jessbookishlife's review against another edition
4.0
This isn’t my first Rachel Brimble’s novel. I have been reading Rachel Brimble's books since I went in a Historical Romance reading journey. I even recently recommended her books to a friend.
This book is set in Bath, in 1852, and follows Nancy Bloom - a woman with dreams and betrayed by a man that promise to help her, only to ruin her - and Francis Carlyle - a theater manager with ambitions and a goal in mind. Two characters that may have difference, but that also have somethings in common, especially in terms of having a tragic background.
Usually we read about royalty in some category, so it's very refreshing to follow the lives of the common people, rich or not. And combined with theater and all the drama that the show business brings, it's so exciting. Plus, there is this theme related to social injustice, that made me think and that I now want to read more about it, in a historical perspective.
We have likeable characters that we can connect with, people this dark and painful pasts, people with dreams and ambitions, people that just want to be happy. I liked both Nancy and Francis for different reasons, and the more I learned about them, the more I read about their interactions and the development of their relationship, the more I liked them.
Life isn't always pretty, and it doesn't matter if we are talking about our current world or many years ago. This book reminded me of that. It also reminded me that it's never too late. And to be resilient.
Overall, I enjoyed it. And although it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend you read the first one so that you get a bigger picture of the time and scenery this series focus on.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Rachel Brimble and Aria Fiction for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
This book is set in Bath, in 1852, and follows Nancy Bloom - a woman with dreams and betrayed by a man that promise to help her, only to ruin her - and Francis Carlyle - a theater manager with ambitions and a goal in mind. Two characters that may have difference, but that also have somethings in common, especially in terms of having a tragic background.
Usually we read about royalty in some category, so it's very refreshing to follow the lives of the common people, rich or not. And combined with theater and all the drama that the show business brings, it's so exciting. Plus, there is this theme related to social injustice, that made me think and that I now want to read more about it, in a historical perspective.
We have likeable characters that we can connect with, people this dark and painful pasts, people with dreams and ambitions, people that just want to be happy. I liked both Nancy and Francis for different reasons, and the more I learned about them, the more I read about their interactions and the development of their relationship, the more I liked them.
Life isn't always pretty, and it doesn't matter if we are talking about our current world or many years ago. This book reminded me of that. It also reminded me that it's never too late. And to be resilient.
Overall, I enjoyed it. And although it can be read as a standalone, I do recommend you read the first one so that you get a bigger picture of the time and scenery this series focus on.
[I want to thank Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, Rachel Brimble and Aria Fiction for the eCopy of this book, via NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to join in the fun and being a part of the blog tour with my honest review of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]
teapartyprincess's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Pedophilia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Confinement
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