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milenaczikita's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
The premise was interesting but the execution insufferable. Why would the author think I care so much about the friends of the main couple when they are so plain, boring and indistinguishable from one another? Leave them to their own books (which is not so subtly hinted that they will, in fact, have their own stories) and do not make them enter a scene whenever the action between main character starts actually getting interesting (which is not that often)
ralberico's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
colleenbeam's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nkatha's review against another edition
2.0
Truly childish antics here. One simple conversation could have solved everything. From page 1. I almost DNF'd but I persevered for the Diana zingers.
ninjess26's review against another edition
3.0
The author has a fantastic style, but the characters’ failure to communicate made me mad at them. Hopefully, the next pair are more likeable.
kriselirod's review against another edition
4.0
Based on Goodreads' rubric, I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, but I ultimately rounded up because the premise and characters were, quite frankly, refreshing for a historical romance.
Pros:
The premise.
I like comedy of error storylines. I like when there are misunderstandings that need to be resolved (Emma, The Importance of Being Earnest, Much Ado About Nothing, etc.). This reminds me of a combination of The Scarlet Pimpernel-- where spouses are estranged due to a misunderstanding that led to an argument-- and the Friends' episode "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" (she knew that he knew that she knew, etc.). I was hooked by the story from the prologue.
The characters.
I enjoyed all the characters in the story, even the antagonists. I was relieved to find a heroine that didn't act as though the rules of society didn't apply to her. (How many times I have rolled my eyes at heroines who acted as though they were not living in 19th century England!) I want to see sequels, particularly with Diana and Jeremy, and Emily and Belfy.
Historically accurate.
Have I mentioned that it's a pet peeve of mine when I read books that are ridden with historical inaccuracies? This one, thankfully, seemed well researched and mostly true to the timeframe. THANK YOU, Martha Waters! (There were a few parts I questioned, like using the term "corsets" instead of "stays" for the Regency era, but nothing was too jarring.)
Cons:
Escalation.
There were many set-ups that could have escalated but didn't. James flirted with his brother's former love but then instantly regretted and wrote a letter apologizing? That could have been delayed a little. His brother West not getting into his own war/duel with his brother? Could have been played up. There are several instances where one of the characters thinks of a new scheme (Belfry's disguise, Sophie's pretend infatuation with James, Diana's meddling) but it was quickly dismissed. So many missed opportunities to further the plot! Which brings me to the other main con--
Repetitiveness.
How many times did the main characters seem to come to the same conclusion over and over again? As I mentioned beforehand, there were many opportunities for their feud to escalate and continue, but instead each person kept realizing that it was simply a ploy by the other, and they only continued their games out of anger. I would have preferred actual misunderstandings continuing to happen that needed to be sorted. This could have been a novella, for all the times I kept reading that either James or Violet wanted to put their feud at a rest and then got angry and changed their mind 2 pages later.
All in all, I really enjoyed this one and can see this being adapted in film. Considering this is her first work, I was impressed with the refreshing take [a:Martha Waters|19284253|Martha Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562337507p2/19284253.jpg] has to give to historical romance. Perhaps as I read her future works she may be referred to as one of my favorites!
Also, I read that she's a children's librarian from South Florida? I have a feeling we would have a lot to talk about.
Pros:
The premise.
I like comedy of error storylines. I like when there are misunderstandings that need to be resolved (Emma, The Importance of Being Earnest, Much Ado About Nothing, etc.). This reminds me of a combination of The Scarlet Pimpernel-- where spouses are estranged due to a misunderstanding that led to an argument-- and the Friends' episode "The One Where Everybody Finds Out" (she knew that he knew that she knew, etc.). I was hooked by the story from the prologue.
The characters.
I enjoyed all the characters in the story, even the antagonists. I was relieved to find a heroine that didn't act as though the rules of society didn't apply to her. (How many times I have rolled my eyes at heroines who acted as though they were not living in 19th century England!) I want to see sequels, particularly with Diana and Jeremy, and Emily and Belfy.
Historically accurate.
Have I mentioned that it's a pet peeve of mine when I read books that are ridden with historical inaccuracies? This one, thankfully, seemed well researched and mostly true to the timeframe. THANK YOU, Martha Waters! (There were a few parts I questioned, like using the term "corsets" instead of "stays" for the Regency era, but nothing was too jarring.)
Cons:
Escalation.
There were many set-ups that could have escalated but didn't. James flirted with his brother's former love but then instantly regretted and wrote a letter apologizing? That could have been delayed a little. His brother West not getting into his own war/duel with his brother? Could have been played up. There are several instances where one of the characters thinks of a new scheme (Belfry's disguise, Sophie's pretend infatuation with James, Diana's meddling) but it was quickly dismissed. So many missed opportunities to further the plot! Which brings me to the other main con--
Repetitiveness.
How many times did the main characters seem to come to the same conclusion over and over again? As I mentioned beforehand, there were many opportunities for their feud to escalate and continue, but instead each person kept realizing that it was simply a ploy by the other, and they only continued their games out of anger. I would have preferred actual misunderstandings continuing to happen that needed to be sorted. This could have been a novella, for all the times I kept reading that either James or Violet wanted to put their feud at a rest and then got angry and changed their mind 2 pages later.
All in all, I really enjoyed this one and can see this being adapted in film. Considering this is her first work, I was impressed with the refreshing take [a:Martha Waters|19284253|Martha Waters|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562337507p2/19284253.jpg] has to give to historical romance. Perhaps as I read her future works she may be referred to as one of my favorites!
Also, I read that she's a children's librarian from South Florida? I have a feeling we would have a lot to talk about.
alastar's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0