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A review by pacific_blue4
The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz
2.0
A NOTE TO READERS: PLEASE, PLEASE do not read the plot synopsis provided by Goodreads. It spoils the entire book (shame shame shame!). I don't know that I've ever come across such a terrible plot blurb that ruins the surprise a read might offer, but this is the worst.
Due to that little tidbit, I figured the entire book out before it even started. So, once again, please do not read a plot blurb for this book on any major site, because they have made a major error with this one in ruining any plot twist. If the author ever happens to read this review, please step in and simplify the plot synopsis so readers can actually be surprised.
Here is my plot synopsis, that doesn't spoil the reader:
Tall Acre and Three Chimneys are neighboring properties whose owners have experienced the troubles of war in their own ways, General Seamus Ogilvy returning maimed and a widower with a daughter who doesn't know him and Sophie Menzies, suffering from the choices of her father and
facing destitution. Driven together by circumstances and need, what was once a neighborly relationship takes a turn and both must make important, life-altering decisions.
The Mistress of Tall Acre opens with a birth, an ominous sense that things are about to take an unhappy turn, and war.
Laura Frantz is a very gifted writer. Her writing was engaging, and she gave each character depth. I very much enjoyed this about the book. It can be especially difficult for authors to write in children, but I also loved the hero's daughter, Lily-Cate. Likewise, Sophie Menzies was a complex, well-written, and strong character. It's not often that I encounter a book that I would describe as romantic, but The Mistress of Tall Acre certainly falls into that category. Initially, I enjoyed the interactions between Seamus and Sophie.
Two stars on Goodreads indicates that a read was ok. Starting out, I was hoping to end up giving this one 4 or 5 stars, but did you see my early warning concerning the entire book being spoiled? The book had a tone that was set at the tale's beginning, and this gradually changed and then was massively upheaved about 100 pages before the end. This is when all the spoilers provided by the plot blurb began to take place. It felt like two different books, and that is not good. What began and appeared to be a subtle romantic story very abruptly shifted with major dramatic events. For me, and for the reasons listed below, it didn't work. I think the end portion ruined what could have been an excellent read.
One, I hate that the story was ruined by the plot synopsis. Two, I will never know what my reaction would have been due to the spoilers, but I was hoping that wasn't where the author would take the story, because that was my immediate guess the entire time (and I didn't like the idea). Otherwise, I don't know that I ever would have expected what happened toward the end. As it was, I wasn't surprised, just a little put off that I was correct. It's quite similar to a classic novel, and while I like the classic, I didn't like the turn in this book. And three, after a major change takes place with the two main characters, I stopped enjoying the book as much. That was around the time that the rest of the plot reveal was happening. I just did not enjoy where the author took the story at the end. I also disliked the typical issue with the hero and heroine wanting to express their feelings but not doing so until...well, you guessed it.
Is it because I saw it coming due to its being spoiled for me? Or did I just plain not like it? I'll never know. I will say, once again, that Laura Frantz is a gifted writer and had my attention up until the issues at the end. Her characters were strong and multi-dimensional. I even enjoyed the romantic tone at the beginning. I would be more than happy to try more by this author and can easily see how others would enjoy and even love this read. Just please take my advice and don't read any plot blurbs! Let yourself be surprised and see what you think.
There is something about the strength of the heroine of this one that brings back fond memories of Todd M. Johnson's The Barrister and the Letter of Marque, and that is highly recommended as well if you enjoyed this one.
Due to that little tidbit, I figured the entire book out before it even started. So, once again, please do not read a plot blurb for this book on any major site, because they have made a major error with this one in ruining any plot twist. If the author ever happens to read this review, please step in and simplify the plot synopsis so readers can actually be surprised.
Here is my plot synopsis, that doesn't spoil the reader:
Tall Acre and Three Chimneys are neighboring properties whose owners have experienced the troubles of war in their own ways, General Seamus Ogilvy returning maimed and a widower with a daughter who doesn't know him and Sophie Menzies, suffering from the choices of her father and
facing destitution. Driven together by circumstances and need, what was once a neighborly relationship takes a turn and both must make important, life-altering decisions.
The Mistress of Tall Acre opens with a birth, an ominous sense that things are about to take an unhappy turn, and war.
Laura Frantz is a very gifted writer. Her writing was engaging, and she gave each character depth. I very much enjoyed this about the book. It can be especially difficult for authors to write in children, but I also loved the hero's daughter, Lily-Cate. Likewise, Sophie Menzies was a complex, well-written, and strong character. It's not often that I encounter a book that I would describe as romantic, but The Mistress of Tall Acre certainly falls into that category. Initially, I enjoyed the interactions between Seamus and Sophie.
Two stars on Goodreads indicates that a read was ok. Starting out, I was hoping to end up giving this one 4 or 5 stars, but did you see my early warning concerning the entire book being spoiled? The book had a tone that was set at the tale's beginning, and this gradually changed and then was massively upheaved about 100 pages before the end. This is when all the spoilers provided by the plot blurb began to take place. It felt like two different books, and that is not good. What began and appeared to be a subtle romantic story very abruptly shifted with major dramatic events. For me, and for the reasons listed below, it didn't work. I think the end portion ruined what could have been an excellent read.
One, I hate that the story was ruined by the plot synopsis. Two, I will never know what my reaction would have been due to the spoilers, but I was hoping that wasn't where the author would take the story, because that was my immediate guess the entire time (and I didn't like the idea). Otherwise, I don't know that I ever would have expected what happened toward the end. As it was, I wasn't surprised, just a little put off that I was correct. It's quite similar to a classic novel, and while I like the classic, I didn't like the turn in this book. And three, after a major change takes place with the two main characters, I stopped enjoying the book as much. That was around the time that the rest of the plot reveal was happening. I just did not enjoy where the author took the story at the end. I also disliked the typical issue with the hero and heroine wanting to express their feelings but not doing so until...well, you guessed it.
Is it because I saw it coming due to its being spoiled for me? Or did I just plain not like it? I'll never know. I will say, once again, that Laura Frantz is a gifted writer and had my attention up until the issues at the end. Her characters were strong and multi-dimensional. I even enjoyed the romantic tone at the beginning. I would be more than happy to try more by this author and can easily see how others would enjoy and even love this read. Just please take my advice and don't read any plot blurbs! Let yourself be surprised and see what you think.
There is something about the strength of the heroine of this one that brings back fond memories of Todd M. Johnson's The Barrister and the Letter of Marque, and that is highly recommended as well if you enjoyed this one.