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sarahcophagus's review against another edition
3.0
The premise is convoluted, but I don't really mind. There's a sort of charm in books that would take too long to explain the why, how and what. Like a woman starting up with a man who had publicly shamed her to mask his years of longing for her after a 'love at first sight' moment years before and several misunderstandings, and yet she is somehow able to maintain continuous anonymity through false names and languages and backstories, and most unbelievably through blindfolds and face coverings, enough to conduct a torrid affair with him aboard a cross ocean trip without him recognizing her ever. While the whole mess of "I am torn up with love for two woman who are secretly the same woman" is angsty and fun in theory, I think that the ruse wore out its welcome. MMC is constantly torn, staying loyal to the woman in his head, and ends up insulting whichever woman is in front of him every time - when they were all the same woman! Eventually, after many more misunderstandings and intentionally being shitty for pride's sake, the truth of the ruse and their mutual affections are revealed, in my opinion, there isn't enough book time left to enjoy of their reunion.
Side note: There are a bunch of other side characters, some of who have POV chapters, who I don't care about who have background stories going on that I had little to no context about. Found that really grating as this was billed as "Book 1" of a series, but I recognize that's just how things were done at the time of this publication.
Side note: There are a bunch of other side characters, some of who have POV chapters, who I don't care about who have background stories going on that I had little to no context about. Found that really grating as this was billed as "Book 1" of a series, but I recognize that's just how things were done at the time of this publication.
seeinghowitgoes's review against another edition
2.0
I try not to read review of novels I'm planning on reading, I find they tend to warp my preconception of how to take I'm a novel and unfortunately Beguiling the Beauty fell into this category.
As much as I wanted to enjoy the novel, the concept of these two people hovering around one another with such crazy misconceptions about one another just didn't work for me. I couldn't accept that they could fall in love under such tenuous circumstances, which really pains me as I usually adore anything that Sherry Thomas writes.
The side story of Millie and the Fitz was much more interesting, as I love stories about people with great histories.
As much as I wanted to enjoy the novel, the concept of these two people hovering around one another with such crazy misconceptions about one another just didn't work for me. I couldn't accept that they could fall in love under such tenuous circumstances, which really pains me as I usually adore anything that Sherry Thomas writes.
The side story of Millie and the Fitz was much more interesting, as I love stories about people with great histories.
heydebigale's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
This book is such a clear stepping stone to lady Sherlock!!
Stayed up a little too late reading Beguiling The Beauty and I LOVED IT. Such a lovely and unique homage to Beast by Judith Ivory
So fun to see Lady Avery and Lady Somersby - a bit villainous here but later they get their heroic moments in the lady Sherlock series!!!
Stayed up a little too late reading Beguiling The Beauty and I LOVED IT. Such a lovely and unique homage to Beast by Judith Ivory
So fun to see Lady Avery and Lady Somersby - a bit villainous here but later they get their heroic moments in the lady Sherlock series!!!
just_ordinary_bookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
meghan_e's review against another edition
DNF for now. Might try this one again later, but it just wasn't what I was looking for right now.
Edit: Finished for a read-along. It was fine.
Edit: Finished for a read-along. It was fine.
saltycaroline's review against another edition
3.0
Venetia was cool but the hero (I literally forgot his name and am too lazy to look for it) was just...there
CW: Sexual content, infertility, pregnancy, death, suicide
CW: Sexual content, infertility, pregnancy, death, suicide
lylalyn's review against another edition
5.0
This is the Mrs. Townsend mentioned as the most beautiful in London woman of Louisa’s sister Fredericka’s would have been debut season. Also, Venicia’s sister has her affair at Huntington, Felix and Louisa’s estate in “The Luckiest Lady in London”. You’ll notice a lot of mentions of reoccurring characters from various of Sherry Thomas’ historical universe from her Charlotte Holmes series as well as “The Luckiest lady in London” series which I find to be delightful.
beulah_devaney's review against another edition
4.25
Sherry Thomas' romance novels are the books I read when I want to feel terrible but also have my faith in a good story restored. Beguiling the Beauty features just the most ridiculous, improbable setup that I was braced for things to fall apart, and then of course Thomas never misses and I was treated to a painfully lovely story about missed chances, second chances and what-are-the-chances?
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5