sarm's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I actually really liked most of this book. The characters had good dialogue and I liked their relationship, but can’t rate it higher due to the really fatphobic language used to discuss the evil uncle character.
It seemed like pages and pages dedicated to describing, in great detail, how disgusting this man was via his appearance. It would have been easy enough to make it clear that this character was horrible via his vile actions and leave the whole “fat as moral failing” thing alone. It just seems lazy.
It seemed like pages and pages dedicated to describing, in great detail, how disgusting this man was via his appearance. It would have been easy enough to make it clear that this character was horrible via his vile actions and leave the whole “fat as moral failing” thing alone. It just seems lazy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
ld234's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
fannypza's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed the bickering between the main characters in this, and had looked forward to reading it. What I enjoyed less was the descriptions of the uncle - rather than focus on his terrible character, there MANY descriptions of his body, and fatness, as though doublechins is an acceptable shorthand way of characterising a "bad person". He could have spent Mirabelle's money and lived a life of excess with the descriptions of him being so very focused on him being fat.
amshofner's review
4.0
I'm rather glad I went in order here---from book 1 to book 2---because there's setup between Whit and Mirabelle that I would've missed. And that would have made their romance a little less sweet than it really is.
Is there anything better than a haters-to-lovers story? Not that Whit and Mira ever really hated each other, but they didn't really like each other, either. And that's likely what I loved so much about this one. (Also, Whit was less overbearing than Alex from book 1.)
It was rather adorable watching both of them realize that all those sparks they'd created over the years were not because they couldn't get along. And oh, the antics of matchmakers.
Tempting Fate has a bit of a setup for book 3 (just like book 1 had for book 2), but having read it already, it didn't do much for me. And I'm not sure it really adds much to their book, come to think of it, but... I enjoyed this book. And seeing Sophie and Alex from book 1 was nice.
Rather liking this entire series. If only I could get my hands on the final book...
Is there anything better than a haters-to-lovers story? Not that Whit and Mira ever really hated each other, but they didn't really like each other, either. And that's likely what I loved so much about this one. (Also, Whit was less overbearing than Alex from book 1.)
It was rather adorable watching both of them realize that all those sparks they'd created over the years were not because they couldn't get along. And oh, the antics of matchmakers.
Tempting Fate has a bit of a setup for book 3 (just like book 1 had for book 2), but having read it already, it didn't do much for me. And I'm not sure it really adds much to their book, come to think of it, but... I enjoyed this book. And seeing Sophie and Alex from book 1 was nice.
Rather liking this entire series. If only I could get my hands on the final book...
chiaroscuro's review
3.0
I had high hopes for this enemies to lovers story and they weren't completely fulfilled. Still, I loved both the beginning and the ending, and I loved how Whit and Mirabelle remained the same more than they changed:
Now to counteract that brief praise with lengthy criticism. I had a problem with the middle because it felt unstructured. I suppose relationships are sort of unstructured by nature, but in romance fiction I think you need to know where you're going because it's the central point of the book. Whit and Mirabelle randomly kiss (and I truly mean randomly: there's no outburst of passion but more a happenstance flip of the heart) and their relationship drifts tamely from driving each other insane to brief, terse arguments that frankly lack passion. So I'm thinking: what are they doing? Just acting on desire? There isn't much light shed on the actual nature of their relationship and I massively distrust that they'd just casually pursue an attraction: Mirabelle is a baron's niece, for God's sake, with a reputation and self-respect. I'm going to talk about Jane Austen (again) because I think part of why she's so absorbing is that her characters always wonder (or think they know) what they mean to each other. And as I say, it's my view that in a romance the question of what they mean to each other is the axis on which the whole story spins. For most of the novel Whit and Mirabelle not only don't know what they mean to each other, but don't seem to care for the question at all: they just kiss and lightly argue and recover from endless injuries. I just can't believe that neither of them are interested in that question.
The obvious exception to this is during the proposal, which neatly defines a relationship that's been foggy for most of the book. But wouldn't a proposal be more satisfying if it was answering a question that had been asked for the whole book? In [b: Emma|6969|Emma|Jane Austen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1373627931s/6969.jpg|3360164], part of the effect of Knightley's proposal is to secure Emma's position as Queen Bee of Highbury: something she's been battling Jane Fairfax, Augusta Elton and even Miss Bates over. I suppose it's unfair to compare anyone to Jane Austen, but I just didn't feel the middle of this had enough direction to spur itself into the inevitable proposal. Is this just me using fancy words to say that I thought the middle was slow? I'm trying to justify the fact that it took me three whole days to finish this.
Just to add oil to the flames of the slow middle thing, the Austenite (or maybe just prude) in me would have appreciated holding off the kissing, because I don't think it's structurally satisfying for it to come so early (37%) especially if the hero and heroine have hated each other since the dawn of Time. I want repression, tension, denial and longing, not a quiet, exploratory giving into one's desires. Put that on a t-shirt.
I could've done without the melodrama at the end especially as most of the book was so tame, but I've been reading romance novels for long enough to not bat an eyelid at a near death experience happening in the penultimate chapter. This whole series is based on a slightly mad premise anyway (one so specific I'm sure it'll get tiring by the next book) so I didn't see the need to cart Mirabelle off to an asylum. But I exaggerate. She doesn't reach the asylum.
As usual I'm heavy on the criticism and light on the praise, but I do want to emphasise that this is full of gems. It contains some of the best trash talk I've ever read (between Alex, hero of book 1, and Whit):
There's something to be said for the sheer joy of knowing two people, who at the moment would deny it to their deaths, are going to fall in love. I suppose it's dramatic irony, which in turn has its roots in smugness. Take this moment near the beginning when Whit sees Mirabelle approaching:
"Sweetheart, you're the bravest woman I know. The most courageous — "A heroine who won't take compliments is one after my own heart. And whilst not all the dialogue is sparkling, Johnson writes some very respectable petty snipping indeed. Since this is only her second book (and by God what a vast improvement from the first) I'm excited and hopeful to read more.
"For pity's sake, don't," she snapped, swatting at the hand he'd lifted to brush at her hair. "I was a brat, Whit, and well you know it."
Now to counteract that brief praise with lengthy criticism. I had a problem with the middle because it felt unstructured. I suppose relationships are sort of unstructured by nature, but in romance fiction I think you need to know where you're going because it's the central point of the book. Whit and Mirabelle randomly kiss (and I truly mean randomly: there's no outburst of passion but more a happenstance flip of the heart) and their relationship drifts tamely from driving each other insane to brief, terse arguments that frankly lack passion. So I'm thinking: what are they doing? Just acting on desire? There isn't much light shed on the actual nature of their relationship and I massively distrust that they'd just casually pursue an attraction: Mirabelle is a baron's niece, for God's sake, with a reputation and self-respect. I'm going to talk about Jane Austen (again) because I think part of why she's so absorbing is that her characters always wonder (or think they know) what they mean to each other. And as I say, it's my view that in a romance the question of what they mean to each other is the axis on which the whole story spins. For most of the novel Whit and Mirabelle not only don't know what they mean to each other, but don't seem to care for the question at all: they just kiss and lightly argue and recover from endless injuries. I just can't believe that neither of them are interested in that question.
The obvious exception to this is during the proposal, which neatly defines a relationship that's been foggy for most of the book. But wouldn't a proposal be more satisfying if it was answering a question that had been asked for the whole book? In [b: Emma|6969|Emma|Jane Austen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1373627931s/6969.jpg|3360164], part of the effect of Knightley's proposal is to secure Emma's position as Queen Bee of Highbury: something she's been battling Jane Fairfax, Augusta Elton and even Miss Bates over. I suppose it's unfair to compare anyone to Jane Austen, but I just didn't feel the middle of this had enough direction to spur itself into the inevitable proposal. Is this just me using fancy words to say that I thought the middle was slow? I'm trying to justify the fact that it took me three whole days to finish this.
Just to add oil to the flames of the slow middle thing, the Austenite (or maybe just prude) in me would have appreciated holding off the kissing, because I don't think it's structurally satisfying for it to come so early (37%) especially if the hero and heroine have hated each other since the dawn of Time. I want repression, tension, denial and longing, not a quiet, exploratory giving into one's desires. Put that on a t-shirt.
I could've done without the melodrama at the end especially as most of the book was so tame, but I've been reading romance novels for long enough to not bat an eyelid at a near death experience happening in the penultimate chapter. This whole series is based on a slightly mad premise anyway (one so specific I'm sure it'll get tiring by the next book) so I didn't see the need to cart Mirabelle off to an asylum. But I exaggerate. She doesn't reach the asylum.
As usual I'm heavy on the criticism and light on the praise, but I do want to emphasise that this is full of gems. It contains some of the best trash talk I've ever read (between Alex, hero of book 1, and Whit):
"Tempting as it may be, your mother would have both our heads if we indulged in fisticuffs."Alex and Whit's friendship was one of the best parts of book 1 too; here's hoping Johnson does more male friendships in future books.
"She'd have mine. There wouldn't be enough left of yours to be of use to her."
There's something to be said for the sheer joy of knowing two people, who at the moment would deny it to their deaths, are going to fall in love. I suppose it's dramatic irony, which in turn has its roots in smugness. Take this moment near the beginning when Whit sees Mirabelle approaching:
His first reaction had been a familiar one — a pleasant quickening of the blood, the instructive tensing of muscles, a slow and involuntary smile. A rousing argument was just what he needed.Now, you may rightly think any and all quickening of the blood does not happen in the presence of your sworn enemy. Somewhere, subliminally, Whit knows this too: otherwise his brain wouldn't be coming up with all this sexually-tinged stuff. His conscious mind though has no idea yet, and it's a simple way for Johnson to write in a double meaning that only the reader will catch. This technique is quite obvious and not very difficult. But I want to point it out anyway because that's the other huge plus of an enemies to lovers: the simple joy of knowing something someone else (even if they are fictional) doesn't.
romancelibrary's review
5.0
Ah! A lovely finish to my summer reading.
I've loved Whit and Mirabelle since the first book in the series and I simply couldn't wait to read their book. And it was so worth it!
I LOVE love-hate relationships - they're my favourite kind, and Whit and Mirabelle lived up to my expectations. Their sparring was so amusing and had me laughing out loud.
Ms. Johnson's writing is very similar to Julia Quinn's (referring to her Bridgerton series mostly here). I can always expect to have fun reading one of Ms. Johnson's books.
Whit and Mirabelle have been enemies since childhood and they start bickering whenever they're in the same room. Whit's mother tells them to form a truce, which was awkward for the both of them in the beginning. However, they actually ended up enjoying each other's company.
Moreover, they got to know each other on a deeper level - something that would never have happened if they were still enemies. Whit got to know about how bad the situation actually was at her uncle's. One thing that I wish Whit was made aware of was that Mr. Jarles had tried force himself on Mirabelle twice in the past during the Thurston house parties. And I was kinda hoping Whit would have tossed Jarles out.
Anyway, this was a delightful read and I would have probably only rated it 4 stars, but I loved Whit x Mirabelle so much that I simply have to give it 5 stars.
I really want to read Evie's book!! But it'll have to wait until the Christmas break - which will be here in no time hopefully.
I've loved Whit and Mirabelle since the first book in the series and I simply couldn't wait to read their book. And it was so worth it!
I LOVE love-hate relationships - they're my favourite kind, and Whit and Mirabelle lived up to my expectations. Their sparring was so amusing and had me laughing out loud.
Ms. Johnson's writing is very similar to Julia Quinn's (referring to her Bridgerton series mostly here). I can always expect to have fun reading one of Ms. Johnson's books.
Whit and Mirabelle have been enemies since childhood and they start bickering whenever they're in the same room. Whit's mother tells them to form a truce, which was awkward for the both of them in the beginning. However, they actually ended up enjoying each other's company.
Moreover, they got to know each other on a deeper level - something that would never have happened if they were still enemies.
Anyway, this was a delightful read and I would have probably only rated it 4 stars, but I loved Whit x Mirabelle so much that I simply have to give it 5 stars.
I really want to read Evie's book!! But it'll have to wait until the Christmas break - which will be here in no time hopefully.
rebleejen's review
3.0
Kind of cute, but also kind of dumb. Scooby-Doo-ish ending. But somehow I enjoyed it more than this review would suggest. Don't feel like reading the rest of the series, though.
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