flaviasantos's review
4.0
Not 5 stars cause of very little inconsistences, and a kinda silly ending (I personally hate the "we pregnant" end, no need for it inside the story).
BUT kickass funny heroine, ok guy (he could be better - would be had he not called her a bitch and then tried to control her like he had the right... he eventually understood what was all about, but not enough grovel and attitude from her, I think), very good side characters, and action packed. Read in one sit.
BUT kickass funny heroine, ok guy (he could be better - would be had he not called her a bitch and then tried to control her like he had the right... he eventually understood what was all about, but not enough grovel and attitude from her, I think), very good side characters, and action packed. Read in one sit.
monishine's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jesskalak's review
3.0
This was cute. Very insta love though, and I feel like it should have ended at 80%. I believe this is JQ's first novel, so all things considered, it was an average read.
diaryofthebookdragon's review
3.0
Has Julia Quinn's signature witty banter between characters but love scenes have descriptions that are a little bit old-time-romance.
bookswithmeghan's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
jgspangler's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
lvd92's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this more than I actually did, I am afraid.
I enjoyed the story (despite the lack of plot) and, honestly, for a first attempt at historical romance, I think this was pretty solid. Very engaging in a compulsively readable way. I mean, there were definitely plenty YIKES! moments, but compared to other such works from the 90ies, this book was less problematic. Quinn's writing also worked well enough for me; I flew through the work. On all those fronts, a good debut.
The problems for me were the characters and the pacing. The family dynamics were great, but our main characters were INSUFFERABLE. Partly this is my own fault. I have not read any of Quinn's other books, but I knew I did not like the Bridgerton TV series, so it was always going to be a bit of a wildcard for me to try this book. Had I known that there was such reliance on the not-like-other-girls trope, that the guy was an arrogant bawbag who considered all women to be greedy and so unworthy of his presence that he acted straight up hostile constantly, and that they would both look down upon other people in society as ridiculous throughout, I would not have picked this up. Naturally, one cannot like every MC, but those things tend to irk my soul. I even had to switch from audio to physically reading it because having to hear Alex' thoughts and his part in the dialogue out loud made him impossible.
What's more, is that this does not seem to have been done with irony or as commentary, and that is why I could not give it a higher rating. It does not read to me like Quinn wrote this with a wink to the reader, like she wants you to look at these main characters and enjoy their ridiculousness. It may be just me, but it came across like I was meant to like them and root for them. I just felt too annoyed too often, sorry.
As for the pacing, we skipped important parts of the story, such as Emma and Alex developing their friendship, and Alex's character growth. I do not necessarily need a strong plot if there are enough other elements that keep me going, but if the pacing also creates huge holes in the story and goes from slow to high gear and back again, that just hinders the enjoyment of the book. This may be easier to ignore for some readers than others, but I am in the latter camp, sadly.
I enjoyed the story overall (again, despite the lack of plot) and enjoyed the writing enough, but I am passing on my copy to someone who will appreciate this more. Needless to say, probably, but I will not be trying my luck with any of Quinn's other books. I am just not the right reader for her books, however popular they may be.
I enjoyed the story (despite the lack of plot) and, honestly, for a first attempt at historical romance, I think this was pretty solid. Very engaging in a compulsively readable way. I mean, there were definitely plenty YIKES! moments, but compared to other such works from the 90ies, this book was less problematic. Quinn's writing also worked well enough for me; I flew through the work. On all those fronts, a good debut.
The problems for me were the characters and the pacing. The family dynamics were great, but our main characters were INSUFFERABLE. Partly this is my own fault. I have not read any of Quinn's other books, but I knew I did not like the Bridgerton TV series, so it was always going to be a bit of a wildcard for me to try this book. Had I known that there was such reliance on the not-like-other-girls trope, that the guy was an arrogant bawbag who considered all women to be greedy and so unworthy of his presence that he acted straight up hostile constantly, and that they would both look down upon other people in society as ridiculous throughout, I would not have picked this up. Naturally, one cannot like every MC, but those things tend to irk my soul. I even had to switch from audio to physically reading it because having to hear Alex' thoughts and his part in the dialogue out loud made him impossible.
What's more, is that this does not seem to have been done with irony or as commentary, and that is why I could not give it a higher rating. It does not read to me like Quinn wrote this with a wink to the reader, like she wants you to look at these main characters and enjoy their ridiculousness. It may be just me, but it came across like I was meant to like them and root for them. I just felt too annoyed too often, sorry.
As for the pacing, we skipped important parts of the story, such as Emma and Alex developing their friendship, and Alex's character growth. I do not necessarily need a strong plot if there are enough other elements that keep me going, but if the pacing also creates huge holes in the story and goes from slow to high gear and back again, that just hinders the enjoyment of the book. This may be easier to ignore for some readers than others, but I am in the latter camp, sadly.
I enjoyed the story overall (again, despite the lack of plot) and enjoyed the writing enough, but I am passing on my copy to someone who will appreciate this more. Needless to say, probably, but I will not be trying my luck with any of Quinn's other books. I am just not the right reader for her books, however popular they may be.
bookhaulin's review
2.0
Apparently I'd read this book before, four years ago, but I have absolutely no recollection of it. In fact, after rereading it, I had to turn my original 3 star rating into a 2. There just wasn't that spark that you usually find in a Julia Quinn novel, and the plot felt very paint-by-numbers, but likeable but utterly unremarkable protagonists.
Also, am I the only one who was sort of put off by the age difference--and the difference in experience--between Alex and Emma? Alex is a veritable rake and has allegedly had more than his fair share of mistresses and dalliances with women, and Emma just seemed so...young. Young and sheltered. She read much younger than 20, and the difference between the duke and Emma's life experiences just felt really, really obvious and off-putting.
Also, am I the only one who was sort of put off by the age difference--and the difference in experience--between Alex and Emma? Alex is a veritable rake and has allegedly had more than his fair share of mistresses and dalliances with women, and Emma just seemed so...young. Young and sheltered. She read much younger than 20, and the difference between the duke and Emma's life experiences just felt really, really obvious and off-putting.
beckyschwartz's review
3.0
Okay, so I enjoyed this more toward the end, but I really disliked Alex for a lot of this book. He was just so terrible. Emma and the other characters were great, but Alex was meh.
There was also more telling than showing in this book, which is unexpected for Quinn in my experience.
There was also more telling than showing in this book, which is unexpected for Quinn in my experience.
gwensadventure's review
3.0
Like all Julia Quinn's novels, I liked this one. Smart density girl, self righteous guy, fun side characters, nice romance scenes....what's now to like?
The only thing about this one is that I think it went on too long. There was an addendum at the end when I was ready for happily ever after. Overall though, it was truly splendid.
The only thing about this one is that I think it went on too long. There was an addendum at the end when I was ready for happily ever after. Overall though, it was truly splendid.