alisonb's review against another edition
3.0
This was a book of hidden identities, a Scottish village, a gothic author, a spy turned Earl, and a second chance at love.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was Jane and the life she had set up for herself. She was independent and smart. She was dealt a bad hand and she used it to grow stronger and face adversity in her life.
I also liked that Craig constructed the story in a way that let truths and revelations trickle too the surface gradually instead of saving all of the reveals until the end. I always enjoy characters who fess up and tell the truth early on.
There wasn't anything that I absolutely disliked about this book. It just left me feeling okay. The romance didn't pop and the characters were nicely presented, but I couldn't quite connect with them.
So I am giving this 3 stars because this story and writing just landed in the middle for me.
What I enjoyed the most about this book was Jane and the life she had set up for herself. She was independent and smart. She was dealt a bad hand and she used it to grow stronger and face adversity in her life.
I also liked that Craig constructed the story in a way that let truths and revelations trickle too the surface gradually instead of saving all of the reveals until the end. I always enjoy characters who fess up and tell the truth early on.
There wasn't anything that I absolutely disliked about this book. It just left me feeling okay. The romance didn't pop and the characters were nicely presented, but I couldn't quite connect with them.
So I am giving this 3 stars because this story and writing just landed in the middle for me.
ahyggelibrary's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun book, and would highly recommend it for fans of Penelope and Colin Bridgerton!
intensej's review against another edition
DNF - 50%
I just could not get into the characters or this book.
I just could not get into the characters or this book.
chelsea_jack's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Really gentle romance. There are a few threats but they feel more like blips along the way than anything with stakes. It's a quick read, and if you're just looking to get that little HEA endorphin boost, have at!
Really gentle romance. There are a few threats but they feel more like blips along the way than anything with stakes. It's a quick read, and if you're just looking to get that little HEA endorphin boost, have at!
triz193's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very pleasant and enthralling book, definitely reminding me of the gothic novels the main character pens secretly from her castle in Scotland.
“She was used to being alone. But tired, so very tired of being lonely.”
SO, this one was about a Scottish spy (Thomas), who abruptly discovered he became an earl, and returned to his castle to find the woman he wanted to marry seven years ago living there. When he discovers she received death threats for her writings, he decides to investigate the matter. It was somewhat refreshing to read, with a headstrong and (for a change) an actually very smart heroine in Jane. Most times, smarter than Thomas. Their building love and feelings where very sweet to explore, set against the memory of their kiss long ago, and its levels worked well for me.
The writing was very poetic at times, carefully building feelings from the characters; and the chase for the villain managed to connect nicely to the story, being entertaining instead of feeling like something that stalled the rest of the story as it tends to happen so often. I will definitely check further works from the author in the future.
Many thanks for those who granted me a copy of this book.
I hope other enjoy it too.
This was a very pleasant and enthralling book, definitely reminding me of the gothic novels the main character pens secretly from her castle in Scotland.
“She was used to being alone. But tired, so very tired of being lonely.”
SO, this one was about a Scottish spy (Thomas), who abruptly discovered he became an earl, and returned to his castle to find the woman he wanted to marry seven years ago living there. When he discovers she received death threats for her writings, he decides to investigate the matter. It was somewhat refreshing to read, with a headstrong and (for a change) an actually very smart heroine in Jane. Most times, smarter than Thomas. Their building love and feelings where very sweet to explore, set against the memory of their kiss long ago, and its levels worked well for me.
The writing was very poetic at times, carefully building feelings from the characters; and the chase for the villain managed to connect nicely to the story, being entertaining instead of feeling like something that stalled the rest of the story as it tends to happen so often. I will definitely check further works from the author in the future.
Many thanks for those who granted me a copy of this book.
I hope other enjoy it too.
emilybordelovewrites's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
ulrikedg's review against another edition
5.0
This book is noteworthy for the things it doesn't have. It doesn't have ridiculous misunderstandings brought about by characters failing to talk to each other and then jumping to bad conclusions. And, it doesn't have characters chasing their own mental tails, going on and on internally about emotions and how impossible their burgeoning relationship is for "reasons," which too many romance authors use as filler when they could be furthering a plot.
Catherine at SmartBitches calls Who's That Earl "low-tension and low-conflict while still having plenty of story and heart to keep you reading," and that's absolutely accurate. No Alpha-holes here, just well-meaning characters and a plot that ticks right along apace between romantic interludes.
Audiobook narrator Esther Wane earns 5 stars. She does some heavy lifting with character voices and accents without ever showing how hard she must be working.
Catherine at SmartBitches calls Who's That Earl "low-tension and low-conflict while still having plenty of story and heart to keep you reading," and that's absolutely accurate. No Alpha-holes here, just well-meaning characters and a plot that ticks right along apace between romantic interludes.
Audiobook narrator Esther Wane earns 5 stars. She does some heavy lifting with character voices and accents without ever showing how hard she must be working.
msbedelia's review against another edition
4.0
This was short, sweet, simple, but such fun. Glad I gave it a shot.
_myliteraryobsession's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.0
lau_ra_line's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5