cheerfullrain's review against another edition
3.0
This book was readable, but nothing to write home about. Love triangles are not my favorite trope, even though this one was handled fairly well. It also bothered me that the hero was gone for a third of the story. I get why it was used as a plot device, so that you would get into the headspace of the heroine, but I still didn’t care for it. This book probably someone’s perfect cup of tea, it just wasn’t really mine.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
It Takes a Scandal
A delightful Regency romance with an appealing couple and a minor mystery.
Wounded in the Napoleanic Wars, Sebastian Vane embodies all of the superior qualities of a soldier - honesty, dignity, loyalty and courage. His treatment at the hands of his so-called friends and neighbors is abominable, especially considering his sacrifice, but this make's the heroine's appreciation for him all the sweeter.
Abigail Weston is a wonderful heroine. She is able to see beyond Sebastian's cold reserve to the passionate and caring man beneath. Her faith in him is admirable and she manages to navigate the strictures and limitations of society with aplomb.
Thankfully, Linden manages to avoid many of the annoying pitfalls that can undermine the love-triangle trope, i.e., keeping secrets, silly misunderstandings and angsty moments, by having her characters communicate with one another.
The secondary characters are also appealing, especially Abigai's sister, Penelope, and it will be interesting to see how Linden manages to overcome the obstacles established between her and Benjamin Lennox in the next book. He is going to have to redeem himself in her and my eyes.
A delightful Regency romance with an appealing couple and a minor mystery.
Wounded in the Napoleanic Wars, Sebastian Vane embodies all of the superior qualities of a soldier - honesty, dignity, loyalty and courage. His treatment at the hands of his so-called friends and neighbors is abominable, especially considering his sacrifice, but this make's the heroine's appreciation for him all the sweeter.
Abigail Weston is a wonderful heroine. She is able to see beyond Sebastian's cold reserve to the passionate and caring man beneath. Her faith in him is admirable and she manages to navigate the strictures and limitations of society with aplomb.
Thankfully, Linden manages to avoid many of the annoying pitfalls that can undermine the love-triangle trope, i.e., keeping secrets, silly misunderstandings and angsty moments, by having her characters communicate with one another.
The secondary characters are also appealing, especially Abigai's sister, Penelope, and it will be interesting to see how Linden manages to overcome the obstacles established between her and Benjamin Lennox in the next book. He is going to have to redeem himself in her and my eyes.
bookwife's review against another edition
4.0
Not nearly as good as the first book but it was still pretty good.
lassarina's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this book immensely. I loved Abby's way of cutting to the heart of things; I loved the way she tried to consider all the angles. I liked that the one competing for her hand wasn't a terrible person (on the surface; I rather disliked him generally once all the truths were out.) I loved the fact that Sebastian's disability isn't played for pity, it just is a thing and it happens. I enjoyed the side characters a lot; Abby's parents (and her father's way of getting round her mother) were sort of amusing, and Lady Samantha was a delight.
I enjoyed the mystery plot and it took me a remarkably long time to twig to its solution (this is a compliment; usually I'm all over that and solve it right up front, given reasonable clues.)
One thing I found frustrating was Penelope, the heroine's sister. It seemed like she went from The Absolute Most Annoying to The Best Possible Sister at the moment of plot convenience rather than as an actual evolution of the character, and that's disappointing to me.
Overall, though, I greatly enjoyed it and am interested in reading more by this author; fortunately I appear to have scooped up other books by her during various sales.
I enjoyed the mystery plot and it took me a remarkably long time to twig to its solution (this is a compliment; usually I'm all over that and solve it right up front, given reasonable clues.)
One thing I found frustrating was Penelope, the heroine's sister. It seemed like she went from The Absolute Most Annoying to The Best Possible Sister at the moment of plot convenience rather than as an actual evolution of the character, and that's disappointing to me.
Overall, though, I greatly enjoyed it and am interested in reading more by this author; fortunately I appear to have scooped up other books by her during various sales.
emmascc's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
Abigail and Penelope are great sisters and I am beyond excited for Penelope's book.
Abigail and Penelope are great sisters and I am beyond excited for Penelope's book.
megatza's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
northship's review against another edition
3.0
this was a perfectly competent romance and had a lot of things to like about it, but the sum of the parts was less than the individual elements for me, somehow. there was just enough unbelievability (the heroine rushing out to catch her dog in the woods in full ball gown attire) and i still hate the general conceit of this series (the stupid '50 ways to sin' pamphlet, especially in this case as it felt rather tacked on).
the hero was angsty, of course, but he had more than enough reasons to angst so it didn't feel undeserved, at the very least -- even if it wears on you after a while. i did find the heroine very charming and spunky, and i appreciated that she stood up for herself and what she wanted in a way that wasn't entirely inappropriate for the time period.
but again, i had to double check the summary page to write this review at a latter date. it was good popcorn reading, but did not stick with me.
the hero was angsty, of course, but he had more than enough reasons to angst so it didn't feel undeserved, at the very least -- even if it wears on you after a while. i did find the heroine very charming and spunky, and i appreciated that she stood up for herself and what she wanted in a way that wasn't entirely inappropriate for the time period.
but again, i had to double check the summary page to write this review at a latter date. it was good popcorn reading, but did not stick with me.
sandywich89's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
tmdavis's review against another edition
3.0
This was an Edelweiss egalley. I thought the story regarding Sebastian and Abby was very sweet. I felt really sorry for Sebastian regarding his situation with his father who went mad and sold off most of his estate for a mere pittance before Sebastian could get back from Waterloo to stop him. What made it even more galling was that Sebastian's childhood friend, Benedict's father was the one who purchased the lion's share of the land and who now refuses to sell it back for less than 10 times what he paid for it. Abby comes into the picture as an nouveau riche heiress whose parents have just purchased a country house that is on the land next to Sebastian. She and Sebastian meet on one of their many walks in the woods between the estate and they both fall for each other. But Sebastian must clear his name as he is accused of murdering his missing father as well as being a thief before he can rightly court Abby. And then his "friend" Benedict steps up as a suitor...
Lots of character development make this a worthwhile read. The pieces all came together in the end and everyone (except maybe Benedict, but maybe he'll get his own book) lives happily ever after.
Lots of character development make this a worthwhile read. The pieces all came together in the end and everyone (except maybe Benedict, but maybe he'll get his own book) lives happily ever after.