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conioportus's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would! it's not the classic story of the wallflower who falls in love with the handsome gentleman... it's the popular girl who discovers there's more than the approval of the ton! and I really loved Clare's and Daniel's personalities. I totally recommend this book to anyone who wants to ignore the rest of the world and jump into happy endings.
brokenrecord's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. The romance hit a lot of buttons for me.
latetotheparty's review against another edition
3.0
Wasn't sure I'd like this since it's kind of about the brother, but I do love a rake in these romance novels. I like how Mary used the scandal to her advantage and the reappearance of the other characters/family members.
asomeone's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
mum2m1l2c3p4's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely characters
I really enjoyed the characters and situations in this book! Their flaws were realistic and handled well. I love brave leading ladies.
I really enjoyed the characters and situations in this book! Their flaws were realistic and handled well. I love brave leading ladies.
kokod's review against another edition
3.0
Rapped up a bit too neatly and incestuously. Too many twists for twists sake.
coppercrane2's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
3.75
guiltlesspleasures's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
So having read four of Jennifer McQuiston’s books now, I have come to realize that a) I love her writing but b) her plotting leaves something to be desired (except for in the impeccable What Happens in Scotland). To this book I add c) she occasionally creates unlikeable characters, hence the 3 stars.
Clare is a brat, although possibly this is realistic, because she’s 19 and a spoiled princess. Still, it didn’t make me feel warmly towards her or find her interesting. And Daniel… he should have been a great character, but McQuiston had him do some out-of-character stuff like kiss her out of nowhere while they still had a doctor-patient relationship - that felt gross. And I’m all for breaking down class barriers, but having them calling each other by their first names on like their second meeting felt unrealistic, as did a couple other moments. He also came across as patronizing to Clare it a number of moments.
For example, when they’re at Lady Austerley’s final musicale, Daniel comes across Clare and not only calls her “Clare” where anyone could hear him, but also strokes her collarbone? It just feels very unrealistic for someone who knows very well his place in society to take liberties like that in a public place. I put this down to an authorial failing rather than a character failing - it would have been too dumb a move for such a smart and ambitious man.
And then there’s the Big Misunderstanding at the end, which was - again - unrealistic. JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER.
High points were Clare’s brother and sister, and Daniel’s relationship with Lady Austerley.
It also needed another copy edit: “there would be less cases of syphilis to treat in Smithfield” is one example. <shudder>
Clare is a brat, although possibly this is realistic, because she’s 19 and a spoiled princess. Still, it didn’t make me feel warmly towards her or find her interesting. And Daniel… he should have been a great character, but McQuiston had him do some out-of-character stuff like kiss her out of nowhere while they still had a doctor-patient relationship - that felt gross. And I’m all for breaking down class barriers, but having them calling each other by their first names on like their second meeting felt unrealistic, as did a couple other moments. He also came across as patronizing to Clare it a number of moments.
For example, when they’re at Lady Austerley’s final musicale, Daniel comes across Clare and not only calls her “Clare” where anyone could hear him, but also strokes her collarbone? It just feels very unrealistic for someone who knows very well his place in society to take liberties like that in a public place. I put this down to an authorial failing rather than a character failing - it would have been too dumb a move for such a smart and ambitious man.
And then there’s the Big Misunderstanding at the end, which was - again - unrealistic. JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER.
High points were Clare’s brother and sister, and Daniel’s relationship with Lady Austerley.
It also needed another copy edit: “there would be less cases of syphilis to treat in Smithfield” is one example. <shudder>
friends2lovers's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
tweedlebug's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5