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janaya's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
leslie_books_and_socks_rock's review
5.0
Basically all you have to say is “Sarah M Eden” and I’m on board!
punandprose's review
5.0
Entertaining and adorable. Ellie and Newton are so charming together. I immensely enjoyed this little novella. I just love the intricate world and interweaving families Eden has created, and also how she manages to bring in distinct and memorable characters every time. No one is a repeat of another, which is amazing because Eden has created her fair share of characters.
Also, I dearly hope that Artemis and Charlie get a book of their own. After this novella, Eden has to be working on getting them together. And I hope there's also a lot of interaction between the Duke of Kielder and the Earl of Lampton. I just really, really, really want to see them butt heads big time.
Also, I dearly hope that Artemis and Charlie get a book of their own. After this novella, Eden has to be working on getting them together. And I hope there's also a lot of interaction between the Duke of Kielder and the Earl of Lampton. I just really, really, really want to see them butt heads big time.
carolynsbookshelf's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ellingtonfeint's review
5.0
This was such an interesting book. On the one hand it was a brilliant stand-alone book, and I call it a book tho it was a novella, because such is the depth of Ms Eden's writing that it felt like a fully fleshed out book... to a point.
And on the other hand, this book was part of the universe of the Jonquils and Lancasters, and as such it felt, odd. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just interesting!
This was one of the best books on its genre, it's funny, light-hearted, hea, and charming, with some serious-er patches. I loved the fact that it started as a group of friends, hatching a plot to prevent unwelcome pairings by parents. It was just so nice to have the younger group, Charlie, Artemis, Ellie and Newton, & others, basically just hanging out!
And that made it a great stand-alone, and also made it unique in the world it is based in, because none of the others have the absolute fluffiness (as fluffy as a Sarah M Eden book could be that is) as this book. It just had a different tone to the others. Instead of being fully immersed in the Jonquil etc family, we got to experience the social world that the young people were completely immersed in for the duration of the book, complete with obligatory saving the reputation sub-plot! And rather than focusing on mature, well thought out characters, the main couple are relatively young and learning as they go. It's nice to see.
Side note time: the Huntresses would make a great series of their own! Starting with Charlie and Artemis I hope!
This book also gave birth to this quote which I love and can't help feeling is directed to us readers:
"He did not consider himself a coward, but he was struggling to summon courage enough to go to the Lancasters’ home to tell her how he felt, tell her of his wishes and dreams. How often those in new or uncertain relationships were lectured for not simply “telling the other person how you feel” or “just talking more.” It was easy to offer that kind of advice when someone else’s happiness was at risk. Relationships always seemed simple when viewed from the outside."
I have definitely done that while reading books, but it's a fair point, we know absolutely to expect a hea, but in real life it's never that cut and dry.
So all in all a great book, I am sure I will reread it as part of the series, and enjoy this unique perspective on a familiar world, plus the enjoyable main characters!
And on the other hand, this book was part of the universe of the Jonquils and Lancasters, and as such it felt, odd. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just interesting!
This was one of the best books on its genre, it's funny, light-hearted, hea, and charming, with some serious-er patches. I loved the fact that it started as a group of friends, hatching a plot to prevent unwelcome pairings by parents. It was just so nice to have the younger group, Charlie, Artemis, Ellie and Newton, & others, basically just hanging out!
And that made it a great stand-alone, and also made it unique in the world it is based in, because none of the others have the absolute fluffiness (as fluffy as a Sarah M Eden book could be that is) as this book. It just had a different tone to the others. Instead of being fully immersed in the Jonquil etc family, we got to experience the social world that the young people were completely immersed in for the duration of the book, complete with obligatory saving the reputation sub-plot! And rather than focusing on mature, well thought out characters, the main couple are relatively young and learning as they go. It's nice to see.
Side note time: the Huntresses would make a great series of their own! Starting with Charlie and Artemis I hope!
This book also gave birth to this quote which I love and can't help feeling is directed to us readers:
"He did not consider himself a coward, but he was struggling to summon courage enough to go to the Lancasters’ home to tell her how he felt, tell her of his wishes and dreams. How often those in new or uncertain relationships were lectured for not simply “telling the other person how you feel” or “just talking more.” It was easy to offer that kind of advice when someone else’s happiness was at risk. Relationships always seemed simple when viewed from the outside."
I have definitely done that while reading books, but it's a fair point, we know absolutely to expect a hea, but in real life it's never that cut and dry.
So all in all a great book, I am sure I will reread it as part of the series, and enjoy this unique perspective on a familiar world, plus the enjoyable main characters!
andervic000's review
4.0
While not my favorite of Eden’s novels, it is still a sweet romance. I enjoyed seeing the social life of bath rather than London. I also really enjoyed how this story highlighted female friendships and commeradery
cecepeepeefeefee's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25
thecleanreadbookclub's review
4.0
This book was the best and worst sort of tease for Charlie’s and Artemis’ book(s) which I will forever be anticipating until their stories are in print, and in my hands. No, I don’t know if those two will actually get together, but you better believe I’m crossing my fingers for it!
I love the title for this book! It is so well stated and I knew right from the first time I saw the title that this would be my kind of story! I loved the scheming and plotting from some of my favorite characters in Sarah’s previous Jonquil and Lancaster series! I felt like this gave me such great insight into Artemis and Charlie, and I felt some major foreshadowing happening throughout Ellie and Newton’s story! It was hard for me to separate this into Ellie and Newton’s story because I’ve been dreaming of Charlie and Artemis for so long.
As always Sarah can write such a fun, page-turning story that keeps me staying up all night to finish. I loved seeing Ellie’s and Newton’s characters develop and grow. I loved the friends that showed up along the way. I think we all want friends (and quite honestly, family) to champion us and help us believe in ourselves, and in turn be that way for them. This book was the perfect way to start off the New Year and it was worth every minute staying up past midnight to read it!
I love the title for this book! It is so well stated and I knew right from the first time I saw the title that this would be my kind of story! I loved the scheming and plotting from some of my favorite characters in Sarah’s previous Jonquil and Lancaster series! I felt like this gave me such great insight into Artemis and Charlie, and I felt some major foreshadowing happening throughout Ellie and Newton’s story! It was hard for me to separate this into Ellie and Newton’s story because I’ve been dreaming of Charlie and Artemis for so long.
As always Sarah can write such a fun, page-turning story that keeps me staying up all night to finish. I loved seeing Ellie’s and Newton’s characters develop and grow. I loved the friends that showed up along the way. I think we all want friends (and quite honestly, family) to champion us and help us believe in ourselves, and in turn be that way for them. This book was the perfect way to start off the New Year and it was worth every minute staying up past midnight to read it!
ebgracie77's review
3.0
Could be better.
As another reviewer said, Sarah has written better stories. I’m not a big fan of the weird tension with her family. It was over the top. No empathy shown foe the older sister who, by the authors description, wasn’t as pretty or comfortable in company or clever. So, she was jealous of her younger sister!?
It felt too contrived and not as heartfelt a story as I have often read of hers.
As another reviewer said, Sarah has written better stories. I’m not a big fan of the weird tension with her family. It was over the top. No empathy shown foe the older sister who, by the authors description, wasn’t as pretty or comfortable in company or clever. So, she was jealous of her younger sister!?
It felt too contrived and not as heartfelt a story as I have often read of hers.