anotherhalima's review against another edition
this book could have been shorter because it was repetitive and slow. like i get it dude you were at sea and a navy dude and alladat. i actually enjoyed how they fell in love which is very rare for me but towards the end the hero did something that was forgiven very easily and that made me uncomfortable.
waterfairy's review against another edition
3.0
I loved it till the end where Charles does something that I just couldn't digest. Admittedly it was a very rough situation but no, I lost faith in Charles. Damn, it was such a good book.
dja777's review against another edition
2.0
Can't wait for my order to arrive! I didn't even read the plot description, I'm just thrilled that Kelly has a new book out!
Now that I've finished it...it was somewhat disappointing. I am irritated by books where the entire conflict between the protagonists could have been headed off by a 3-minute conversation 150 pages earlier in the story. This book had Kelly's usual humor and warmth, but it's definitely not among my favorites.
Now that I've finished it...it was somewhat disappointing. I am irritated by books where the entire conflict between the protagonists could have been headed off by a 3-minute conversation 150 pages earlier in the story. This book had Kelly's usual humor and warmth, but it's definitely not among my favorites.
clairetrellahill's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 STARS.
Wow, I was expecting just another fun category romance but this one really knocked it out of the park for me. The hero is an older admiral with a hook hand, the heroine a penniless widow, and it’s marriage of convenience (or so they think!!) But they were so cute and kind and compassionate towards each other and to others, and their HOUSE!!! A real fixer upper there. And both had very touching/heart wrenching backstories—heroine more than hero. This book was extremely well done. Really great.
Wow, I was expecting just another fun category romance but this one really knocked it out of the park for me. The hero is an older admiral with a hook hand, the heroine a penniless widow, and it’s marriage of convenience (or so they think!!) But they were so cute and kind and compassionate towards each other and to others, and their HOUSE!!! A real fixer upper there. And both had very touching/heart wrenching backstories—heroine more than hero. This book was extremely well done. Really great.
readbooks_eatapples's review against another edition
5.0
Comfort reread, taking it up to five stars because there's nothing I don't like. I love extremely kind, affectionate, generous, slightly goofy characters.
courreads's review against another edition
4.75
Amazing dialogue, relatable characters and a very inventive setting! I loved the chemistry between the two, and I adored their neighbours. The drama in the third act was maybe a bit much, but for me it doesn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the book.
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up for goodreads.
Carla Kelly's writing is fun to get lost in, which is saying something since I rarely read historical romances. She has an easy, flowing style that drew me in and held my interest. Her writing has a light touch, including enough detail without getting wordy and the right amount of dry humor in her characters. Charles and Sophie weren't perfect in form or character, but were warm and believable.
What holds this book back from being great is a weak plot. The outlines of a conflict are there, but most of the book concerns itself with events that illuminate the characters of our hero and heroine, but don't advance the plot in any significant way. The first third of the book deals with them meeting (which is marvelous) and the last third deals with the conflict (which is emotional and well-written). In the middle third we get somewhat disjointed, albeit interesting, vignettes involving neighbors, servants, and memoirs.
I'll definitely be searching for more books by this author based on the strength of her writing and her characters.
Carla Kelly's writing is fun to get lost in, which is saying something since I rarely read historical romances. She has an easy, flowing style that drew me in and held my interest. Her writing has a light touch, including enough detail without getting wordy and the right amount of dry humor in her characters. Charles and Sophie weren't perfect in form or character, but were warm and believable.
What holds this book back from being great is a weak plot. The outlines of a conflict are there, but most of the book concerns itself with events that illuminate the characters of our hero and heroine, but don't advance the plot in any significant way. The first third of the book deals with them meeting (which is marvelous) and the last third deals with the conflict (which is emotional and well-written). In the middle third we get somewhat disjointed, albeit interesting, vignettes involving neighbors, servants, and memoirs.
I'll definitely be searching for more books by this author based on the strength of her writing and her characters.
anabelsbrother's review against another edition
4.0
My thanks to Rudi B. on Twitter for recommending this.
t: age gap (hero is 45, heroine is 32), marriage of convenience
tw: mentions of child sexual abuse
Slept late finishing this because I started and couldn't stop. I was so charmed by Charles Bright! His humour and personality were so entertaining I wouldn't mind marrying him myself. Sophie was also amazing; she had been through so much in her life, but she never lost her kindness and compassion.
The only thing that I felt a bit iffy about is the conflict and how I think Charles should've grovelled more, but otherwise it was great from start to finish. The partnership between Charles and Sophie in managing their household and the romantic developments were A+.
t: age gap (hero is 45, heroine is 32), marriage of convenience
tw: mentions of child sexual abuse
Slept late finishing this because I started and couldn't stop. I was so charmed by Charles Bright! His humour and personality were so entertaining I wouldn't mind marrying him myself. Sophie was also amazing; she had been through so much in her life, but she never lost her kindness and compassion.
The only thing that I felt a bit iffy about is the conflict