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3.24 AVERAGE
3.24 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
2.5 Stars
I feel like I’ve had a string of disappointing reviews lately, and sadly this one is no exception.
It started off so strong! A Cinderella-like take, a spunky heroine, a bored hero, a nosy grandma – all good things! But somewhere in the middle it lost a lot of its charm.
It dragged ferociously near the end – another case of too many plots, not enough time. All the drama of the Hall came out of nowhere and really could have been left out, it added nothing but chaos to the plot.
In fact, the more I think about it, the more the whole bit with the Hall really bugs me. Not only because it introduced new plot elements (and characters) way too late into the book, but also because it undid a lot of character growth for no reason! Everyone went back to how they behaved at the beginning, and that’s never fun to read.
I kept waiting for Livia to find her spine (she had one at the start!!) and take matters in her own hands, but that never happened! She would run up to the moment, but then turn around and be sad. It was so disappointing and it kept happening! Gabriel just didn’t communicate, especiall y near the end. The tone of the book took a defeatist, hopeless turn, and it just felt unhappy for way too long.
The story was ok, and the characters were ok, but in the end I’m not satisfied. Alas!
I feel like I’ve had a string of disappointing reviews lately, and sadly this one is no exception.
It started off so strong! A Cinderella-like take, a spunky heroine, a bored hero, a nosy grandma – all good things! But somewhere in the middle it lost a lot of its charm.
It dragged ferociously near the end – another case of too many plots, not enough time. All the drama of the Hall came out of nowhere and really could have been left out, it added nothing but chaos to the plot.
In fact, the more I think about it, the more the whole bit with the Hall really bugs me. Not only because it introduced new plot elements (and characters) way too late into the book, but also because it undid a lot of character growth for no reason! Everyone went back to how they behaved at the beginning, and that’s never fun to read.
I kept waiting for Livia to find her spine (she had one at the start!!) and take matters in her own hands, but that never happened! She would run up to the moment, but then turn around and be sad. It was so disappointing and it kept happening! Gabriel just didn’t communicate, especiall y near the end. The tone of the book took a defeatist, hopeless turn, and it just felt unhappy for way too long.
The story was ok, and the characters were ok, but in the end I’m not satisfied. Alas!
Full review here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2017/07/01/review-of-you-may-kiss-the-bride-penhallow-dynasty-1-by-lisa-berne/
This book was overloaded with malapropisms. I know editorial can be expensive, but at least have a literate friend read before publishing.
Well written and enjoyable. Formulaic, but that's what I was in the mood for.
I really really really hated Gabriel......
And Livia was really really really stupid....
And Livia was really really really stupid....
At thirty-years-old, Gabriel Penhallow needs a wife after avoiding family expectations whilst serving in the Diplomatic Corps. Now back in England, his Grandmother's determined for him to find a bride and an heir to continue the family line. When Grandmama finds a perfect match for him, he accepts his fate, only what happens next is quite what she'd intended for her grandson.
Livia Stuart has lived with her Uncle Charles and Aunt Bella since she becoming orphaned in India as a small child. She's lonely except for the miserable visits from Cecily Orr. When Cecily's parents Lord and Lady Glanville announce there's to be an engagement announcement at the Ball they are hosting for their daughter and one the Marriage Mart's most eligible men; Gabriel Penhallow, there's an offer for Livia to attend and view the proceedings from behind a palm display in the Egyptian themed ballroom. Only, the proceedings at the Ball doesn't go quite to plan and Livia somehow managed to get herself engaged.
Humour and melodrama by the plenty in this wonderful début novel by Lisa Berne. The protagonists play a delightful game of push and pull, as they tentatively try to build a relationship. Both are stubborn when pride obstructs common sense. Nothing is plain sailing as someone tries to sabotage the highly improper engagement more than the couple themselves. Then there's the formidable force that's Mrs Penhallow, who's determined everything should be done her way...if only her Grandson would listen.
"Perhaps," he suggested to his grandmother, irony in his tone, "I ought to propose first"
All in all, a well written and highly entertaining Regency novel, with a devilishly handsome hero and a strong, determined and beautiful heroine who against all the odds find their perfect happy ending at Surmont Hall. With the mention of an unsavoury Scottish cousin, Alasdair and an amusing cameo appearance from Hugo Penhallow, we're given a little taste of what is to follow in this delightful new series.
***arc generously received courtesy of Avon Books via Edelweiss+***
Livia Stuart has lived with her Uncle Charles and Aunt Bella since she becoming orphaned in India as a small child. She's lonely except for the miserable visits from Cecily Orr. When Cecily's parents Lord and Lady Glanville announce there's to be an engagement announcement at the Ball they are hosting for their daughter and one the Marriage Mart's most eligible men; Gabriel Penhallow, there's an offer for Livia to attend and view the proceedings from behind a palm display in the Egyptian themed ballroom. Only, the proceedings at the Ball doesn't go quite to plan and Livia somehow managed to get herself engaged.
Humour and melodrama by the plenty in this wonderful début novel by Lisa Berne. The protagonists play a delightful game of push and pull, as they tentatively try to build a relationship. Both are stubborn when pride obstructs common sense. Nothing is plain sailing as someone tries to sabotage the highly improper engagement more than the couple themselves. Then there's the formidable force that's Mrs Penhallow, who's determined everything should be done her way...if only her Grandson would listen.
"Perhaps," he suggested to his grandmother, irony in his tone, "I ought to propose first"
All in all, a well written and highly entertaining Regency novel, with a devilishly handsome hero and a strong, determined and beautiful heroine who against all the odds find their perfect happy ending at Surmont Hall. With the mention of an unsavoury Scottish cousin, Alasdair and an amusing cameo appearance from Hugo Penhallow, we're given a little taste of what is to follow in this delightful new series.
***arc generously received courtesy of Avon Books via Edelweiss+***