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jgintrovertedreader's review against another edition
4.0
In the tenth installment of the Pink Carnation series, Jane and Miss Gwen find themselves back in England, searching for Jane's younger sister, Agnes, and her friend, Lizzy. They were in school at Miss Climpson's Select Seminary for Young Ladies, a locale that featured prominently in another Pink Carnation book, The Mischief of the Mistletoe. Jane is afraid that someone has discovered her secret and is using poor, dull Agnes as a means to get to her. Shortly after arriving on the scene to begin their investigation, Lizzy's father, Colonel William Reid, shows up. He's just arrived home from India and has no idea that his daughter is missing. The Colonel, Miss Gwen, and Jane search for the girls, hoping to find them before any harm befalls them.
Oh my. I did not ever, in my wildest dreams, expect a book about Miss Gwen! What a hoot! Somehow, I'd decided that she was at least 70. She's actually only about 45. And an attractive 45 at that, if you can get past the fierce way she wields her parasol in defense of Jane's virtue. I'm so glad she got her own story though. I've always thought that she was pretty one-dimensional in a series that is full of so many great, unique characters. Don't get me wrong--I've always liked her--but she's mean and fierce and loves espionage and that's pretty much all I needed to know about Miss Gwen. Except that there's so much more. We learn about her past and what exactly happened to her to leave her such a confirmed, man-hating spinster. She has a huge heart that's been severely wounded and she's doing her best as a single woman in a man's world. She deserves a little happiness.
And that's where Colonel Reid comes in. He's very dashing with his Scottish/American accent and has very stern ideas about honor. He also has very loose ideas about love. As Jacqueline Carey would phrase it, his personal motto could be, "Love as thou wilt." But he loves responsibly, which has left him caring for five children. He does his best by them, even though other "gentlemen" don't recognize their half-Indian offspring. He is as much of a match for Miss Gwen's sharp tongue as any man can possibly be. She always gets the last word, of course, but he holds his own. I was so afraid that I would be disappointed when I realized this one was going to be about Miss Gwen. Who could possibly live up to her? But I finished it happy and satisfied.
I'm getting worried about Jane, though. The pressures of leading the League of the Pink Carnation are starting to take a toll on her.
And then there are Eloise and Colin in 2004. They don't seem to be getting anywhere. For my taste, their chapters could be left out completely. I know they have to be written because that's how the whole series is framed but they really aren't doing anything for me now. It's just moving along so slowly!
Kate Reading did an excellent job with the narration, as always.
I adore this series. It's one of my guilty pleasures. If you haven't started it, fix that now. It is romantic, but it's also funny and clever. Highly recommended.
Oh my. I did not ever, in my wildest dreams, expect a book about Miss Gwen! What a hoot! Somehow, I'd decided that she was at least 70. She's actually only about 45. And an attractive 45 at that, if you can get past the fierce way she wields her parasol in defense of Jane's virtue. I'm so glad she got her own story though. I've always thought that she was pretty one-dimensional in a series that is full of so many great, unique characters. Don't get me wrong--I've always liked her--but she's mean and fierce and loves espionage and that's pretty much all I needed to know about Miss Gwen. Except that there's so much more. We learn about her past and what exactly happened to her to leave her such a confirmed, man-hating spinster. She has a huge heart that's been severely wounded and she's doing her best as a single woman in a man's world. She deserves a little happiness.
And that's where Colonel Reid comes in. He's very dashing with his Scottish/American accent and has very stern ideas about honor. He also has very loose ideas about love. As Jacqueline Carey would phrase it, his personal motto could be, "Love as thou wilt." But he loves responsibly, which has left him caring for five children. He does his best by them, even though other "gentlemen" don't recognize their half-Indian offspring. He is as much of a match for Miss Gwen's sharp tongue as any man can possibly be. She always gets the last word, of course, but he holds his own. I was so afraid that I would be disappointed when I realized this one was going to be about Miss Gwen. Who could possibly live up to her? But I finished it happy and satisfied.
I'm getting worried about Jane, though. The pressures of leading the League of the Pink Carnation are starting to take a toll on her.
And then there are Eloise and Colin in 2004. They don't seem to be getting anywhere. For my taste, their chapters could be left out completely. I know they have to be written because that's how the whole series is framed but they really aren't doing anything for me now. It's just moving along so slowly!
Kate Reading did an excellent job with the narration, as always.
I adore this series. It's one of my guilty pleasures. If you haven't started it, fix that now. It is romantic, but it's also funny and clever. Highly recommended.
bunrab's review against another edition
4.0
Amusing Regency romance/spy thriller. Not at all realistic, but lots of clever dialogue.
algae429's review against another edition
5.0
Finally, we got Miss Gwen's story! And I loved it. Miss Gwen had always been a fun character, but she really did get to shine here. I also appreciated reading a book with a heroine a little older than 25.
heidenkind's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable! I'm definitely going to keep an eye out for the other books in this series.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Drat. Now we have to wait a whole year to see what Sally Fitzhugh does with the Duke of Belliston.
But, anyway, Miss Gwen has a fantastic back story.
And I'm still pissed that this isn't published in hardcover.
But, anyway, Miss Gwen has a fantastic back story.
And I'm still pissed that this isn't published in hardcover.
gaderianne's review against another edition
4.0
Miss Qwen gets a book! And a fun one at that. I liked this book because it gave Miss Qwen (the pink carnation's chaperone) heart. By the end I felt so bad for her and honestly hated Miss Jane Woolisten. This book introduced several new (and young characters) in the hopes, I'm sure, that a new generation will be able to carry the series forward. The modern story line was also a bit stronger than in the last book.
cammmiam's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 out of 5 stars.
After two (of what I consider to be) lackluster installments of the Pink Carnation series, Lauren Willig is back on her game with The Passion of the Purple Plumeria! The humor and wit that Willig writes with is rejuvenated, especially in the relationship between Miss Gwen and Colonel Reid.
As all followers of the series will know, Miss Gwen has been a staple character since the very beginning. The reader and other characters of the series have known her to be a cantankerous personality that you would always want on your side of the fight. So, by making Gwen the main character of her own story, we are finally able to learn more about this “fearsome” character along with what makes her tick. It was wonderful to be able to finally have more of a back-story to Miss Gwen. Once you learn her thought process, the betrayals and disappointments of her past, and her opinions of herself and the place she must make in the world, the pieces of her character fit so perfectly together. The vulnerability that we are finally exposed to blossomed her into something that I would have never expected. I loved going on this journey with her, and I truly believe that Willig provided her with a storyline and love interest befitting of her.
Another wonderful aspect of this book is that it is such a game changer to the series. The relationships we thought we knew and understood are tested and changed. The League of the Pink Carnation is in the midst of some very serious changes that will no doubt bring much more intrigue to come. Just when you worry that this series might become complacent on all that it has already achieved there is a wrench thrown into the pot. Well done, Lauren Willig! I knew this was one of my favorite historical-romance series for a reason!
After two (of what I consider to be) lackluster installments of the Pink Carnation series, Lauren Willig is back on her game with The Passion of the Purple Plumeria! The humor and wit that Willig writes with is rejuvenated, especially in the relationship between Miss Gwen and Colonel Reid.
As all followers of the series will know, Miss Gwen has been a staple character since the very beginning. The reader and other characters of the series have known her to be a cantankerous personality that you would always want on your side of the fight. So, by making Gwen the main character of her own story, we are finally able to learn more about this “fearsome” character along with what makes her tick. It was wonderful to be able to finally have more of a back-story to Miss Gwen. Once you learn her thought process, the betrayals and disappointments of her past, and her opinions of herself and the place she must make in the world, the pieces of her character fit so perfectly together. The vulnerability that we are finally exposed to blossomed her into something that I would have never expected. I loved going on this journey with her, and I truly believe that Willig provided her with a storyline and love interest befitting of her.
Another wonderful aspect of this book is that it is such a game changer to the series. The relationships we thought we knew and understood are tested and changed. The League of the Pink Carnation is in the midst of some very serious changes that will no doubt bring much more intrigue to come. Just when you worry that this series might become complacent on all that it has already achieved there is a wrench thrown into the pot. Well done, Lauren Willig! I knew this was one of my favorite historical-romance series for a reason!
dr_laurie_1968's review against another edition
4.0
I am so sad that this is the last volume in The Pink Carnation series! I have really enjoyed them all!
Oh joy! I was apparently mistaken and there are more Pink novels to come!
Oh joy! I was apparently mistaken and there are more Pink novels to come!
glassmd's review against another edition
4.0
This book is yet another addition to the very entertaining Pink Carnation series. While I did enjoy reading this novel, I had a difficult time putting my previous annoyance and prejudice against Miss Gwen out of my mind in order to view her as the "leading lady." Throughout much of the series, Miss Gwen has been the self-righteous, tiresome know-it-all. It was very interesting to read the exchanges between herself and Reid, and it would appear as though Gwen had met her match. Despite my previous views of her, I was able to appreciate their courtship and adventures. As usual, the story moved quickly and was a very quick/easy read. The jumps to and from present day are effortless and fit into the story flawlessly. While Ms. Gwen's love story may not be my absolute favorite, I thoroughly relish my reading experience, and I certainly cannot wait for the next installment in this series!