A review by punandprose
Solving Sophronia: A Victorian Romance by Jennifer Moore
3.0
3.5 stars
There were things about this book that I greatly enjoyed. For example, the Victorian setting, Sophie's grandmother, and the murder mystery storyline, to name a few. It was intriguing and unique. I haven’t read many books with a plot like this one, which was refreshing.
That said, the writing felt rather formulaic. It seemed like the author used some sort of outline, and I could point out each and every time she went from one point of the outline to the next. No, this is not egregious, and yes, I'm highly aware that writing takes effort. It's just that I also know what it's like to read something that feels effortless. Though the writing in this book was good, it wasn't blow-you-away great. I overlooked most of it until the last 25%, which I didn't enjoy quite as much as the beginning and middle. The ending felt rushed, and I always hate a third act breakup due to some sort of miscommunication.
Also, the romance was lacking. Just because Jonathan and Sophie spent a few moments working together on solving a case doesn't mean they'd love each other. I wanted more moments of them alone and growing together. I wanted to see small seeds along the way of how their relationship developed (and I don't mean the "why do I feel all warm inside when he sits by me?" stuff). I wanted more spark and life to their interactions. I wanted a buildup from doubt to confidence, as well as actual intention rather than happenstance. At the end of it all, I don't see why either one liked the other in a deep, authentic way. It's was more of a "let's throw them together because they're here" sort of deal. Plus, I like men being portrayed as confident and masculine. Jonathan, though sweet and endearing, did not seem confident or masculine very often (though he did have his moments). I was a bit bugged that he, a man who's lived on the streets and is a trained detective, was kind of portrayed as a simpleton whilst Sophie, a lady of high breeding and zero detective experience, just happens to meander by and figure out the first major clues in solving the murder mystery because, well, she's a woman and as we all know, women can do anything because they're women. (But I understand that it was used to get this unlikely pair together).
Anyway, I vascillated a lot in what to rate this, and ultimately, 3.5 stars felt right. Though I did mostly enjoy this book, I don't necessarily plan on continuing with the Blue Orchid Society.
Content
Various murders (the actual murders aren't read on page, but the bodies are discovered later and one is particularly gruesome), emotional abusive parents, recounted story of the death a close friend. No swearing, and very clean romance (only one kiss)
There were things about this book that I greatly enjoyed. For example, the Victorian setting, Sophie's grandmother, and the murder mystery storyline, to name a few. It was intriguing and unique. I haven’t read many books with a plot like this one, which was refreshing.
That said, the writing felt rather formulaic. It seemed like the author used some sort of outline, and I could point out each and every time she went from one point of the outline to the next. No, this is not egregious, and yes, I'm highly aware that writing takes effort. It's just that I also know what it's like to read something that feels effortless. Though the writing in this book was good, it wasn't blow-you-away great. I overlooked most of it until the last 25%, which I didn't enjoy quite as much as the beginning and middle. The ending felt rushed, and I always hate a third act breakup due to some sort of miscommunication.
Also, the romance was lacking. Just because Jonathan and Sophie spent a few moments working together on solving a case doesn't mean they'd love each other. I wanted more moments of them alone and growing together. I wanted to see small seeds along the way of how their relationship developed (and I don't mean the "why do I feel all warm inside when he sits by me?" stuff). I wanted more spark and life to their interactions. I wanted a buildup from doubt to confidence, as well as actual intention rather than happenstance. At the end of it all, I don't see why either one liked the other in a deep, authentic way. It's was more of a "let's throw them together because they're here" sort of deal. Plus, I like men being portrayed as confident and masculine. Jonathan, though sweet and endearing, did not seem confident or masculine very often (though he did have his moments). I was a bit bugged that he, a man who's lived on the streets and is a trained detective, was kind of portrayed as a simpleton whilst Sophie, a lady of high breeding and zero detective experience, just happens to meander by and figure out the first major clues in solving the murder mystery because, well, she's a woman and as we all know, women can do anything because they're women. (But I understand that it was used to get this unlikely pair together).
Anyway, I vascillated a lot in what to rate this, and ultimately, 3.5 stars felt right. Though I did mostly enjoy this book, I don't necessarily plan on continuing with the Blue Orchid Society.
Content
Various murders (the actual murders aren't read on page, but the bodies are discovered later and one is particularly gruesome), emotional abusive parents, recounted story of the death a close friend. No swearing, and very clean romance (only one kiss)