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tamaralgage1's review against another edition
5.0
If you like Amanda Quick, you are going to love this book.
thunguyen's review against another edition
4.0
First read 2020
A mix of historical romance that has witty banter and steamy scenes and detective sort of story that has serial murders. It ticks all the topics for me, but is quite short on delivery. The romance is fun, but not deep enough. The thriller side is definitely more than just a setup for the romance to happen. However, there's not enough detective work at play, in the end we were told what happened in a straight confrontation kind of way. There are a few twists but too simple to be a true thriller. I enjoy mostly the feel of Regency period in this book.
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Re-read 2022
Slightly Shady was the very first Amanda Quick book I read and I only gave it a 2-star rating as in "it was okay", which was very true to my feelings at the time. I wasn't thrilled or overly impressed with the book. But the mixture of all those genres kept me reading other Amanda Quick's works and 2 years 30 books later, here I am, re-reading many of her books just because I couldn't find anything exactly like them.
A mix of historical romance that has witty banter and steamy scenes and detective sort of story that has serial murders. It ticks all the topics for me, but is quite short on delivery. The romance is fun, but not deep enough. The thriller side is definitely more than just a setup for the romance to happen. However, there's not enough detective work at play, in the end we were told what happened in a straight confrontation kind of way. There are a few twists but too simple to be a true thriller. I enjoy mostly the feel of Regency period in this book.
------
Re-read 2022
Slightly Shady was the very first Amanda Quick book I read and I only gave it a 2-star rating as in "it was okay", which was very true to my feelings at the time. I wasn't thrilled or overly impressed with the book. But the mixture of all those genres kept me reading other Amanda Quick's works and 2 years 30 books later, here I am, re-reading many of her books just because I couldn't find anything exactly like them.
hallieg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
altogetherbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
a_ab's review against another edition
1.0
I slogged through chapter 18 and by then lost all interest in both the mystery and the characters. I skimmed through the rest, find my suspicions mostly realized and couldn't be bothered to read any more. The plot points are telegraphed from miles away, the characters are one-dimensional, the writing is flat. Anything related to sex or romance is contrived, random and vulgar.
This was my second attempt at reading this author, and I found her other, more recent book much more readable. Note to self: her earlier writing is not for me.
This was my second attempt at reading this author, and I found her other, more recent book much more readable. Note to self: her earlier writing is not for me.
sarajean37's review against another edition
2.0
Krentz's writing is always a fun read, but generally only at a 3 level. This book gets 2 stars because I have found absolutely no reason to like the protagonist.
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
4/4/21- listened on audio, narrated by Barbara Rosenblat. Story 3.5, narration 4.5. The audio version gets rounded up due to the excellent narration. 4 stars for Goodreads.
While this is definitely a standard Amanda Quick, I've always felt the Lake/March books were her at her best. I enjoyed the story and while still in the B- territory, it was a fun way to spend the afternoon. Rosenblat does her usual excellent job with all parts of the narration. She has a wide range of voices, including very good male voices.
TBR Challenge 2012- February category: Recommended by another reader. this was recommended by my daughter Hannah. Added Feb 2011.
3.5/5 Grade B
Slightly Shady is a solid effort by Amanda Quick. The dialog, between all the characters not just the leads, was smart and witty. Tobias is a wonderfully grouchy hero. Lavinia is a fairly typical Quick/Krentz heroine, which is to say a somewhat unconventional bluestocking who is matter-of-fact and independent-minded. The secondary characters Emiline and Anthony were a pleasant addition to the book instead of a distraction. And the little unanswered question about the suspense plot at the end was a great hook for the next book in the trilogy.
There is little sexual tension in the novel and the love scenes inspire more smiles than sighs. The real treat in this relationship is watching the grudging respect and admiration grow between the leads.
I already have the next one, [b:Don't Look Back|367752|Don't Look Back (Lake/March, # 2)|Amanda Quick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320464808l/367752._SY75_.jpg|986573], on hold at the library!
While this is definitely a standard Amanda Quick, I've always felt the Lake/March books were her at her best. I enjoyed the story and while still in the B- territory, it was a fun way to spend the afternoon. Rosenblat does her usual excellent job with all parts of the narration. She has a wide range of voices, including very good male voices.
TBR Challenge 2012- February category: Recommended by another reader. this was recommended by my daughter Hannah. Added Feb 2011.
3.5/5 Grade B
Slightly Shady is a solid effort by Amanda Quick. The dialog, between all the characters not just the leads, was smart and witty. Tobias is a wonderfully grouchy hero. Lavinia is a fairly typical Quick/Krentz heroine, which is to say a somewhat unconventional bluestocking who is matter-of-fact and independent-minded. The secondary characters Emiline and Anthony were a pleasant addition to the book instead of a distraction. And the little unanswered question about the suspense plot at the end was a great hook for the next book in the trilogy.
There is little sexual tension in the novel and the love scenes inspire more smiles than sighs. The real treat in this relationship is watching the grudging respect and admiration grow between the leads.
I already have the next one, [b:Don't Look Back|367752|Don't Look Back (Lake/March, # 2)|Amanda Quick|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320464808l/367752._SY75_.jpg|986573], on hold at the library!
amyiw's review against another edition
4.0
This was cute, yet really quite good in the intrigue and mystery too. Lavinia and Tobias rub each other the wrong way, yet intrigue one another. They definitely have chemistry and are not the young debutante's that we usually read about in these historical. There is a real story here, yet there is a cuteness to the couple. I don't really feel like I read a HR (historical romance) but a mystery historical with romance and great characters. The romance is a bit tame.
So while reading, I figured out that I knew these characters but not the story. Looking at the trilogy, I think I read the 3rd book years ago. Although I remember the characters, I don't remember the plot. Lavinia's niece and Tobias' brother-in-law as helpers stood out in the one I read, and I remember liking the over all story.
So here is where they meet and it is a very confrontational meeting indeed. Tobias strong arms Lavinia and her niece to leave their business and move back to England. So their next meeting in England is definitely confrontational. She has decided to because a detective of sorts, though she calls it inquiry, which Tobias of course thinks is ridiculous. Their banter and different approach to the problems quickly becomes points of contention yet sparks of interest. They play off each other very well and it is quite fun.
I enjoyed the characters and because of them, will be reading the rest of the trilogy.
So while reading, I figured out that I knew these characters but not the story. Looking at the trilogy, I think I read the 3rd book years ago. Although I remember the characters, I don't remember the plot. Lavinia's niece and Tobias' brother-in-law as helpers stood out in the one I read, and I remember liking the over all story.
So here is where they meet and it is a very confrontational meeting indeed. Tobias strong arms Lavinia and her niece to leave their business and move back to England. So their next meeting in England is definitely confrontational. She has decided to because a detective of sorts, though she calls it inquiry, which Tobias of course thinks is ridiculous. Their banter and different approach to the problems quickly becomes points of contention yet sparks of interest. They play off each other very well and it is quite fun.
I enjoyed the characters and because of them, will be reading the rest of the trilogy.