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dberryman2's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
dukefn99's review against another edition
4.0
I admit, I grabbed this book based on the title alone. I was super curious what this “secret life” was and just had to find out. I’m delighted that I gave this book a chance.
This book is the second in the Marriage Game series by Ella Quinn. I didn’t read book one, and I didn’t need to. Other than the wedding of the couple from book one, there’s really not much connecting the two (although I assume Anna was in the first story somehow). That said, I am going to go back and read the first story.
This story follows Anna and Sebastian. There is a lot going on. First, you have the romance between these two. But then there’s also Anna’s secret, Sebastian’s job with the Home Office, a mystery surrounding Anna’s brother. Then there was Sebastian’s family… yeah, it got a little busy. There were so many characters. I felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions. And yet, Ms. Quinn was able to pull everything together in the end, and I think if much had been removed, it would collapse like a house of cards. Could it have used a little more editing to flesh it out a bit? Sure. But it worked in the end.
I enjoyed the characters. I really do like a strong heroine in my historical romances. Anna isn’t afraid to voice her opinion, won’t bow to the pressure to marry for duty. And yet, she has a soft spot for Sebastian and her family and is willing to do anything for them. Sebastian was your typical historical alpha male.
I really did enjoy this book. It held my interest, and I just needed to know how everything was going to turn out. I believe this is the first book I read by Ms. Quinn, but I’ll be back for more.
Be advised that this is a re-release of the book that originally was published in 2013.
*I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the second in the Marriage Game series by Ella Quinn. I didn’t read book one, and I didn’t need to. Other than the wedding of the couple from book one, there’s really not much connecting the two (although I assume Anna was in the first story somehow). That said, I am going to go back and read the first story.
This story follows Anna and Sebastian. There is a lot going on. First, you have the romance between these two. But then there’s also Anna’s secret, Sebastian’s job with the Home Office, a mystery surrounding Anna’s brother. Then there was Sebastian’s family… yeah, it got a little busy. There were so many characters. I felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions. And yet, Ms. Quinn was able to pull everything together in the end, and I think if much had been removed, it would collapse like a house of cards. Could it have used a little more editing to flesh it out a bit? Sure. But it worked in the end.
I enjoyed the characters. I really do like a strong heroine in my historical romances. Anna isn’t afraid to voice her opinion, won’t bow to the pressure to marry for duty. And yet, she has a soft spot for Sebastian and her family and is willing to do anything for them. Sebastian was your typical historical alpha male.
I really did enjoy this book. It held my interest, and I just needed to know how everything was going to turn out. I believe this is the first book I read by Ms. Quinn, but I’ll be back for more.
Be advised that this is a re-release of the book that originally was published in 2013.
*I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
mischlama's review against another edition
4.0
I really like the story, but there are too many different people telling their story...just Annas and Harrys Stories would have been enough.
candiceh85's review against another edition
5.0
This is at least 2 if not 3 books in one. Anna keeps Sabastian on his toes and makes him see her for herself and not what he thought he could mold her to be. She gets him to understand she wants out of life and she knows there more to her than he could bargain for. Being his former best friends younger sister he has always loved her but wanted to give her time to grow up and understand what she wants of her life. With her brother's unexpected supposed death he gives her more time to grieve and by doing so helped push her away.
Then her brother returns and the story unfolds of Harry and Emma's story. While this is happening there is a smuggling ring that Anna took over after her brother left that Sabastain learns Anna has ran sussessfully for 2 years and he has to learn that he's not in charge of her and her brother Harry supports Anna fully which makes him question his own judgment.
Then her brother returns and the story unfolds of Harry and Emma's story. While this is happening there is a smuggling ring that Anna took over after her brother left that Sabastain learns Anna has ran sussessfully for 2 years and he has to learn that he's not in charge of her and her brother Harry supports Anna fully which makes him question his own judgment.
ksanders013's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.75
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
emilyhei's review against another edition
4.0
Sebastian Rutherford is ready to settle down and childhood friend Anna Marsh is his intended bride to be, however Anna turns down his proposal leaving Sebastian stumped. He had always assumed they would end up marrying one another, they were friends and could have a comfortable life.
Anna has loved Sebastian since she was a child, but Anna holds a secret and is worried that Sebastian will be unable to accept what she has done by taking her brother's place in a smuggling group. What Anna does not expect is Sebastian's determination on winning her hand and that Sebastian has a few well kept secrets of his own.
Charming story, Anna initially tries to get Sebastian to run the other way by letting him spend as much time with her as he wants, feeling he will get bored and move on. It doesn't work. The story had a few surprises that leaves little crumbs into the next story, entertaining read.
Anna has loved Sebastian since she was a child, but Anna holds a secret and is worried that Sebastian will be unable to accept what she has done by taking her brother's place in a smuggling group. What Anna does not expect is Sebastian's determination on winning her hand and that Sebastian has a few well kept secrets of his own.
Charming story, Anna initially tries to get Sebastian to run the other way by letting him spend as much time with her as he wants, feeling he will get bored and move on. It doesn't work. The story had a few surprises that leaves little crumbs into the next story, entertaining read.
happyocelot's review against another edition
3.0
This book is much better than the first one in the series. There are still many, many cheesy lines in the book, but overall the story line is cute and ends happily. It has so many seduction and romance scenes because there are several couples and coupling going on through out the book from the main protagonists to their siblings to granddaughters to spies to house staff. There’s just a lot of couples and spies.
jlee76's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I am just now reading them in 2020. I am so glad I happened upon the author. The book had 3 love stories in it. The plot was engaging and all the characters just jumped off the page. It was very romantic and passionate. A great read!
booksofshannon's review against another edition
4.0
I am really going down the historical romance rabbit hole and I do not mind one bit! I picked up this book in my local Safeway and I was not disappointed. (I have been known to pick up books wherever I am at. I have done it a few times in airports.) However, I was not expecting getting two stories within one book. Typically I have read romance books where it is mostly focused on one couple but this book gave us two romances. Anna Marsh and Sebastian were our main character and I really loved their chemistry together. And how they kind of knew that they were meant for each other even though it took some time. And the little surprise that happened about halfway or so was beautiful done. Overall, I really good historical romance novel.
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