tiene con Clare es casi de ensueño (digo casi, tomando en cuenta, tal y como dije, la época en que se encuentra ambientado el libro).
No tengo quejas respecto a este libro. Es básico, sencillo en todos los ámbitos, pero es exactamente eso lo que hace que encante. El toque de magia que corre por las páginas acelera el corazón, así como el amor descrito en cada párrafo. Me encantaría que este libro fuese más conocido, que más gente supiera de su existencia y pudiese disfrutar las casi 400 páginas que contiene; la primera vez que tuve la obra en mis manos lo leí en sólo una tarde, me atrapó tanto, que estuve horas y horas leyéndolo sin parar. Cuando lo terminé, me di cuenta que me había encontrado con un tesoro personal. Quizás la vida me dice que este libro no es famoso porque es sólo para mí.
Siempre lo recomendaré. Como libro favorito, siempre vuelvo a leerlo y jamás me aburro. Hace un par de días terminé de leerlo nuevamente y volvería a hacerlo cada vez que pueda. Simplemente encantador.
kaaeellii's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
wildwolverine's review
4.0
This book is so much fun! It starts out very similarly to Quick's novel Mystique. Both feature scholarly and independent heroines who would rather enter a convent than get married. A large, dangerous knight who also has a penchant for reading convinces her to be his wife. A knowledgeable prioress coaches the lovers together. There are murder mysteries at the core of each novel as the villain-whom you never suspect-searches for a priceless treasure that threatens the safety of a castle. Despite all these similarities, Desire is fun to read in its own right.
The heroine, Lady Clare, is very invested in her perfume business and her studies. However, unlike Lady Alice from Mystique, she is so scholarly that she has terrible social skills. Oh, the people of the Isle of Desire love her, but her dialogue can be so stilted and her opinions so obtuse that she is far more frustrating to read about than Lady Alice who needed saving every other chapter. Overall, the characters felt more cookie cutter than Quick's other novel, but it's a formula I like, so I'm not too upset with it.
Things really got going when the murder mystery cropped up. I was genuinely stumped right up until the end, which was so suspenseful that I was on the edge of my seat despite knowing that everything would turn out fine in the end. I'm finding that this is my favorite sub-genre of romance novels!
If you like nerdy heroines and big, masculine heroes with precocious children and murder mysteries, this is the book for you. Even if you don't, it's still a fun and entertaining read.
The heroine, Lady Clare, is very invested in her perfume business and her studies. However, unlike Lady Alice from Mystique, she is so scholarly that she has terrible social skills. Oh, the people of the Isle of Desire love her, but her dialogue can be so stilted and her opinions so obtuse that she is far more frustrating to read about than Lady Alice who needed saving every other chapter. Overall, the characters felt more cookie cutter than Quick's other novel, but it's a formula I like, so I'm not too upset with it.
Things really got going when the murder mystery cropped up. I was genuinely stumped right up until the end, which was so suspenseful that I was on the edge of my seat despite knowing that everything would turn out fine in the end. I'm finding that this is my favorite sub-genre of romance novels!
If you like nerdy heroines and big, masculine heroes with precocious children and murder mysteries, this is the book for you. Even if you don't, it's still a fun and entertaining read.
laurenjodi's review
3.0
Desire
3.5 Stars
One of Quick's rare romances set in medieval times, which comes across as a more politically correct version of Kathleen E. Woodwiss's The Wolf and the Dove.
Although the romance is entertaining and the minor suspense plot has its moments, the characterization and dialogue are too anachronistic to be believable. To begin with, the idea that Lady Clare would be allowed a say in choosing her husband is completely unrealistic as the women of the time were considered nothing more than breeding mares, and the fact that warlords like Gareth and his rival play along is utterly ridiculous.
That said, Quick's storytelling is excellent as always and one cannot help turning the pages despite the problematic elements. Gareth and Clare are charming characters and their romance is sexy and lighthearted.
The murder mystery is smoothly interwoven within the storyline although the villain is rather obvious.
All in all, a fun read but Quick's characters are much more suited to Regency and Victorian periods.
3.5 Stars
One of Quick's rare romances set in medieval times, which comes across as a more politically correct version of Kathleen E. Woodwiss's The Wolf and the Dove.
Although the romance is entertaining and the minor suspense plot has its moments, the characterization and dialogue are too anachronistic to be believable. To begin with, the idea that Lady Clare would be allowed a say in choosing her husband is completely unrealistic as the women of the time were considered nothing more than breeding mares, and the fact that warlords like Gareth and his rival play along is utterly ridiculous.
That said, Quick's storytelling is excellent as always and one cannot help turning the pages despite the problematic elements. Gareth and Clare are charming characters and their romance is sexy and lighthearted.
The murder mystery is smoothly interwoven within the storyline although the villain is rather obvious.
All in all, a fun read but Quick's characters are much more suited to Regency and Victorian periods.
onlyonebookshelf's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Kidnapping
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.25
Surprisingly unproblematic for its time. Is it enthusiastic verbal consent at all times? No. Is it a bodice ripper? Definitely not. Clare and Gareth had great chemistry and this was way funnier and sweeter than I expected!!
The vibe is much more A Knight’s Tale or Princess Bride - as in the characters act in a pretty modern way for it to be the 1100s, but I was cool with that. A pleasantly surprising Hissy RoNo from the 90s! I especially enjoyed how headstrong and independent Clare was as well as the running jokes about their wedding night. I liked how Gareth was more than he appeared and also how Clare and Gareth grew to respect each other and eventually fall in love. I also thought the commentary on virginity was quite refreshing.
The vibe is much more A Knight’s Tale or Princess Bride - as in the characters act in a pretty modern way for it to be the 1100s, but I was cool with that. A pleasantly surprising Hissy RoNo from the 90s! I especially enjoyed how headstrong and independent Clare was as well as the running jokes about their wedding night. I liked how Gareth was more than he appeared and also how Clare and Gareth grew to respect each other and eventually fall in love. I also thought the commentary on virginity was quite refreshing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Abandonment
Anti-fatness (several comments as to the health/body size of a young boy)spirit_animal_margaret_hale's review
4.0
Haven't had a book make me lol in a long, long time...the morning after the wedding night with the chicken blood "accident" was hilarious. This is what I was hoping Lyndsay Sands books would be, but sadly were too ott for my taste. Loved this more than I thought I would, but it is a bit of a slow burn start.
thunguyen's review against another edition
3.0
Re-reading 2023
Decided to re-read this one as I was craving for some Medieval settings and I remember this one has some good details on perfume making, from workshop to market fair, I much prefer those aspects of Medieval life rather than a princess-in-the-tower setting. The story is light, fun, easy, a mixture of everything, an Amanda Quick classic that has become my go-to whenever I need a quick read.
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This is the first Amanda Quick's Medieval theme book that I read. Although I like the story enough, the historical aspect didn't convince me or awe me, it is after all a very quick read. The mystery/murder mystery aspect was there but only entertained a few pages, nevertheless, the book is fast paced and offers a few action scenes. There's a touch of comedy in this too.
Decided to re-read this one as I was craving for some Medieval settings and I remember this one has some good details on perfume making, from workshop to market fair, I much prefer those aspects of Medieval life rather than a princess-in-the-tower setting. The story is light, fun, easy, a mixture of everything, an Amanda Quick classic that has become my go-to whenever I need a quick read.
-----------
This is the first Amanda Quick's Medieval theme book that I read. Although I like the story enough, the historical aspect didn't convince me or awe me, it is after all a very quick read. The mystery/murder mystery aspect was there but only entertained a few pages, nevertheless, the book is fast paced and offers a few action scenes. There's a touch of comedy in this too.