Lisa R. (alterlisa) -
First of all let me me say that this could have been a fabulous 5* book but little care seemed to have been invested in the editing. The timeline over what was the first week of happenings was often referred to as 24 hours ago or yesterday. Seriously, it was all over the place. Not just once but repeatedly in the early chapters of the book. Ivy's number of sisters varied frequently and a brother was thrown in once. Quill's cousin Serena was referred to as his sister on at least one occasion. And the title of the book really did not fit Quill's character either. There was one mention of a dalliance with a married older woman when he was 21 but hardly enough to be referred to as a rogue during that time period. I think they were going for cutesy and they failed horribly. Though after about chapter 15 it flowed much more smoothly. One other dislike was I didn't feel like the cover model was even close to the bespectacled red headed curvy Ivy. This has always been a peeve of mine but now that I read so many books on my Kindle it isn't until I do a review and actually see the cover that it hits me how poor a visualization the publishers do.
Now for what I loved, and there was a lot, the timeline discrepancy just really annoyed me as this is from a big publishing house not the self publishing where these types of errors are forgiven if not forgotten.
This was as much if not more a murder mystery than a romance. And I love a good mystery! Though I figured out who did it before we knew why, I loved it. I'm not a fan of insta-love much though I did like that once Quill realized Ivy was threatened that he also realized the depths of his feelings for her. As the bluestockings were the main characters in the book, there wasn't a lot of the missish behavior, in fact the ladies were quite outspoken and laugh out loud funny. I can't wait to read Daphne's story next as she was probably the most unfiltered of the bunch. Hope we get another good murder mystery as this series has so much potential.
Now for what I loved, and there was a lot, the timeline discrepancy just really annoyed me as this is from a big publishing house not the self publishing where these types of errors are forgiven if not forgotten.
This was as much if not more a murder mystery than a romance. And I love a good mystery! Though I figured out who did it before we knew why, I loved it. I'm not a fan of insta-love much though I did like that once Quill realized Ivy was threatened that he also realized the depths of his feelings for her. As the bluestockings were the main characters in the book, there wasn't a lot of the missish behavior, in fact the ladies were quite outspoken and laugh out loud funny. I can't wait to read Daphne's story next as she was probably the most unfiltered of the bunch. Hope we get another good murder mystery as this series has so much potential.
I should say first that I read the first few pages of this book, sampled and skimmed some others, and put it aside unfinished.
I will say right off this is not the sort of regency I like; it's in the modern style, with more sex and less content than I look for. It's pure RegencyLand stuff. But, even putting that aside, I was disappointed. There's not one word in here (as far as I got) that you couldn't find in a regency by Georgette Heyer or any of the better late 20th century regency authors. There's nothing original or different about it. It does not tell me that this author knows more than the superficial elements of the era. It is well written, easy reading, commercial fiction. It might do for someone who wants the equivalent of an hour of TV-level romantic comedy, but if you're looking for depth, it's not here.
I will say right off this is not the sort of regency I like; it's in the modern style, with more sex and less content than I look for. It's pure RegencyLand stuff. But, even putting that aside, I was disappointed. There's not one word in here (as far as I got) that you couldn't find in a regency by Georgette Heyer or any of the better late 20th century regency authors. There's nothing original or different about it. It does not tell me that this author knows more than the superficial elements of the era. It is well written, easy reading, commercial fiction. It might do for someone who wants the equivalent of an hour of TV-level romantic comedy, but if you're looking for depth, it's not here.
