rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
4.0
There a number of things that I loved about this story. I will start by saying Phee and Cal were awesome. Their love story was very enchanting and heartwarming. There are a few things that was a little hard to get pass. I found the book could read more fluidly without the elegant/ flashy verbiage.
The book could be more of a page turner and read with an easy pace without the flamboyant wording. I notice that the book had a good length to it. I understand that the writer was trying to tie everything together in the end. But addressing each issue that was of no connection to Phee and Cal after realizing that they love one another could have been summed up in one chapter rather then five or six chapters. In the end the dragged out to the expected union of Phee and Cal.
I will also say that the writer did a great job of capturing my attention with the plot and drama of the story. The story was entertaining and very captivating. The story almost read like a movie.
The book could be more of a page turner and read with an easy pace without the flamboyant wording. I notice that the book had a good length to it. I understand that the writer was trying to tie everything together in the end. But addressing each issue that was of no connection to Phee and Cal after realizing that they love one another could have been summed up in one chapter rather then five or six chapters. In the end the dragged out to the expected union of Phee and Cal.
I will also say that the writer did a great job of capturing my attention with the plot and drama of the story. The story was entertaining and very captivating. The story almost read like a movie.
jrabz's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
alisonb's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the wit in this novel! While some of the novel felt a tad anachronistic, I enjoyed the overall story and tone.
The take on a woman dressed as a man trope is done in a believable and interesting manner.
The misunderstanding was a little frustrating to me, but I did enjoy Phee and Cal’s growth from friends to lovers.
The take on a woman dressed as a man trope is done in a believable and interesting manner.
The misunderstanding was a little frustrating to me, but I did enjoy Phee and Cal’s growth from friends to lovers.
mayenk's review
3.5
kayla_llbr's review against another edition
5.0
More reviews @ www.ladylovesbookreviews.com
THIS book blew me away! I really don’t find myself to be that picky of a reader, but I try to reserve 5 stars for books that just hit all of my favorite things. Like romance that makes my heart pound, dialogue that makes my heart race, and moments that hit me in my feelings. West End Earl did all of those things.
I think part of why my reaction was so intense was because I am a weirdo. I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as I read Any Rogue Will Do, because I loved Cal’s sense of self deprecating and sarcastic humor and that intrigued me enough. But what did it was that I never read the synopsis. So I went in blind as a bat. And it was EVERYTHING.
I did NOT expect the heroine Ophelia to be one that has been masquerading as a man, so that was a delightful surprise. But what sold it for me was just the lengths she went to, why she hid away her sex, and then the natural progression of her and Cal going from being friends, and him under the assumption that she is really a he, to the reveal and their relationship changing dynamics.
It was just so natural between them, and I think that’s because we got to see their actual friendship. It wasn’t a status change based on just appearance, these two deeply felt for one another. Counted on each other. And fell in love. And it had me deeply in my feels.
And let’s not forget the heat. These two are absolutely wicked together. Whenever these two were within each others sights my stomach was in chaos. The attraction between them is palpable but not gratuitous. Again, I was not left wanting in any of these departments.
West End Earl is such a rich story about having bravery and courage and doing what is best for you and not expectations and friendship and love and family. Such a beautiful story that has really changed what I previously knew about girls in breeches trope. And let’s not get started on how I am DYING for Emma, Cal’s sister’s, story. Her integration into this book and her situation playing out alongside Phee and Cal’s was just so heartbreaking and that is one HEA I am most excited for.
THIS book blew me away! I really don’t find myself to be that picky of a reader, but I try to reserve 5 stars for books that just hit all of my favorite things. Like romance that makes my heart pound, dialogue that makes my heart race, and moments that hit me in my feelings. West End Earl did all of those things.
I think part of why my reaction was so intense was because I am a weirdo. I knew I wanted to read this book as soon as I read Any Rogue Will Do, because I loved Cal’s sense of self deprecating and sarcastic humor and that intrigued me enough. But what did it was that I never read the synopsis. So I went in blind as a bat. And it was EVERYTHING.
I did NOT expect the heroine Ophelia to be one that has been masquerading as a man, so that was a delightful surprise. But what sold it for me was just the lengths she went to, why she hid away her sex, and then the natural progression of her and Cal going from being friends, and him under the assumption that she is really a he, to the reveal and their relationship changing dynamics.
It was just so natural between them, and I think that’s because we got to see their actual friendship. It wasn’t a status change based on just appearance, these two deeply felt for one another. Counted on each other. And fell in love. And it had me deeply in my feels.
And let’s not forget the heat. These two are absolutely wicked together. Whenever these two were within each others sights my stomach was in chaos. The attraction between them is palpable but not gratuitous. Again, I was not left wanting in any of these departments.
West End Earl is such a rich story about having bravery and courage and doing what is best for you and not expectations and friendship and love and family. Such a beautiful story that has really changed what I previously knew about girls in breeches trope. And let’s not get started on how I am DYING for Emma, Cal’s sister’s, story. Her integration into this book and her situation playing out alongside Phee and Cal’s was just so heartbreaking and that is one HEA I am most excited for.
readingwithemmett's review against another edition
4.0
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I wasn’t expecting to love it so much. Of course, I really enjoyed Cal in book 1, so I guess that must be why I enjoyed this one so much. This was a false identity type of book, and while it’s not my favorite, I thought this one was very well done. I highly suggest this one, and I'm excited to continue the series!
honeyitsbee's review against another edition
Couldn’t be do it. This was incredibly disappointing for numerous reasons.
But like talk about the likable aspects first
• Cal — if not for him i probably would have DNF’d this ages ago.
and yeah…. i think that’s the only redeemable quality of this book.
It’s not to say the book was terrible. It wasn’t. As least not entirely…
But i really only read this for the “mulan trope” or more specifically “a woman disguising herself as a man” trope. And This really didn’t do it justice.
Considering that Ophelia’s hidden identity was supposedly a major plot point. Not only was it severely underwhelming when Cal found out she was a woman… but then it simply dragged and dragged on.
I didn’t like Cal’s sister Emma in the slightest. Not an ounce of pity i felt. i wholeheartedly belive that she deserved what happened to her. She wasn’t gonna learn any other way and all she did was make things more complicated unnecessarily. I would say i’m sorry for if they made me sound like a bitch but i’m actually not.
I hated that a big part of the plot focuses on her and dealing with the consequences of her actions.
And then my final straw…
the 3rd act “break-up” due to misunderstandings and miscommunication.
one thing i hate, if you’re gonna be nosey and listen to a conversation you weren’t invited to listen to… then the LEAST you could do… is LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE THING WITHOUT JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS AND STORMING OFF. I marvel at the audacity.
Like that was the best she could do? and her anger and feeling betrayal was so out of place. I couldn’t deal with it.
This book well some parts could be considered enjoyable. It wasn’t for me.
But like talk about the likable aspects first
• Cal — if not for him i probably would have DNF’d this ages ago.
and yeah…. i think that’s the only redeemable quality of this book.
It’s not to say the book was terrible. It wasn’t. As least not entirely…
But i really only read this for the “mulan trope” or more specifically “a woman disguising herself as a man” trope. And This really didn’t do it justice.
Considering that Ophelia’s hidden identity was supposedly a major plot point. Not only was it severely underwhelming when Cal found out she was a woman… but then it simply dragged and dragged on.
I didn’t like Cal’s sister Emma in the slightest. Not an ounce of pity i felt. i wholeheartedly belive that she deserved what happened to her. She wasn’t gonna learn any other way and all she did was make things more complicated unnecessarily. I would say i’m sorry for if they made me sound like a bitch but i’m actually not.
I hated that a big part of the plot focuses on her and dealing with the consequences of her actions.
And then my final straw…
the 3rd act “break-up” due to misunderstandings and miscommunication.
one thing i hate, if you’re gonna be nosey and listen to a conversation you weren’t invited to listen to… then the LEAST you could do… is LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE THING WITHOUT JUMPING TO CONCLUSIONS AND STORMING OFF. I marvel at the audacity.
Like that was the best she could do? and her anger and feeling betrayal was so out of place. I couldn’t deal with it.
This book well some parts could be considered enjoyable. It wasn’t for me.