Maggi Andersen

This was a fairly quick read, and it was an okay story, but it was a stereotypical Victorian romance. It's an arranged marriage. They must marry to fulfill the requirements of his uncle's will. His uncle was also her godfather, and neither will receive anything from the estate if they don't marry. He doesn't want to give up his mistress and spending his evenings with his friends. She wants a family and is determined to be a good wife. The servants fall in love with her, his ex-lovers hate her, he almost waits too long to see the error of his ways. It's not bad; it's just very predictable, and I don't like predictable. If you like those sorts of stories, you'll love this one.

I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.… (mais)

The blurb made this sound a lot more exciting than it was. Honor was a pretty dull character. Apparently she learnt to play cards at her father's knee but there wasn't really any elaboration or description of her skills. Furthermore her plan to win back her fortune is just dumb. Edward warns her that the guy she's after is a cheat and she's like yeah she knows and she has a plan - except then she just loses. She has no plan. It makes no sense. The author implies there was an attempted rape but it's not really explored - Honor could've been a more relatable character if this had of been addressed. It seems to just be mentioned to give her a complication. Edward is pretty dull too and the romance between the two makes no sense. There's no attraction and they rarely talk or develop their relationship. It's a fairly easy read but bland.… (mais)

TW/CW: Sex, violence, character death, suicide

REVIEW: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This book is the story of Olivia, a young woman who has fallen socially since the the tragic death of her father. Hoping to restore her father’s honor, she takes a job as the Housekeeper at the Earl of Redcliffe’s estate.

For the first three quarters of this book, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was well written, and the mystery kept me really intrigued. Sadly, the last quarter of the book did not deliver at all. Everything was resolved far too quickly and the writing quality even declined, as the proposal and wedding chapters were, sadly, very cheesy. It’s really sad to me when a book seems to offer so much and then fails in the last quarter, but this one sadly did. It’s not a terrible book, but certainly not the first that I would recommend.… (mais)

TW/CW: Sex, violence, character death, suicide

RATING: 3/5

REVIEW: I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This book is the story of Olivia, a young woman who has fallen socially since the the tragic death of her father. Hoping to restore her father’s honor, she takes a job as the Housekeeper at the Earl of Redcliffe’s estate.

For the first three quarters of this book, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was well written, and the mystery kept me really intrigued. Sadly, the last quarter of the book did not deliver at all. Everything was resolved far too quickly and the writing quality even declined, as the proposal and wedding chapters were, sadly, very cheesy. It’s really sad to me when a book seems to offer so much and then fails in the last quarter, but this one sadly did. It’s not a terrible book, but certainly not the first that I would recommend.… (mais)