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katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
This one is so hard for me to rate.
Here's the deal: I loved most of it. I loved Daisy, and her fierce determination, and her love for her family. And I loved Flynn, and his matching determination to win Daisy.
But there was one - literally just tossed in - twist at the 90% mark that really pissed me off. I'm choosing to mostly ignore it, for the rating, but I'm for damn sure going to talk about it.
Okay, so here's what happened.
So I think Daisy's approach, though stubborn, was reasonable.
A wealthy widow approached her about partnering - she had money to spare, and she was horribly bored - and Daisy decided to do that... because she DID understand that having financial backing benefits her, and because this is a woman she has no attachment to, so it is JUST a business relationship.
Keep in mind, too, that the men's business partnership evolved in a similar way. Max and Flynn did not know each other - Flynn says they didn't even like each other at first - but they became business partners, and it was a solid working relationship.
Anyway, this was magnificent, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Daisy showed sense - Flynn sold her on the idea of a silent partner, because it was sensible. But in her own judgment - which I 100% agree with - it was best to find a partner outside her family and close friends. And not a man, so she'd be on even legal footing. And secondly, Daisy was a success. She was a success in her own right. She didn't need a man to throw her money, or to tell her how she should be doing things, or to step in and manage her. It was empowering and wonderful.
So then at the 90% mark, as Flynn and Daisy are heading towards their HEA, Flynn reveals that HE is her actual partner. That he gave the money to the widow, and set all this up. Now, the book blows this reveal off. Daisy is miffed for a moment, but within, like, a single page... she concludes that she was being overly stubborn, and look at all the good that came out of it, so who cares.
That made me really angry.
It completely undercut Daisy. Basically, the message here is "Silly woman, of course you need a man to manage you! And if you are too foolish to realize that, he'll just go around you and manage you without you knowing about it. Because that's the only way you're going to succeed - if a man is arranging things in the background."
I'm disgusted. And I'm disgusted that she just didn't even care. It was horrible, and it was utterly unnecessary. Seriously, why did this need to even be a plot point? I could see it if it came out earlier, and was the cause of their big fight... but like this? It's ridiculous, it makes Daisy look ridiculous, it makes Flynn look horribly high-handed, and it makes the firm point that she will NEVER actually be in charge.
It honestly ruined the book for me. Which is really upsetting, because I loved the rest of it, and I adored the wrap-up of the series, with Lady Beatrice. I guess, because it was a 1-page thing that the author just tossed out there, I'm going to just pretend it never happened.
*sigh*
Here's the deal: I loved most of it. I loved Daisy, and her fierce determination, and her love for her family. And I loved Flynn, and his matching determination to win Daisy.
But there was one - literally just tossed in - twist at the 90% mark that really pissed me off. I'm choosing to mostly ignore it, for the rating, but I'm for damn sure going to talk about it.
Okay, so here's what happened.
Spoiler
Daisy was determined to start her own dress-making shop, and as we've seen through the series, she certainly has the talent for it. And she was determined to do it on her own. She was arguably a little stubborn about it, but her reasons were sound. Getting into business with a man as a partner is a horrible choice for a woman in those times - in any legal dispute, the man wins. And her family - what they had was wonderful, but for a girl who had basically lived in the gutter all her life, until a year ago, it is perfectly reasonable for Daisy to be afraid to rely on it, or to take advantage of it for setting up her business. Further, I think her primary concern - I mean, she said this to Max and Freddy directly - was that ... having a family, people she loved and who loved her, it was so dear to her that she didn't want to risk those relationships on her business. Because if it failed, would she lose her dream business AND her family? That would be unbelievably devastating.So I think Daisy's approach, though stubborn, was reasonable.
A wealthy widow approached her about partnering - she had money to spare, and she was horribly bored - and Daisy decided to do that... because she DID understand that having financial backing benefits her, and because this is a woman she has no attachment to, so it is JUST a business relationship.
Keep in mind, too, that the men's business partnership evolved in a similar way. Max and Flynn did not know each other - Flynn says they didn't even like each other at first - but they became business partners, and it was a solid working relationship.
Anyway, this was magnificent, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Daisy showed sense - Flynn sold her on the idea of a silent partner, because it was sensible. But in her own judgment - which I 100% agree with - it was best to find a partner outside her family and close friends. And not a man, so she'd be on even legal footing. And secondly, Daisy was a success. She was a success in her own right. She didn't need a man to throw her money, or to tell her how she should be doing things, or to step in and manage her. It was empowering and wonderful.
So then at the 90% mark, as Flynn and Daisy are heading towards their HEA, Flynn reveals that HE is her actual partner. That he gave the money to the widow, and set all this up. Now, the book blows this reveal off. Daisy is miffed for a moment, but within, like, a single page... she concludes that she was being overly stubborn, and look at all the good that came out of it, so who cares.
That made me really angry.
It completely undercut Daisy. Basically, the message here is "Silly woman, of course you need a man to manage you! And if you are too foolish to realize that, he'll just go around you and manage you without you knowing about it. Because that's the only way you're going to succeed - if a man is arranging things in the background."
I'm disgusted. And I'm disgusted that she just didn't even care. It was horrible, and it was utterly unnecessary. Seriously, why did this need to even be a plot point? I could see it if it came out earlier, and was the cause of their big fight... but like this? It's ridiculous, it makes Daisy look ridiculous, it makes Flynn look horribly high-handed, and it makes the firm point that she will NEVER actually be in charge.
It honestly ruined the book for me. Which is really upsetting, because I loved the rest of it, and I adored the wrap-up of the series, with Lady Beatrice. I guess, because it was a 1-page thing that the author just tossed out there, I'm going to just pretend it never happened.
*sigh*
nellesnightstand1's review against another edition
4.0
Oh Flynn!! You poor man!! You are SO misguided!! This one was along the same timeline as The Spring Bride. It was just conducted in the background, which didn't detract from either Jane or Daisy's story!
Daisy was a great character, I truly enjoyed her ambition and since it matched Flynn's ambition they were just perfect for each other. They both just needed to realize it!!!
Wonder if they are going to bring the fourth partner in Flynn & Co into a new series? I hope so!!
addieray's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
nellesnightstand's review against another edition
4.0
Oh Flynn!! You poor man!! You are SO misguided!! This one was along the same timeline as The Spring Bride. It was just conducted in the background, which didn't detract from either Jane or Daisy's story!
Daisy was a great character, I truly enjoyed her ambition and since it matched Flynn's ambition they were just perfect for each other. They both just needed to realize it!!!
Wonder if they are going to bring the fourth partner in Flynn & Co into a new series? I hope so!!
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful conclusion to the series. I think Daisy was my favorite of the four "sisters." She is the only one who wasn't born a lady and makes no secret of her background. Rather than dreaming of marriage as her sisters do, Daisy's ambition is to be dressmaker to the stars, or "toffs" as she calls the London elite. It was great fun to see Daisy do her best to resist Lady Bea's attempts to turn her into a lady. She is quite blunt in reminding everyone that she isn't a lady and no amount of polish will turn her into one. She is stubborn to a fault, determined that nothing will derail her plans, especially not one Patrick Flynn, charming Irishman and business partner to her brothers-in-law.
Flynn is a self-made man. Like Daisy, he isn't well-born but has made his fortune through hard work. Now that he has reached that point, he's ready to settle down and start a family. He plans to make an advantageous marriage, and he has settled on the pretty daughter of an impoverished earl. Unfortunately for him, he discovers that it isn't that easy. The lady in question isn't all that enthusiastic, but he's better than her alternative. Flynn is a good man at heart, and I loved how he handled the issue. I also loved how comfortable he is with himself. He doesn't really care what others think of him, and I love how his waistcoats show a bit of that independence.
From the very beginning of the series, Daisy and Flynn have been friends. Because their backgrounds are similar, they find it very easy to talk to each other. Flynn doesn't laugh at her speech or mannerisms or scoff at her dream to own her own dress shop. Daisy doesn't object to his plans for marriage, but she does point out some things he hadn't considered. I loved their banter and the honesty with which they treat each other. It's easy to see how perfect they are for each other, but each suffers from tunnel vision that blinds them to it until a dare causes Flynn to kiss Daisy. Each of them reacts as if hit by lightning but with different results. Flynn realizes that the perfect woman for him has been right under his nose all along. He just needs to convince Daisy of that fact. Unfortunately for him, Daisy sees her reaction to Flynn as the death-knell to her dreams if she were to give in to him.
The development of their relationship was great fun to watch. Flynn is determined, and nothing is going to stand in the way of getting the wife he wants. His attempts at courtship were sweet and romantic. I really loved the flowers that he sent to her. He is incredibly patient and endearingly confused by her adamant resistance to his advances. Thanks to her past, Daisy doesn't trust easily. To her, marriage means the loss of independence and her plans for her future. But Daisy is nothing if not practical, and giving up on marriage doesn't mean giving up on passion. She rather shocks Flynn with her proposition, but he is quick to see the advantages. I loved how he uses that as another method of courtship, continuing to chip away at her defenses. Daisy doesn't go down easily, fighting her feelings to the very end. An unexpected complication creates a dilemma for Daisy, and Flynn's response is romantic and perfect.
As always, Lady Bea is a force to be reckoned with. I loved the battles between her and Daisy over Daisy's resistance to "lady lessons." Sometimes Daisy wins, sometimes Lady Bea wins, but the love between them is never in question. I also liked how Lady Bea treats Flynn the same as the other men and doesn't look down on him. She also is very good at keeping him in line if she wants to. There is a very emotional scene with her, Daisy and Flynn at the end. We don't see a lot of the other sisters in this book, but their appearances always showcase the closeness they all share. I also loved seeing more of Featherby, the butler, and his protectiveness toward all the ladies.
Flynn is a self-made man. Like Daisy, he isn't well-born but has made his fortune through hard work. Now that he has reached that point, he's ready to settle down and start a family. He plans to make an advantageous marriage, and he has settled on the pretty daughter of an impoverished earl. Unfortunately for him, he discovers that it isn't that easy. The lady in question isn't all that enthusiastic, but he's better than her alternative. Flynn is a good man at heart, and I loved how he handled the issue. I also loved how comfortable he is with himself. He doesn't really care what others think of him, and I love how his waistcoats show a bit of that independence.
From the very beginning of the series, Daisy and Flynn have been friends. Because their backgrounds are similar, they find it very easy to talk to each other. Flynn doesn't laugh at her speech or mannerisms or scoff at her dream to own her own dress shop. Daisy doesn't object to his plans for marriage, but she does point out some things he hadn't considered. I loved their banter and the honesty with which they treat each other. It's easy to see how perfect they are for each other, but each suffers from tunnel vision that blinds them to it until a dare causes Flynn to kiss Daisy. Each of them reacts as if hit by lightning but with different results. Flynn realizes that the perfect woman for him has been right under his nose all along. He just needs to convince Daisy of that fact. Unfortunately for him, Daisy sees her reaction to Flynn as the death-knell to her dreams if she were to give in to him.
The development of their relationship was great fun to watch. Flynn is determined, and nothing is going to stand in the way of getting the wife he wants. His attempts at courtship were sweet and romantic. I really loved the flowers that he sent to her. He is incredibly patient and endearingly confused by her adamant resistance to his advances. Thanks to her past, Daisy doesn't trust easily. To her, marriage means the loss of independence and her plans for her future. But Daisy is nothing if not practical, and giving up on marriage doesn't mean giving up on passion. She rather shocks Flynn with her proposition, but he is quick to see the advantages. I loved how he uses that as another method of courtship, continuing to chip away at her defenses. Daisy doesn't go down easily, fighting her feelings to the very end. An unexpected complication creates a dilemma for Daisy, and Flynn's response is romantic and perfect.
As always, Lady Bea is a force to be reckoned with. I loved the battles between her and Daisy over Daisy's resistance to "lady lessons." Sometimes Daisy wins, sometimes Lady Bea wins, but the love between them is never in question. I also liked how Lady Bea treats Flynn the same as the other men and doesn't look down on him. She also is very good at keeping him in line if she wants to. There is a very emotional scene with her, Daisy and Flynn at the end. We don't see a lot of the other sisters in this book, but their appearances always showcase the closeness they all share. I also loved seeing more of Featherby, the butler, and his protectiveness toward all the ladies.
decrain's review against another edition
4.0
diannaphantomfiction's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25