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fliplibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
This is a re-read and I remember liking it a lot more. It was the first Sherry Thomas historical romance that I read.
knitnetic's review against another edition
3.0
This book was fine, just not nearly so good as others I've read by Ms. Thomas. In one of the classic downfalls of a romance novel, I began to care more about the secondary romance (Freddie and Angelica) than the primary one. I also felt that there were unnecessary complications added to the story:
Finally, I feel like this book deserves a trigger alert:
Spoiler
Elissande having an abusive bastard uncle was enough -- why did he need to turn out to be her father?Finally, I feel like this book deserves a trigger alert:
Spoiler
there are multiple alcohol-fueled, date-rapey sex scenes. They aren't meant to be "loving", and they aren't. But they're still pretty irritating.onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Murder, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death
trin's review against another edition
3.0
A sort of [b:The Scarlet Pimpernel|136116|The Scarlet Pimpernel|Emmuska Orczy|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406764899l/136116._SX50_.jpg|750426] set up that surprised me with its unexpected nuance and depth, and how suited these characters really do seem to each other. Both Vere and Elissande are always acting: he as an "idiot"--think Bertie Wooster without the charm--so he can do vague spy-y stuff, and she to appease her evil uncle who is essentially keeping her and her aunt captive. She entraps him into marriage to escape, there are a few dub-con-y sex bits that I didn't like, and then they slowly start to learn the truth of each other. That part was real, real good for me. I also liked the poignancy of Vere's relationship with his brother, though I didn't understand the need for the seemingly extraneous romantic subplot for said brother. Regardless, another excellent end-of-the-year romance find -- after seeing Thomas' work everywhere for years! I'll definitely, finally read more of it.
shagdalen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
meggie82461's review against another edition
4.0
This was 100% the norm when it comes to Sherry: beautifully written, compelling plot, unhinged characters. To be clear, I love that. My only complaint is that I would have liked more of a grovel. Or, ya know, any grovel at all. But, alas, we can't have it all - however, that would have given this 5 stars.
I have never really read anything like this story. Lord Vere is an idiot, except not really though - he is just playing one, because he is a secret agent for the Crown. If it sounds ridiculous, that's because it is, but I think that's what makes it so funny. Elissande says it best at one point: it actually takes a lot of effort and intelligence to be as dumb as Lord Vere. In the first two books of the series (including a favorite of mine, [b:The Luckiest Lady in London|17290655|The Luckiest Lady in London|Sherry Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365189080l/17290655._SY75_.jpg|23912902]) he is a side character, often mentioned in passing for being a dumb dumb. His whole life is beyond any type of realism, but that's okay - I don't read books to find plausibility. That being said, I feel like I never got to know the REAL him, and what I did know - well, once again, Elissande says it best - I might have preferred the idiot, because at least he was sweet and meant well, like a golden retriever.
As far as Elissande - by no means was she perfect, but good Lord, Vere really judged her harshly when you consider how often he too engaged in deception. Of course, it was okay for him to do it in service of the government, but for Elissande to do it in order to survive? Jezebel! But, alas, that is probably realistic. Women were held to a completely different standard than men. I recognize that when I read HR, and I try not to judge a story through today's standards, but it still would have been nice if Vere acknowledged her plight and lack of choices. However, he did make up for that to a certain extent by being the first man to protect her and never leave her side.
Let it be known, though: After her life-changing, canon event trauma, Elissande cried for one single night, the darkest night of her life, and then she picked up and moved on. Vere changed his life for over a decade and held on to anger and resentment that entire time. But sure, tell me again that women are the emotional sex.
I have never really read anything like this story. Lord Vere is an idiot, except not really though - he is just playing one, because he is a secret agent for the Crown. If it sounds ridiculous, that's because it is, but I think that's what makes it so funny. Elissande says it best at one point: it actually takes a lot of effort and intelligence to be as dumb as Lord Vere. In the first two books of the series (including a favorite of mine, [b:The Luckiest Lady in London|17290655|The Luckiest Lady in London|Sherry Thomas|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1365189080l/17290655._SY75_.jpg|23912902]) he is a side character, often mentioned in passing for being a dumb dumb. His whole life is beyond any type of realism, but that's okay - I don't read books to find plausibility. That being said, I feel like I never got to know the REAL him, and what I did know - well, once again, Elissande says it best - I might have preferred the idiot, because at least he was sweet and meant well, like a golden retriever.
As far as Elissande - by no means was she perfect, but good Lord, Vere really judged her harshly when you consider how often he too engaged in deception. Of course, it was okay for him to do it in service of the government, but for Elissande to do it in order to survive? Jezebel! But, alas, that is probably realistic. Women were held to a completely different standard than men. I recognize that when I read HR, and I try not to judge a story through today's standards, but it still would have been nice if Vere acknowledged her plight and lack of choices. However, he did make up for that to a certain extent by being the first man to protect her and never leave her side.
Let it be known, though: After her life-changing, canon event trauma, Elissande cried for one single night, the darkest night of her life, and then she picked up and moved on. Vere changed his life for over a decade and held on to anger and resentment that entire time. But sure, tell me again that women are the emotional sex.
emmakowalski's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
best read ever from sherry thomas!!! such a shame that despite her decent writing skills, her other books have such lousy & awful & pathetic men leads, even the women sometimes. She should learn more about how internalized or hell even externalized misogyny affected most of her works.
bookmamanumber9's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
flaviadeer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0