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A review by sandywich89
Roses in Red Wax by Louise Mayberry
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️,5/5
This is a debut novel.
I will repeat: this is a debut novel.
My mind is blown. What a gem. This is so well researched and the complexities and depth of the characters is amazing. The setting of Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands in the 1820s is described in such detail that it feels like you are actually there.
The beginning of the book is quite slow but it introduces the setting and the world. I adored the meetcute between Percy and Jane.
As the reader we don’t know all the secrets that Jane has, but you can feel her anxiety. It keeps you guessing as what happened in the 2 years between the prologue and the start of the first chapter.
When we first meet Percy he is the embodiment of the classic historical romance (capital r) Rake.
In typical rake fashion he wants Jane and devises a plan, but that plan goes south very very fast. And in stead of doubling down, he acknowledges his behavior and they *gasp* communicate!
Both the MC’s get a lot of shitty cards dealt to them, but somehow they try to live with them and try to do better.
They quickly get to know each other and I think my favorite part of the book might be the letters they write to each other. The book flies off from there and I just had to finish it.
Read if you like:
Flawed characters that feel real
Political background settings
Lots of adventure
Characters that actually communicate and dare to share their feelings
Family intrigue
Free spirited, music loving MMC
Botanist widow FMC
For readers that love books by:
Courtney Milan
Mary Balogh
Evie Dunmore
One tiny tidbit:
I am only not sure about the history of sepsis and when it was discovered that people can contract it with only a small pinprick of a wound. Also if it was actually described as such in the 1820s. Although I do have to say that I don’t mind small historical inaccuracies, I mean, it’s fiction after all.
Thank you so much Louise Mayberry for contacting me to see if I was interested in reading this book as an ARC. What a way to start your writing journey and I can’t wait for Cameron’s book!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️,5/5
This is a debut novel.
I will repeat: this is a debut novel.
My mind is blown. What a gem. This is so well researched and the complexities and depth of the characters is amazing. The setting of Glasgow and the Scottish Highlands in the 1820s is described in such detail that it feels like you are actually there.
The beginning of the book is quite slow but it introduces the setting and the world. I adored the meetcute between Percy and Jane.
As the reader we don’t know all the secrets that Jane has, but you can feel her anxiety. It keeps you guessing as what happened in the 2 years between the prologue and the start of the first chapter.
When we first meet Percy he is the embodiment of the classic historical romance (capital r) Rake.
In typical rake fashion he wants Jane and devises a plan, but that plan goes south very very fast. And in stead of doubling down, he acknowledges his behavior and they *gasp* communicate!
Both the MC’s get a lot of shitty cards dealt to them, but somehow they try to live with them and try to do better.
They quickly get to know each other and I think my favorite part of the book might be the letters they write to each other. The book flies off from there and I just had to finish it.
Read if you like:
Flawed characters that feel real
Political background settings
Lots of adventure
Characters that actually communicate and dare to share their feelings
Family intrigue
Free spirited, music loving MMC
Botanist widow FMC
For readers that love books by:
Courtney Milan
Mary Balogh
Evie Dunmore
One tiny tidbit:
I am only not sure about the history of sepsis and when it was discovered that people can contract it with only a small pinprick of a wound. Also if it was actually described as such in the 1820s. Although I do have to say that I don’t mind small historical inaccuracies, I mean, it’s fiction after all.
Thank you so much Louise Mayberry for contacting me to see if I was interested in reading this book as an ARC. What a way to start your writing journey and I can’t wait for Cameron’s book!