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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Loretta Chase and me 🤝.
I find her couples delightful and this book was no exception. I enjoyed that Radford was more of a “regular” person (a lawyer) than typical aristocratic MMCs. And I continue to be impressed with her smart and funny FMCs.
I find her couples delightful and this book was no exception. I enjoyed that Radford was more of a “regular” person (a lawyer) than typical aristocratic MMCs. And I continue to be impressed with her smart and funny FMCs.
The second half was much stronger than the first. I kept putting it down through the first 160 pages but I wanted to know how it turned out. I really enjoyed the earlier dressmaker books and was interested to see Clara meet her match. While Raven was definitely a good mate for her, getting there was rather tedious until the marriage. It was nice seeing Clara come into her own.
Subsequent reading and I just don't care enough to get through it.
Subsequent reading and I just don't care enough to get through it.
I liked it. Better first half than second. Sex could have been hotter
Kate Redding narrator. Excellent as always
Kate Redding narrator. Excellent as always
4.25 Stars
Raven and Clara were amazing characters. Raven struggling with his feelings while Clara is amazed of how she can be herself around him. Their romance is slow and filled with banter and sweetness. They were wonderful together. This historical romance has it all humour, a sweet romance, very intelligent characters and a delight to read.
ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Raven and Clara were amazing characters. Raven struggling with his feelings while Clara is amazed of how she can be herself around him. Their romance is slow and filled with banter and sweetness. They were wonderful together. This historical romance has it all humour, a sweet romance, very intelligent characters and a delight to read.
ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This series definitely saved the best for last! I loved loved loved Oliver and Clara together - the witty banter, the in-jokes they developed, how they expressed their love for each other. Ahh, so good!
We've met Lady Clara in the previous books, as she is transformed by the Noirot sisters into the most wanted lady in the ton, breaks and almost-engagement and proceeds to turn down proposal after proposal. She is privileged and shelter and tired of it. Through her patronage of the Noirot's school for girls, she comes in contact with Bridget Copy, her brother Toby, the unsavory bits of London, and Oliver "Raven" Radford - barrister and most annoying personage.
Radford treats Clara like an intelligent adult, which is a miracle to her. Through much bickering and bantering (hello foreplay!) they traipse about London, venturing into poor neighborhoods that Clara has never seen before. She does suffer a bit because of this, but all is set to rights with the help of her great-aunt and Radford. They fall in love and wish to marry, but know that they are simply too far apart in social status for it to be realistic. Radford doesn't let that deter him and proposes, then has to go on "trial" before Clara's parents for her hand.
The latter half of the book occurs after their wedding, when they have to learn to live as a married couple. Some reviewers have said that this portion doesn't match with the tone of the first, but I would argue against that. We still have the same villain threatening our hero's life, and Clara and Radford are still challenging each other in every way possible. While the first half is set mainly in Clara's world, here we are focused more on Radford's sphere and spend more time with his parents. I think the before and after are united by Clara and Radford each challenging their notions of self, and learning to trust and lean on others.
Yes, the ending involves a bit of an improbably convenient death, but isn't that how it goes in Romanceland? I certainly won't fault it for that, given how much I adored the rest of the story.
We've met Lady Clara in the previous books, as she is transformed by the Noirot sisters into the most wanted lady in the ton, breaks and almost-engagement and proceeds to turn down proposal after proposal. She is privileged and shelter and tired of it. Through her patronage of the Noirot's school for girls, she comes in contact with Bridget Copy, her brother Toby, the unsavory bits of London, and Oliver "Raven" Radford - barrister and most annoying personage.
Radford treats Clara like an intelligent adult, which is a miracle to her. Through much bickering and bantering (hello foreplay!) they traipse about London, venturing into poor neighborhoods that Clara has never seen before. She does suffer a bit because of this, but all is set to rights with the help of her great-aunt and Radford. They fall in love and wish to marry, but know that they are simply too far apart in social status for it to be realistic. Radford doesn't let that deter him and proposes, then has to go on "trial" before Clara's parents for her hand.
The latter half of the book occurs after their wedding, when they have to learn to live as a married couple. Some reviewers have said that this portion doesn't match with the tone of the first, but I would argue against that. We still have the same villain threatening our hero's life, and Clara and Radford are still challenging each other in every way possible. While the first half is set mainly in Clara's world, here we are focused more on Radford's sphere and spend more time with his parents. I think the before and after are united by Clara and Radford each challenging their notions of self, and learning to trust and lean on others.
Yes, the ending involves a bit of an improbably convenient death, but isn't that how it goes in Romanceland? I certainly won't fault it for that, given how much I adored the rest of the story.
last few weeks of bodice ripper summer before fantasy ya and murder mystery fall
emotional
funny
slow-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
I adore this book, from how maddeningly pedantic Raven Radford must be, to Clara's stubbornness and willingness to take advantage of her appearances to accomplish some good. I love seeing them discover each other, overcome each other's reservations and first impressions, and win over each other's families. There's something very delightful in reading about two smart and competent people, who recognize and value each other's minds and contributions, and are willing to admit when the other is correct! Not to mention as Radford reluctantly falls in love and their sharp banter along the way. Loretta Chase does an amazing job as well of the historical details (and fashion!).
I think this is the best book of the entire Dressmakers series (the three sisters have cameos) and could easily be a standalone story. The book can feel a tad long, as Clara and Radford cover a lot of ground, but there are no loose ends to leave you in doubt of their HFN/HEA. Every piece of the story comes into play (yes, even the title of the book) and plays a role in showing how much they can rely on and learn from each other.
I think this is the best book of the entire Dressmakers series (the three sisters have cameos) and could easily be a standalone story. The book can feel a tad long, as Clara and Radford cover a lot of ground, but there are no loose ends to leave you in doubt of their HFN/HEA. Every piece of the story comes into play (yes, even the title of the book) and plays a role in showing how much they can rely on and learn from each other.
