Reviews

The Infamous Miss Rodriguez by Lydia San Andres

research_department's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.25

Stats: MF historical romance taking place in a fictitious Caribbean country in 1911, dual third person POV/past tense, open door (but in the middle of the one sex scene it suddenly becomes markedly less explicit), female protagonist is POC

I found the first half of the book very repetitive, as the FMC tries one unsuccessful scheme after another to ruin her reputation, in order to get out of an arranged marriage.  I liked the second half of the book more, but I found it difficult to suspend disbelief.  Most likely I would have not finished it, except that it was short, I was running out of time to finish a reading challenge, and I liked it better than alternatives for the challenge.  Still, it has virtues: diverse cast of characters, an antagonist who is a good looking man who isn’t turned into the love interest, a unique setting, and likable characters. 

guiltlesspleasures's review

4.25

I really liked this novella. Lydia San Andres is a new author to me, but I will absolutely read more by her — she accomplished that rare thing of making a novella feel like a well-rounded story. 

It takes place in 1911 Ciudad Real, which I understand is a fictional island in the Caribbean, similar in feel to the Dominican Republic or Puerto Rico. So both in time period and location, this historical romance feels fresh. 

It’s the story of Graciela Rodriguez, the heiress to a perfume factory, who is betrothed to a handsome, rich yet chauvinistic man and really doesn’t want to be. She embarks on a campaign to ruin herself so he won’t want to marry her, and it is delightful. Her aunt knows what she’s up to, which is also delightful, and assigns Vicente Aguirre to foil her plans. 

This was well written and I really enjoyed it. Graciela is a fantastic character.

llamallamacallurmama's review

4.75

**Most of my reviews contain detailed Content Notes (including CW/TW) sections, which may include spoilers and general tags.  I have tried to mark them appropriately, but please use caution.** 

4.75/5

* Summary:  Graciella, a young wealthy woman, tries to cause scandal after scandal to avoid an unwanted marriage, meanwhile Vicente, hiding his impoverished past and trying to earn a better future, is tasked with keeping her in line.

* Stats: HR, M/F, open door, stands alone.

* Notes: I really loved this - I think I’d just have wanted it longer.  The FMC is bright, determined and bold without being either NLOG or quirky, and the MMC is just lovely and kind.  They’re funny and sweet, and I liked seeing the FMC come into her own.  Very enjoyable and highly recommended.

OTT and Spoilery Content Notes:

23F/26-7M, Argentinian MMC, POC MCs, 1911, mmc threatens someone with arson/blackmail, unwanted arranged engagement (involving MC, not between MCs), death of grandparent (mentioned), death of parents (mentioned), class gap, alcohol, classism and casual misogyny from others, general manhandling, gambling, tobacco (mentioned), caretaking, gift giving, mmc punches someone, FMC hits mmc several times (before they are romantically involved), child poverty and homelessness, marriage of convenience, sexual assault of FMC (unwanted kissing, heavily implied), highly consenty, family estrangement, child labour, death of a friend (child, in fire, long in the past)

girlwithhearteyes's review

DNF @ 15%. Started off promising but I think the writing style just isn’t for me. 

emilybordelovewrites's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted

saltycaroline's review

4.0

This was fun! LOVE finding new (previously unknown to me) histrom authors writing in non-English settings!!

CW: Sexual content

kimu23's review

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

This should’ve focused more on the romance instead of Graciela’s many attempts to be scandalous

plaidpladd's review

4.0

This was pretty good. The premise was entertaining and the two main characters had good chemistry. I wish it had been a full length book! There were multiple typos.

mrsmar10thereader's review

4.0

Looking for scandal

The young Miss Rodriguez will do anything not to marry her intended, but every method of scandal she attempts is thwarted. Her aunt can’t possibly be this well informed. She isn’t, she has an ally in Vicente, the “commoner” looking for a hand up, not a handout, but in his attempts to keep Graciela out of trouble, he falls for the young heiress and they create the scandal that has Ciudad Real talking. “When he kissed her, she didn’t see stars she saw constellations.”

carla_is_reading's review

4.0

Such a fun read! placed on a made up island in the Caribbean all the beautiful history that would take place either in Cuba, DR, or PR is so meticulously placed in here and it makes it all so enjoyable.
I agree with it could use more steam, but the story is complete and a wonderful HEA.
Low angst, novella, historical, quick and cute!