I’m sorry to say I found this boring and slow moving. The love happened quickly and without being earned. I didn’t sense any chemistry, and the hero wI’m sorry to say I found this boring and slow moving. The love happened quickly and without being earned. I didn’t sense any chemistry, and the hero was very forward with the heroine. There was a lot of travelling, via increasingly uncomfortable methods of conveyance, and a fair amount of vomiting.
I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley....more
My one major complaint: Miss Morton is so beautiful that every man she meets is attracted to her. Give me a break. I wish the authoAn enjoyable read.
My one major complaint: Miss Morton is so beautiful that every man she meets is attracted to her. Give me a break. I wish the author would pick one guy for Miss Morton to be interested in. Clearly the inspector is the right choice, but I really don't enjoy the Inspector v. the Doctor nonsense....more
I absolutely adore many of the books by Mimi Matthews, but find others a bit of a miss. The Muse of Maiden Lane is fine – well written, well researcheI absolutely adore many of the books by Mimi Matthews, but find others a bit of a miss. The Muse of Maiden Lane is fine – well written, well researched – but it didn’t resonate with me. There is no tension in the relationship between Teddy and Stella. He says he doesn’t want to marry, but we don’t believe that. Stella is put off by Teddy’s forward ways, but not that much.
I was a bit puzzled by Stella dyeing her hair for a house party – did she not know eventually she might see those people somewhere else when her hair went back to gray? (“But one rule remained as inflexible in London as it was across Britain entire: a respectable female did not color her hair. Only actresses and - Stella blushed to admit to herself – prostitutes would resort to such tawdry tricks.” p. 1 of the advance reader copy) For that matter, I don’t get the deal with a beautiful young woman having gray hair. Would that really have been a big deal in Victorian times?
As book four in this series, there are also too many brief and distracting appearances by so many characters from this series and another by the author. As a reader, I really don’t expect every happy character to cameo. I know the author loves horses, but this is also an excessively horsy book. Lots of descriptions of and focus on the four horses. Yes, they love their horses. Yes, we understand that Stella will not give up her spirited and dangerous gray horse that matches her hair.
I still love Matthews and eagerly await her next book, but The Muse of Maiden Lane was a miss for me. I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley. ...more
A little slow moving. The author didn't do the hard work of showing the relationship moments between Charlotte and Anthony berounded up from 3.5 stars
A little slow moving. The author didn't do the hard work of showing the relationship moments between Charlotte and Anthony because she established from the beginning that they were in love years before. Still, an enjoyable clean Regency romance. ...more
The hero is not very likable, and the heroine is constantly needing his hand or his arms to save her or rescue her. The "falling inThis was ... fine.
The hero is not very likable, and the heroine is constantly needing his hand or his arms to save her or rescue her. The "falling into his arms" from a tree or trellis or ladder or roof trope is pretty tired. The heroine's father was supposedly the bad guy in a big investment scam (spoiler: he was not) and he just carries on, too noble to make clear that he is being wrongly blamed. Eyeroll to the beautiful heroine being the "ugly duckling" in her family of beautiful sisters.
The second to last page literally stumbles into the next book in the series, which was unnecessary. ...more
A delightful clean Regency romance. I enjoyed the sisters, I especially liked the heroine's relationship with her father, and the hero is definitely sA delightful clean Regency romance. I enjoyed the sisters, I especially liked the heroine's relationship with her father, and the hero is definitely swoonworthy.
I had a little trouble believing how horrible the horrible cousin's behavior was, and that a nice man could possibly actually fall in love with her, but that's a minor quibble. I liked a scene in which the horrible cousin badly misbehaves at Almacks and Sophy clearly sets her straight on how dangerous her behavior is. ...more
Oh, this was okay. The author tried to tackle the issue of insanity and women being unjustly sent to institutions, but I didn’t find that the story reOh, this was okay. The author tried to tackle the issue of insanity and women being unjustly sent to institutions, but I didn’t find that the story really worked. As soon as I heard that the Brooding Baron’s mother killed his uncle, I knew it wasn’t a case of insanity. An imprisoned sister was almost an afterthought (although she may be getting her own book and romance in the future). I didn’t sense any chemistry between the leads, and the constant quoting of Shakespeare was intrusive. I love Shakespeare as much as the next person, but I don’t think I could stand to date someone who can’t stop quoting Shakespeare and expecting me to get every reference. The cross-dressing ala Twelfth Night was forced. Also, the stupid decision made by the heroine at the end? Give me a break.
There were some good passages, which is why I gave it three stars instead of two, but on the whole I just found this – mediocre. Another round with an editor and another rewrite might have done it a lot of good. If you are looking for a good book in which a woman is institutionalized against her will, I recommend The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews.
I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley. ...more
This book has many things that should make me love it. Romance, fantasy, Victorian times, Oxford, birds, MAGICAL birds, ornithologists. But I didn’t lThis book has many things that should make me love it. Romance, fantasy, Victorian times, Oxford, birds, MAGICAL birds, ornithologists. But I didn’t love it. I found the story repetitive and boring. I was never invested in Beth or Devon or their relationship. There is so much silliness – SO MUCH silliness – that it is truly hard to take the story seriously. There’s madcap and then there’s so much absurdity that it’s really hard to fall into the story and stay there. At least for me.
At one point they are naked and about to have sex and Devon asks, “do you consent?” Really? After making out and taking off each other’s clothes “I consent” literally needs to be said? OK, never mind, maybe young people having sex today really expect the other person to say “I consent” during the throes of passion. I guess this is supposed to prove what a super nice and trustworthy guy Devon is, but I found it awkward and unrealistic. (Oh, and how very very helpful and convenient that he is sterile and manages to tell Beth before they do the deed.)
In the Acknowledgments, the author says, “While every effort was made to accurately depict the various details of life in 1890, I took considerable artistic licence with the big picture”. You think? Like having an educated gentleman go around using the f word in front of a gentlewoman? (That word felt so out of place in this book.)
Some of the magical creatures seriously reminded me of certain Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Especially the big climax with the magical caladrius flying and filling everyone with magic, healing, and love.
I think it may be time to stop reading India Holton. I read the first Dangerous Damsels and gave it three stars as well. (At least this book was not nonstop nonsense. There is plenty of nonsense, but it’s a little more contained.) She just really is not my cup of tea.
I read an advance reader copy of The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love from Netgalley....more
I wish I could heartily recommend Protecting Her Heart, but I can't. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't love it. My experience with Nancy Campbell AllenI wish I could heartily recommend Protecting Her Heart, but I can't. It wasn't terrible, but I didn't love it. My experience with Nancy Campbell Allen has been hit or miss. This one was mostly a miss for me.
The plot of this friends-to-lovers mystery felt like a discarded idea for an Anne Perry novel. I was very underwhelmed by the big reveal when it came. I had a hard time with the light-hearted flirting and "do you love him?" dialog next to the violence and supposed true peril that the main character was in. Although I expect some behavior that is not true to the time, I felt it was excessive here. I'm very tired of characters who look exactly like a grandmother/mother/sister/cousin. (Charlotte looks exactly like her deceased mother, which is necessarily for revealing the truth about her mother's death.) I also found the time lag between the mysterious death and the investigation (20 years) unbelievable.
If you've read the first two Matchmaker books you might enjoy this one more than I did. I read the first a long time ago and I felt the author's reliance on our knowing and loving the characters from previous books was excessive.
I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley....more
An Inconvenient Letter was fine, if filled with a number of problematic plot points.
(view spoiler)[Both the hero and his cousin Frederick are completAn Inconvenient Letter was fine, if filled with a number of problematic plot points.
(view spoiler)[Both the hero and his cousin Frederick are complete jerks; Gerard at least shows some growth, but plotting to marry an old friend for money and blackmailing her sister by holding on to the inconvenient letter aren’t very nice things to do. Why does Etta’s mother dislike her so? Why was Frederick so angry when he received the letter? When did Anne meet Mr. Seagram who so conveniently turned up in love with her and got her out of the picture with Gerard? And Miss Bates seemed to be playing multiple roles in the plot and not very consistently. (hide spoiler)]
This is my third Julie Wright book and I’m guessing she is just not the author for me. I need to remember that the next time an advance reader copy with an intriguing plot description tempts me.
I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley....more
I’m sorry to say I found this entry in the Belles of London series lackluster. The author writes in her acknowledgments that she was grief-stricken ovI’m sorry to say I found this entry in the Belles of London series lackluster. The author writes in her acknowledgments that she was grief-stricken over her father’s death when writing this book, and it shows. The romance very much takes a backseat to the grief that Lily and her mother are dealing with. Unfortunately there is also no tension in the relationship between the heroine and hero. I just wanted them to get on with it, since there are no obstacles to their love and marriage except those of their own making. The Lily of Ludgate Hill was a letdown after the brilliant Belle of Belgrave Square. I hope the author found the process of writing it to be helpful in her grief journey.
There are still some lovely passages, and I’m glad I read it. Like all the author’s books, this one is well researched, and I found the Author’s Note about different historical aspects enlightening. I’m looking forward to book four, and I hope the author finds herself in a happier frame of mind as she moves forward.
I read an advance reader copy of The Lily of Ludgate Hill from Netgalley. ...more
Mimi Matthews is a favorite author and so it pains me to say this but I had one major problem with Appointment in Bath – Ivo. The story’s “hero” is a Mimi Matthews is a favorite author and so it pains me to say this but I had one major problem with Appointment in Bath – Ivo. The story’s “hero” is a jerk. (view spoiler)[ Don’t tell me he didn’t seek out a relationship with Meg because he feels like an outsider in his own family. And then he invites her to a house party without telling anyone so he can set the fox among the chickens! (And his family went down in my esteem quite a bit in this new book – the way they treated this shy, stammering teenager because they hate her father was appalling.(hide spoiler)]
“I’ve been shy all my life,” says Meg. “You’re not shy. You’re inexperienced,” responds Ivo. Sure, dude. You’ve known this woman for a minute but you understand her better than she understands herself. (p. 54 of the advance reader copy)
(view spoiler)[ After Meg shows up unexpectedly at the party he invites her to, his sister asks him, “Are you satisfied?” “Immensely,” he replies. “I’ve often found that the best way of enacting change is to force it upon the resisting parties.” What a jerk. (p. 170 of the advance reader copy) (hide spoiler)]
I really could not stand Ivo and wanted to tell Meg to go fall in love with someone nice in Bath. I don’t see a long and happy marriage coming out of this relationship. The “romance” did not work for me at all. I’ve seen that a lot of readers “love” Ivo and good for them, but the author did not convince me that he learns anything by the end. As usual with works by Matthews, the historical details seem accurate. I look forward to the next Somerset story and I hope I find it more satisfying.
I read an advance reader copy of Appointment in Bath from Netgalley....more
Marion Chesney's heroines are always so silly, and her heroes are always so proud. Still, one of the better Chesney romances I've read. Marion Chesney's heroines are always so silly, and her heroes are always so proud. Still, one of the better Chesney romances I've read. ...more
I wish I could be glow-y about this book, but it just didn’t work for me. The information about the real life art exhibition was interesting. The authI wish I could be glow-y about this book, but it just didn’t work for me. The information about the real life art exhibition was interesting. The author is clearly a big art fan. But Rosanna’s willingness to put up with the casual touching and kissing and baby names from uber creep Anton was annoying, as was her ability to self-delude. Martin’s overreaction when Rosanna made a confession about what was happening in the exhibition was out of character. The bad guy was literally a moustache-twirling Victorian villain, and a big climactic scene on multiple trains was wholly unbelievable. I hope for better next time from the author.
I read an advance reader copy from Netgalley. ...more
Return to Satterthwaite Court is an unexpected sequel by Mimi Matthews. She wrote two romance novels set in Somerset, England that took place in the sReturn to Satterthwaite Court is an unexpected sequel by Mimi Matthews. She wrote two romance novels set in Somerset, England that took place in the same decade. She hadn’t intended to write a series – then she got the idea to write a novel set 20 years later involving their children. For fans of The Work of Art and Gentleman Jim, this is a fun chance to revisit two charming couples with complicated (and even scandalous) courtships.
I got about a quarter of the way into Return to Satterthwaite Court before I decided I needed to set it aside and reread The Work of Art. After I finished that book, I read another quarter of Satterthwaite Court and decided I needed to reread Gentleman Jim. Both were as good as I remembered.
Return to Satterthwaite Court is sweet and satisfying, but considerably less fraught than the first two books. There just really are (spoiler) no obstacles to a happily-ever-after for Charles Heywood and Kate Beresford. She’s a little wild; he’s a little staid, with a touch of trauma from his service in the Navy. The title of the book itself is a spoiler, as the lost family estate of Satterthwaite Court plays a large part in the plot. The book opens with a delightful scene involving a stray dog that is a nod to Georgette Heyer. Dogs and other animals can really brighten up the plots of historical romance, and Matthews does a good job modeling the incomparable Heyer. I also enjoyed her Author’s Note containing additional historical information about some of the things that happen in the book.
The heroine of The Work of Art is known for having one blue eye and one brown eye, and in Return to Satterthwaite Court, her daughter is revealed as having the same. This seemed an unnecessary addition; heterochromia is extremely rare and it’s a condition that is unlikely to be passed down to a child. It certainly didn’t seem necessary for the child to have the same arresting physical characteristic as her parent. But that’s a minor complaint.
Now that one sequel has been written, it’s clear that a number of young people introduced in this novel have romance awaiting them in future books. I’ll read them all.
I was given a copy of the book by the author in exchange for an honest review. The book is scheduled to be published April 11....more
Not one of Heyer's best. It's too long, the plot is boringly repetitive, and the wife being 16 years old gives me a bit of ick factor. The best part iNot one of Heyer's best. It's too long, the plot is boringly repetitive, and the wife being 16 years old gives me a bit of ick factor. The best part is the presence of the pug in the closing scenes. ...more
A Heart Worth Stealing is a sweet and proper romance, with a spunky and independent heroine and a handsome hero hiding secrets. Ginny has a troubled rA Heart Worth Stealing is a sweet and proper romance, with a spunky and independent heroine and a handsome hero hiding secrets. Ginny has a troubled relationship with her older half-sister, and I enjoyed watching that plot thread play out. She also has a loyal best friend who I’m guessing will get her own romance in a sequel to A Heart Worth Stealing. I love the cover.
The plot has heart, flirting, manners, and action. What it does not have is a lot of mystery; I guessed who the villain was (view spoiler)[literally on about page 1 (hide spoiler)]. A ruse in which the thief-taker pretends to be Ginny’s cousin stretched believability even for me as the reader, much less for Ginny’s sister and acquaintances. As usual with historical romance, I found myself wishing the story had a third person narrator, instead of Ginny, or at least some chapters from Ginny and some from Jack.
I read an advance reader copy of A Heart Worth Stealing from Netgalley....more
Isabelle was a delight for a reader like me – someone who enjoys historical romance and manners more than historical romance and graphic sex. This novIsabelle was a delight for a reader like me – someone who enjoys historical romance and manners more than historical romance and graphic sex. This novel has the added bonus of some hijinks involving a cat and a fur muff in the manner of Georgette Heyer.
Our heroine is Isabelle, recently orphaned and with a sister who might as well be a fairy tale stepsister, she is so resentful of Isabelle. For four years, Isabelle and her father’s faithful valet have assisted her ailing Papa and managed the estate as he declined. Now he is dead, and he had the gall (according to her sister and brother-in-law) to leave his estate to Isabelle. Fortunately, Isabelle has a good-natured cousin to protect her from the dastardly pair and from the patronizing suitor who feels certain she will marry him given enough time.
Isabelle’s father always hosted the Boxing Day hunt, and she eagerly agrees to host without him, to give her something to think about other than her grief. An unfortunate shooting accident leaves Isabelle with an unexpected houseguest. Isabelle moves a little slowly for a stretch, when Isabelle is nursing the gravely injured Earl of Idsworth. However, it turns into a cracking good time. There are plot twists and kidnappings, carriage chases and heartfelt romance.
The author has written many lovely, old-fashioned passages that I quite enjoyed, like this one: “This was England, and he loved it. Fighting through the Iberian Peninsula had taught him to appreciate the verdure of his native country, even in the grey-green drabness of winter; the smell of damp woods with the leaf litter of beech, oak, and ash; the dark, ploughed loam ready to nurture the next year’s harvest. Only by being effectively exiled from it had he come to realise how much it meant to him.” (p. 76)
I read an advance reader copy of Isabelle from Netgalley, courtesy of Allison & Busby. ...more
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