A nice novella, better than most novellas I read so far. I really liked the beginning (aren't letters in romances always a good thing?) and i4.0 stars
A nice novella, better than most novellas I read so far. I really liked the beginning (aren't letters in romances always a good thing?) and it felt refreshingly different then the rest of the series. It's set in Ireland in the late 1820s and the steampunk elements are nearly non existent. And although this is a paranormal series, these elements were not as strong as I expected, but I liked that! The romance was sweet and the story sometimes surprising, but overall I missed something to give it a higher rating. Nevertheless, fans of the "Darkest London" series should read this one. :-)
Merged review:
4.0 stars
A nice novella, better than most novellas I read so far. I really liked the beginning (aren't letters in romances always a good thing?) and it felt refreshingly different then the rest of the series. It's set in Ireland in the late 1820s and the steampunk elements are nearly non existent. And although this is a paranormal series, these elements were not as strong as I expected, but I liked that! The romance was sweet and the story sometimes surprising, but overall I missed something to give it a higher rating. Nevertheless, fans of the "Darkest London" series should read this one. :-)...more
I liked the first 75% but the rest was too boring, some of the scenes at the end were way too long. The conversation between Aldmere and the 3.5 stars
I liked the first 75% but the rest was too boring, some of the scenes at the end were way too long. The conversation between Aldmere and the villain... *snore* I know both were praised for the way the use words to win "fights" but that overdid it a little bit. It was like they wanted to talk the other person to death. "The Love List" had one of the better crime sub-stories in historicals but it lacked depth. The potential was there but wasn't used in the end. The romance was nice, I loved Aldmere, he is the Mr. Darcy type of hero that I love. But Brynne was a nice heroine as well although I never felt a real connection to her. Overall I would call this a solid historical. Can be read but doesn't need to be read....more
The beginning was so boring, nothing happens and after I skipped to the end that feeling didn't change. The "surprise" was obvious, otherDNF after 15%
The beginning was so boring, nothing happens and after I skipped to the end that feeling didn't change. The "surprise" was obvious, otherwise the prologue wouldn't make sense. And I think it would've been better if he found his match in (view spoiler)[Lizzy (hide spoiler)]....more
I liked it even more than the first book. But it IS a very unique and unusual historical and I think a lot of readers might not like it. I lo5.0 stars
I liked it even more than the first book. But it IS a very unique and unusual historical and I think a lot of readers might not like it. I loved the story and Emily Larkin is a fantastic writer, she writes sensual and romantic stories with a little sexiness. And although her stories have a modern feel to them the language feels more fitting to the time period than those of more famous writers....more
This book was very nice and entertaining in the beginning but the second half was way too long and unnecessarily complicated. One time the he3.0 stars
This book was very nice and entertaining in the beginning but the second half was way too long and unnecessarily complicated. One time the heroine thought that the hero doesn't love her, then he thought she wasn't feeling anything for him, then she thought it and he thought it and so it went, for pages and pages! And it alternated with them thinking that the other one had feelings. How can anyone think someones in love with them one moment and the next think the opposite? It was soooo annoying! Other than that the story was sweet but nothing special. Nice to read but the story is easy to forget....more
2.5 stars (I skipped from 50% to 70% and only skimmed the pages til the end)
This book was WAY too slow, nothing really happens in the first half of th2.5 stars (I skipped from 50% to 70% and only skimmed the pages til the end)
This book was WAY too slow, nothing really happens in the first half of the book, it only consists of repetitions. The writing was okay, but nothing more. And the end didn't surprise me, it was obvious from the first moment we met the villain that he was and is the villain. Normally I like revenge and "switching places" stories, but this one was lacking in character development and emotions. And I'm definitely not a fan of the love scenes Christina Dodd writes... I don't like how they are written, the scenes weren't romantic at all!...more
Perfect songs:"Evermore" from "Beauty And The Beast" and "Far Away" from Nickelback
Normally I only choose one song, but this time I couldn'4.0 stars
Perfect songs:"Evermore" from "Beauty And The Beast" and "Far Away" from Nickelback
Normally I only choose one song, but this time I couldn't decide between those two songs. My first choice was "Evermore" (it displays Malcolm's feelings after Sera left) and than just this afternoon on my way home "Far Away" randomly popped up in my playlist and I thought... "Wow... this song is perfect for this novel!
- under construction -
I wanted to give it more stars, expected it, but surprisingly I didn't liked the story as much as I thought I would. It was easier to forgive Malcolm, especially since I hated him in the first book of the series but the story couldn't grab me on an emotional level. Except for his last speech I was never even close to tears and I'm a watering pot! I don't know why but I wished for more. The story wasn't bad at all, I liked a lot about the story but it didn't change the fact that I wasn't moved by the story as much as I wished for. :(
Something that really bothered me were the scenes with Sesily and "the American". It was a cheap way to promote the next series and interrupted the flow of Sera's and Mal's story. I don't have a problem with the introduction of a new couple in a novel but it should be handled more natural. And here it seemed forced, it weren't small gestures, sentences or scenes, NO, they got their own POV's and at least two longer scenes. That was too much, in my opinion. I liked the way Simon's and Juliana's romance was introduced, way more subtle or how Sophie was introduced (I was to be expected that she was to be paired with King just through a small scene... which is enough). Additionally I simply didn't understand Sesily's and "the Americans" scenes. Maybe it was because I'm not a native speaker but to me it felt like some important information was missing. It was reading their scenes and thought "WAIT! What are they talking about!?" I was confused and didn't really get what those scenes were about. They were simply teasering information, but never said it out loud without beating around the bush. I was completely annoyed by them. Which is the reason why I probably won't read Sarah MacLean's next series. She was an auto-buy author for me, but sadly isn't anymore.
Am I the only one who was disappointed by the epilogue? In every other book I would've loved it, because it was sweet and romantic and did I mention sweet? But in this case I hoped that (view spoiler)[Sera would've remained barren. Not because I wished it on her, but because it cheapened their happy ending. I wanted them to be happy despite Sera not being able to have children. In 99,9% of all historical romances children are used as a way to show happiness. It would've been a stronger ending if Sera and Mal were happy nonetheless. It always seems like the typical "magical love-healing" thing... (hide spoiler)]...more
The story had potential but it was too slow-paced, nothing really happens (especially in the middle) and it felt like the novel should've bee3.0 stars
The story had potential but it was too slow-paced, nothing really happens (especially in the middle) and it felt like the novel should've been a novella instead. And Tuck's character was under-developed, he could've been so much more but wasn't in the end. Particularly the reason why he didn't buy his commission was treated too briefly. ...more
The writing style was good and the story sweet, but had no interesting ideas and on the emotional level unsatisfying, the protagonist fell in3.0 stars
The writing style was good and the story sweet, but had no interesting ideas and on the emotional level unsatisfying, the protagonist fell in love from the first moment to the second and we never see why and how... it just happened! And I'm a reader who loved to feel and see the emotions and the development of the emotions and "The Cinderella Debutante" lacked that. Additionally the story and characters had no real depth, but overall it was a nice story (I cannot recommend it, but it wasn't THAT bad.)...more
A very sweet romance without a sex scene (open or closed door) and a very classical feel to it. I have to admit that I hate the focus many mo5.0 stars
A very sweet romance without a sex scene (open or closed door) and a very classical feel to it. I have to admit that I hate the focus many modern historical romances set on the lust, sex and physical attraction and this novel was a nice change. It was all about the romance. I loved it....more
This book should've been 25% shorter. The misunderstandings at the end were completely unnecessary. But the beginning was really, really good2.5 stars
This book should've been 25% shorter. The misunderstandings at the end were completely unnecessary. But the beginning was really, really good. I always love "secretly in love" and "childhood friends" stories. I liked Geoff from the beginning and Mary as well. But I started to dislike her after her "change". She said that it was all feigned and not her true self, but I don't believe it. She really became a stupid, superficial and selfish debutante, and even after she changes "back" I never started to like her again.
I really like Rebecca Connollys writing style. She writes classic, clean regency romances with a modern touch and it really feels like a historical and not a contemporary romances with characters in historical costumes. The ending didn't fit in my opinion, it was too modern, I couldn't believe the characters would kiss each other in public... I don't have a problem in normal historicals, but "Secrets of a Spinster" felt more historical accurate most of the time.
Overall this story wasn't as good as it could have been. But Rebecca Connolly is a good write, I'm sure that I will read more stories by her....more
The beginning was brilliant, especially Part One, but I was bored by the Lord Clary and Mr. P part. I liked the romance and wanted more of it3.5 stars
The beginning was brilliant, especially Part One, but I was bored by the Lord Clary and Mr. P part. I liked the romance and wanted more of it, e.g. a better ending, the last chapter was SO boring, who was interested in the bonfire and it's reasons? I wanted to know more about Livie and Jamie, but not about the others....more
I really loved Sophie and King! The dialogues were great and I adored their interactions. I expected something completely different (somethin5.0 stars
I really loved Sophie and King! The dialogues were great and I adored their interactions. I expected something completely different (something darker and more serious) and got a funny and light story with a few darker moments. Additionally I have to admit that I found the story to be rather absurd (a lot of scenes were to unrealistic but nevertheless hilarious) and "unhistorical" like. The only thing that bothered me a little bit was the abrupt ending. In the end I loved reading about Sophie and King and enjoyed their journey to happiness (although they made their way harder than necessary). ...more
I have to admit, that I skipped page 200 to 300 (but read the wedding night scene and the scene where Justin talked about his father) and th3.0 stars
I have to admit, that I skipped page 200 to 300 (but read the wedding night scene and the scene where Justin talked about his father) and then read only the last pages. But I think I can judge this novel well enough.
1) The blurb is SO misleading. "Arabella once stole his heart and owns it still"? That sounds like a "secretly in love" story, but I don't believe Arabella stole his heart, because he was 18 at the time and she was 10(!) and punched him in his face so hard he had a bleeding nose/lip afterwards. No, I don't think his heart was involved, he was only irritated why she hated/disliked him so much. So yes, he clearly remembers their last encounter, but not because she stole his heart (most likely his nerves but not his heart).
2) Why are rakes in historicals always not portrayed as rakes? Yes, he had sex with a lot of women (although not as much as everyone thought, of course), drank and gambled, not not too much and it was never really shown, because he was half reformed before the book started. And of course everything was just a show and not how he truly is. I liked him, that was not the problem, but I just don't understand why rakes cannot be rakes. Probably because true rakes will not be miraculously reformed by true love (in most cases). This is the reason why I don't like rakish heroes. Either they aren't shown to be rakes or it's unbelievable that they change so abruptly. And although he had some depth, thinking about his past, I felt like it wasn't enough or not included enough in the story. I wanted to know more about his past and his feelings and wanted his past to be more present. But for a rake he was very honourable and whereas I don't like rakes I liked honourable heroes. :D BUT why in heavens name was he the "handsomest man in the England or probably the whole world"? I can live with handsome but the handsomest of all? Isn't that a bit too much? Where are the heroes with flaws? He must be so handsome even the sun forgets to shine when he steps into "her" sight. No, no, no. Not every hero in England can be the "handsomest hero" and I don't believe any man can be so handsome every woman swoons at his sight (that doesn't happen, but at least have the women of the ton want to have a taste... )
3) I like bets in historicals, because I like the discussions when the bet is revealed. Although the bet was a problem for Justin in the end he was nearly innocent and I thought it was an unnecessary problem. But Arabella refused to think and listen, not a good combination. At least it was an ending where the heroine had to do a bit of groveling. Only a little bit, because she pushed him away. Poor Justin. Yes, the bet itself was stupid, but he wanted to pay his friend the amount before Arabella and he got emotionally involved, but seemed to have forgotten about and/or secretly hoped that the bet remained a secret. Stupid hope. Nevertheless the ending was really emotional, whereas the rest of the story was not. There is no side story only the development of their love and it just wasn't enough to fill a whole novel. There was no real development, I couldn't see them falling in love and there weren't enough sweet moments. I liked the scene when she was drunk but overall I was missing the sparks flying and believable emotions, especially believable changes in emotions. All I got was cryptic messages like "He felt something change between them but couldn't define what", yes, I was unable to see the changes too!
4) Arabella was likeable was well. She was different than most heroines being tall and having read-hair and although she always had problems with her appearance I never felt like it defined her. Yes, she is unhappy and sometimes self-conscious but not always. What I really liked was what she said about her family, her family loves her very much and she had a happy childhood, but nevertheless sometimes she felt alone, with her parents so absorbed with each other. And because her parents travelled so much she never had a real home and was feeling a little lost. So overall she had some depth but mostly was the unconventional and often to direct beauty.
Conclusion:
I really liked the ending, it was emotional, and the characters were likeable, but I was missing emotions and development in their love story. :(...more