camilacadibe's review
3.0
Hmmm... This is a hard one.
I liked the plot (at least the idea of it) and I enjoyed the characters (main and secondary). Also, the writing wasn't bad.
But... The dialogue, especially by the end, was so... Stiff and full of monologues. It kinda felt like I was reading a screenplay.
And some of the actions took felt so dumb. Like, all the worry about her family putting her aside... Her brother Drew would obviously never do something like that, so that whole drama was for nothing.
I liked the romance and the relationship between Beatrice and Ford, and I especially enjoyed Beatrice's friends. But the book as a whole just felt... Meh.
I liked the plot (at least the idea of it) and I enjoyed the characters (main and secondary). Also, the writing wasn't bad.
But... The dialogue, especially by the end, was so... Stiff and full of monologues. It kinda felt like I was reading a screenplay.
And some of the actions took felt so dumb. Like, all the worry about her family putting her aside... Her brother Drew would obviously never do something like that, so that whole drama was for nothing.
I liked the romance and the relationship between Beatrice and Ford, and I especially enjoyed Beatrice's friends. But the book as a whole just felt... Meh.
arabellasbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book was fun but it did feel like it dragged a little and I have to say I prefer The Devil's Own Duke. Nonetheless, Ford and Beatrice were fun to read about I just wasn't as in love with the story as a whole unfortunately although their chemistry was great.
thatcrazybooklover's review
4.0
I loved this!!!
Characters are so fun together. It's simple and uncomplicated!
Characters are so fun together. It's simple and uncomplicated!
max_pink's review against another edition
3.5
3.5 Stars
For Romanceopoly prompt: Library
Very cute and sweet. Very into a non-noble romance hero in this era. Mild Beauty and the Beast elements (and I mean REALLY mild. Nothing approaching captor/captive here). Both characters were likable and the plot moved quickly. The sex scenes felt kinda perfunctory, sadly, but all in all this was a solid time! I'm curious if I'll like some of this author's other books more.
For Romanceopoly prompt: Library
Very cute and sweet. Very into a non-noble romance hero in this era. Mild Beauty and the Beast elements (and I mean REALLY mild. Nothing approaching captor/captive here). Both characters were likable and the plot moved quickly. The sex scenes felt kinda perfunctory, sadly, but all in all this was a solid time! I'm curious if I'll like some of this author's other books more.
tweedlebug's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
2.5
bookwife's review
3.0
I did not love this book as much as I wanted to. I love the idea behind it. We have lady Beatrice Bentley who just wants to live in peace and write her dictionary. And then we have Stamford Wright who is a carpenter scoundrel. I like that the couple was from different worlds. It made it more interesting than a duke and a lady... but I just did not like either one of the MCs.
Beatrice is a wallflower who literally talks to her books... look I love books but I don't talk to them.. at least not like she did. It triggered my second hand embarrassment so hard because she did it openly in front of people. I wanted to like her. She's a woman who doesn't care for the ton and their opinions and I liked that.
Stamford Wright was awkward. I don't know how else to explain him. He was meant to be a rogue but I didn't get that from him. He was kind of sweet and awkward.. Which I honestly didn't mind. He was an okay hero. I don't feel like there was anything special about him but I did like that he was very confident in who he was. He was 100% ok with his position in life. He worked his butt off to live a comfortable life and I liked that.
So yeah. There wasn't anything wrong with the story. I just didn't feel the connection with the characters. I think it felt very forced. But I did really like parts of the story. I love Lenora Bell and I think this book might have been alot better if I didn't suffer second hand embarrassment. Beatrice was just a bit too embarrassing for me to read.
Beatrice is a wallflower who literally talks to her books... look I love books but I don't talk to them.. at least not like she did. It triggered my second hand embarrassment so hard because she did it openly in front of people. I wanted to like her. She's a woman who doesn't care for the ton and their opinions and I liked that.
Stamford Wright was awkward. I don't know how else to explain him. He was meant to be a rogue but I didn't get that from him. He was kind of sweet and awkward.. Which I honestly didn't mind. He was an okay hero. I don't feel like there was anything special about him but I did like that he was very confident in who he was. He was 100% ok with his position in life. He worked his butt off to live a comfortable life and I liked that.
So yeah. There wasn't anything wrong with the story. I just didn't feel the connection with the characters. I think it felt very forced. But I did really like parts of the story. I love Lenora Bell and I think this book might have been alot better if I didn't suffer second hand embarrassment. Beatrice was just a bit too embarrassing for me to read.
awishman's review
4.0
Lenora Bell is becoming a favorite for me. I loved this romance with bluestocking Beatrice and Ford, her rogue. I will never not love men that adore, admire and respect their women's comptency. And Ford is so in awe Beatrice's intelligence and heart. This was just lovely.
pleasantandminty's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.75