tartbarbie's review against another edition
4.0
Elizabeth's just returned home after being abroad in Europe to her younger Diana and mother. Together the girls adventure out into society among the other New York Elites enjoying parties dancing till dawn. With the loss of their father, it's up to Elizabeth to find a husband with some money so that her sister and mother are taken care of. She's no the only one on a mission this season Penelope is determined to have her crush as her future husband. Henry is hoping to enjoy his time with the Elite but his father has decided it's time to settle down and marry.
As the first party rolls to an end, it becomes clear that Henry's father has a plan which will solve both Elizabeth's problems and ensure he won't be any more trouble for his father. The only drawback is that Elizabeth isn't in love with Henry but with the carriage boy who she's grown up with. Will, they just follow what their parents and the rest of the elite deem a perfect match or will they follow their hearts.
First off I really liked Elizabeth I found her easy to connect she's clearly willing to do what it takes to protect her family even if it means not getting the happy ever after she wants. Her sister may be my favorite, after all, she is a bookworm. I honestly wasn't sure about Henry but I think he has his own redeeming qualities as the book progresses.
I've had this one on my kindle for years but never seemed to get around to it. I haven't been reading much in the historical genre recently but the story captured my attention right from the start. It reminds me a lot of a historical gossip girl, they all have their own secrets that they carry with their own agendas they are intent on getting. As the book progressed the story just kept getting better and I wanted to know how it was going to play out. I had characters that I loved as well as characters I couldn't wait to fall into the river. I'm curious to see how the series will end. Highly recommend for fans of Gossip girl looking for a historical twist.
As the first party rolls to an end, it becomes clear that Henry's father has a plan which will solve both Elizabeth's problems and ensure he won't be any more trouble for his father. The only drawback is that Elizabeth isn't in love with Henry but with the carriage boy who she's grown up with. Will, they just follow what their parents and the rest of the elite deem a perfect match or will they follow their hearts.
First off I really liked Elizabeth I found her easy to connect she's clearly willing to do what it takes to protect her family even if it means not getting the happy ever after she wants. Her sister may be my favorite, after all, she is a bookworm. I honestly wasn't sure about Henry but I think he has his own redeeming qualities as the book progresses.
I've had this one on my kindle for years but never seemed to get around to it. I haven't been reading much in the historical genre recently but the story captured my attention right from the start. It reminds me a lot of a historical gossip girl, they all have their own secrets that they carry with their own agendas they are intent on getting. As the book progressed the story just kept getting better and I wanted to know how it was going to play out. I had characters that I loved as well as characters I couldn't wait to fall into the river. I'm curious to see how the series will end. Highly recommend for fans of Gossip girl looking for a historical twist.
brendaclay's review against another edition
4.0
For a long time I've been attracted to this beautiful book cover in stores, but I never picked it up, assuming it was just another Gossip-Girl-esque novel. Turns out, it is... but Gossip Girl circa 1899. This story is full of intrigue, secret loves, Victorian gowns, and people of honor vs. people behaving badly. I was totally sucked in! The overall tone reminded me a lot of Caroline B. Cooney's Both Sides of Time quartet (I mean that as a compliment), which makes sense since it takes place in the same time period.
kirstenbeyondthebookends's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book more. It seemed like it would be Gossip Girl in the 1900s. However, I had a very hard time feeling sympathy or connecting with any of the characters, all of whom are selfish and conniving or meek and wilting. Its a shame it could have been amazing. Instead, it was painful to finish. The only reason it got 2 stars were for the vivic descriptions of the settings, dresses, mannerisms and societal rules that made NYC in 1899 the best character in this book.
seyoung's review against another edition
3.0
Found it difficult to get into initially because of how much it leaned on genre tropes, and how unlikable and privileged all the characters were.
But as the plot began to tick forward, I found myself more and more engaged.
The descriptions of the clothing and splendor were rather lacking (lots of descriptions but nothing felt truly grand, the way it can feel when you read descriptions in something like ACOTAR).
The scandal is not very scandalous, i personally would've preferred it if the book was more adult and dirty haha.
The characters are not very complex, their growth is justified in the most bare boned way, but still a fun little fluffy treat to read.
I liked the ending.
But as the plot began to tick forward, I found myself more and more engaged.
The descriptions of the clothing and splendor were rather lacking (lots of descriptions but nothing felt truly grand, the way it can feel when you read descriptions in something like ACOTAR).
The scandal is not very scandalous, i personally would've preferred it if the book was more adult and dirty haha.
The characters are not very complex, their growth is justified in the most bare boned way, but still a fun little fluffy treat to read.
I liked the ending.
kstring's review against another edition
3.0
The book would have been more enjoyable if it hadn't been so easy to guess the ending.
edithmariegreen's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
hiltzmoore's review against another edition
1.0
I should say, I don't really like "Gossip Girl" style books. I should also say that historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. So this book, which is a combination of a "Gossip Girl" type book and a VERY poor historical fiction really disappointed me. It was predictable, didn't teach me anything about the historical age it was depicting, and the writing was bad (too much description of dresses with no purpose). I felt like the characters were straight out of a modern age teen serial novel with no change in their angsty thoughts or actions appropriate to the historical era. Some may say that makes the characters more realistic, but I found it to be a barely veiled attempt at keeping the modern day reader engaged in an otherwise predictable and boring story.
mothemo22's review against another edition
3.0
similar to bridgerton. Great story but a little bit predictable.