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literallytabz's review against another edition
2.0
Ah, jeez! Regrettably, this book didn't quite tickle my fancy. However, just because it didn't hit the spot for me doesn't mean it won't charm others! I found the characters a tad irritating. It's my first time reading Jenny Holiday's work; her style might not be my cup of tea. Connecting with the characters and storyline was quite challenging for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! All opinions are my own.
blewballoon's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
5.0
5 Stars because this book brough me nothing buy joy when I needed it. I absolutely loved the premise of the Earls and Earl-to-Be being beacons of healthy masculinity and male friendship. Communication. Empathy. Support. Found Family. If those wholesome male relationships weren't enough, we also get the beautiful reconnection of two somewhat estranged sisters as they come to fully understand each other and become true friends. The romance was a sweet slow burn of mutual respect and affection, with a flavor of childhood-friends-to-lovers. I also enjoyed what seemed to be some historical ADHD representation as well as lightly touching on some heavier subjects while keeping the story focused on how having the right people around you can make anything more bearable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Sexual content, Dementia, and Grief
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexism, Violence, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
parsionie's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. Took awhile for this one to hook me and finish it. Overall enjoyable but lacked something still.
maxarcreads's review against another edition
3.75
I am giving this book a 3.75 for me. I will say what I expected going into this book and what I read for me didn't quite match up. The tag line was Ted Lasso meets Bridgerton for a 19th century spin on The Hangover. While I admit I don't understand the ted lasso reference I do understand the Bridgerton and hangover references. So, I was expecting the Bridgerton vibes of buildup of sexual tension broken up with comedic moments and the Hangover wild antics (modified to be appropriate for 19 century) of a guy's trip. At the start of the book, I will say there was a lot of promise of meeting that expectations as for me it did start off with a bang. But then once they get to the country vacation house it just slowed down and hit a lull for me. The middle just became the same routine of the girls having a moment reconnecting then dinner where Archie was wishing Clemintine was at dinner with them then maybe the guys having a after dinner session and then archie and clem having a secret moment watching the stars. This just slowed down the whole book and didn't have the aforementioned feel of it. Felt a little dull.
Now it did pick up a little when Clem decided to propose an interesting proposition to Archie if you catch my drift ;). Which before that the book was standing at a 3.5 for me so it did start to pick up but at times there were still slow moments but that's probably because I kept waiting for things to really pop off because again of the hangover tie in. So, I just think what I expect not being quite what I got did play a factor into my rating. I will say also there was one part where I did DNF the book. It was during one of the slow books and I was just feeling meh about it and then there was one passage in the book towards the end of chapter 13. While I understand what the author was trying to say it just felt very off-putting to me "she was tempted to point out that just because a woman had aversions-or preferences, for that matter- it didn't mean that a man need heed them. In fact, most men found the aversions and preferences of women to be completely irrelevant." this was in response to Archie saying he understands Clem's aversion to marriage and will respect it. But the first part of that passage where it said that "it didn't mean that a man need heed them" came off as don't accept her no because she really means yes and the woman is just playing hard to get and that Clem even agreed a little (I could be reading that part completely wrong), and I think this point could have been made with just the sentence she was surprised archie was respecting her preferences because most men found the aversions and preferences of women to be completely irrelevant. So, for me since the book was meh and that line I did almost dnf the book. But I was 70% in, so I was like let me just finish it I made it this far.
After that scene is when things did pick up and towards the end, I did almost shed a tear where there was a touching moment between Clem, archie and archie's mother. So that is why I landed on 3.75 becuase the book did pickup and that one scene really hit for me.
As to the characters I loved Archie. I thought him a man ahead of his time and even our time as he was in touch with his emotions and expressed them to his friends who he cared for very much, he did respect Clem's boundaries even with this he might not agree with or understand as it pertained to her vegetarianism and he even made sure to get her consent anytime they were together and even during those times asking is this okay with you so checking in that she still wanted to do it. I very loved him as a character. Now, for Clem I liked her but at times I didn't really like her. She was very nice and firm in her belief which I can like and respect but at times she very much preachy and judgy about others who eat meat or Archie's favorite pastime of hunting. At no time was she ever pressured to eat meat by those on this trip but anytime anyone else was eating meat or talking about hunting she did come off judgy. Archie wasn't just hunting for sport and fun he actually ate the things he hunted so it's not like they were going to waste but anytime he mentioned this hobby which brough him great joy she had to try and make him see her viewpoint as to why it was wrong. So, while I did like her at times I also at times did not enjoy her. I did like male friends of Archie and found them to be a hoot.
So overall this book wasn't what I expected going in and it did hit a lull in the middle for me but the beginning and end I did enjoy, and Archie was a great MMC.
I did receive an ARC Copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Now it did pick up a little when Clem decided to propose an interesting proposition to Archie if you catch my drift ;). Which before that the book was standing at a 3.5 for me so it did start to pick up but at times there were still slow moments but that's probably because I kept waiting for things to really pop off because again of the hangover tie in. So, I just think what I expect not being quite what I got did play a factor into my rating. I will say also there was one part where I did DNF the book. It was during one of the slow books and I was just feeling meh about it and then there was one passage in the book towards the end of chapter 13. While I understand what the author was trying to say it just felt very off-putting to me "she was tempted to point out that just because a woman had aversions-or preferences, for that matter- it didn't mean that a man need heed them. In fact, most men found the aversions and preferences of women to be completely irrelevant." this was in response to Archie saying he understands Clem's aversion to marriage and will respect it. But the first part of that passage where it said that "it didn't mean that a man need heed them" came off as don't accept her no because she really means yes and the woman is just playing hard to get and that Clem even agreed a little (I could be reading that part completely wrong), and I think this point could have been made with just the sentence she was surprised archie was respecting her preferences because most men found the aversions and preferences of women to be completely irrelevant. So, for me since the book was meh and that line I did almost dnf the book. But I was 70% in, so I was like let me just finish it I made it this far.
After that scene is when things did pick up and towards the end, I did almost shed a tear where there was a touching moment between Clem, archie and archie's mother. So that is why I landed on 3.75 becuase the book did pickup and that one scene really hit for me.
As to the characters I loved Archie. I thought him a man ahead of his time and even our time as he was in touch with his emotions and expressed them to his friends who he cared for very much, he did respect Clem's boundaries even with this he might not agree with or understand as it pertained to her vegetarianism and he even made sure to get her consent anytime they were together and even during those times asking is this okay with you so checking in that she still wanted to do it. I very loved him as a character. Now, for Clem I liked her but at times I didn't really like her. She was very nice and firm in her belief which I can like and respect but at times she very much preachy and judgy about others who eat meat or Archie's favorite pastime of hunting. At no time was she ever pressured to eat meat by those on this trip but anytime anyone else was eating meat or talking about hunting she did come off judgy. Archie wasn't just hunting for sport and fun he actually ate the things he hunted so it's not like they were going to waste but anytime he mentioned this hobby which brough him great joy she had to try and make him see her viewpoint as to why it was wrong. So, while I did like her at times I also at times did not enjoy her. I did like male friends of Archie and found them to be a hoot.
So overall this book wasn't what I expected going in and it did hit a lull in the middle for me but the beginning and end I did enjoy, and Archie was a great MMC.
I did receive an ARC Copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
emilykcannon's review against another edition
3.0
this brought me back to my high school days reading regency era books. there were things I liked about the book and things I didn’t like
gpirone's review
4.0
I thought this was cute! Just a little short regency romance for me to kick my feet too and fro.
bigleoenergy's review against another edition
4.25
This was a bit slower than I expected, but the relationship building was very sweet. That was definitely one of my Top 10 declarations of love, though.
mooching's review against another edition
4.5
4.5 - Pretty much had everything I love. Slow burn! Friends to lovers! Unknowing in love! MMC perspective! Found family! Sisterhood! Cozy vacation! This is a book based off vibes (aka there isn’t really a plot) but the vibes were excellent.
I don’t really trope hunt when I look for books so I rarely run into slow burn, but this book did it so well!! I also don’t think I have run into the obliviously in love trope in a western romance book yet? I usually see it in manga/ webtoons/ kdramas so I definitely appreciated and enjoyed it here.
Archie seems perhaps much more open minded than men would be in this era, but it is acknowledged within the book and pretty consistent in his open mindedness (except for being vegan I guess) so I didn’t mind it but I could see other people disliking how “realistic” it is.
Archie seems perhaps much more open minded than men would be in this era, but it is acknowledged within the book and pretty consistent in his open mindedness (except for being vegan I guess) so I didn’t mind it but I could see other people disliking how “realistic” it is.
Archie’s and Clementine’s romance was very sweet and their night time talks were so adorable. It was clear how they really understood each other and loved each other. Sometimes it felt a bit too spelled out like not sure how often people actually think about how they feel about other people? But overall I didn’t mind it since there were quite a few introspective conversations so it felt on theme.
The non-romance elements were also good. I love healthy friendships and that was Archie’s friend group. They were so accepting and loving of each other. I enjoyed Clementine and her sister’s relationship and how it changed throughout the book.
kayreadsandcrochets's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5