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katealily's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
migema's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bookish_kristina's review
2.0
The Diego in Dora the Explorer is sexier than this guy
Even though this book had drugging, kidnapping, manipulation, many rape threats and some dubcon, this was mostly boring and had very little spice. I didn’t find either main characters to be fully developed and the story was just blah. I think Jeffries tried to do an old school bodice ripper but because her strength lies in fluffy fairytale regencies, she couldn’t pull it off.
Justine Eyre has done a good job narrating the rest of this series but her Spanish accent in this just felt cartoonish. Also Lady Kerr was done with a Scottish accent in previous books but here she had an English one, who’s monitoring these for continuity? No one!
Skip this one, it’s got no bearing on the rest of the series anyway.
Even though this book had drugging, kidnapping, manipulation, many rape threats and some dubcon, this was mostly boring and had very little spice. I didn’t find either main characters to be fully developed and the story was just blah. I think Jeffries tried to do an old school bodice ripper but because her strength lies in fluffy fairytale regencies, she couldn’t pull it off.
Justine Eyre has done a good job narrating the rest of this series but her Spanish accent in this just felt cartoonish. Also Lady Kerr was done with a Scottish accent in previous books but here she had an English one, who’s monitoring these for continuity? No one!
Skip this one, it’s got no bearing on the rest of the series anyway.
fishgirl182's review
3.0
This is the sixth book in the school for heiresses series by Sabrina Jeffries. Lucinda is a former student now teaching at her alma mater. Diego Montalvo is a notorious rake and womanizer who moves in next door to the finishing school. He is there to determined whether or not the residence will make a good pleasure garden. Lucinda and the school's headmistress are firmly against a pleasure garden, which the believe would be distracting and dangerous to the ladies attending the school. Little do they know that Diego's plan of a pleasure garden is just a rumor made up to cover the real reason he's in town, which is to find the list heiress to a Spanish fortune. If he finds her he can finally regain he family home back and settle down. Diego and Lucinda butt heads while fighting their attraction to one another.
While I am usually a big fan of Sabrina Jeffries, but this doesn't rank among the most memorable books for me. I liked Diego and Lucinda both but neither was a standout. I also had some issues with some if the things that Diego does in the name of his cause. **sort of spoiler** at one point Diego makes Lucinda go somewhere against her will which I really did not like. Lucinda herself is furious but later forgives him. I didn't agree with him that the means justified the end and it made me like Lucinda a little less when she forgave him so easily. *end spoiler**
I needed a fun, quick read to get me out of a reading slump and thus did the trick. While not my favorite Jeffries novel, it was entertaining and quick. If probably only recommend it to die hard Sabrina Jeffries fans though.
While I am usually a big fan of Sabrina Jeffries, but this doesn't rank among the most memorable books for me. I liked Diego and Lucinda both but neither was a standout. I also had some issues with some if the things that Diego does in the name of his cause. **sort of spoiler** at one point Diego makes Lucinda go somewhere against her will which I really did not like. Lucinda herself is furious but later forgives him. I didn't agree with him that the means justified the end and it made me like Lucinda a little less when she forgave him so easily. *end spoiler**
I needed a fun, quick read to get me out of a reading slump and thus did the trick. While not my favorite Jeffries novel, it was entertaining and quick. If probably only recommend it to die hard Sabrina Jeffries fans though.
winterreader40's review
4.0
Lucy is back at Mrs. Harris's school to help teach art for a few weeks as one of the teachers quit with no notice when they find out that their new neighbor wants to open a pleasure garden.
Diego is a magician and he's spreading the rumor that he wants to open a pleasure garden to distract from the fact that he is really looking for the granddaughter of a Spanish Marquess so he can finally reacquire his family's estates after 15 years of trying.
There's a meet cute, blackmail, a lot of lying and withholding(which bothered me initially but by the end I was ok with it) a dash of kidnapping and mistaken identity and of course spice making an fun story.
Diego is a magician and he's spreading the rumor that he wants to open a pleasure garden to distract from the fact that he is really looking for the granddaughter of a Spanish Marquess so he can finally reacquire his family's estates after 15 years of trying.
There's a meet cute, blackmail, a lot of lying and withholding(which bothered me initially but by the end I was ok with it) a dash of kidnapping and mistaken identity and of course spice making an fun story.
kirkland433's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I would of given this book a solid 3 for the first half of the book... but the second half has it at a resounding 2 stars. So this book was a 2.5 star read.
For the most part I really enjoyed Lucy and Diego. Diego was just over the top caring and pretty much insta fell in love even if he denied it. He did so many things that he shouldn't of for his scheme to be a success because he just wanted Lucy to be happy. Then they started their journey to Spain and he became unsufferable. Lucy, on the other hand, was bland and boring in the beginning but than blossomed into a better character once they were on their way to Spain. She made me start to root for and love her at that point.
Basically, the book felt split in two, and there were parts in each that I liked and disliked. I really hated that the men all thought they knew what was best for Lucy and never let her have a choice. Even Diego. That's mostly what I was mad about and what caused my drop in rating.
For the most part I really enjoyed Lucy and Diego. Diego was just over the top caring and pretty much insta fell in love even if he denied it. He did so many things that he shouldn't of for his scheme to be a success because he just wanted Lucy to be happy. Then they started their journey to Spain and he became unsufferable. Lucy, on the other hand, was bland and boring in the beginning but than blossomed into a better character once they were on their way to Spain. She made me start to root for and love her at that point.
Basically, the book felt split in two, and there were parts in each that I liked and disliked. I really hated that the men all thought they knew what was best for Lucy and never let her have a choice. Even Diego. That's mostly what I was mad about and what caused my drop in rating.
heyhaley17's review
5.0
I was really impressed with this book! First, Diego is a magician. You don't get that often in a hero for historical romance. Its refreshing as well as intruging and enjoyable. It really helped make the story more entertaining to read becuase it was so different from other hero characteristics I've read before. The story itself was well written, plotted, characterized and more. There were times I got a little frustrated with Lucy for her quick ability to doubt Diego's actions, although at times with cause. Diego and Lucy are a perfect pair with a rocky start but obvious attraction for more than looks. The banter between them at times was fun and the emotional moments touching. Everything in the story was well put together and even provided tips for the story to come, which I also enjoy because it usually means good character building. A unique fun to read romance.
sn4p's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of twists and turns and unexpected surprises. All around a great read!
brinastewart's review
3.0
Another enjoyable story. When I read the back of it... I honestly wasn't expecting to like it. I thought it would be just "meh" but I enjoyed it just as much as the others.