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bereblanco's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.25
ar_the_wizard's review
1.0
Wasn't that great. Only because it was so melodramatic at times and I prefer not much if any.
thelilbookwitch's review
4.0
I loved the premise for this one, a found family of girls rescue an older woman from her neglectful servants who claims them as her nieces after their attempt at burglaring her went awry in a positive way-- her real nephew arrives home to find these imposters and (allegedly) sparks fly.
I expected it to be more of a historical romp than a drama, and it never quite threaded the needle between the two. There were moments of levity where I did find myself laughing at scenarios, but I found it difficult to enmesh myself in the world partially because I'm not as fluent with the historic vocabulary for thinks ranging between etiquette, clothing, and foods.
The chemistry between the two leads felt forced and simultaneously rushed as they didn't get a lot of time together for anything organic to develop. It also didn't deliver enough content to be anywhere near the realm of my "certified steamy" tag unfortunately, because it had such great potential!
A lot of over use of certain phrases also brought me out of my enjoyment. "Good god" and Abby describing Max as a "viking" literally every chapter, sometimes more than once within that chapter. For such a well-read woman, I was disappointed she wasn't more creative with her pining.
I'm going to hopefully give the second one in the series a try and then make a final decision about if this author is right for me or not.
I expected it to be more of a historical romp than a drama, and it never quite threaded the needle between the two. There were moments of levity where I did find myself laughing at scenarios, but I found it difficult to enmesh myself in the world partially because I'm not as fluent with the historic vocabulary for thinks ranging between etiquette, clothing, and foods.
The chemistry between the two leads felt forced and simultaneously rushed as they didn't get a lot of time together for anything organic to develop. It also didn't deliver enough content to be anywhere near the realm of my "certified steamy" tag unfortunately, because it had such great potential!
A lot of over use of certain phrases also brought me out of my enjoyment. "Good god" and Abby describing Max as a "viking" literally every chapter, sometimes more than once within that chapter. For such a well-read woman, I was disappointed she wasn't more creative with her pining.
I'm going to hopefully give the second one in the series a try and then make a final decision about if this author is right for me or not.
isamisu's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
julie2525's review against another edition
4.0
Women helping women. Multi-generational friendships.
This story doesn’t follow the usual pattern. The first part introduces us to 4 women turned sisters who escape their horrors together and vow to help each other. In desperate need of help, our hero of the day sneaks across roofs into an upper floor window of a nice-looking house. Unfortunately it was extremely run-down house with an enfeebled and depressed older lady, “weakened by prolonged and unnecessary bed rest and poor nutrition.” The failed burglary turned into a wonderful relationship of women helping women. The four sisters swooped in another day and took the house over. The meager service crew who were stealing from and starving her were fired on the spot. Abigail created a well-oiled machine. This new, expanded family made an excellent family.
Then the son came home from India after years. He heard that his aunt, the half-recovered Lady Davenham was being taken advantage of. Immediately upon entering the house he saw these 4 homeless young women and 2 random men living in his home with his weak and feeble aunt. He noted Abigail was responsible for supposed disaster and “they had an …exchange of views.” Plot things occur. Propriety was mostly kept. HEA.
This story doesn’t follow the usual pattern. The first part introduces us to 4 women turned sisters who escape their horrors together and vow to help each other. In desperate need of help, our hero of the day sneaks across roofs into an upper floor window of a nice-looking house. Unfortunately it was extremely run-down house with an enfeebled and depressed older lady, “weakened by prolonged and unnecessary bed rest and poor nutrition.” The failed burglary turned into a wonderful relationship of women helping women. The four sisters swooped in another day and took the house over. The meager service crew who were stealing from and starving her were fired on the spot. Abigail created a well-oiled machine. This new, expanded family made an excellent family.
Then the son came home from India after years. He heard that his aunt, the half-recovered Lady Davenham was being taken advantage of. Immediately upon entering the house he saw these 4 homeless young women and 2 random men living in his home with his weak and feeble aunt. He noted Abigail was responsible for supposed disaster and “they had an …exchange of views.” Plot things occur. Propriety was mostly kept. HEA.
dawnstrickland's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
princesscai08's review
5.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book!
The author created a wonderful balance of humour and mystery set against the backdrop of a historical romance. To me it was so refreshing that there wasn't sex scene after sex scene, just the one scene towards the ending where they "made love" instead of some hot and heavy bodice ripper!
I will definitely be on the look for more fro. Anne Gracie!
*I selected this for a Reading Challenge as a book set in a different country*
The author created a wonderful balance of humour and mystery set against the backdrop of a historical romance. To me it was so refreshing that there wasn't sex scene after sex scene, just the one scene towards the ending where they "made love" instead of some hot and heavy bodice ripper!
I will definitely be on the look for more fro. Anne Gracie!
*I selected this for a Reading Challenge as a book set in a different country*