fae_noir's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
2.5 stars, but as I was writing my review I realized I need to round down, not up. There were amusing moments that stopped me from DNFing, but that's about it... Read on for more details. I'll try to stay away from specific spoilers, but will be talking themes and out of context generalities. Also- multiple references to Jane Austen and one to Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. You've been warned.
At first, I though this was going to be Regency Romance meets John Tucker Must Die. THAT might have been hilarious. But that's not really what we got.
The problem is that John Tucker *knew* that it needed to lean into the simultaneous comedy and tragedy of a revenge plot gone wrong.
Mr. Malcolm's List... doesn't know what it wants. We never have it established what betrayal made Malcolm so determined to super-vet out women. Actually it's determined almost immediately that Julia specifically is the salty one. Everyone else in Malcolm's life is... fine? And it's just Julia who's pissy he doesn't want to date her?? So then why the list? It stopped making sense after the first few chapters. And more on Julia in a moment.
At first Selina has a decent excuse to use Julia to stay in London... but her arc just devolves into a case of insta-love. There's no actual character development for her. She's fine... but that's about it. She comes out of the book the same person she started as. Actually in that regard she reminds me of Fanny Price, who is the least liked of Austen's heroines. The only difference is that Selina is given the agency to tell people off. That is all.
Malcolm... sometimes he's fine. Mostly just your run-of-the-mill rich guy who wants to be loved for who he is and not his money. Okay, I've seen worse. But then there's moments when he's just determined to be creepy Mister Darcy?? Like... gah I can't give details without being spoilery. At least Darcy gave Elizabeth space to reject him, and only tried to propose again *months* after they had time to reset their view of each other and gradually start over. With the caveat that he'd leave permanently if she said no again. Just saying.
Back to Julia, and her cousin Lord Cassidy, aka Cassie. So confused. Cassie starts off as a chill just not super hot rich guy, and tries to be a moral compass/babysitter to keep Julia out of too much trouble. But somewhere during the plot he turns into a complete bumbling idiot? And Julia starts off as a hybrid between Miss Bingley and Veruca Salt, only to spontaneously become some Bachelorette host wannabe setting up her bestie (who wasn't her bestie until 5min ago) with the hottest guy around? And why is her scheming suddenly acceptable?
Henry Ossery was cool, and did nothing to deserve this shit. But WHY is it that novels like to be lazy and toss runner up love interests together? Like, why?? He deserved a *real* romance. Not... whatever the hell that consolation BS was.
Also, sorry for people who were hoping for a good cat-and-mouse game or enemies to lovers trope. The plot likes to change its mind (and it's mood) faster than Mrs. Bennet's dramatics. It spontaneously becomes the fakest fake engagement trope story ever, with the dumbest gimmicks from people trying to play matchmaker.
There's more, but I think you get the gist. It's not romantic, just cringy.
At first, I though this was going to be Regency Romance meets John Tucker Must Die. THAT might have been hilarious. But that's not really what we got.
The problem is that John Tucker *knew* that it needed to lean into the simultaneous comedy and tragedy of a revenge plot gone wrong.
Mr. Malcolm's List... doesn't know what it wants. We never have it established what betrayal made Malcolm so determined to super-vet out women. Actually it's determined almost immediately that Julia specifically is the salty one. Everyone else in Malcolm's life is... fine? And it's just Julia who's pissy he doesn't want to date her?? So then why the list? It stopped making sense after the first few chapters. And more on Julia in a moment.
At first Selina has a decent excuse to use Julia to stay in London... but her arc just devolves into a case of insta-love. There's no actual character development for her. She's fine... but that's about it. She comes out of the book the same person she started as. Actually in that regard she reminds me of Fanny Price, who is the least liked of Austen's heroines. The only difference is that Selina is given the agency to tell people off. That is all.
Malcolm... sometimes he's fine. Mostly just your run-of-the-mill rich guy who wants to be loved for who he is and not his money. Okay, I've seen worse. But then there's moments when he's just determined to be creepy Mister Darcy?? Like... gah I can't give details without being spoilery. At least Darcy gave Elizabeth space to reject him, and only tried to propose again *months* after they had time to reset their view of each other and gradually start over. With the caveat that he'd leave permanently if she said no again. Just saying.
Back to Julia, and her cousin Lord Cassidy, aka Cassie. So confused. Cassie starts off as a chill just not super hot rich guy, and tries to be a moral compass/babysitter to keep Julia out of too much trouble. But somewhere during the plot he turns into a complete bumbling idiot? And Julia starts off as a hybrid between Miss Bingley and Veruca Salt, only to spontaneously become some Bachelorette host wannabe setting up her bestie (who wasn't her bestie until 5min ago) with the hottest guy around? And why is her scheming suddenly acceptable?
Henry Ossery was cool, and did nothing to deserve this shit. But WHY is it that novels like to be lazy and toss runner up love interests together? Like, why?? He deserved a *real* romance. Not... whatever the hell that consolation BS was.
Also, sorry for people who were hoping for a good cat-and-mouse game or enemies to lovers trope. The plot likes to change its mind (and it's mood) faster than Mrs. Bennet's dramatics. It spontaneously becomes the fakest fake engagement trope story ever, with the dumbest gimmicks from people trying to play matchmaker.
There's more, but I think you get the gist. It's not romantic, just cringy.
catherine_dalton08's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bianca_rodriguez's review against another edition
2.0
The entire time I was reading this I was like, "fuck, this is reading like a screenplay! where's the emotion! the backstories!" So imagine my surprise when I finish this and realize the author is a screenwriter!!! and the world makes sense again!
not the worst thing I've read, but not something I would wholeheartedly recommend. 2.5 or perhaps a 3 kind of beat.
not the worst thing I've read, but not something I would wholeheartedly recommend. 2.5 or perhaps a 3 kind of beat.
ludo411's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
morgywaits's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75