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alisonb's review
2.0
My favorite parts of the story were Maddie’s grovel at the very end of the novel, and Merrick’s grandmother’s admonishment of them for being prideful people who messed everything up.
The miscommunication, misunderstandings, blaming, and name calling were frustrating and off-putting. This didn’t feel like a romance and I was not invested in the MC’s.
I still love Liz Carlyle’s storytelling regardless of this being the lowest I’ve ever rated one of her books.
The miscommunication, misunderstandings, blaming, and name calling were frustrating and off-putting. This didn’t feel like a romance and I was not invested in the MC’s.
I still love Liz Carlyle’s storytelling regardless of this being the lowest I’ve ever rated one of her books.
mothgirlie's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
haewilya's review
2.0
It's not really bad, just not my cup of tea. In the first place, I really don't like the Big Misunderstanding trope and the one in the book was dragged on until almost the end. I like estranged couples though but in this book, it's not enough to win me. I guess part of it too was that I was annoyed with Madeleine most of the time. The only thing I liked was what she did at the end. Anyway, I read on because I wanted to hear more about Geoff.
virginiaduan's review
3.0
20 pages in, I kept thinking to myself, why does this seem so familiar? Turns out, the plot was predictable because I've read it before. ^_^ On the inadvertent re-read, the writing flaws are a little more apparent, but Carlyle is still an alright romance novelist. (After all, this genre can be much, much worse.) I'll still read more of her work because her writing doesn't make me want to throw the book across the room. :)
prgchrqltma's review
3.0
I think this was typical of the English historicals that I used to read. Some drama and angst between people who should have used their words. People who have interesting careers. World building around architecture and building.
But.
I did not like the portrayal of sex workers in this story. I wasn't even sure why they were there. The hero treated the women as disposable, and declared that one was soulless. Maybe it was to get sex earlier in the story? Maybe we are supposed to contrast them with the heroine and declare that she's much better? I don't know, but it felt off to me, 15 years after it was written.
But.
I did not like the portrayal of sex workers in this story. I wasn't even sure why they were there. The hero treated the women as disposable, and declared that one was soulless. Maybe it was to get sex earlier in the story? Maybe we are supposed to contrast them with the heroine and declare that she's much better? I don't know, but it felt off to me, 15 years after it was written.
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