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margarks's review against another edition
3.0
There were some pretty funny scenes/dialogue in this novel. The heroines insistence on a reference had me laugh out loud once or twice at her timing. Another enjoyable Amanda Quick read.
For the most part I like her newer novels better, but if you're looking for a solid historical romance, I haven't gone wrong with one of Quick's books yet.
For the most part I like her newer novels better, but if you're looking for a solid historical romance, I haven't gone wrong with one of Quick's books yet.
bannisterb's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. I enjoyed the first half of this and many elements were strong (good leads, interesting mystery at first), but as the story went on, the story got unnecessarily complex and ventured into woo-woo territory. I'll read fantasy, but not as a plot crutch. Previous Quick novels I've read had characters who believed in mystical theories, but the leads and the story conclusions didn't lend it any credence -- the world was firmly rooted in reality. This one would not stop with the vaguely Asian mystical practices that allowed the hero or villain to easily be awesome at fighting/concealment/etc. It reminded me of the train wreck that was Kinsale's Shadow and the Star. And I did like the occasional witty banter between the leads and their employment relationship. But their romance was anything but romantic or believable. The reader doesn't even get any assurances of their growing romantic feelings when in their heads.
ccgwalt's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Amanda Quick is an enjoyable, non-stressful read for me. I'm so glad I picked this up to listen to. It has broken my spell of non-finishers lately. Barbara Rosenblat is the narrator and she did a fine job. Fluff, well read. Just what I needed.
Amanda Quick is an enjoyable, non-stressful read for me. I'm so glad I picked this up to listen to. It has broken my spell of non-finishers lately. Barbara Rosenblat is the narrator and she did a fine job. Fluff, well read. Just what I needed.
kayedacus's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars---4 stars for the story, 3 stars for the audio recording.
Audiobook read by Barbara Rosenblat. I had a lot of trouble with the prominent mouth noises and swallowing of the narrator---so much so that I checked the ebook out from the library and switched back & forth between the two when the audio started getting on my nerves too much. Fun story, though AQ has a tendency to let her setting/action get lost in the long passages of dialogue. While the dialogue is quite well-written, there are only minimal tags to let the reader know who is speaking---but not enough action, reaction, or introspection to ground the reader in the setting with the characters. Several times, I found myself scanning back to figure out how they'd gotten somewhere or even what they were doing. The "fated" attraction between Emma and Edison didn't work as well for me as people falling in love without supernatural assistance (if that's really what was being implied in the story with Emma's premonitions and "knowing" throughout). But it was definitely an entertaining read.
Audiobook read by Barbara Rosenblat. I had a lot of trouble with the prominent mouth noises and swallowing of the narrator---so much so that I checked the ebook out from the library and switched back & forth between the two when the audio started getting on my nerves too much. Fun story, though AQ has a tendency to let her setting/action get lost in the long passages of dialogue. While the dialogue is quite well-written, there are only minimal tags to let the reader know who is speaking---but not enough action, reaction, or introspection to ground the reader in the setting with the characters. Several times, I found myself scanning back to figure out how they'd gotten somewhere or even what they were doing. The "fated" attraction between Emma and Edison didn't work as well for me as people falling in love without supernatural assistance (if that's really what was being implied in the story with Emma's premonitions and "knowing" throughout). But it was definitely an entertaining read.
kayo32's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-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
4.0
ctsquirrel's review against another edition
4.0
Edison was fine, in fact I enjoyed his snark most of all. Emma was grating though.
threeundertwopnw's review against another edition
4.0
On my checklist of favorite tropes, this book includes the following:
* Country house party!
* Forced proximity!
* Fake relationship!
* Sex in a carriage!
Throw in a magic potion and ninjas and there's just enough crazysauce to make this a great read.
* Country house party!
* Forced proximity!
* Fake relationship!
* Sex in a carriage!
Throw in a magic potion and ninjas and there's just enough crazysauce to make this a great read.
carolsnotebook's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to this audiobook while in the car. I like this kind of story for that purpose because they’re fun, full of adventure and romance, but don’t really take a lot of thought on my part. This is part of Quick’s Vanza series and it was what I expected it to be, thoroughly enjoyable with a happy ending. The plot provided some twists and turns and enough excitement to keep me interested. I’m acutally enjoing this series.