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plottrysts's review against another edition
4.0
This book has got a sexy naval carpenter, a bookshop with secret passages and erotic novels, a bluestocking society, some home reno, and some desk sex. So yeah, we both liked this one just fine! We disagreed on HOW MUCH, though. Laine was very into it, while Meg found the surface-level story just OK.
16-Word Summaries:
Laine: A bookshop is pretty much the most romantic place I can think of, especially for sex.
Meg: The best thing about sexy historical naval carpenters? Probably that they’re very good with their hands.
16-Word Summaries:
Laine: A bookshop is pretty much the most romantic place I can think of, especially for sex.
Meg: The best thing about sexy historical naval carpenters? Probably that they’re very good with their hands.
skaurgo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mskennedyreads's review against another edition
3.5
I liked most of it. I want a huge fan of the writing style compared to other authors like Julie Anne Long. But it was a good story.
arudnicki's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ctsquirrel's review
4.0
4/5
Definitely unique. Described as a reverse Beauty and the Beast, but I didn't really see it. Nothing "beastly" about Beatrice.
Tags: Disabled: Beatrice has palsy in her face caused by a birth injury; Setting: 1830 Cornwall and London
Quotes:
Words were her sole passion in life. She explored their origins in the way a painter mixed pigment to render a stormy sea, or a symphonic composer chose reed instruments to re-create birdsong. She explored words in the way that lovers explored love.
Definitely unique. Described as a reverse Beauty and the Beast, but I didn't really see it. Nothing "beastly" about Beatrice.
Tags: Disabled: Beatrice has palsy in her face caused by a birth injury; Setting: 1830 Cornwall and London
Quotes:
Words were her sole passion in life. She explored their origins in the way a painter mixed pigment to render a stormy sea, or a symphonic composer chose reed instruments to re-create birdsong. She explored words in the way that lovers explored love.
sesquipedalian's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn’t quite remember why I had only read one other of this author’s books when I usually complete series but I think my question is now answered.
The dialogue is stilted and clumsy, it doesn’t flow. It makes for uncomfortable reading and I struggled to finish this book.
The storyline is decent but it is dragged down by the prose and the clumsy efforts to tie everything up.
This feels like a first draft that needs rewriting and fleshing out to be a good read.
I was considering reading the next one in this series but it’s taken me so long and so much effort to finish this book that I’m not sure I’ll pick up anything by Bell again.
The dialogue is stilted and clumsy, it doesn’t flow. It makes for uncomfortable reading and I struggled to finish this book.
The storyline is decent but it is dragged down by the prose and the clumsy efforts to tie everything up.
This feels like a first draft that needs rewriting and fleshing out to be a good read.
I was considering reading the next one in this series but it’s taken me so long and so much effort to finish this book that I’m not sure I’ll pick up anything by Bell again.
themeadowlibrary's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
booksheenanigans's review
2.0
No! No. No!
I couldn't find the strength to finish this because of the MCs. This couple, Lady Beatrice Bentley and Stamford Wright, would have never worked out and as the story progressed, it was difficult to envision a relationship between them.
A bibliophile and a scoundrel? Nope. I love the opposites attract trope as much as the next reader but our heroine was in another stratosphere. Incompatible is putting it lightly and the main characters differences negatively impacted my thoughts about them and this book itself.
To add on, this novel was not engaging. I was bored and disinterested and left scratching my head on the 'romance' segment of this read. It didn't do it for me for obvious reasons and I can only hope with the next installment, I can find a deeper connection or attachment with the characters, plot and storyline.
miss_anizceta's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying