Helpful Score: 7
One of my favorite romance books. You can tell when and why the hero and heroine fell for each other through their witty letters. They have great chemistry. It also has a good subplot related to the feminist movement in the Victorian era and its influence on the heroine's life.
Helpful Score: 5
I just read this again after several years and found it much as I remembered. It's not my very favorite Brockway, but definitely one of her best. If I were to change anything about it - I'd let Avery off the hook a little sooner at the end. I don't think he needs to be quite so humble & Lily needn't be quite so dense. She has too many revelations in the final pages and she really only needed to have one. Still love it though.
Grade: A
Sensuality Rating: R
Grade: A
Sensuality Rating: R
Helpful Score: 3
I was charmed by this book. I had my share of problems with it, but overall it was wonderful. I'll be putting it on my keeper shelf for a future reread.
The letter exchange that Lily and Avery participated in was so perfect. Their back and forth banter was one of my favorite parts of the story. I really loved the feel of the scenes when Avery would pull out the newest letter and read it aloud to his friends. Being able to see a little of his interaction with his friends in that setting really helped add insight to Avery too.
I loved that Avery kept bellowing that he was a gentleman. It cracked me up. His ability to ignore or insist on his gentlemanly qualities as the situation warranted was cute. I really found his character endearing. The scene where he comes in and bellows for Francesca really illustrates his personality.
I didn't warm to Lily as much as I did to Avery. I thought she was a little hypocritical. I loved the scene where Avery acted like he felt violated because she had forced her attentions on him. I really felt like she got what she deserved then. I didn't enjoy her reasons for not wanting to marry. I thought wanting to be with Avery but only her way was selfish. I really respected Avery when he refused to have children with her if they did things her way. Bravo for him.
I found Francesca more interesting that Lily and couldn't help but want to know more about her. I really felt that she stole the show whenever she was in a scene with one of the other characters.
This was my first Connie Brockway book, but I'll be on the lookout for more.
The letter exchange that Lily and Avery participated in was so perfect. Their back and forth banter was one of my favorite parts of the story. I really loved the feel of the scenes when Avery would pull out the newest letter and read it aloud to his friends. Being able to see a little of his interaction with his friends in that setting really helped add insight to Avery too.
I loved that Avery kept bellowing that he was a gentleman. It cracked me up. His ability to ignore or insist on his gentlemanly qualities as the situation warranted was cute. I really found his character endearing. The scene where he comes in and bellows for Francesca really illustrates his personality.
I didn't warm to Lily as much as I did to Avery. I thought she was a little hypocritical. I loved the scene where Avery acted like he felt violated because she had forced her attentions on him. I really felt like she got what she deserved then. I didn't enjoy her reasons for not wanting to marry. I thought wanting to be with Avery but only her way was selfish. I really respected Avery when he refused to have children with her if they did things her way. Bravo for him.
I found Francesca more interesting that Lily and couldn't help but want to know more about her. I really felt that she stole the show whenever she was in a scene with one of the other characters.
This was my first Connie Brockway book, but I'll be on the lookout for more.
Helpful Score: 2
ANY book that can make you cry is a keeper in my opinion. I loved this book!
