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karenreader's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
⭐️ horrible, ⭐️ ⭐️mediocre, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ entertaining, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ great, ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ excellent
[***The following rambling notes are for me. They may contain spoilers or no information at all.***]
I decided to give the second book in the series a try after being so frustrated by the first. I’m glad I did. I liked this book much better. It makes so much more sense for her to be confused since there’s a language barrier, we aren’t as familiar with the Middle Ages, and she isn’t a historian. Great time travel romance. It actually acknowledges that there would be a language barrier. Several times when I thought there would be relationship drama, they dealt with it like adults. I’m happy I switched to the audiobook because the Welsh words were impossible to sound out.
stephsbookrecs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
alfalky's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
3.0
Didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the first in the series.
mslori's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this a month ago and I keep thinking how much I enjoyed it, so I'm rounding it up to 5 stars.
It was probably a 4.5 star for me really, but it was soo good.
Angela Quarles is still a new to me author, but combined with Mary Jane Wells' narration I have become pretty addicted. I'm going to have to try at least one of her books in print/kindle, because my lady crush on MJW may be strongly affecting my opinion.
I really enjoyed pretty much everything about this book. I loved the how the ending differed from the first in the series. I loved how the author addressed the language barrier. The the main characters where relatable, the angst was low. The conflict pretty well resolved and wrapped up. The mysteries from the first added too, but not fully explained yet. But that doesn't get in the way. The smexy times were vera sexy. The joke with her pinky adorable.
I don't think this story works as well with out having read the first book, so there's that.
I will definitely be continuing this series.
It was probably a 4.5 star for me really, but it was soo good.
Angela Quarles is still a new to me author, but combined with Mary Jane Wells' narration I have become pretty addicted. I'm going to have to try at least one of her books in print/kindle, because my lady crush on MJW may be strongly affecting my opinion.
I really enjoyed pretty much everything about this book. I loved the how the ending differed from the first in the series. I loved how the author addressed the language barrier. The the main characters where relatable, the angst was low. The conflict pretty well resolved and wrapped up. The mysteries from the first added too, but not fully explained yet. But that doesn't get in the way. The smexy times were vera sexy. The joke with her pinky adorable.
I don't think this story works as well with out having read the first book, so there's that.
I will definitely be continuing this series.
intostarlight's review against another edition
4.0
This had a slow start but once the story picked up I couldn't stop reading. I'd finish it in one sitting if I could. I liked the setting, 1294 Wales. I've never read a romance set in Wales before and I really liked it. The characters were likable and the story very enjoybale. I just wish we'd get more of Apart from the slow start and maybe a little rushed ending it was a very enjoybale book. I liked the first one in the series better though. And now I'm looking forward to reading the next one very much. Ms. Quarles just hooked another fan in me.
Spoiler
Robert adjusting to the modern times. It seemed like he got used to it all way to quickly and easily. It felt rushed.writerish's review against another edition
3.0
3 out of 5 Stars
Overall, this book was a quick, entertaining read. I don't know much about Welsh history in the late 13th century, but I would imagine that it was relatively well-researched. The writing wasn't terrible. The characters were mostly bearable. The sex scenes were hot and had good build up - in fact, I would say that they were probably the best part of the book. This story centres around modern girl Katy Tolson, a micro-managing OCDish over-planner who somehow (I didn't read the first book in the series, so this part is a little fuzzy for me - it involves some sort of coin? Silver credit card-type thing?) finds herself in the year 1294 and quickly becomes acquainted with our male lead, Sir Robert Beucol, a half-Welsh, half-Norman knight who is trying to avenge the wrongs done by his father, a stain he has lived with almost his entire life.
What Works
- As previously mentioned, Quarles can write a good love scene
- The historical aspect is interesting and made me want to read more about the time period
- She doesn't shy away from the realities of the time, like the fact that, hey, everyone didn't really smell all that great
What Doesn't
- The time traveling logic (is this an oxymoron?) defies my understanding. Maybe because I didn't read the first book in the series.
- Too much weird flipping back and forth between somewhat "Olde English-y" speak and modern speak (I also find it weird that the hero thinks of her as "Kaytee" when her name is Katy - phonetically it's the same. Why is the spelling different??)
- The "dramatic breaks" between chapters and/or chapter breaks often fell flat
- The plot is clunky and nothing really flows in an elegant, seamless way
- Very predictable, although I'm not sure the author intended for it to NOT be predictable, with the way she set up the events of the novel from the beginning
- Inconsistencies within the script - for example, Katy's pink toenail polish and subsequent need to cover her feet is mentioned at the beginning and then never again, even when she receives a bath by a lady's maid later on in the novel
- Katy's inner dialogue, while not quite "Anastasia Steele" in its insufferability, is still incredibly annoying at times - what grown woman from the 21st century says things like "Jiminy Crickets!" or "Frickety Frick"?????
Final Thoughts
It's possible to enjoy this book as a quick, light, "empty calorie" read, but you will likely have to suspend your disbelief (and your appreciation for well-written, historically accurate novels with a well-characterized hero and heroine) in order to do so.
Overall, this book was a quick, entertaining read. I don't know much about Welsh history in the late 13th century, but I would imagine that it was relatively well-researched. The writing wasn't terrible. The characters were mostly bearable. The sex scenes were hot and had good build up - in fact, I would say that they were probably the best part of the book. This story centres around modern girl Katy Tolson, a micro-managing OCDish over-planner who somehow (I didn't read the first book in the series, so this part is a little fuzzy for me - it involves some sort of coin? Silver credit card-type thing?) finds herself in the year 1294 and quickly becomes acquainted with our male lead, Sir Robert Beucol, a half-Welsh, half-Norman knight who is trying to avenge the wrongs done by his father, a stain he has lived with almost his entire life.
What Works
- As previously mentioned, Quarles can write a good love scene
- The historical aspect is interesting and made me want to read more about the time period
- She doesn't shy away from the realities of the time, like the fact that, hey, everyone didn't really smell all that great
What Doesn't
- The time traveling logic (is this an oxymoron?) defies my understanding. Maybe because I didn't read the first book in the series.
- Too much weird flipping back and forth between somewhat "Olde English-y" speak and modern speak (I also find it weird that the hero thinks of her as "Kaytee" when her name is Katy - phonetically it's the same. Why is the spelling different??)
- The "dramatic breaks" between chapters and/or chapter breaks often fell flat
- The plot is clunky and nothing really flows in an elegant, seamless way
- Very predictable, although I'm not sure the author intended for it to NOT be predictable, with the way she set up the events of the novel from the beginning
- Inconsistencies within the script - for example, Katy's pink toenail polish and subsequent need to cover her feet is mentioned at the beginning and then never again, even when she receives a bath by a lady's maid later on in the novel
- Katy's inner dialogue, while not quite "Anastasia Steele" in its insufferability, is still incredibly annoying at times - what grown woman from the 21st century says things like "Jiminy Crickets!" or "Frickety Frick"?????
Final Thoughts
It's possible to enjoy this book as a quick, light, "empty calorie" read, but you will likely have to suspend your disbelief (and your appreciation for well-written, historically accurate novels with a well-characterized hero and heroine) in order to do so.
pavi_fictionalworm's review against another edition
4.0
I received an eARC of The Book in exchange for an honest review.
Have you ever wondered what would it be like to live in a world and time different from our own? I for once have loved the Victorian England - only if I got to be one of the Spunky Heroines that I read about in historical romances - and as much as I love Scotland, I never once gave a thought to Wales and how it came to be a part of the Commonwealth!
So when I read the blurb of this book, I was immediately intrigued, especially since it had both time travel and uprisings against the King of England :D
But I hadn't realised that this was the second book in the series - while this book can be read as standalone, there were a few references which I believe were from the first book that had me stumped.
I absolutely love the premise of the book - Katy is a control freak. She requires full control over the world and circumstances around her, believing that it is only her control that is responsible for her not losing anyone she loves.
Sir Robert on the other hand is man who has lost his identity - but believes that he can achieve the respect his father lost by redeeming his family name.
Both never figured each other in their plans - both never wanted to lose control over themselves, but that's exactly what happened to their lives and their plans.
Robert learned that it is more important to be honorable to yourself while Katy learned that it is absolutely fine to lose control, especially if it is with the right person.
The only reason this didn't reach 5 Stars for me was the fact that both Robert and Katy didn't know each other's language - but by the half of the book, they seemed to understand each other perfectly, I dont know how that happened or when that happened - Maybe I wasn't paying attention, so I will definitely be revisiting this book again soon!
Also, I will be checking out the first book [b:Must Love Breeches|22664678|Must Love Breeches (Must Love Time Travel, #1)|Angela Quarles|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404529476s/22664678.jpg|42016357] because I need to know what and how this time travelling started!
Have you ever wondered what would it be like to live in a world and time different from our own? I for once have loved the Victorian England - only if I got to be one of the Spunky Heroines that I read about in historical romances - and as much as I love Scotland, I never once gave a thought to Wales and how it came to be a part of the Commonwealth!
So when I read the blurb of this book, I was immediately intrigued, especially since it had both time travel and uprisings against the King of England :D
But I hadn't realised that this was the second book in the series - while this book can be read as standalone, there were a few references which I believe were from the first book that had me stumped.
I absolutely love the premise of the book - Katy is a control freak. She requires full control over the world and circumstances around her, believing that it is only her control that is responsible for her not losing anyone she loves.
Sir Robert on the other hand is man who has lost his identity - but believes that he can achieve the respect his father lost by redeeming his family name.
Both never figured each other in their plans - both never wanted to lose control over themselves, but that's exactly what happened to their lives and their plans.
Robert learned that it is more important to be honorable to yourself while Katy learned that it is absolutely fine to lose control, especially if it is with the right person.
The only reason this didn't reach 5 Stars for me was the fact that both Robert and Katy didn't know each other's language - but by the half of the book, they seemed to understand each other perfectly, I dont know how that happened or when that happened - Maybe I wasn't paying attention, so I will definitely be revisiting this book again soon!
Also, I will be checking out the first book [b:Must Love Breeches|22664678|Must Love Breeches (Must Love Time Travel, #1)|Angela Quarles|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404529476s/22664678.jpg|42016357] because I need to know what and how this time travelling started!
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