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emev's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
deduvick's review against another edition
3.0
A lovely historical title, if a bit predictable. I didn't figure out the entire thing, but I did have a hunch quite early on that played out almost exactly as I thought. Anyway, Charlotte was a sweet character - her head was quite often in the clouds to the point where you wanted to shake her and say "Pay attention to what's real" and give her a hug because you loved her anyway. Janie was a bit more of an interesting character, especially since she is a kitchen maid and the reader is dealing with the mindset of a "downstairs" character and where they saw their place in the world. The girls had a bit of an insta-friendship, but their actions and choices of the timeline of the book create a fascinating change to the world and their future places in it.
DEFINITELY give it a chance if you are a fan of Downton Abbey. I mean, that's who this book is marketed to! See?!?!
Image from amazon.com
And Lady Sybil:
Image from huffingontonpost.co.uk
I'm interested to continue reading Katherine Longshore's other historical fiction titles - I've got Gilt already purchased and ready to go!
DEFINITELY give it a chance if you are a fan of Downton Abbey. I mean, that's who this book is marketed to! See?!?!
Image from amazon.com
And Lady Sybil:
Image from huffingontonpost.co.uk
I'm interested to continue reading Katherine Longshore's other historical fiction titles - I've got Gilt already purchased and ready to go!
sc104906's review against another edition
2.0
The and the poor, lords, ladies and servants. When lies are crossed, secrets come out. Charlotte wants adventure and finds a friend in her kitchen maid Janie. This teams subverts current social norms and each learns the importance of love and friendship.
This book's plot wasn't very dramatic, but it certainly discussed the importance of identity and how it can dictate everything about life.
This book's plot wasn't very dramatic, but it certainly discussed the importance of identity and how it can dictate everything about life.
elentarien's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad little 'fluff' piece. It was simple, but enjoyable. Somewhat predictable and would have benefitted from a longer timeline. (IE, some things that were said were really weird for such a short time, given what had come before, but if some time had been allowed to pass - it would have worked fine). The story is very simple, light on details, doesn't ramble about or 'build' the atmospheric visuals that much. It's more character driven and hope you know your history or you won't 'see' a whole lot. But eh. It worked for a quick, relaxing read.
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
Sadly, this was nearly a DNF because it didn't capture the imagination and world as its inspiration (Downton Abbey) did; luckily, it was a very quick read.
Lady Charlotte is a Mary Sue who writes Mary Sue gothic novels - and is a constant disappointment to her mother. She isn't demure or interested in the handsome (yet boring) Lord her mother has picked out for her, and worse, begins to befriend one of the kitchen maids! Then Lady Beatrice, Charlotte's aunt, comes back with some Deep Dark Secret. If only it was all less predictable. Much less predictable.
ARC provided by publisher.
Lady Charlotte is a Mary Sue who writes Mary Sue gothic novels - and is a constant disappointment to her mother. She isn't demure or interested in the handsome (yet boring) Lord her mother has picked out for her, and worse, begins to befriend one of the kitchen maids! Then Lady Beatrice, Charlotte's aunt, comes back with some Deep Dark Secret. If only it was all less predictable. Much less predictable.
ARC provided by publisher.
sarajean37's review against another edition
3.0
The characters aren't as well-realized and faceted as I would like. The preaching is heavy-handed. If I were 12 years old (the intended age of the readership), I would have loved it. Bottom line: I need to take a YA break.
sandraselvas's review against another edition
3.0
Historical-fiction is one of my most beloved genres and this one did not disappoint.
It definitely makes you think of Downtown Abbey, and that's a good thing!
It definitely makes you think of Downtown Abbey, and that's a good thing!
bookworm_630's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I wobbled between 3 and 4 stars for this-I enjoyed it like a guilty pleasure but there were some things that were just...off...for me-Andrew Broadhurst being one of them. But, overall, this was a very successful Downton-read-alike for teens-more successful than any of the others I've read, and more enjoyable too.
tracythewriter's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I received an ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I LOVED the writing style. It flowed well and evoked beautiful imagery. But at its heart, this story was kind of ridiculous. The way the characters acted and how things worked out just felt very unrealistic. It was fun to read, but not believable.
I received an ARC of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I LOVED the writing style. It flowed well and evoked beautiful imagery. But at its heart, this story was kind of ridiculous. The way the characters acted and how things worked out just felt very unrealistic. It was fun to read, but not believable.
cjmcmanus's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0