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espurrr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
beautifullybookish25's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book although it was a heavier read than I'd expected. It was interesting though and I appreciated the obvious historical knowledge of the author which creates a really well written and authentic story. The story was really well developed and well rounded. There were a myriad of secondary characters however it never became confusing or excessive. I was slightly frustrated with the relationship during the first half of the book but I understand that it needed to endure in order to become what it did. Hard to explain without spoiling! I did lose my enthusiasm for the story around that middle point but it picked back up and the latter half is much more the 5 stars to the first half's 3 stars.
emlickliter's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
This one was so sweet! Colin and Amethyst were the cutest! I have really enjoyed the two books I've read in this series, and I really want to read the rest of them! Happy Reading!
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lifeand100books's review against another edition
5.0
Delving into the romance genre is not for the faint of heart. You can read a lot of really poorly written romances that just drag on and on and never go anywhere. I however like to think that reading the poorly written ones allows you to clearly know a gem when you read one. Lauren Royal's Amethyst is just that, a gem. (Yes, pun intended!)
Amy Goldsmith (although her real name is Amethyst) is a successful jewelry maker who has quite the unfortunate personal life. She is scheduled to marry a man whom she does not love in two short weeks. To make things worse, he wants her to become a stay at home mom, and give up her career, which she is not ready to do. Although she is stuck, Amy does not want to back out of the marriage for fear of embarrassing her father. She longs for true love, and she gets a glimpse of it when Colin Chase, the Earl of Greystone, enters her shop. Although she feels that he is definitely above his notice, her life is changed when a fire devastates her shop and home and Colin comes to her rescue. He takes her to his home to rehabilitate, and although Colin's siblings take a liking to Amy, he remains distant and asks her to leave as soon as possible. Amy, however, has begun to have feelings for Colin, and enjoys her time with his family. Unfortunately for her, Colin is betrothed to another woman, who's dowry has been spent towards the reconstruction of Colin's castle. Unwilling to break up this monetary agreement despite his attraction, Colin is locked in a battle of wills against Amy, who wants him no matter the cost. Will Colin eventually reconsider and give in to is heart's desire?
I've always enjoyed historical fiction novels that use true events as their backdrop, as opposed to just using a specific time period and developing a story. In Amethyst that true event is the Great Fire of London in 1666. As sad as the event was, it is an excellent plot device that sets the reader on a journey of self discovery with Amy and Colin that we certainly wouldn't have dreamed of without the amazingly detailed and intricate imagination of Royal.
To me, Amy read as a nod to the modern woman. Your first taste of her modern ideals comes when she stands up to her fiancรฉe, Robert, and expresses her desires to continue being a jeweler. Robert's jealousy over her jeweling skills are what drive his desire to have her stay at home and give up her occupation. After the fire when Amy is able to escape and meet Colin, she continues to hold onto her ideals that she can run the family jewelry business. Even after finding herself in love with Colin she realizes a marriage between them would end any future she has with her craft. She forces herself to make a tough decision: choose love or her craft. Royal does an incredible job weaving this difficult journey of "staying true to self vs heart" effortlessly. I can honestly say that Amethyst is one of the only historical romance novels that I actually truly believed in the conflict of heart that the heroine and hero go through. Every romance novel I've read has a conflict drawing the heroine and hero away from each other, but it's rare to find one that has to do with something other than conflicting social classes. Amy's need to continue her craft made for a much more interesting conflict. It was refreshing, honest, and definitely a worthy addition to anyone's "to read" pile. Go pick up a copy!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-XU
Amy Goldsmith (although her real name is Amethyst) is a successful jewelry maker who has quite the unfortunate personal life. She is scheduled to marry a man whom she does not love in two short weeks. To make things worse, he wants her to become a stay at home mom, and give up her career, which she is not ready to do. Although she is stuck, Amy does not want to back out of the marriage for fear of embarrassing her father. She longs for true love, and she gets a glimpse of it when Colin Chase, the Earl of Greystone, enters her shop. Although she feels that he is definitely above his notice, her life is changed when a fire devastates her shop and home and Colin comes to her rescue. He takes her to his home to rehabilitate, and although Colin's siblings take a liking to Amy, he remains distant and asks her to leave as soon as possible. Amy, however, has begun to have feelings for Colin, and enjoys her time with his family. Unfortunately for her, Colin is betrothed to another woman, who's dowry has been spent towards the reconstruction of Colin's castle. Unwilling to break up this monetary agreement despite his attraction, Colin is locked in a battle of wills against Amy, who wants him no matter the cost. Will Colin eventually reconsider and give in to is heart's desire?
I've always enjoyed historical fiction novels that use true events as their backdrop, as opposed to just using a specific time period and developing a story. In Amethyst that true event is the Great Fire of London in 1666. As sad as the event was, it is an excellent plot device that sets the reader on a journey of self discovery with Amy and Colin that we certainly wouldn't have dreamed of without the amazingly detailed and intricate imagination of Royal.
To me, Amy read as a nod to the modern woman. Your first taste of her modern ideals comes when she stands up to her fiancรฉe, Robert, and expresses her desires to continue being a jeweler. Robert's jealousy over her jeweling skills are what drive his desire to have her stay at home and give up her occupation. After the fire when Amy is able to escape and meet Colin, she continues to hold onto her ideals that she can run the family jewelry business. Even after finding herself in love with Colin she realizes a marriage between them would end any future she has with her craft. She forces herself to make a tough decision: choose love or her craft. Royal does an incredible job weaving this difficult journey of "staying true to self vs heart" effortlessly. I can honestly say that Amethyst is one of the only historical romance novels that I actually truly believed in the conflict of heart that the heroine and hero go through. Every romance novel I've read has a conflict drawing the heroine and hero away from each other, but it's rare to find one that has to do with something other than conflicting social classes. Amy's need to continue her craft made for a much more interesting conflict. It was refreshing, honest, and definitely a worthy addition to anyone's "to read" pile. Go pick up a copy!
Kimberly (Reflections of a Book Addict)
http://wp.me/p18lIL-XU
aishareadsnrambles's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Opened Door Romance. Multiple POVs. Love Triangle. Jeweler FMC. Realistic Epilogue. Chase Family. Found Family
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This book was wonderful from the first chapter to the last. Especially the last, i really liked the last chapters and how things were not perfect for Amy and Colin when they got married.
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At first, I didn't want to read the book because it had a love triangle trope, and they annoy me. I like that the trope was well done here and the other partners were annoying too. However, I'm glad I read it, I really enjoyed.
๐ซ๐ผ๐ซ๐ผ
I liked the author's setting in the 1660s during the commonwealth, something I've never read in a historical romance before. I liked Amy's resilience in staying true to her jeweler roots. I liked Colin in the end, but he was annoying, but he redeemed himself. But, I admire how he took charge of hid crumbling estate and got it on track. I also liked the Chase family, they were amazing.
๐ซ๐ผ๐ซ๐ผ
I liked Amy and Chase's relationship. They were perfect for each other. I liked their relationship more in the last chapters
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This book was a good one and you should read it if you're a fan of historical romances.
๐ซ๐ผ๐ซ๐ผ
This book was wonderful from the first chapter to the last. Especially the last, i really liked the last chapters and how things were not perfect for Amy and Colin when they got married.
๐ซ๐ผ๐ซ๐ผ
At first, I didn't want to read the book because it had a love triangle trope, and they annoy me. I like that the trope was well done here and the other partners were annoying too. However, I'm glad I read it, I really enjoyed.
๐ซ๐ผ๐ซ๐ผ
I liked the author's setting in the 1660s during the commonwealth, something I've never read in a historical romance before. I liked Amy's resilience in staying true to her jeweler roots. I liked Colin in the end, but he was annoying, but he redeemed himself. But, I admire how he took charge of hid crumbling estate and got it on track. I also liked the Chase family, they were amazing.
๐ซ๐ผ๐ซ๐ผ
I liked Amy and Chase's relationship. They were perfect for each other. I liked their relationship more in the last chapters
๐ซ๐ผ๐ซ๐ผ
This book was a good one and you should read it if you're a fan of historical romances.
jamiestwocents's review against another edition
4.0
Lovely little love story
This story starts off a little hard to follow. You meet a lot of characters quickly and it takes at the meet cute, which is years before the actual story starts. Then the story picks up 5 years later when Amy and Colin meet each other again. Amy and Colin are betrothed to other people. This story is how they go against society to honor their love.
The story has a bit of drama and a solid plot. I started getting bored around 80-85% of the way finished with the book. I felt like it kind of dragged on after the climax happened. I was glad the author tied up all the loose ends, but it just felt a little slow after that point.
There were a few nicely written sex scenes. And overall this whole book was worth reading. I will probably read others in the series. All the characters were entertaining and I really fell in love with the chase family myself. Give this book a read! Happy reading yโall!!
This story starts off a little hard to follow. You meet a lot of characters quickly and it takes at the meet cute, which is years before the actual story starts. Then the story picks up 5 years later when Amy and Colin meet each other again. Amy and Colin are betrothed to other people. This story is how they go against society to honor their love.
The story has a bit of drama and a solid plot. I started getting bored around 80-85% of the way finished with the book. I felt like it kind of dragged on after the climax happened. I was glad the author tied up all the loose ends, but it just felt a little slow after that point.
There were a few nicely written sex scenes. And overall this whole book was worth reading. I will probably read others in the series. All the characters were entertaining and I really fell in love with the chase family myself. Give this book a read! Happy reading yโall!!
sassysmutlover's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I loved the family and laughed at every practical joke they pulled. I cried when she cried and loved having the king and other real people in the book. I just kept waiting to see what would happen next and never knew what was coming.
strad78's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars, It started good and I read the first few chapters quickly, but then it started dragging and there were too many conflicts. I almost didnโt finish.