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mortalnexus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
4.75
esteera's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.5
This one took me a while to get through. i was really excited for it bc it reminded me of Bridgerton meets Ali Hazelwood but it just wasn't engaging? It was so hard for me to get into.
I don't think I've said this before but this may be one instance where the book may be better if it were a movie... And i only say that because this was so dialogue heavy? i think a lot of book to movie adaptations fail bc the book has so much info that's left out but in this case, it seems doable
I don't think I've said this before but this may be one instance where the book may be better if it were a movie... And i only say that because this was so dialogue heavy? i think a lot of book to movie adaptations fail bc the book has so much info that's left out but in this case, it seems doable
Anyways, I will say the plot twist caught me off guard. Was not expecting Phoebe to be the snitch
Also the spice was giving too much of penelope/colin Bridgerton with the carriages and mirror scenes LOL
sarah_bees's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Emotionally revealing 19th century men!
reading_historical_romance's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.0
I've had this book on my TBR for so long, and I am happily able to report that dusting it off and giving it a try was a great decision. I really enjoyed this debut novel. I think that the premise is fun and original, and that the romance between the widowed Lady Violet and her stoic bodyguard, Arthur, is sweet.
Both Violet and Arthur carry the burdens of emotional wounds in their pasts, and their hope of finding any happiness has faded over the years until they are both fairly resigned to being alone for the rest of their lives. I loved that Arthur embraces Violet for all that she is, a highly intelligent, but socially awkward, chemist. In turn, Violet is able to break down Arthur's walls with her straightforward but unassuming personality and sense of the ridiculous.
The found family dynamic between all of the quirky club members and the household staff is enjoyable as everyone is welcomed and has something to contribute. I disagree with some critics who say that this book embraces the "white savior" archetype. This is a historical romance set in the early 1840s in London. The only class of women at that time living in London who would have the resources, including the property needed, to build laboratories for female scientists would be both white and aristocratic. The fact that the main character is a white female aristocrat who makes the decision to use her resources in a way that all women of all classes can benefit from, if they so choose, isn't a strike against this novel.
I am interested to try the next two novels in the series because I am intrigued by many of the other characters, including Violet's grown step-son and her childhood friend the Earl of Grantham.
Both Violet and Arthur carry the burdens of emotional wounds in their pasts, and their hope of finding any happiness has faded over the years until they are both fairly resigned to being alone for the rest of their lives. I loved that Arthur embraces Violet for all that she is, a highly intelligent, but socially awkward, chemist. In turn, Violet is able to break down Arthur's walls with her straightforward but unassuming personality and sense of the ridiculous.
The found family dynamic between all of the quirky club members and the household staff is enjoyable as everyone is welcomed and has something to contribute. I disagree with some critics who say that this book embraces the "white savior" archetype. This is a historical romance set in the early 1840s in London. The only class of women at that time living in London who would have the resources, including the property needed, to build laboratories for female scientists would be both white and aristocratic. The fact that the main character is a white female aristocrat who makes the decision to use her resources in a way that all women of all classes can benefit from, if they so choose, isn't a strike against this novel.
I am interested to try the next two novels in the series because I am intrigued by many of the other characters, including Violet's grown step-son and her childhood friend the Earl of Grantham.
ookirkpatrick's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
stephensstem's review against another edition
5.0
This was great! The best thing besides the focus on women as scientists was the gentleman's voice reading the part of Arthur - WOW just talk.
agb101103's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
sd227's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kaylin_jansen's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Historical bodyguard romance with women scientists of course I was excited. But it didn't deliver for me, plot was all over the place and while I did like Violet and Arthur I just feel like they are attracted to each other physically not emotionally.
I will definitely read other books in series.
Historical bodyguard romance with women scientists of course I was excited. But it didn't deliver for me, plot was all over the place and while I did like Violet and Arthur I just feel like they are attracted to each other physically not emotionally.
I will definitely read other books in series.