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taramisu's review
1.0
1.5 stars
The premise: Prudence Lancaster, a Gothic novelist, gets her chance to not only see up-close the towering abbey that has long inspired her, but also its devishly handsome owner, Sebastian Penhurst, Lord Ravenscar.
Miscellaneous notes: I can think of only one word to describe this book: 'insipid'. I don't dare waste any more time on it by writing a thorough review. Let's just say that Pru was a Mary Sue and leave it at that.
I finished reading this book only because of the supposed redemption plot. I guess Ms. Simmons' idea of redemption is a man ceasing to *uck anything that moves due to his lust for a bespectacled woman with ink stains on her hands.
If I ever hear or read the phrase 'grey gaze' again, I will throw myself off the roof of the nearest building.
The premise: Prudence Lancaster, a Gothic novelist, gets her chance to not only see up-close the towering abbey that has long inspired her, but also its devishly handsome owner, Sebastian Penhurst, Lord Ravenscar.
Miscellaneous notes: I can think of only one word to describe this book: 'insipid'. I don't dare waste any more time on it by writing a thorough review. Let's just say that Pru was a Mary Sue and leave it at that.
I finished reading this book only because of the supposed redemption plot. I guess Ms. Simmons' idea of redemption is a man ceasing to *uck anything that moves due to his lust for a bespectacled woman with ink stains on her hands.
If I ever hear or read the phrase 'grey gaze' again, I will throw myself off the roof of the nearest building.
carbs666's review
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is my favourite book and the book that made me want to write romance so I am an apologist for it and am contractually obligated to give it 5 stars.
I love this tale of a plucky spinster who writes Gothic novels and the man whose ancestral home she's fucking obsessed with. There are SO many moments worth noting in this book and many skilfully deployed tropes and motifs - the way Prudence's glasses are handled comes to symbolize her growth as a character and the relationship between her and Ravenscar - but I think my favourite it that there is no black moment. Once these two team up they're inseparable.
This book is from the 90s so it's a bit of an old school histrom - if you're seeking modern values you'll be disappointed - but if you're familiar with the genre you'll see what makes it special.
I love this tale of a plucky spinster who writes Gothic novels and the man whose ancestral home she's fucking obsessed with. There are SO many moments worth noting in this book and many skilfully deployed tropes and motifs - the way Prudence's glasses are handled comes to symbolize her growth as a character and the relationship between her and Ravenscar - but I think my favourite it that there is no black moment. Once these two team up they're inseparable.
This book is from the 90s so it's a bit of an old school histrom - if you're seeking modern values you'll be disappointed - but if you're familiar with the genre you'll see what makes it special.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
squishies's review
3.0
Written well, if I remember correctly. Plot was a bit... wishy-washy, yes, even for a trashy romance novel. =P
ntharpta1's review
5.0
The ending was a bit rushed, but I loved this one! Heroine is a writer, hero lives in a creepy Gothic mansion. Mysteries, secret passages, pirates, a missing brother. Super fun read.
carlyjeans's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
atunah's review
4.0
A spectacle wearing writer of gothic novels adores the neighboring gothic abbey owned by a descendant of the "Devil Earl".
This is a lot of fun, if you don't take it too serious that is. Its a bit silly and over the top, but very entertaining. There are caves and smugglers, pirates and dark and stormy nights.
What I liked the most about it was how the Hero adores the heroines quirks. And she has a few of those :).
There were a few scanning errors in the Kindle book which annoyed, but weren't overwhelming thankfully. I wish they'd check their stuff better at harlequin before they release these backlists.
This is a lot of fun, if you don't take it too serious that is. Its a bit silly and over the top, but very entertaining. There are caves and smugglers, pirates and dark and stormy nights.
What I liked the most about it was how the Hero adores the heroines quirks. And she has a few of those :).
There were a few scanning errors in the Kindle book which annoyed, but weren't overwhelming thankfully. I wish they'd check their stuff better at harlequin before they release these backlists.
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