scrow1022's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, I liked this. My favorite historical time period and set out West to boot. Lots to follow and think about, lovely to watch the slow pulling together of Emyln and Darrow. Pacing felt right including the end. Very satisfying.
brokenrecord's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this, although I was let down slightly by the ending, which caused me to knock down the rating half a star. I mean, it wasn't bad, it was just more of a happy for now kind of romance ending than I tend to like. That wouldn't be a problem if there was another book (which does look like is/was planned but doesn't seem to exist currently) so we could see them navigating their new relationship, but since there isn't, I would've liked just a bit more here. That being said, I did love the slow burn of their relationship, and how they started off not trusting one another (for good reason) but grew to become friends and work together – really great enemies to lovers development. I also don't tend to read a lot of historical romances set in the U.S., so it was interesting to get a different kind of setting than I'm used to. I would definitely love to read a sequel if one ever comes into being.
becka6131's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I thought I wasn't that into this until I just found out there's a sequel scheduled to come out this year and SURPRISE, I'M INTO IT. The real issue I had with this book was Not Enough Romance, although excellent worldbuilding and good characterisation, and the next book is about the same two guys which provides a lot of scope for relationship development soooooo sign me up, thanks
hartd's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent novel. Sometimes I wish this system allowed only "recommended" or "not recommended," like Steam does - I could "recommend" a book and then list the things I did and didn't like, without in any way affecting the book's positive rating. Which is to say: I did have a few moments of confusion in this book that I had not experienced reading Tamara Allen's other wonderful novels. But all of the reasons I love her books were present, too, so I definitely did enjoy it.
Negatives first: I didn't feel overly connected to either of the MCs. Their character development was subtle. It's not that it wasn't there. I felt that I was letting down the book by not always correctly interpreting Darrow and Emlyn's surface thoughts and behavior. So, I reread a lot of scenes and moments until I felt I understood their dynamic. In my opinion, there could have been a middle ground between the excess of subtlety and the characters behaving in sort of tropey ways.
Aside from the developing friendship and romance, the murkiness didn't serve the plot very well either. I felt like I should have gone into reading this book with a far better understanding of economics. I got caught up on understanding what was happening to Denver because of the government's plans to stop valuing silver. Now, again, that may be idiosyncratic to me. I did understand how all that influenced the things that happened in the plot, in a broad sense. But I would need to do outside research in order to really appreciate the historical situation that influenced this plot.
But with The Only Gold, which was also written on a subject I didn't understand, there was a decent amount of information and context given. I felt by the middle of the book that I had a very good handle on the bank's situation, what the MCs' jobs entailed, etc. Then, I understood why the bad guys were planning their crime, and why they (as individuals) were doing all of it. I could not have answered any of those questions before I read the book.
Okay, back to the positives. I really liked that Darrow seemed to be a bisexual character; as a bisexual person I felt it was a positive portrayal, at least in the ways he saw himself. He realizes he could fall in love with Veda again, if circumstances were different, even though a lot of the other characters seem to think he's gay now. I also liked the character of Veda. I think it was a good choice on Tamara Allen's part to write such an outwardly emotional woman, and to do it very well, giving her a great deal of depth. All of this author's books include memorable, well-drawn female and male side characters - I reread them constantly, to visit Jonah's neighbors, landladies, and co-workers, as well as Ezra's wonderful family-of-choice in Downtime.
I suspect I will return to The Road to Silver Plume, too, in the future, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it even more on the second or tenth read. :-)
Negatives first: I didn't feel overly connected to either of the MCs. Their character development was subtle. It's not that it wasn't there. I felt that I was letting down the book by not always correctly interpreting Darrow and Emlyn's surface thoughts and behavior. So, I reread a lot of scenes and moments until I felt I understood their dynamic. In my opinion, there could have been a middle ground between the excess of subtlety and the characters behaving in sort of tropey ways.
Aside from the developing friendship and romance, the murkiness didn't serve the plot very well either. I felt like I should have gone into reading this book with a far better understanding of economics. I got caught up on understanding what was happening to Denver because of the government's plans to stop valuing silver. Now, again, that may be idiosyncratic to me. I did understand how all that influenced the things that happened in the plot, in a broad sense. But I would need to do outside research in order to really appreciate the historical situation that influenced this plot.
But with The Only Gold, which was also written on a subject I didn't understand, there was a decent amount of information and context given. I felt by the middle of the book that I had a very good handle on the bank's situation, what the MCs' jobs entailed, etc. Then, I understood why the bad guys were planning their crime, and why they (as individuals) were doing all of it. I could not have answered any of those questions before I read the book.
Okay, back to the positives. I really liked that Darrow seemed to be a bisexual character; as a bisexual person I felt it was a positive portrayal, at least in the ways he saw himself. He realizes he could fall in love with Veda again, if circumstances were different, even though a lot of the other characters seem to think he's gay now. I also liked the character of Veda. I think it was a good choice on Tamara Allen's part to write such an outwardly emotional woman, and to do it very well, giving her a great deal of depth. All of this author's books include memorable, well-drawn female and male side characters - I reread them constantly, to visit Jonah's neighbors, landladies, and co-workers, as well as Ezra's wonderful family-of-choice in Downtime.
I suspect I will return to The Road to Silver Plume, too, in the future, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it even more on the second or tenth read. :-)
suze_1624's review
4.0
I enjoyed this one, though it is a slow build to action - even when the circumstances are dangerous or when Emlyn and Darrow have their moment, the style of writing is still very laid back and relaxed. So it reads very even.
I have enjoyed other books by the author and this one again paints a very vivid picture of the times - both in locations and historical events (I had forgotten learning about the gold standard, hadn't realised there was silver standards too).
I liked the duo of Emlyn and Darrow and hope they have more adventures - I'll certainly be looking out for them!
3.75*
I have enjoyed other books by the author and this one again paints a very vivid picture of the times - both in locations and historical events (I had forgotten learning about the gold standard, hadn't realised there was silver standards too).
I liked the duo of Emlyn and Darrow and hope they have more adventures - I'll certainly be looking out for them!
3.75*
alisonalisonalison's review
4.0
So lovely. Tamara Allen writes such wonderful historicals. I really enjoyed this. It's a beautifully written road trip story about counterfeiting in 1890s America and it's so interesting and very exciting too. The level of historical detail is amazing and never overwhelming. The characters are well developed and so delightful. The love story is subtle and slow-building and very well done. Tamara Allen's books always make me feel good. She always takes the time to tell the whole story and never rushes. The ending leaves room for a sequel and I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series, regardless of what it's about.
kaje_harper's review
5.0
Tamara Allen is one of my favorite writers and I was delighted to see this new novel appear. This author has a gift for both accurate, immersive historical detail and great characters whom I come to care about. This book was no exception (and even had a little more on-page erotic content than her normal fade-to-black.)
The romance is a very slow burn, which is fitting since we begin with a Secret Service operative, Emlyn Strickland, and a counterfeiter, Darrow Gardiner, natural opponents (the more so because Strickland's testimony sent Gardiner to prison.) Although they are nominally working together, with Gardiner trying to gain an early release from Sing-Sing prison, in exchange for informing on his former partner-in-crime, Gust, this is true enemies-to-lovers, with hidden motives. Unlike some books in this category, Allen gives these men enough time to work past conflict and mistrust slowly.
I enjoyed both characters. Emlyn is brilliant, confident in his narrow sphere of detecting counterfeit money, but inexperienced in fieldwork and in life. Darrow grew up very rough, losing his mother as a small child, and living on the streets and under the tutelage of other criminals. He has all the social skills and confidence Emlyn lacks, but not the moral compass, or the long vision. Each of them complements the other, if they can get beyond working at cross purposes.
The setting is fascinating - that time in US history when the nation left the bi-metal standard in the late 1800's. Moving away from the silver standard had significant repercussions on the silver mining state of Colorado, the men who worked and owned the mines, the towns the miners supported, and on down the layers of society. This roadtrip story takes our heroes into the heart of that crumbling situation, in search of counterfeit silver dollars, and dangerous men.
Once or twice the story bogs down in historical detail, but it is always quickly rescued by the delightful main characters. My only real complaint was that their first names sound like last names, and it took me a few chapters of alternating POV (with associated switches from first to last names) to firmly link Emlyn = Strickland and Darrow = Gardiner, without having to think about it. But the mental exercise was a small price to pay for the joys of this story. (and better yet, it's listed as a series. Be still my heart. I can't wait for more.)
The romance is a very slow burn, which is fitting since we begin with a Secret Service operative, Emlyn Strickland, and a counterfeiter, Darrow Gardiner, natural opponents (the more so because Strickland's testimony sent Gardiner to prison.) Although they are nominally working together, with Gardiner trying to gain an early release from Sing-Sing prison, in exchange for informing on his former partner-in-crime, Gust, this is true enemies-to-lovers, with hidden motives. Unlike some books in this category, Allen gives these men enough time to work past conflict and mistrust slowly.
I enjoyed both characters. Emlyn is brilliant, confident in his narrow sphere of detecting counterfeit money, but inexperienced in fieldwork and in life. Darrow grew up very rough, losing his mother as a small child, and living on the streets and under the tutelage of other criminals. He has all the social skills and confidence Emlyn lacks, but not the moral compass, or the long vision. Each of them complements the other, if they can get beyond working at cross purposes.
The setting is fascinating - that time in US history when the nation left the bi-metal standard in the late 1800's. Moving away from the silver standard had significant repercussions on the silver mining state of Colorado, the men who worked and owned the mines, the towns the miners supported, and on down the layers of society. This roadtrip story takes our heroes into the heart of that crumbling situation, in search of counterfeit silver dollars, and dangerous men.
Once or twice the story bogs down in historical detail, but it is always quickly rescued by the delightful main characters. My only real complaint was that their first names sound like last names, and it took me a few chapters of alternating POV (with associated switches from first to last names) to firmly link Emlyn = Strickland and Darrow = Gardiner, without having to think about it. But the mental exercise was a small price to pay for the joys of this story. (and better yet, it's listed as a series. Be still my heart. I can't wait for more.)
ajcousins's review
Trying some self-care via reading this week. Tamara Allen is good for what ails me. Low heat, fabulously written historical adventure romance about a counterfeiter and a Secret Service agent. The building trust between these two is lovely to read. Perfect for my stressed out nerves.
winters's review
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
rozalinda's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75