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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
SPOILERS AHEAD
I finally finished the book just to be done with it. I was surprised that a Harlequin book allowed the sex to wait until 95% of the story was complete. The timeline is as follows: boy meets girl, boy asks girl to play the role of his sister to save family honor, boy's half sister is revealed as the deus ex machina, boy and girl fall in love, blah blah blah, boy and girl have sex, half sister steps up so boy and girl can be happy together, boy and girl marry one month later. Now let's talk about the title: in no way was she his concubine. Ever. Sooo... I don't get it. Long story short, this was a disappointment.
I finally finished the book just to be done with it. I was surprised that a Harlequin book allowed the sex to wait until 95% of the story was complete. The timeline is as follows: boy meets girl, boy asks girl to play the role of his sister to save family honor, boy's half sister is revealed as the deus ex machina, boy and girl fall in love, blah blah blah, boy and girl have sex, half sister steps up so boy and girl can be happy together, boy and girl marry one month later. Now let's talk about the title: in no way was she his concubine. Ever. Sooo... I don't get it. Long story short, this was a disappointment.
I have been searching for historicals set in less familiar areas. I thought that trying one set in the Tang Dynasty would be fascinating.
However, the pacing of this book was really distracting. The beginning felt rushed. We didn’t have time to learn more about the characters. In the middle, it slowed way down and I felt like I was walking through molasses. Then The ending was again fast forwarded and it was all fixed and we’re all good.
There were some parts that I really enjoyed. I do not know a lot about dynasty’s or this time period in history. I usually love learning about history but this book just didn’t work for me.
Empirically this book is beautifully written. The language is flowery and lovely. The story itself just did not hold my interest.
However, the pacing of this book was really distracting. The beginning felt rushed. We didn’t have time to learn more about the characters. In the middle, it slowed way down and I felt like I was walking through molasses. Then The ending was again fast forwarded and it was all fixed and we’re all good.
There were some parts that I really enjoyed. I do not know a lot about dynasty’s or this time period in history. I usually love learning about history but this book just didn’t work for me.
Empirically this book is beautifully written. The language is flowery and lovely. The story itself just did not hold my interest.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
A genuinely sweet, enjoyable story.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
#23for23
Super-funny, well-plotted, with an authentic voice and heart-stopping romance. Full review to come on RNSL Nite Lite.
I really enjoyed this story of the serving girl who gets trained to imitate a society daughter intended for a dynastic marriage. The longing! The heated gazes!
Typical historical romance novel - but the setting in Chinese history made it seem more interesting.
This book was so delightful! I enjoyed the characters and the setting and at times it made me a little emotional. I'll definitely be reading more of Jeannie Lin's novels.