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carolyn_jefferson's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kskidmore7's review
3.0
I always love catching up on this world the author has created but I do feel like deep down all the characters are similar enough that they blur together.
jenontheshelf's review
3.0
I feel weird giving a Sarah Eden book a 3⭐️ rating. But this one was just a bit of a miss for me. There were some unique elements to the love story I really liked, and I have always loved Eden’s heroines and their unique characteristics.
The one thing that has kept me from really loving this series is how gimmicky and stilted the nicknames have become: “The Gents.” Naming your friend group is weird. Actively referring to yourselves by that collective name 10 times a day (or up to 5 times on one page—I counted) is even weirder. And the individual nicknames come off awkwardly any time they are used: “General,” “Archbishop,” “Jester,” etc. (And they also have inconsistent article usage, which confuses me further.)
I think back to Friends and Foes, the first book in the Jonquil series, when Philip (who makes his debut in Lily of the Valley!) insists on calling Fennel Kendrick Poppy. It’s hilarious and it’s natural. To me, that ease has been lost as all the related Jonquil/Lancaster/Gents books and series have progressed. I don’t know why, I just find it has become terribly awkward. A workshop called the Cabin of Cleverness? Come on! Everyone and everything doesn’t need a proper noun nickname!
The one thing that has kept me from really loving this series is how gimmicky and stilted the nicknames have become: “The Gents.” Naming your friend group is weird. Actively referring to yourselves by that collective name 10 times a day (or up to 5 times on one page—I counted) is even weirder. And the individual nicknames come off awkwardly any time they are used: “General,” “Archbishop,” “Jester,” etc. (And they also have inconsistent article usage, which confuses me further.)
I think back to Friends and Foes, the first book in the Jonquil series, when Philip (who makes his debut in Lily of the Valley!) insists on calling Fennel Kendrick Poppy. It’s hilarious and it’s natural. To me, that ease has been lost as all the related Jonquil/Lancaster/Gents books and series have progressed. I don’t know why, I just find it has become terribly awkward. A workshop called the Cabin of Cleverness? Come on! Everyone and everything doesn’t need a proper noun nickname!
readingintheweehours's review
5.0
delightful
Kester is not my usual type for a male lead (generally I’m fascinated by authoritative characters), but I was utterly delighted by Kester and Violet. I am loving this series, its character depth and development, and (of course) the swoon worthy scenes. ❤️
Kester is not my usual type for a male lead (generally I’m fascinated by authoritative characters), but I was utterly delighted by Kester and Violet. I am loving this series, its character depth and development, and (of course) the swoon worthy scenes. ❤️
jnak's review
5.0
Another ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ by the infamous Sarah Eden. I loved Kester and Violet’s story. It was a story of triumph over loss and grief. Full of insightful truths about trust and the sharing of burdens. Definitely a tear jerker at times but so so good I couldn’t put it down! I fell in love with regency when I read Sarah’s Drops of Gold around 9 years ago and have loved learning more about the Georgian era and their fashion/customs and how they differ. I have loved all of Sarah’s books and cannot wait to learn the fate of the rest of the Gents!
alli_kat1's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
3.75
kimber_reads's review
5.0
Lily of the Valley by Sarah M. Eden is the second book in the Gents series. This story features Kester Barrington, our favorite grumpy uncle, and has a grumpy sunshine trope.
I loved diving back into this world and seeing more of our beloved Gents! I especially enjoyed getting to know Kes. I really connected with Kes! In many ways I feel like he is a male Georgian era version of myself. I loved Kes’s inventive side and his Cabin of Cleverness. I also enjoyed getting to know Stanley better through Kes’s recollections and the storytelling of the Gents.
I enjoyed meeting Violet and seeing her interact with Kes. Violet is great at sorting people and discerning their needs without being told. I loved seeing her find ways to help Kes feel included without making him feel uncomfortable or asking him to socialize more than he is able to. Kes and Violet actually are very similar in temperament and they share a lot of interests. I loved seeing them develop a strong friendship and work on projects they were both very passionate about.
This romance is definitely a slow burn. But it is so fitting for the characters and their personalities. I loved that Kes recognized his feelings before Violet did. I was very amused by Violet’s reaction to their first kiss, and absolutely loved when Kes unintentionally declared his feelings for Violet in front of all the Gents. It was very sweet to see Violet and Kes fill the needs in the other person’s life. Violet helped Kes learn to grieve and recognize that his lost loved ones would want him to be happy. And Kes helped Violet learn to share her burdens and feel safe showing him when she was frustrated or upset. These two are so well matched and I love seeing them put each other at ease and protect each other from some of their well meaning but somewhat overbearing friends and family.
Overall this was a fantastic story and a great addition to the Gents series! If you enjoy grumpy sunshine tropes, slow burn romance, witty, intelligent, introverted characters, and close knit friend groups, you should read Lily of the Valley.
I loved diving back into this world and seeing more of our beloved Gents! I especially enjoyed getting to know Kes. I really connected with Kes! In many ways I feel like he is a male Georgian era version of myself. I loved Kes’s inventive side and his Cabin of Cleverness. I also enjoyed getting to know Stanley better through Kes’s recollections and the storytelling of the Gents.
I enjoyed meeting Violet and seeing her interact with Kes. Violet is great at sorting people and discerning their needs without being told. I loved seeing her find ways to help Kes feel included without making him feel uncomfortable or asking him to socialize more than he is able to. Kes and Violet actually are very similar in temperament and they share a lot of interests. I loved seeing them develop a strong friendship and work on projects they were both very passionate about.
This romance is definitely a slow burn. But it is so fitting for the characters and their personalities. I loved that Kes recognized his feelings before Violet did. I was very amused by Violet’s reaction to their first kiss, and absolutely loved when Kes unintentionally declared his feelings for Violet in front of all the Gents. It was very sweet to see Violet and Kes fill the needs in the other person’s life. Violet helped Kes learn to grieve and recognize that his lost loved ones would want him to be happy. And Kes helped Violet learn to share her burdens and feel safe showing him when she was frustrated or upset. These two are so well matched and I love seeing them put each other at ease and protect each other from some of their well meaning but somewhat overbearing friends and family.
Overall this was a fantastic story and a great addition to the Gents series! If you enjoy grumpy sunshine tropes, slow burn romance, witty, intelligent, introverted characters, and close knit friend groups, you should read Lily of the Valley.
mzdeb's review
4.0
This didn't quite have the romantic tension as "Forget Me Not," probably because it's an explicitly stated Grumpy/Sunshine trope, vs. enemies-to-lovers, and the latter is my fave. The environment wasn't also very high conflict--questionable and/or problematic characters remained mostly off-page. The very slow burn that was building Violet temporarily ruins by not returning Kester's affections. Of course we know she is only denying her feelings but it left me kind of annoyed with her. The book's a bit more descriptive of their romantic interludes (vs. Lucas and Julia) while still being very tame. I love how Stanley continued to still touch all the Gents' lives--I wonder if there will be more revelations about him as the series continues.