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3.16 AVERAGE
3.16 AVERAGE
A delightful comedy of errors and misunderstanding. I enjoyed it very much.
**ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**
1/5 - I was so excited to read this book! The premise was intriguing and I loved the cover. I was less than happy with what was inside. I thought this was a new book and it was only after I'd read a bit and started to do some digging that I realized it's actually a republication. Overall, I found the writing mediocre at best and the story incredibly derivative. It reads like it's trying to be Jane Austen with antiquated turns of phrases and random old words sprinkled throughout. I prefer my historical fiction to be written in relatively modern English.
As for the plot, this book was clearly trying to check every Regency romance box without any originality. You could probably do a scene by scene comparison with Pride and Prejudice... Obviously, Mr. Malcolm was supposed to be similar to Mr. Darcy with his list of attributes for a wife, however, he has none of Darcy's redeemable traits. In fact, I don't think I could describe any characteristics of Mr. Malcolm because he didn't have any. The characters were bland, inconsistent, and generally flat. The author chose to use third-person and share details of what just about every character is thinking and feeling yet all of their thoughts read the same. Without the names, I couldn't have differentiated between the characters. There is no character development at all - they're all the same at the end as they were at the beginning. At no point was I rooting for any of the characters or the romantic pairings. Honestly, the romance seemed built on nothing as the characters had minimal interactions with each other.
The premise is quite misleading too. The list itself plays a minimal role in the story with Selina's list being nonexistent. Other than a conniving "friend" bringing up the list from time to time, it has no bearing on the romance. The plot itself is dull as nothing happens. We don't really ever see Selina and Mr. Malcolm interacting for more than a couple of pages at a time and then we get a long stretch of everyone's thoughts and feelings before one short conversation between the two. As for the climax of the plot, the author spoils any suspense that she had created by revealing Julia's (the catty friend) plan through Julia's thoughts. If she'd let be revealed at the masquerade at the same time Selina finds out, the drama and tension would have been so much higher...
I also have a couple of issues with how characters were treated. Everyone was very critical of Selina's cousin-by-marriage Mrs. Covington and some of the comments were borderline abusive towards her. Additionally, Cassie's entire personality seemed to be that he was an idiot but noble??? The characters were incredibly disparaging to and about him. Not once did the "good" characters realize the error of their behavior. Julia uses everyone around her as a pawn and even after her realization that she hurt people, she keeps doing it.
Finally, Mr. Malcolm's list itself feels very much like a way to demonstrate that Selina is "not like other girls." Knowing the book was initially published in 2009, this makes sense, but it's still frustrating. Can we please stop writing girls tearing girls down? And Selina's list? She literally doesn't have one. Julia makes one for her, but it's not a list Selina made or endorses. And Selina meets every one of Mr. Malcolm's items so there's not even any tension over him liking her but her not meeting his standards.
Overall, a disappointing and derivative story. I've heard it's being turned into a movie, which I hope plays up the lists and actually gives the characters some personalities. I probably won't bother watching it anyway.
1/5 - I was so excited to read this book! The premise was intriguing and I loved the cover. I was less than happy with what was inside. I thought this was a new book and it was only after I'd read a bit and started to do some digging that I realized it's actually a republication. Overall, I found the writing mediocre at best and the story incredibly derivative. It reads like it's trying to be Jane Austen with antiquated turns of phrases and random old words sprinkled throughout. I prefer my historical fiction to be written in relatively modern English.
As for the plot, this book was clearly trying to check every Regency romance box without any originality. You could probably do a scene by scene comparison with Pride and Prejudice... Obviously, Mr. Malcolm was supposed to be similar to Mr. Darcy with his list of attributes for a wife, however, he has none of Darcy's redeemable traits. In fact, I don't think I could describe any characteristics of Mr. Malcolm because he didn't have any. The characters were bland, inconsistent, and generally flat. The author chose to use third-person and share details of what just about every character is thinking and feeling yet all of their thoughts read the same. Without the names, I couldn't have differentiated between the characters. There is no character development at all - they're all the same at the end as they were at the beginning. At no point was I rooting for any of the characters or the romantic pairings. Honestly, the romance seemed built on nothing as the characters had minimal interactions with each other.
The premise is quite misleading too. The list itself plays a minimal role in the story with Selina's list being nonexistent. Other than a conniving "friend" bringing up the list from time to time, it has no bearing on the romance. The plot itself is dull as nothing happens. We don't really ever see Selina and Mr. Malcolm interacting for more than a couple of pages at a time and then we get a long stretch of everyone's thoughts and feelings before one short conversation between the two. As for the climax of the plot, the author spoils any suspense that she had created by revealing Julia's (the catty friend) plan through Julia's thoughts. If she'd let be revealed at the masquerade at the same time Selina finds out, the drama and tension would have been so much higher...
I also have a couple of issues with how characters were treated. Everyone was very critical of Selina's cousin-by-marriage Mrs. Covington and some of the comments were borderline abusive towards her. Additionally, Cassie's entire personality seemed to be that he was an idiot but noble??? The characters were incredibly disparaging to and about him. Not once did the "good" characters realize the error of their behavior. Julia uses everyone around her as a pawn and even after her realization that she hurt people, she keeps doing it.
Finally, Mr. Malcolm's list itself feels very much like a way to demonstrate that Selina is "not like other girls." Knowing the book was initially published in 2009, this makes sense, but it's still frustrating. Can we please stop writing girls tearing girls down? And Selina's list? She literally doesn't have one. Julia makes one for her, but it's not a list Selina made or endorses. And Selina meets every one of Mr. Malcolm's items so there's not even any tension over him liking her but her not meeting his standards.
Overall, a disappointing and derivative story. I've heard it's being turned into a movie, which I hope plays up the lists and actually gives the characters some personalities. I probably won't bother watching it anyway.
funny
lighthearted
Lighthearted, funny, and filled with witty banter and a strong-willed heroine. What’s not to like?
I thoroughly enjoyed the more modern approach to the regency era romance.
I thoroughly enjoyed the more modern approach to the regency era romance.
A jilted woman uses her childhood friend to get revenge on the man who wronged her only for the friend and the man to fall for one another.
Thoughts:
- Underwhelming and unsatisfying
- Only one likable character
- Too much shoved into the story outside the main conflict
- Boring and very shallow
Thoughts:
- Underwhelming and unsatisfying
- Only one likable character
- Too much shoved into the story outside the main conflict
- Boring and very shallow
256 pages and on none of them does Mr Malcolm get punched in the face.
This felt like watching the 3 stooges attempt matchmaking. But they're all drunk. And have concussions.
This felt like watching the 3 stooges attempt matchmaking. But they're all drunk. And have concussions.
I picked this up because a group of friends are going to see the movie and they had all read the book first. I only just discovered recently that there was even going to be a movie. I’m all about more good regency content, but I’m honestly surprised that of all the new regency novels out in the world this is the one being turned into a movie. The author is a screenwriter, though, so this novel reads a bit like a modern movie and I’m sure she has connections in the biz to give the idea traction for production.
The main character reminds me a bit of Mr. Collins. If you ever empathized with Charlotte Lucas, this would be your chance to see if you could fall in love with a wealthy, handsome Collins. I struggled to find the appeal.
The main character reminds me a bit of Mr. Collins. If you ever empathized with Charlotte Lucas, this would be your chance to see if you could fall in love with a wealthy, handsome Collins. I struggled to find the appeal.
this book is like if a 13 year old wrote an entire novel made entirely of dialogue that they’re guessing would have been used in 1800’s London
This book was such a disappointment, and so strangely bland and and weakly written (especially from a major publisher) that I had to force myself to finish. It almost seemed like what might happen if an AI program tried to write a Regency romp -- the story was just so off. But when I noticed "soon to be a major motion picture" on it, the poor quality made more sense. I'm guessing the screenplay came first and the novelization was rushed. In particular, the constant use of telling rather than showing, combined with awkward use of point of view, made the story fall flat. On the plus side, there was some promising humor and dialogue sprinkled in. The characters and plot were not especially interesting but with the right actors the story still might succeed on screen. I hope so, anyway.