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cgbart's review against another edition
4.0
maybe 3.5--I really just did not enjoy Mia Ryan's story in this one. Overall I found these four not as well done as the previous collection, but still entertaining. (I totally called the solution to the mystery from the first, too, although perhaps that's not surprising.)
tatecochran's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Rating: 3.5 stars
Favorite Quotes:
“I looked at you twice, and I saw what you are,”
“And what is that?”
“Mine.”
Summary: A historical romance anthology all threaded together in Lady Whistledown columns and the hunt for a missing ruby bracelet. A self-confessed fortune hunter and the season’s greatest heiress. A respectable young Miss secretly courted by the most notorious rake. Estranged spouses tentatively rekindling a once flaming passion. An ambitious servant, a charming Earl, and their scandalous romance.
Review: The nature of a romance anthology entails a rushed plot and an ‘insta-love’ devotion to each other. The test that I believe measures the quality of a novella is if I would read a full-length novel
The First Kiss by Julia Quinn
Again, Quinn has penned my favorite of the four. Peter and Tillie were so sweet, and I loved that Tillie was really the one who pursued Peter and knew what she wanted. Peter’s respect and reverence for Tillie really cemented that he was less a greedy fortune hunter and more possessed practical knowledge that he cannot provide for a family without a sizable dowry. My favorite part was Peter’s conversation with Tillie’s father, ugh so sweet!
The Last Temptation by Mia Ryan
Belle was a good protagonist who had a unique ambition and drives. Truthfully, all that I remember of Anthony’s character was that he was supportive of Belle’s ambition of a trade, apart from that there was nothing remarkable about him. This was cute but forgettable.
The Best of Both Worlds by Suzanne Enoch
The rake and the respectable Miss. that they fall hard for is a trope that will always hit the spot for me. Xavier’s relentless courting and Charlotte’s parents scheming to keep them apart was utterly entertaining. I loved how Charlotte grew in confidence as the plot unfolded and her parents essentially serving as antagonists created a compelling dynamic.
The Only One For Me by Karen Hawkins
A relatively interesting premise but ultimately the details were not enough to keep me engaged. The reason for the estrangement was rocky and it didn’t make me sympathize with either Max or Sophia, and their reconciliation journey was very much one-sided. I found Sophia and Max to be both frustratingly stubborn and I am certain I could not have endured a full-length novel following these two!
Favorite Quotes:
“I looked at you twice, and I saw what you are,”
“And what is that?”
“Mine.”
Summary: A historical romance anthology all threaded together in Lady Whistledown columns and the hunt for a missing ruby bracelet. A self-confessed fortune hunter and the season’s greatest heiress. A respectable young Miss secretly courted by the most notorious rake. Estranged spouses tentatively rekindling a once flaming passion. An ambitious servant, a charming Earl, and their scandalous romance.
Review: The nature of a romance anthology entails a rushed plot and an ‘insta-love’ devotion to each other. The test that I believe measures the quality of a novella is if I would read a full-length novel
The First Kiss by Julia Quinn
Again, Quinn has penned my favorite of the four. Peter and Tillie were so sweet, and I loved that Tillie was really the one who pursued Peter and knew what she wanted. Peter’s respect and reverence for Tillie really cemented that he was less a greedy fortune hunter and more possessed practical knowledge that he cannot provide for a family without a sizable dowry. My favorite part was Peter’s conversation with Tillie’s father, ugh so sweet!
The Last Temptation by Mia Ryan
Belle was a good protagonist who had a unique ambition and drives. Truthfully, all that I remember of Anthony’s character was that he was supportive of Belle’s ambition of a trade, apart from that there was nothing remarkable about him. This was cute but forgettable.
The Best of Both Worlds by Suzanne Enoch
The rake and the respectable Miss. that they fall hard for is a trope that will always hit the spot for me. Xavier’s relentless courting and Charlotte’s parents scheming to keep them apart was utterly entertaining. I loved how Charlotte grew in confidence as the plot unfolded and her parents essentially serving as antagonists created a compelling dynamic.
The Only One For Me by Karen Hawkins
A relatively interesting premise but ultimately the details were not enough to keep me engaged. The reason for the estrangement was rocky and it didn’t make me sympathize with either Max or Sophia, and their reconciliation journey was very much one-sided. I found Sophia and Max to be both frustratingly stubborn and I am certain I could not have endured a full-length novel following these two!
xo_2609's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
kerstinc's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
arinnash's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
marianafahaun's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
sabmanosa's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This felt like the last 10 pieces after you've eaten an entire trough of fried, greasy fries. Maybe it's because I read all the Bridgerton books back to back, but this just felt very vapid, boring, and repetitive. I suppose there is only so much you can do with a prompt like this. The only thing that kept me going til the end was figuring out who stole Mrs. Neely's damn bracelet, otherwise, I might have given up earlier. Each story felt too rushed and ridiculous to get into, more so than the last book. Also the characters, despite being very different on paper, began to ran together and be less intriguing.
cmm721's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jeannette_andrews's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.25