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kb33's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Grief, Pregnancy, Blood, Suicide, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder, Child abuse, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
illusie's review
3.0
This book stand a bit apart from other books in this genre by the added mystery about the death of a ton member. Who killed him? It was a bit predictable, but enjoyable. I like the characters and the romance.
katyanaish's review
4.0
***3.5***
It wasn't bad, at all. I think I just wanted more struggle. It was really easy, it unfolded very smoothly, nothing surprised me.
It wasn't bad, at all. I think I just wanted more struggle. It was really easy, it unfolded very smoothly, nothing surprised me.
bookloverchelle's review
4.0
A really enjoyable conclusion to the Ugly Ducklings series from Manda Collins. I had actually (somehow) missed book two in this series so I had some confusion on discussions between characters concerning past events so that leads me to think these would be enjoyed even more if they are read in order. Lady Madeline will do anything to help clear her brother of possible murder charges, even team up with Lord Christian. There has always been an underlining attraction between them that neither of them wanted to act on but as they are thrown together in their investigation they can no longer deny the sparks. I really enjoyed how the story developed, there wasn’t any insta-lust, but a gradual build. Like when you start to look at a friend through new eyes and realize that there’s just something about them. I enjoyed the overall mystery and secondary characters. There were some minor plot points that threw me off like Outside of that, enjoyable read!
Spoiler
Madeline’s dad having a mistress and an entire second family. I came out of nowhere and almost felt like it was thrown in to get over a difficult plot point.scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Fun romance with just enough mystery to add some intensity. Maddie and Christian have known each other a long time. Their friends have been pushing them together for years, but all they are is friends. Things start to change the night she visits a gaming house and stumbles over a dead body. Christian was there for another reason, but doesn't hesitate to step in to protect Maddie from the consequences.
I really liked both Maddie and Christian. Of the three "ugly ducklings" she is the most independent and outspoken. She has no trouble stating her opinions, especially when it comes to the "proper" place of a woman. So she wasn't very happy to be left stranded and dependent on Christian's help. She is also determined to help clear her brother's name and ends up making a deal with Christian that she won't investigate without him. Spending all that time with Christian has her feelings for him changing.
Christian is handsome, charming, witty and quite sexy. He has been tasked with checking into rumors of espionage on the part of someone at the gaming hell, and is there the night that Maddie talks her brother into bringing her. There's something about her that night that has him looking at her differently. In spite of his assignment he can't leave her to fend for herself.
I really loved the progression of their romance. They start out as friends first, never having looked at each other as anything else. Christian was the first to notice that things were changing that very first evening as he held her when she cried over what she had seen. He tried hard to ignore how right she felt in his arms. One of the things I liked best about Christian was how well he understood Maddie. He respects her intelligence and her need to be involved. He is protective, but able to respect her abilities, even though some of her schemes make him wonder about her sanity. Maddie also notices that she's feeling different about Christian. When he kisses her it opens the door to a flood of feelings. Besides the physical attraction she also sees that there is more to him. She gets frustrated by his need to protect, but as she learns more about him she begins to understand, even though she still fights against it. She is also protective of him and his feelings. The attraction between them is strong, and it's fun to see how easily they embrace it. Neither seems to be aware that the reason it is so wonderful for them is because they do love each other.
I really liked the fact that there are no huge misunderstandings or crises that tear them apart or have to be overcome. Maddie learns that it's okay to lean on Christian for help and support. She was surprised when he stood up to her father over his attitude toward her and it just added to her feelings for him. Christian learned that the most important thing he could do to show Maddie how much he cares is to talk to her, to not keep things from her just to protect her.
There are a couple of interesting twists and turns to the mystery that kept me guessing about the culprit. Maddie's brother starts out looking pretty bad, but by the end things have turned around for him. The final confrontation is pretty intense. I enjoyed seeing how Maddie got involved and how important it ended up being that she did.
I really liked both Maddie and Christian. Of the three "ugly ducklings" she is the most independent and outspoken. She has no trouble stating her opinions, especially when it comes to the "proper" place of a woman. So she wasn't very happy to be left stranded and dependent on Christian's help. She is also determined to help clear her brother's name and ends up making a deal with Christian that she won't investigate without him. Spending all that time with Christian has her feelings for him changing.
Christian is handsome, charming, witty and quite sexy. He has been tasked with checking into rumors of espionage on the part of someone at the gaming hell, and is there the night that Maddie talks her brother into bringing her. There's something about her that night that has him looking at her differently. In spite of his assignment he can't leave her to fend for herself.
I really loved the progression of their romance. They start out as friends first, never having looked at each other as anything else. Christian was the first to notice that things were changing that very first evening as he held her when she cried over what she had seen. He tried hard to ignore how right she felt in his arms. One of the things I liked best about Christian was how well he understood Maddie. He respects her intelligence and her need to be involved. He is protective, but able to respect her abilities, even though some of her schemes make him wonder about her sanity. Maddie also notices that she's feeling different about Christian. When he kisses her it opens the door to a flood of feelings. Besides the physical attraction she also sees that there is more to him. She gets frustrated by his need to protect, but as she learns more about him she begins to understand, even though she still fights against it. She is also protective of him and his feelings. The attraction between them is strong, and it's fun to see how easily they embrace it. Neither seems to be aware that the reason it is so wonderful for them is because they do love each other.
I really liked the fact that there are no huge misunderstandings or crises that tear them apart or have to be overcome. Maddie learns that it's okay to lean on Christian for help and support. She was surprised when he stood up to her father over his attitude toward her and it just added to her feelings for him. Christian learned that the most important thing he could do to show Maddie how much he cares is to talk to her, to not keep things from her just to protect her.
There are a couple of interesting twists and turns to the mystery that kept me guessing about the culprit. Maddie's brother starts out looking pretty bad, but by the end things have turned around for him. The final confrontation is pretty intense. I enjoyed seeing how Maddie got involved and how important it ended up being that she did.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed for Night Owl Reviews.
I'm sad to see the series come to an edit. I loved all the books in the series and their heroines, Cecily, Juliet and Maddie. But I think Maddie is my favorite, since she didn't bow down to her mother, father or society when it came to doing what she felt was right.
And starchy Christian was the perfect match for Maddie. He needed Maddie to help him loosen up a bit and to connect with his emotions. Boy...when he connected with the emotions Maddie stirred up....watch out!
I'm sad to see the series come to an edit. I loved all the books in the series and their heroines, Cecily, Juliet and Maddie. But I think Maddie is my favorite, since she didn't bow down to her mother, father or society when it came to doing what she felt was right.
And starchy Christian was the perfect match for Maddie. He needed Maddie to help him loosen up a bit and to connect with his emotions. Boy...when he connected with the emotions Maddie stirred up....watch out!
ashbats99's review against another edition
mysterious
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
whiskeyinthejar's review against another edition
1.0
Is it Gresham or Monteith?
Does he have blue eyes or green?
Is Linton Maddie's older or younger brother?
These are just the editing mistakes I caught and drove me crazy. Maybe the author's style is just not for me but this was a completely lukewarm boring characters formulaic story. When a woman character who is strongly for woman's rights annoys me I know there is a problem. The storyline of Maddie wanting to research for her novel, then stumbling upon a murder mystery with occasionally having her boobies kissed by Gresham, was stale and completely disconnected.I'm sorry, but, blah meh blah.
Probably done with this author forever.
Does he have blue eyes or green?
Is Linton Maddie's older or younger brother?
These are just the editing mistakes I caught and drove me crazy. Maybe the author's style is just not for me but this was a completely lukewarm boring characters formulaic story. When a woman character who is strongly for woman's rights annoys me I know there is a problem. The storyline of Maddie wanting to research for her novel, then stumbling upon a murder mystery with occasionally having her boobies kissed by Gresham, was stale and completely disconnected.I'm sorry, but, blah meh blah.
Probably done with this author forever.
samantha_reads_more's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this story enough. The characters were amusing and I definitely laughed out loud at a few times. But it also just felt flat? I think I need to read something different for a while!