kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
5.0
Another brilliant Amanda DeWees! As my first book of hers I read was the Christmas short story, which takes place after this book, I already knew how this book would end. That didn't hamper my enjoyment one bit though!
I liked Sybil Ingram as a main character, but I think I love Clara even more. She's a much more down to earth character, and yet is more than up to fighting for the people dear to her.
This is another story that is a great mix of victorian romance, mystery, suspense, manners and a dash of gothic vibes.
The characters who act like real humans, within their societal borders, were a big draw for me, and I enjoyed both the main and side characters tremendously. No one did stupid things just to further the plot.
I was hooked from the first page on, and while I guessed the big secret, it took me long enough to have me thinking and puzzling along with Clara to more than satisfy me!
I'm absolutely in love with this author's writing, and now have to forcefully keep myself from binging her stuff right away, so I have some left....
I liked Sybil Ingram as a main character, but I think I love Clara even more. She's a much more down to earth character, and yet is more than up to fighting for the people dear to her.
This is another story that is a great mix of victorian romance, mystery, suspense, manners and a dash of gothic vibes.
The characters who act like real humans, within their societal borders, were a big draw for me, and I enjoyed both the main and side characters tremendously. No one did stupid things just to further the plot.
I was hooked from the first page on, and while I guessed the big secret, it took me long enough to have me thinking and puzzling along with Clara to more than satisfy me!
I'm absolutely in love with this author's writing, and now have to forcefully keep myself from binging her stuff right away, so I have some left....
bean0530's review against another edition
Brilliant
Another perfect novel from DeWees. This book had so many unsuspecting turns! When I got into this I had no idea it was going to head where it did. And the sequel to this sounds just as good, if not more interesting.
If you read Nocturne for a Widow you would probably enjoy this book just as much. I'm glad I read that one first because it was neat to know Clara's story.
Definitely a must read in Gothic romances. The writing is beautiful and well done. Really puts you right in the time frame and makes you feel like you're not in this era.
Another perfect novel from DeWees. This book had so many unsuspecting turns! When I got into this I had no idea it was going to head where it did. And the sequel to this sounds just as good, if not more interesting.
If you read Nocturne for a Widow you would probably enjoy this book just as much. I'm glad I read that one first because it was neat to know Clara's story.
Definitely a must read in Gothic romances. The writing is beautiful and well done. Really puts you right in the time frame and makes you feel like you're not in this era.
bean0530's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant
Another perfect novel from DeWees. This book had so many unsuspecting turns! When I got into this I had no idea it was going to head where it did. And the sequel to this sounds just as good, if not more interesting.
If you read Nocturne for a Widow you would probably enjoy this book just as much. I'm glad I read that one first because it was neat to know Clara's story.
Definitely a must read in Gothic romances. The writing is beautiful and well done. Really puts you right in the time frame and makes you feel like you're not in this era.
Another perfect novel from DeWees. This book had so many unsuspecting turns! When I got into this I had no idea it was going to head where it did. And the sequel to this sounds just as good, if not more interesting.
If you read Nocturne for a Widow you would probably enjoy this book just as much. I'm glad I read that one first because it was neat to know Clara's story.
Definitely a must read in Gothic romances. The writing is beautiful and well done. Really puts you right in the time frame and makes you feel like you're not in this era.
ajenkins979's review against another edition
4.0
This is a hard review to write.
I liked many things about the book, but there were a few things I disliked as well.
At one point, I felt it was a lot of rambling. But I know there were a lot of details needed to make the reader understand the story.
I felt the injustice of Clara being sent away from Gravesend, and the injustice of her own mother not believing her and at least making a small stand in her honor. The loneliness she felt on her own at the young age (young to us now, but an adult in that period of time). I am proud of the woman she became and the path(s) she choose when she could have done much much worse.
Strange that Atticus choose her, and tracked her down as he did. I do love the nickname of Atlas, it really does suit him.
Lord Telford, was strange, almost demented in his old age. His creepy collection, well I don't know how Clara sat with him and visited. Although, after a few visits we don't hear if they continued or not.
Clara was perfect as lady of the manor, she was fair to the servants- because she knew what it was like.
So spooky occurances did happen, but not to the point the reader would be scared witless.
Genevieve, she was quite annoying to me most of the time. I felt she acted way younger than her 17 years when she first arrived at Gravesend and continued for sometime. There were times though she did seem and talk much older. I felt along with Clara, at first that there was something strange between Genevieve and Atticus and it seemed wrong. But we do get clarity on that issue.
I do wish I knew more of what was whispered and fought about between Atticus and Lord Telford. Other than the surprise we get at the end. I feel there was much more to it, and more to it than Lord Telford knowing of Clara's true origins.
*Ms. DeWees has also put Discussion Questions at the end of the book.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I liked many things about the book, but there were a few things I disliked as well.
At one point, I felt it was a lot of rambling. But I know there were a lot of details needed to make the reader understand the story.
I felt the injustice of Clara being sent away from Gravesend, and the injustice of her own mother not believing her and at least making a small stand in her honor. The loneliness she felt on her own at the young age (young to us now, but an adult in that period of time). I am proud of the woman she became and the path(s) she choose when she could have done much much worse.
Strange that Atticus choose her, and tracked her down as he did. I do love the nickname of Atlas, it really does suit him.
Lord Telford, was strange, almost demented in his old age. His creepy collection, well I don't know how Clara sat with him and visited. Although, after a few visits we don't hear if they continued or not.
Clara was perfect as lady of the manor, she was fair to the servants- because she knew what it was like.
So spooky occurances did happen, but not to the point the reader would be scared witless.
Genevieve, she was quite annoying to me most of the time. I felt she acted way younger than her 17 years when she first arrived at Gravesend and continued for sometime. There were times though she did seem and talk much older. I felt along with Clara, at first that there was something strange between Genevieve and Atticus and it seemed wrong. But we do get clarity on that issue.
I do wish I knew more of what was whispered and fought about between Atticus and Lord Telford. Other than the surprise we get at the end. I feel there was much more to it, and more to it than Lord Telford knowing of Clara's true origins.
*Ms. DeWees has also put Discussion Questions at the end of the book.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
turophile's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up this book to follow along with the Smart Bitches book club. That didn’t happen due to a technology glitch, but still so happy I read it.
It’s classified as romantic suspense and described by some as gothic, though I did not find it nearly as scary or suspenseful as anticipated. (I thought the second book in this series fit the gothic theme much more).
Our heroine, Clara, was dismissed from her position as a made after falling in love with the master’s son Richard, whom she learns dies in the war a year or two later. She makes her way in the world, at a factory and then as a seamstress. Suddenly, Richard’s twin, Atticus, tracks her down and propositions her. He wants to make his father happy by marrying before the father passes away. Clara refuses at first, but when she loses her position and is black-balled by a former boss, she has little choice.
This decision involves returning to Greyhurst, the cursed manor, where she spent much of her upbringing. There she meets Atticus’ ward and his father. Being there brings back memories, good and bad of her romance with Richard.
Strange and dangerous events begin to unfold, including murder, kidnapping and attempted murder as we learn more about everyone’s deep secrets.
At times I found the foreshadowing a bit ham-handed, but did enjoy the book and the main characters. In fact, I immediately bought the next book in the series. 3.75/5
thegothiclibrary's review against another edition
5.0
With This Curse tells the story of Clara Crofton, who as a young girl served as a chambermaid for the Blackwood family at their estate, ominously named Gravesend Hall. Despite having been warned that the estate is cursed, Clara enjoys her time there and indulges in a secret romance with Richard, the younger son of Lord Blackwood. But they are soon found out by Richard's mother and Clara is dismissed in disgrace. Struggling to make her way in the world, Clara works as a seamstress, first in a grueling factory and then in the theater as the personal modiste for a famed prima donna. The story picks up eighteen years later when Richard's twin, Atticus, reappears in Clara's life and proposes a sham marriage. Initially insulted by his request, Clara is forced to reconsider when she suddenly finds her career as a seamstress in a precarious position. Though she has no love for Atticus and Gravesend holds only memories of heartbreak and tragedy, Clara has no choice to return to that cursed hall. Only when the curse threatens her again does she realize that she still has something left to lose...
Read my full review on TheGothicLibrary.com in a few weeks...
Read my full review on TheGothicLibrary.com in a few weeks...
rainnbooks's review against another edition
3.0
A Gothic romance novel, With This Curse caters to readers who favor this genre else this is no Rebecca.
Gravesend Hall is a mansion seeped in history and tragedies with a curse that affects not just the residents but even the servants. Clara as a naive 17 yr old falls in love with the master of the house Richard and is sent away in disgrace, 18 yrs later she's back as the mistress of the hall but as a wife to the twin brother Atticus. The relationship slowly grows in strength with trust, respect and then love but the past comes back to haunt them. The story is good even though the big twisty surprise can be guessed at by most. It would have been interesting to have more of a ominous feel in the story coz the dread wears off after the first few chapters. Overall a good Gothic romance.
Gravesend Hall is a mansion seeped in history and tragedies with a curse that affects not just the residents but even the servants. Clara as a naive 17 yr old falls in love with the master of the house Richard and is sent away in disgrace, 18 yrs later she's back as the mistress of the hall but as a wife to the twin brother Atticus. The relationship slowly grows in strength with trust, respect and then love but the past comes back to haunt them. The story is good even though the big twisty surprise can be guessed at by most. It would have been interesting to have more of a ominous feel in the story coz the dread wears off after the first few chapters. Overall a good Gothic romance.
christabel102000's review against another edition
5.0
Really liked the gothic atmosphere and Atticus was wonderful!
maliajackson's review against another edition
4.0
I will read Gothic romances until the end of time. This one dragged a bit in the middle, but really satisfied hitting the tropes I love: curses, crumbling manors, mysterious wards, long lost brothers, all that good stuff. Plus death masks! Plus since the heroine was a seamstress, you get some good descriptions of dresses. I am ALWAYS all in to read about bombazine and cartridge pleats.
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