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A review by laelyn
Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall
1.0
Well... this was, frankly, terrible.
Rarely have I read a romcom that made me hope for the main couple to never get together, but this is definitely one of them.
The protagonist, Valentine, is kind of an introvert guy who acts like a duke is supposed to act, living by the laws of the society he grew up in. His love interest, Bonny, and Bonny's sister, are obviously time travellers from our time because they're modern brats with modern morals and convictions, and everyone who doesn't share these convictions is evil. I'm honestly not sure why Hall decided to write a regency romcom if there's just no actual Regency in there - everyone but our protagonist is ahead of their times, the restrictions of regency society mean nothing. Hall used the era as a nice backdrop, nothing more.
There is basically no plot, and the tiny plot there is is stupid and ruined by one ridiculous scene after the other. Hall generally seems to write romantic comedies HEAVILY leaning towards the comedy side of things, but it's never been as obvious as in this book. Probably because the romance is unbelievable and the love interest a genuinely terrible caricature that doesn't deserve Valentine to even look his way.
I was hoping for a redeeming ending, but no, this book was absolutely not for me. The silly humour grows stale after a while and completely ruins any possible attachment one might develop towards the characters. 'Something Fabulous', and my dislike of 'Husband Material', sadly seem proof that Hall and I just aren't made for each other.
Rarely have I read a romcom that made me hope for the main couple to never get together, but this is definitely one of them.
The protagonist, Valentine, is kind of an introvert guy who acts like a duke is supposed to act, living by the laws of the society he grew up in. His love interest, Bonny, and Bonny's sister, are obviously time travellers from our time because they're modern brats with modern morals and convictions, and everyone who doesn't share these convictions is evil. I'm honestly not sure why Hall decided to write a regency romcom if there's just no actual Regency in there - everyone but our protagonist is ahead of their times, the restrictions of regency society mean nothing. Hall used the era as a nice backdrop, nothing more.
There is basically no plot, and the tiny plot there is is stupid and ruined by one ridiculous scene after the other. Hall generally seems to write romantic comedies HEAVILY leaning towards the comedy side of things, but it's never been as obvious as in this book. Probably because the romance is unbelievable and the love interest a genuinely terrible caricature that doesn't deserve Valentine to even look his way.
I was hoping for a redeeming ending, but no, this book was absolutely not for me. The silly humour grows stale after a while and completely ruins any possible attachment one might develop towards the characters. 'Something Fabulous', and my dislike of 'Husband Material', sadly seem proof that Hall and I just aren't made for each other.