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A review by cait
Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
“Think, man. Where would she have gone?”
To his credit, and from his scrunched-up face and pursed lips, Tarleton did appear to be thinking. “America,” he cried.
“She’s gone,” repeated Valentine slowly, “to America?”
“Well, not immediately. It’s quite far away.”
Alexis Hall is so hit or miss for me that I really, really struggle to know what to expect or how to rate their work. Something Fabulous, similarly to Husband Material, had something special about it. The combination of insecure fragility and self-confidence of our main characters. The exploration of identity against the backdrop of self-sabotage. The ludicrous scenarios and downright hilarious side characters. But, as it sometimes does, this story went a bit too far.
The concept, of course, is a young duke is pursuing his runaway bride-to-be with the help of her flamboyant twin brother and despite the fact that he actually dislikes the idea of marrying this girl as much as she dislikes the idea of marrying him. Along the way, the duke discovers that he may, in fact, actually have feelings for her brother, but still feels obliged to pursue her before she makes any perilous mistakes or ruins either of their reputations.
The problem was that the bride-to-be, Miss Arabella "Belle" Tarleton, was utterly unbearable in every way. What started off as hilarious hijinks quickly dissolved into frustrating stupidity. No one listened. No one used their words. Instead of discussing things at pertinent moments, our protagonists compulsively obeyed this weird obsession with refusing to speak until they had reached a certain venue that was several days behind them, leading to imprisonment in a lesbian couples' cellar, an unnecessary duel, and multiple kidnappings of minor nobility.
It could have been incredible. Instead, the comedy wound up completely played out and the whole plot became utterly irritating to read about. I, personally, would have vastly preferred Belle actually be kidnapped by pirates while Bonny and Valentine explored each other in that meadow by the waterfall. I may read the sequel, because I did enjoy Peggy's character, but only if Belle is shipped to another continent so I don't have to deal with her.
To his credit, and from his scrunched-up face and pursed lips, Tarleton did appear to be thinking. “America,” he cried.
“She’s gone,” repeated Valentine slowly, “to America?”
“Well, not immediately. It’s quite far away.”
Alexis Hall is so hit or miss for me that I really, really struggle to know what to expect or how to rate their work. Something Fabulous, similarly to Husband Material, had something special about it. The combination of insecure fragility and self-confidence of our main characters. The exploration of identity against the backdrop of self-sabotage. The ludicrous scenarios and downright hilarious side characters. But, as it sometimes does, this story went a bit too far.
The concept, of course, is a young duke is pursuing his runaway bride-to-be with the help of her flamboyant twin brother and despite the fact that he actually dislikes the idea of marrying this girl as much as she dislikes the idea of marrying him. Along the way, the duke discovers that he may, in fact, actually have feelings for her brother, but still feels obliged to pursue her before she makes any perilous mistakes or ruins either of their reputations.
The problem was that the bride-to-be, Miss Arabella "Belle" Tarleton, was utterly unbearable in every way. What started off as hilarious hijinks quickly dissolved into frustrating stupidity. No one listened. No one used their words. Instead of discussing things at pertinent moments, our protagonists compulsively obeyed this weird obsession with refusing to speak until they had reached a certain venue that was several days behind them, leading to imprisonment in a lesbian couples' cellar, an unnecessary duel, and multiple kidnappings of minor nobility.
It could have been incredible. Instead, the comedy wound up completely played out and the whole plot became utterly irritating to read about. I, personally, would have vastly preferred Belle actually be kidnapped by pirates while Bonny and Valentine explored each other in that meadow by the waterfall. I may read the sequel, because I did enjoy Peggy's character, but only if Belle is shipped to another continent so I don't have to deal with her.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Outing, and Gaslighting