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riskyduck's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe spoiler-ish...
Ugh.
So Louisa and Simon's story got to a really rocky start in her bro/his sis's book, [b:To Pleasure a Prince|1264115|To Pleasure a Prince (Royal Brotherhood, #2)|Sabrina Jeffries|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1182356746s/1264115.jpg|1252985]. Basically, Simon courted naive Louisa at the king's (her dad) behest, said he loved her and wanted to marry her. Then the truth hit the fan and as revenge, Louisa got Simon shipped out to India to govern it for 7 years.
At first, I was interested because it seemed like they were going to be more mature characters. But no, all that's different is now they're BOTH full of hidden agendas/secrets/political aspirations. Most of the book is setting up BIG MIS's resulting from each of their hidden pains.
There was some decent elements that spiced things up: reform for Newgate women prisoners, lots of London politics, a cute monkey, an eccentric woman with birds, and her indulgent husband (those two really grew on you). But mostly, the cliched situations spoiled it.
A sampling of the stupidity:
Louisa's terrified of childbirth (with good reason), so she secretly uses sponges while they're married. And she's not gonna stop until she's accomplished all her reforms. Yeah, like THAT'S going to work without your husband ever finding out. And I'm sure he'll take to it fine.
The king promises the Prime Minister position to Simon if he'll marry Louisa. Then he can control his woman and stop her from causing problems. Simon agrees and makes the king even sign a contract. YEAH, BECAUSE THE LAST TIME YOU DID A REALLY SIMILAR THING, LOUISA THOUGHT THAT WAS AWESOME. There's NO WAY this can blow up in your face later. Did you learn nothing in India?!?
Also, Simon is incapable of love. Woe is he.
You've seen it all, save your time and skip this one. You'll miss nothing.
BTW, Charlotte and her benefactor correspond throughout, but it doesn't introduce anything new.
Ugh.
So Louisa and Simon's story got to a really rocky start in her bro/his sis's book, [b:To Pleasure a Prince|1264115|To Pleasure a Prince (Royal Brotherhood, #2)|Sabrina Jeffries|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1182356746s/1264115.jpg|1252985]. Basically, Simon courted naive Louisa at the king's (her dad) behest, said he loved her and wanted to marry her. Then the truth hit the fan and as revenge, Louisa got Simon shipped out to India to govern it for 7 years.
At first, I was interested because it seemed like they were going to be more mature characters. But no, all that's different is now they're BOTH full of hidden agendas/secrets/political aspirations. Most of the book is setting up BIG MIS's resulting from each of their hidden pains.
There was some decent elements that spiced things up: reform for Newgate women prisoners, lots of London politics, a cute monkey, an eccentric woman with birds, and her indulgent husband (those two really grew on you). But mostly, the cliched situations spoiled it.
A sampling of the stupidity:
Louisa's terrified of childbirth (with good reason), so she secretly uses sponges while they're married. And she's not gonna stop until she's accomplished all her reforms. Yeah, like THAT'S going to work without your husband ever finding out. And I'm sure he'll take to it fine.
The king promises the Prime Minister position to Simon if he'll marry Louisa. Then he can control his woman and stop her from causing problems. Simon agrees and makes the king even sign a contract. YEAH, BECAUSE THE LAST TIME YOU DID A REALLY SIMILAR THING, LOUISA THOUGHT THAT WAS AWESOME. There's NO WAY this can blow up in your face later. Did you learn nothing in India?!?
Also, Simon is incapable of love. Woe is he.
You've seen it all, save your time and skip this one. You'll miss nothing.
BTW, Charlotte and her benefactor correspond throughout, but it doesn't introduce anything new.
desiree_mcl's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars. With this novel I went back and forth with how to rate it.
On the one hand, it took me 3 tries to actually finish it. The first 60 or so pages for some reason didn't click with me at all. I was very bored and I didn't connect to the characters as much as I wanted too.
However on the other hand, the book steadily got better and by Chapter 13/page 159 I was enjoying the story and the characters.
So first half of OaDWD I rated 2 stars. Second half of OaDWD I rated 4 stars.
I came to love and enjoy the characters and I look forward to reading more of this series.
On the one hand, it took me 3 tries to actually finish it. The first 60 or so pages for some reason didn't click with me at all. I was very bored and I didn't connect to the characters as much as I wanted too.
However on the other hand, the book steadily got better and by Chapter 13/page 159 I was enjoying the story and the characters.
So first half of OaDWD I rated 2 stars. Second half of OaDWD I rated 4 stars.
I came to love and enjoy the characters and I look forward to reading more of this series.
geo_ix's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did? I’m not really into political romances but their passion in politics & life hooked me. They were both so interesting & his character really went through it. It was so interesting to see him change & I think she handled it so well. She didn’t hate him or get mad at him and genuinely understood why he was the way he was and tried to help him. They both had issues & accepted them instead of demanded (except him at the end but he came through) & I’m glad by the end neither of them gave up their true passions.
bri_839's review against another edition
3.0
So we meet the main couple 7 years after a betrayal that ruined their relationship. This book was good but it wasn't great. Instead of the books that I love which sometimes have a sprinkling of angst over the love to make it richer, this book seemed to only have a sprinkling of happiness amongst the angst.
It was well written and engaging but not the book that I'm currently in the mood for, I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I was in the right headspace for it.
It had more steam than the likes of Julia Quinn's book which I enjoyed however I just felt disconnected from this couple and kept wishing that the miscommunication and deception from the Hero would come to an end. When you read the book it's understandable why the Hero acts the way he does and in the end does redeem himself however I just felt like there was no true happy feeling when I closed this book that I'm usually left with when reading some of my other HR favourites. Even writing this I'm left feeling "Meh" about the entire thing, Didn't hate it but didn't love it either. I am committed to reading this authors other books however maybe not ones with a similar plot line.
It was well written and engaging but not the book that I'm currently in the mood for, I think I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if I was in the right headspace for it.
It had more steam than the likes of Julia Quinn's book which I enjoyed however I just felt disconnected from this couple and kept wishing that the miscommunication and deception from the Hero would come to an end. When you read the book it's understandable why the Hero acts the way he does and in the end does redeem himself however I just felt like there was no true happy feeling when I closed this book that I'm usually left with when reading some of my other HR favourites. Even writing this I'm left feeling "Meh" about the entire thing, Didn't hate it but didn't love it either. I am committed to reading this authors other books however maybe not ones with a similar plot line.
jemcam's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe check out her books again, but not a first choice.
kirkland433's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
I should keep this short and sweet.
I thought I remembered this book. And I remembered the overall theme, but other than that, I remembered nothing. Which is fine because I absolutely enjoyed this book.
Simon is obsessed with Louisa, and I loved every minute of it. They perfectly match each other, and I just enjoyed every interaction. Simon has his dumb dumb moments, but he realizes it pretty quickly when he messes up. Louisa deserves all the happiness. She's just a clever, respectable character.
I loved it. This book made me happy, and that's all I can ask for.
I thought I remembered this book. And I remembered the overall theme, but other than that, I remembered nothing. Which is fine because I absolutely enjoyed this book.
Simon is obsessed with Louisa, and I loved every minute of it. They perfectly match each other, and I just enjoyed every interaction. Simon has his dumb dumb moments, but he realizes it pretty quickly when he messes up. Louisa deserves all the happiness. She's just a clever, respectable character.
I loved it. This book made me happy, and that's all I can ask for.
sn4p's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book! Enjoyed it immensely.
Favorite had to be Raji though ;)
Favorite had to be Raji though ;)