**spoiler alert** This is actually a review for the whole trilogy because I am too lazy to break it up...
Short version is - you should read it because**spoiler alert** This is actually a review for the whole trilogy because I am too lazy to break it up...
Short version is - you should read it because I am obsessed with it and nobody I know has read it. I mean, heroism, angst, love, battles, creepy people you want to off, h/c and my new fictional crush. Loooong version - read below.
The books are set in a twenty-year period (1896-1916) and follow a few Ashleigh siblings and their involvement in colonial wars and then WW1. Since time immemorial, all the male Ashleighs have been soldiers - more specifically, soldiers in a particular infantry regiment that they have founded and pretty much became a mainstay of. But in 1896, as the elderly, inflexible paterfamilias Sir Gilliard still obsesses over tradition, things may be changing due to his grandchildren (his son has long died properly in some forgotten foreign war). Here are the grandchildren:
Vorne - when the story opens, Vorne is long dead, dying heroically supposedly trying to deliver Gordon’s last message out of Khartoum, but his shadow hangs over the trilogy (how much, if any, of Vorne’s legend is true, is one of the main themes of the book and a lot of characters take a lot of life-changing actions based on various truths or lies about Vorne). Vorne was the golden boy Sir Gilliard dreamed of. Alas, he’s dead and Sir Gilliard is left with the rest of the unpromising to him lot.
Vere - the artist invalid who the family doctor expects to pop off at any moment. His one duty to the family is marry and produce more Ashleighs for the military. Vere is a misfit in his military-mad family - he finds all that stuff alien and has little aptitude or interest in it. However, when his very traditional Victorian fiancee dumps him because he can’t compete with the legend of his dead brother, Vere joins the family regiment in a whim, expecting to die in Africa due to frail health. While there, he discovers he’s actually long gotten past his frail health and, while not developing a miraculous aptitude for soldiering, ends up having an appreciation for that sort of life and becomes useful through military sketches etc. Most importantly, he uncovers the truth about Vorne, and what he does or doesn’t do with it is quite important.
Charlotte - she is very very proper and very very Victorian and sees the world in black and white. She also doesn’t have much of a story. (Unlike a lot of Drummond’s books, these are very heavily male-centric. It may or may not be a deal-breaker for you).
Margaret - she married a handsome curate who gave her two children (Tim and Kate who get their own stories in Book 3. I am very fond of Tim and if I weren’t such a Val girl would probably adore him. Kate is an interesting character but her choice of crushes is creepy as fuck so I can’t get over that. Incest is NOT best). Unfortunately for Margaret, the curate has since gone God-mad and all he wants to do is convert people in Africa and be a psycho. Margaret is being stifled in a horrible marriage until she meets a very untraditional man and scandalizes her family by running off with him. Go, Margaret!
Val - OMG VAL VAL VAL VAL He is the reason I am here recommending these books as opposed to just reading them and forgetting them. Do you like heroic messes? Dude’s for you. Val has every chance to be Sir Gilliard’s favorite - the boy (as the book opens he’s still in public school) is charismatic, athletic and army-mad. One problem - what Val wants to do is serve as a cavalry officer and that’s simply not done. Ashleighs have always been infantry forever and ever and ever amen. Unfortunately for Val, he also has the world’s worst luck because that soon becomes the least of his problems. While at school, he attracts the attention of the headmaster’s predatory new wife, who is piqued by the fact he is not drooling over her (all Val drools over is sports and horses, at that point). She seduces/blackmails him into sex (because to call it an affair would imply some sort of power parity when she’s taking awful advantage of him, pretty much telling a high schooler equivalent that if he’s nice to her she’ll get him a spot in a cavalry regiment with her uncle and taking advantage of the fact that he’s out of his mind because his friend just died) and then when it all blows up, she accuses him of rape. Fun times.
Val does what every sensible Victorian tortured hero would do - he runs away to South Africa and joins a cavalry regiment under a fake name. As a trooper and not an officer. Yup. Our aristocratic boy becomes an enlisted man, where he sticks out as a sore thumb and is accepted by neither his fellow soldiers nor officers, at first, and has to deal with all sorts of hell. Here is where the real fun of Val’s story begins - he actually IS an army genius and swiftly gets promoted through the ranks but it earns him a bunch of enemies. It also gets him to meet Vivienne. VIVIENNEEEEEEE! I love her. She is cool and awesome and is (eventually) a WWI ambulance driver and it takes her and Val 17 freaking years (!!!!) to work their crap out but OMG I love Vivienne. So yes, when they first meet, she’s 18 and impetuous and imperious and very upper class and the daughter of the dude who commands the regiment and he’s 20, a trouper, and fucked up and closed off and paranoid about women (which is something he retains throughout the trilogy, understandably - there is a pretty depressing bit after he and Vivienne finally get together in 1915 or so where it basically turns out that prior to her, he’d only get with a woman when absolutely necessary. He also seems to blame himself for the whole headmaster’s wife thing which is realistic but insane. OK digression). Vivienne is fascinated by the clearly upper-class trouper and wants to be his friend. Val does not want to be anybody’s friend. Awesomeness happens. And then (because Val has zero luck) bad, bad things - he’s framed for stuff he did not do and gets publicly drummed out of his regiment in a horrific, brutal ritual straight out of the middle ages and pretty much left to die. Despite Vivienne begging her father on her knees not to do it. SO MUCH VICTORIAN AWESOMENESS.
Anyway, we are not even to WW1 yet and all the Val stuff there (or all the stuff he did after the fun in Africa) but I do not want to ruin everything for you all (heroics! Gallipoli horrors! desperate sex with Vivienne! babies! happy ending! The bit where Vere throws a dinner in his honor because he (a) survived (b) got a Victoria Cross, and even though he’s not a black sheep any more, he has zero aristocratic tastes, so he tells Vivienne as they are on the way that he’d love a beer (when you know they will be serving fancy wines or whatever) and she digs a bottle out from the baby stuff and he asks her if she has a bottle opener in the swaddling clothes and she produces one LOLOLOL forever).
P.S. To make it full melo, the evil lady who fucked him up is Vivienne’s first cousin. Heeee. So melo. Perhaps just as well Vivienne broke away from her family entirely, can you imagine THAT family party? Hi, father-in-law, remember how you did your best to ruin me over false allegations? Oh, hello cousin! How’s your predator self doing? Yeah. ...more
Elsborg is a hit-and-miss author for me (some of her setups are very much not my thing), but this book was pretty damn amazing.
Ally moves to a small Elsborg is a hit-and-miss author for me (some of her setups are very much not my thing), but this book was pretty damn amazing.
Ally moves to a small village after a series of accident convinces her someone is trying to kill her. That is where she meets Caspar, the village's resident black sheep - Caspar used to be a rising star in the foreign service and the son of upper-class parents, but after his four-year stint in jail (and other things - read the book to find out), his father hates him, the village hates him, and he cannot find a job to save his life. He's broke, desperate and pretty close to starving when Ally and he cross paths.
So, why did I love this book? It's clever, sexy, and features awesome hero and heroine who both use their heads and deal well with each other, plus delicious keaps of hurt/comfort (more emotional than physical) and a totally swoon-worthy romance. ...more
I love this book so much that I own two separate hard cover copies, so just in case I can't lay my hands on one copy, the other will be available.
LeiI love this book so much that I own two separate hard cover copies, so just in case I can't lay my hands on one copy, the other will be available.
Leila, our heroine, is a chorus girl existing on the margins when she meets Vivian Veasey-Hunter, an aristocratic officer likewise on the margins - his parents were married subsequently to his birth, which makes him a bastard. Leila and Vivian are drawn to each other and what starts as a simple flirtation/seduction rapidly becomes much more, but events intervene and when they meet next, it is years and years later, with Leila a well-known opera singer and Vivian as one of the British army during the Boer War.
I think I love this book so much because it combines protagonists that I adore (I cannot get enough of competent, strong-willed yet tortured types that Drummond makes all her heroes and heroines) and a great setting (England and South Africa in the Victorian era), plus a hefty dose of military action and a ton of hurt/comfort.
If I were objective, I am sure I could find flaws with ACF - certain things happen too patly and a few of the secondary characters receive last-act character reveals which seem a bit sudden, but I just don't care - by the end of the book I was so deeply invested in Leila and Vivian as individuals and as a unit, that I would have welcomed Santa Claus, as long as he would have given them their deserved happy ending. ...more
I am a huge fan of Emma Drummond (and am about to embark on a rereading binge) and this one is one of my favorites - it centers around the Crimean WarI am a huge fan of Emma Drummond (and am about to embark on a rereading binge) and this one is one of my favorites - it centers around the Crimean War and features hero and heroine who manage to combine being tough as nails with being wounded souls finding solace only with each other. ...more
"Would you really tackle a T-Rex?" "In an instant." "Even if one's lolloping down the beach, right now?" Charlie paused. "There isn't one lolloping down "Would you really tackle a T-Rex?" "In an instant." "Even if one's lolloping down the beach, right now?" Charlie paused. "There isn't one lolloping down the beach right now, is there?" Kate checked over his shoulder. "No." "Then yes, absolutely."
I. Love. This. Book.
I love it!!!! It's dysfunctional, sexy, funny, and hits all my specific fictional kinks so hard they are still ringing. I spent most of the book white-knuckled, terrified of anything bad happening to Kate and/or Charlie, so invested in them making it, separately or together, that it was sort of insane.
OK, let's backtrack. When did I first knew I was in love with this? Probably, from the very first page - it's not every day that the book's romantic couple meets because they've chosen the same place for a suicide attempt. Kate, former foster-home kid, waitress and part-time sex phoneline operator, and Charlie, a self-destructive, burned out pop star, inhabit different worlds except for both reaching the ends of their respective ropes at the same time. When they interrupt each other's suicide attempt and tentatively consider living, a strange and desperate bond forms between them. Through the weeks that follow, they talk, fuck (I stuck the erotica tag to this book for a reason), fight, and try to muddle through things. They are both deeply damaged people with very dark pasts but their damage might actually fit each other's cracks...
I had no expectations going into this book. None. Tbh, I am not even sure why I bought it for my Kindle. But I am so glad I did. It made me laugh and blush and sigh and even sob a little. I have a huge love for romances where two damaged people fix each other (hence my love for Fiona Walker's Kiss Chase or the entirety of Adrian Phoenix's The Maker's Song series) and this is such a great entry into that subcategory.
Uneven but a lot of fun overall, this book was apparently a huge sensation when it came out and resulted in asylum reform.
The story's brilliant but hUneven but a lot of fun overall, this book was apparently a huge sensation when it came out and resulted in asylum reform.
The story's brilliant but high-strung Oxonian protagonist, Alfred, is confined in an asylum by his evil father who is afraid his son will reveal his crime to the police. Did I mention this happens on Alfred's wedding day to his one true love, Julia? (Alfred/Julia Forever!!!!) Even though Alfred is perfectly sane, he cannot prove it in any way and nobody is interested. Eventually, after a couple of years of torment, he manages to escape and take his father to court to prove his sanity, with the help of Julia of course. Victorian melodrama, histionics and fun abound. ...more
Very enjoyable (and clearly an inspiration for Austen), though I confess being more interested in the complex, frustrating Lady Delacour than (the admVery enjoyable (and clearly an inspiration for Austen), though I confess being more interested in the complex, frustrating Lady Delacour than (the admittedly charming) Belinda herself....more
Its archaic style lends it a certain charm, but the main reason I enjoyed it was its flawed yet sympathetic protagonist and the surprisingly feminist Its archaic style lends it a certain charm, but the main reason I enjoyed it was its flawed yet sympathetic protagonist and the surprisingly feminist elements (such as the portrayal of an unhappy marriage). ...more
Etta, recently widowed after a dog's life with her tyrannical husband Sampson is now being put-upon by her equally awful children. But she rescues a gEtta, recently widowed after a dog's life with her tyrannical husband Sampson is now being put-upon by her equally awful children. But she rescues a gravely injured horse and that may be a start of a new life for her. I liked it, but I am not in love. I guess teenagers are more my bag than senior citizens. It's funny and sweet but I am not really involved (though I do wish Etta would off her horrible kids). About the best thing are the glimpses of Rupert, Taggie and co., and also Dora being a secondary character and still being with Paris....more
I love I love I love. I gulped it in two days and was so obsessed, I didn't feel like doing anything else. This one takes place over 3-4 years and folI love I love I love. I gulped it in two days and was so obsessed, I didn't feel like doing anything else. This one takes place over 3-4 years and follows Janna, a young and idealistic head of school, who is given the impossible task of rejuvenating and saving Larkminster School, the school that is for the kids for the British equivalent of the 'projects' - the neglected kids of the large counsel estate. It doesn't help that the board wants her to fail so that they can close the school and sell the land for a pretty penny.
Janna is a complex character - she is smart, dedicated and infinitely caring, but she also has a disastrous temper and a weakness for married men. One of these married men is Hengist Brett-Taylor, the head of Bagley, the infinitely posh and expensive private school. Driven in part by idealism and in part by Janna's charms, Hengist offers to merge the schools for certain activities and that unleashes all sorts of things. Once again, this has a cast of thousands - the adults include Emlyn, the hunky Welsh teacher/rugby coach; the horrifying Randal Stancombe, who is a ruthless developer; Lily and the Brigadier, Janna's eldery but awesome neighbors; Alex and Poppet Bruce, the second-in-command at Bagley and his wife, who are straight out of Dickens in their awfulness.
The kids include the awful, borderline sociopath Cosmo Rannaldini who is, nonetheless, very entertaining, and his thuggish 'bodyguards;' the gorgeous Bianca Campbell-Black who is the darling of her posh school but is utterly smitten by 'Feral' (no, thank God, it's only a nickname), a kid from the projects with a junkie mother and dyslexia, but utter genius at sports; the bitchy queen bee Jade Stancombe; Pearl, who is amazing at make-up and fashion but shoplifts and cuts herself; Kylie Rose, who's had her first kid at 12; Xavier Campbell-Black, bullied and sullen but who finds himself; and my favorites, Paris Alvaston and Dora Belvedon - Dora being the youngest offspring of a doting (but dead) father and a horrible bitch of a mother. Dora supplements her income by selling things to tabloids, she smuggled her dog to school, and she is hopelessly in love with Paris Alvaston, who has been brought up in various orphanages and has no idea who his parents are (and who would so be my obsessive crush if I read this book at 16). Paris is obsessed with books and is actually incredibly smart, plus good-looking enough to have even the posh girls at Bagley swooning. However, he also has about a metric ton of issues about trust, opening up and affection. He's also coping with some awful stuff but to say more would be spoilery...We also get to see more of Rupert and Taggie (still in love after 20 years, yay!) and their brood and I won't say more except for AWWWWWWWW.
But I must put in a warning - this is, in some ways, a lot darker than her other books - the kids are having underage sex and doing drugs galore, and there is a subplot about child molesters. Doesn't bother me, but MMV though I confess I had to age up all the kids a couple of years in my head, no matter what JC kept telling me about their ages, because I am not going to buy a 12-yr-old selling stories to tabloids, and while I am willing to buy people finding their 'forever love' at a young age, surely three couples doing so is stretching it a bit. But I don't care, even with that, and JC's lack of understanding of tattoos (if you get one at age 10, even supposing you could find someone to give it to you, which seeing it's the slums, you may, by the time you hit 16 and are 6' tall, your tattoo is going to be bent out of all recognition, no matter where it is. I know it's a big plot point, but still, give the guy a mole or something instead) because it's so awesome, I love it anyway because it's so entertaining and emo and hits all the right notes and gives me a ton of ships - Janna/Emlyn, Dora/Paris, even Bianca/Feral. ...more
Tristan, a young French director shows up to film a movie version of Don Carlos (the opera) but the usual sleeping around/backstabbing cast hijinks taTristan, a young French director shows up to film a movie version of Don Carlos (the opera) but the usual sleeping around/backstabbing cast hijinks take a break when there is an actual murder.
There is a love story that is late but welcome (Tristan/Lucy), a pairing I never thought would be cool but ended up awesome (Tabitha/Wolf) and it's always great to revisit the Campbell-Blacks but there is a lot that is wrooooooong. OK, not as much of a dud as Apassionata, but some of the plot developments break even my suspension of disbelief (Tabitha's whole storyline, (view spoiler)[though I am happy how and with whom she ended up - I mean, she starts the novel falling for Tristan, then falling in lust an marrying Isa Lovell, becoming an alcoholic, losing a baby, getting raped by Rannaldini and then ending up with Wolf, Rannaldini's son (which - ick, however lovely and Daddy-hating Wolf is. Plus, honestly, I don't see Rupert being OK with anyone with the last name Rannaldini near his daughter, especially since he knows she was raped and was only prevented from committing murder by the fact that someone else got there first)) (hide spoiler)], the whole Rannaldini storyline is just sickening (a lot more than anything in Wicked, which the reviewers were up in arms about), and once again, opera in novels is boring.
Ummmmmm. It's 80% a dud. I loathe Abigail, the heroine, I find everyone else in the book, including her OTP Viking and her friend Marcus (Rupert's sonUmmmmmm. It's 80% a dud. I loathe Abigail, the heroine, I find everyone else in the book, including her OTP Viking and her friend Marcus (Rupert's son from first marriage) boring etc etc. Classical music is great to listen to, but makes the most boring novel topic. The 20%? The whole deliciously long sequence with Rupert and Taggie going to adopt in Colombia (Taggie can't have children - for why, see Polo) and actually ending up with two kids because Rupert ends up getting attached to this hideous, mistreated, but super-courageous little boy.
This is probably my favorite Jilly Cooper book, even if it isn't one of her most famous ones. It's just so funny and sweet and with a creeptastic undeThis is probably my favorite Jilly Cooper book, even if it isn't one of her most famous ones. It's just so funny and sweet and with a creeptastic undertone and I adore the protagonists.
Lysander Hawkley is gorgeous and ridiculously nice. He's also not the sharpest tool in the drawer, can't read or write in any coherent matter due to dyslexia, and is incapable of holding down a job or even function much in real world due to just losing interest and not keeping track of anything. Luckily, his fed-up friend finally finds him a job Lysander can hold down - the job of the title of the book. A particular town near to London is a favorite living space for many of the England's rich and famous and, as it often goes, many of the rich wives are neglected by their husbands, either for work or for mistresses. So Lysander becomes the man who gets hired by these ladies to get their husbands back - by pretending to be these ladies' devoted admirer etc - as Lysander is naturally nice to people and very attractive, that is an easy easy job for him. (Sex is not included in the purchase package, but usually happens anyway).
And then he meets Kitty Ranaldini. Kitty is plain, chubby, Cockney and married to the most appalling man ever (I actually think he's the only monster in all of Cooper's books). Ranaldini is a famous conductor who married Kitty when his previous wife left - Kitty was his very efficient secretary and he didn't want to lose her services. He doesn't love her or like her, treats her like dirt, and so does everyone else in his entourage (Kitty is expected to book hotel rooms for Ranaldini's mistresses, etc). The same is true in town - her 'friends' pretty much use her to arrange their lives and make their parties more pleasant and never think about her wishes twice.
Lysander is not particularly interested in Kitty but he does feel sorry for the way she's being treated and eventually they become friends. Oh, and then one of his former clients hires him for Kitty to bring Kitty's husband back, etcetcetc I think it is no surprise to say they fall desperately in love?
It all sounds like a plot of a romance novel (well, perhaps a lot tawdrier version of one) but it's not really - it's cynical and funny and actually pretty biting, with a lot of spotlight on characters who are not the main two (various wives, Ranaldini and his entourage etc).
I think it's my favorite of her books because it's rather a character piece and also because I just adore the two protagonists, who are both ridiculously nice (Lysander especially reminded me of a puppy) and also total misfits - despite his looks and upper-classish background, he is just as much of an outsider as she is. They are both too naive for the creepy creepy games people play around them (the only scene in all of her books that freaked me the hell out was in this book and involved Lysander at Ranaldini's party and ugh) and rather unsuited for the real world alone (together, they do fill in each other's gaps - she is as impossibly nice as he is but very practical).
Basically, it's hilarious and darling and with some dark dark undertones that nonetheless do not overwhelm....more
Polo follows the temperamental, immature but sports-mad Perdita, the illegitimate daughter of a gentle portrait-painter Daisy. Perdita's goal and dreaPolo follows the temperamental, immature but sports-mad Perdita, the illegitimate daughter of a gentle portrait-painter Daisy. Perdita's goal and dream in life to play polo under the tutelage of Ricky France-Lynch, a legendary polo player who has suffered some horrible personal tragedies and is only now finding his footing.
There is a huge cast of characters - probably JC's nicest and most functional romantic interest - Luke Alderton, madly in love with Perdita but giving way as she gets obsessed with his idiot brother Red; Chessie, Ricky's awful ex-wife; Angel - an Argentine polo player who dreams of playing against the English captain who tortured him during the Falklands War - my second-favorite scene in the book involves him and Bibi, his OTP - if you read the book, you know which one. In fact, I ship them a lot more than I do obnoxious Perdita with darling Luke, or even Ricky/Daisy. (Of course, my first-favorite scene is Rupert and Taggie's wedding. Aaaaaah, most romantic thing ever).
My favorite! Because Rupert finds true love! OK, OK, it's only partially a favorite because of that. It's also a favorite because it was my first JC aMy favorite! Because Rupert finds true love! OK, OK, it's only partially a favorite because of that. It's also a favorite because it was my first JC and also wickedly hilarious. But yeah, the romance between Rupert and Taggie made me swoon - (view spoiler)[mmmmmm, that ending scene at the airport, with all the clutching and desparate kissing. I approve. (hide spoiler)]
Anyway, this is set a number of years after Riders and involves a TV franchise run by ruthless, dictatorial and evil Tony Longboringlastname. A very varied group of people who are fed up or have been victimized by Tony decide to take him on and fight to get the franchise. One of the franchise members is Rupert, long divorced, retired from show-jumping and a Tory Minister for Sport. In the course of the book, Rupert falls hopelessly (and for the first time in his life) in love with the gorgeous, sweet-natured Taggie O'Hara but tries to fight it as being too unsuitable for her with his past and age difference. (Btw, this is one of the few times I don't mind 'rake redeemed by the love of a good woman' set-up because it's pretty clear that due to his (lack of) upbringing and personality, the guy needs a very sweet and loving domestic Madonna on a pedestal type of significant other).
This one follows a group of show-jumping stars for around a decade. Like all of her non-'girl name' (her early books with heroine names as titles, andThis one follows a group of show-jumping stars for around a decade. Like all of her non-'girl name' (her early books with heroine names as titles, and not very thick) books, this one has a cast of thousands, but the story revolves around the rivalry between two very different show-jumpers: (1) Jake Lovell, a poor gypsy who has almost uncanny rapport with animals, a deprived background, a marriage to a wonderful if plain woman for money and a burning desire to best Rupert Campbell-Black who made his school-life hell and (2) the above-mentioned Rupert, who is very upper-class, gorgeous, snarky, bed-hopping, amoral, occasionally cruel, loyal only to his best friend Billy Lloyd-Foxe, and whose marriage to gorgeous but self-absorbed Helen disintegrates from incompatibility to WW3 by the end of the book. It's funny, I started this book pulling for Jake 100% and dying for him to crush Rupert, but somehow by the end, I was utterly Team Rupert even if I'd commit homicide if he ever attempted to date any friend or family member.
KC gets set in motion when used-to-men-swooning Saskia gets horribly dumped by her gorgeous, seemingly very devoted and ideal fiance, Felix. DevastateKC gets set in motion when used-to-men-swooning Saskia gets horribly dumped by her gorgeous, seemingly very devoted and ideal fiance, Felix. Devastated both by the breakup and its manner, Saskia goes a little suicidal and a little nuts and guilts her frenemy, Phoebe, into being involved in an insane plan - she will tutor Phoebe how to get Felix's heart by teaching her his likes and dislikes, in order for Phoebe to dump him in a manner as horrible as Felix dumped Saskia.
The set-up is insane but I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THE WAY THIS UNFOLDS! This is a not a typical 'sweet girl gets icy but nice guy'. Our protagonists, Phoebe and Felix, are both damaged, damaged, self-destructive people. In fact, I spent a decent chunk of the early part of the book loathing Felix and wondering how on earth I was ever going to find him worthy of anyone but by the end, I both loved and pitied him and was desperate for him and Phoebe to get together. One of the things I love is that this book explains but does not really excuse - both Phoebe and Felix had truly horrifying childhoods (even if his was worse) and that is why they can connect on a level they can't with other 'normal' people, but they choose to react to trauma differently. Phoebe locks it all up and wants relationships that are meaningless and won't ever last or become serious. Felix is obsessed with being loved and puts on any mask to get that result but then can't deal with the fact that the person doesn't love the real him. But I love that this is still not an excuse, but an explanation.
And, oh I love Phoebe. Sure, she's damaged and flawed (she is involved in a long-standing affair with a married man and can't keep a job and other things), but she's no clutzy, meek heroine chick lit loves so. She does not swoon in front of the hero or embarass herself or needs rescuing. In fact, my favorite scene is when she tells him off and he points out that if he's such a bastard, perhaps she should give him back his sweater (it must be noted, that due to a series of loony circs, she's only wearing panties underneath it). And she just takes off the sweater - in the middle of the street - and calmly gives it back to him. GO INSANE AWESOME GIRL!!!!! In fact, the reason Felix falls for her is not from any of the tips Saskia tries to give Phoebe. Phoebe never uses any of them, and he falls for her because she's strong and damaged and not impressed and doesn't let him get away with any bullshit. She knows he's a wreck and loves him anyway.
Anyway, it's an awesome awesome read and I recommend. (view spoiler)[The happy ending made me all sniffly, even if I sincerely hope they never have kids and also get therapy. (hide spoiler)]
Oh, and Saskia is suuuuch a kdrama secondary girl. ...more
Well, I can't blame the author for misleading me as the title perfectly describes the heroine, a supposedly plucky, irresistible, smart, caring (none Well, I can't blame the author for misleading me as the title perfectly describes the heroine, a supposedly plucky, irresistible, smart, caring (none of which are demonstrated in the least, but are to be taken on faith) young woman who hooks up with a grad student who turns out to be a royal Duke. I can't say I loved the hero, but even a rather dull but inoffensive man like him does not deserve to be saddled with a self-absorbed, cowardly flake with the maturity of a puddle in the Sahara desert. Skip! I will consider it my good deed for the week, if someone meant to read it but now skips it.
Ahh, good old Jilly Cooper and her delightful thick volumes of misbehaving upper class Brits. This was the last of her Chronicles series that I haven'Ahh, good old Jilly Cooper and her delightful thick volumes of misbehaving upper class Brits. This was the last of her Chronicles series that I haven't read yet, and what a delight it was. Pandora revolves around the artistic and dysfunctional Belvedon family. There is the father - the charming, generous, and oddly put-upon Raymond, the paterfamilias, who runs a famous art gallery. There are the mothers - the first wife Galina, as unsuitable a wife and mother as she was a genius painter, and the second wife Althea - much younger and obsessed with status. And then there is the Belvedon brood - the small children - Dicky and Dora - twins and the youngest; and the adults - all from Raymond's first wife - Jupiter, the oldest, who is ambitious and cold (though he has a small chink in his armor for his ilustrator wife Hanna), Alizarin (who I totally loved), who is a genius painter even if unmarketable and seriously is a total woobie and Alizarin/Sophie = awww and etc etc, Jonathan - the infant terrible of the art world, who likes to make out with his sister Serena in public for shocking people kicks, but who actually might be an amazing artist and a good person if he ever bothers to grow up. There is the messed up Serena, talented and screwed up. Oh, and there is also Emerald - a talented sculptor who was adopted out but discovers as an adult that Althea is her mother and Raymond is her father. Did I mention that Jonathan/Emerald are an OTP? They fall for each other when they don't believe they are related only - ooops. I view it as karmic punishment for Jonathan for playacting at falling for a sister to then genuinely fall in love with one and know he can't have her. (view spoiler)[(pssst - not a spoiler, it turns out they are not really related and happy endings abound). (hide spoiler)] And there is the painting of Raphael's Pandora presiding over this mess of a family - a painting that may or may not be stolen. This is no great work of literary art but it's ridiculous fun, and Jonathan/Emerald satisfied all my cravings for angst and shipping anf fakecest. (Plus, they actually grew up, yay!) ...more
Loading...
