Scan barcode
A review by happily_after_heas
Roses in Red Wax by Louise Mayberry
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
The only thing I knew about this book is that it was a debut novel. And even that can make a person pause because you aren't sure you want to take a chance on a debut author, or even a new to you author. However, I am very glad that I did. Thank you Louise Mayberry for the ARC.
We get a glimpse of our FMC, Jane, in the prologue as a relaxed, carefree young woman in love. But when we see her again, she is the opposite of that. She seems sad and withdrawn, almost anti-social. She resists meeting our MMC, Percy. She has secrets. And not just the one that she's no longer a virgin.
Percy is...well, I called him Pervy for the first 20% of the book. He is rich, entitled, spoiled, selfish, and doesn't seem to care if Jane wants to sleep with him or not. He is quite sure he can convince her of it with his smooth words. He doesn't take into account that she might be a lady or someone's sister and deserves a little respect. I wasn't disgusted with him but I did want to slap him...a lot. However, I reminded myself that I don't have to like the character from the jump and often they are written that way for "growth."
Pervy, I mean, Percy, just wants to leave Scotland for warmer climes and have all the sex with a former paramour. But his father is very sick and so Percy must check on the mills in Glasgow to ensure they are running properly. I must pause and say how much I appreciated Mayberry choosing Glasgow for the setting of this book. We don't see it much; we often see the more romantic city of Edinburgh instead. But the gritty, grimy Glasgow is central to the plot and Percy's growth.
Secret Jane is drawn to Percy and his carefree attitude but also offended at his treatment of her (again, when he is Pervy). Eventually she calls him out on it. They keep running into one another and through a series of natural events, begin to trust one another--or at least Percy trusts Jane. She is very good at keeping her secrets to herself but maybe not her hands and mouth.
Mayberry incorporated history into this historical romance. And not so much that you are bored or feel you are being lectured. Instead, it is woven into the story and a part of the characters and a catalyst for their growth. This book felt more like Percy's story than Jane's. He grows, she opens her heart again. There was a very surprising turn of events that felt very "gothic romance" to me that I actually quite enjoyed.
If you are looking for something with a bit more history than just another ton ball, set in a different city, and characters that actually come into their own, please consider giving this book a try. I highly enjoyed it AND you can tell that Mayberry is setting up another book. I want to see what happens with the other characters!
PS I opened the book to look something up and found myself sucked into the story again and wanting to read about these two all over again. That's a good book.
We get a glimpse of our FMC, Jane, in the prologue as a relaxed, carefree young woman in love. But when we see her again, she is the opposite of that. She seems sad and withdrawn, almost anti-social. She resists meeting our MMC, Percy. She has secrets. And not just the one that she's no longer a virgin.
Percy is...well, I called him Pervy for the first 20% of the book. He is rich, entitled, spoiled, selfish, and doesn't seem to care if Jane wants to sleep with him or not. He is quite sure he can convince her of it with his smooth words. He doesn't take into account that she might be a lady or someone's sister and deserves a little respect. I wasn't disgusted with him but I did want to slap him...a lot. However, I reminded myself that I don't have to like the character from the jump and often they are written that way for "growth."
Pervy, I mean, Percy, just wants to leave Scotland for warmer climes and have all the sex with a former paramour. But his father is very sick and so Percy must check on the mills in Glasgow to ensure they are running properly. I must pause and say how much I appreciated Mayberry choosing Glasgow for the setting of this book. We don't see it much; we often see the more romantic city of Edinburgh instead. But the gritty, grimy Glasgow is central to the plot and Percy's growth.
Secret Jane is drawn to Percy and his carefree attitude but also offended at his treatment of her (again, when he is Pervy). Eventually she calls him out on it. They keep running into one another and through a series of natural events, begin to trust one another--or at least Percy trusts Jane. She is very good at keeping her secrets to herself but maybe not her hands and mouth.
Mayberry incorporated history into this historical romance. And not so much that you are bored or feel you are being lectured. Instead, it is woven into the story and a part of the characters and a catalyst for their growth. This book felt more like Percy's story than Jane's. He grows, she opens her heart again. There was a very surprising turn of events that felt very "gothic romance" to me that I actually quite enjoyed.
If you are looking for something with a bit more history than just another ton ball, set in a different city, and characters that actually come into their own, please consider giving this book a try. I highly enjoyed it AND you can tell that Mayberry is setting up another book. I want to see what happens with the other characters!
PS I opened the book to look something up and found myself sucked into the story again and wanting to read about these two all over again. That's a good book.