Scan barcode
upturnedroots's review against another edition
5.0
It's remarkable how this trilogy has an interwoven plot and timeline with all three stories happening concurrently. I read these in the order 2, 3, and 1 with six months in between reading Ravishing the Heiress and Tempting the Bride. Next, time I'll re-read these in order so I can get the full effect of all the seeds planted for future books in the right way.
Also, I thought I was staunchly an angst-only historical romance fan, solemn was my preferred flavor of melodrama, and not bonkers plots. But this series converted me. It has it all: angst, tenderness, scandal, drama, and humor.
The second book is understandably the more sensible middle-child, while the first and third are equally and delightfully absurd. Masked identity, and amnesia (which was fun to read as a cognitive psychologist).
I loved Venetia and Christian because their romance features a burning desire for revenge, and that's how all the best stories start. Also I'm not too keen on support for museums in this time period, but I can allow a fondness for dinosaur fossils. It was also nice to see the Tremaines and Leo Marsden pop up in this book!
Also, I thought I was staunchly an angst-only historical romance fan, solemn was my preferred flavor of melodrama, and not bonkers plots. But this series converted me. It has it all: angst, tenderness, scandal, drama, and humor.
The second book is understandably the more sensible middle-child, while the first and third are equally and delightfully absurd. Masked identity, and amnesia (which was fun to read as a cognitive psychologist).
I loved Venetia and Christian because their romance features a burning desire for revenge, and that's how all the best stories start. Also I'm not too keen on support for museums in this time period, but I can allow a fondness for dinosaur fossils. It was also nice to see the Tremaines and Leo Marsden pop up in this book!
lesslinette's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
mckayle's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
jrabz's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
gabireads13's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
bettybumpkins's review against another edition
2.5
A tough one to like. The hero was no good for her and seemingly clueless to her scheme until far too late in the book. And what was with that ending? Rehashing everything for those two gossip girls! . Made little sense other to remind me how little I cared for the main plot and hope the other sisters fare better.
read_ofthe_stein's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5 stars
Sherry Thomas can't get it wrong. This was the angsty ride I've come to expect of her. However, I just didn't give it a higher rating, because Lexington, the hero, was really freaking tiresome for most of the book. I didn't like at all how he judged Venetia (the heroine) for her looks, taking her for a vain, heartless woman due to her beauty, without even knowing her. He did it time and time again, always thinking the worst of her when she hadn't even done anything wrong. He need to grovel a lot more for me to be satisfied.
Sherry Thomas can't get it wrong. This was the angsty ride I've come to expect of her. However, I just didn't give it a higher rating, because Lexington, the hero, was really freaking tiresome for most of the book. I didn't like at all how he judged Venetia (the heroine) for her looks, taking her for a vain, heartless woman due to her beauty, without even knowing her. He did it time and time again, always thinking the worst of her when she hadn't even done anything wrong. He need to grovel a lot more for me to be satisfied.