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bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
My very first read from Jennifer McQuiston and I really enjoyed it. I am a big fan of historical romances so finding a new author is a joy. What I really enjoyed about this one is that it was set outside of the ballrooms of London. Caroline has grown up in Brighton and being close to the sea means so much to her. When she was young she saved a young man from drowning and has been infatuated with him since. David thought he was ready to give up on life but after being rescued by Caroline he found he wanted to live again. Years later when they meet again Caroline has grown in to a woman a little outside of society. She’s a little awkward and does not quite fit in with society and she’s happier that way but needs to find a husband. David can’t believe how the girl who saved his life has grown in to such an enchanting woman. As they get to know each other, they hide their friendship from society while trying to elevate Caroline’s standing. But as their friendship develops in to deeper feelings Caroline finds that the way to true happiness is being herself. Such a good read with some fun, endearing characters.
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
3.0
The first Jennifer McQuiston I've read. Very fun, though the "swimming in a forbidden cove" plot point felt a bit re-hashed after the first two Spindle Cove books by Tessa Dare. Loved the Epilogue.
Interested to see what else she does.
Interested to see what else she does.
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
Caroline loves to swim in a time where ladies DO NOT swim and at the age of 12 she saves David's life, though she believes he was just drunk.
David however had just received devastating news from home and had decided to end the suffering until he sobered up enough to realize that he wanted to live.
11 years later they meet again under better circumstances, Caroline has always had a bit of a crush on the man she saved and finding that her memory of him is mostly accurate flusters her.
They become friends and he offers to help her find a husband if she will teach him her swimming style so he can win a swimming competition and then split the winnings with her, she eventually adds caveats where she will continue to provide lessons if he will do the same in a more naughty subject matter.
I didn't like this one as much as book 1, but I really enjoyed the end of this story.
David however had just received devastating news from home and had decided to end the suffering until he sobered up enough to realize that he wanted to live.
11 years later they meet again under better circumstances, Caroline has always had a bit of a crush on the man she saved and finding that her memory of him is mostly accurate flusters her.
They become friends and he offers to help her find a husband if she will teach him her swimming style so he can win a swimming competition and then split the winnings with her, she eventually adds caveats where she will continue to provide lessons if he will do the same in a more naughty subject matter.
I didn't like this one as much as book 1, but I really enjoyed the end of this story.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
5.0
A really fun book. It starts, oddly enough, with a botched suicide attempt, as twenty-one year old David Cameron is distraught by the loss of the young woman he loved, a death he blames on himself. He tries to kill himself by drowning, only to realize that he doesn't really want to die. Unfortunately, he may succeed because he's also quite drunk and fighting a strong current. Twelve year old Caroline comes to his rescue, a young girl who is a phenomenal swimmer thanks to her late father. She gets him to shore, where he thanks her, admits his idiocy, and encourages her to be true to herself.
Twelve years later they meet again on that same stretch of beach, neither having forgotten the other. As a matter of fact, David has played a large part in Caroline's dreams over the years. She is still taken by the man he has become. In spite of the changes, David has no trouble recognizing Caroline. He has never forgotten being saved by her.
Caroline suffers socially, thanks to her unfashionable height and shortage of social graces. She has also become the butt of jokes thanks to a summer visitor to Brighton. She had trusted the young man, and he betrayed that trust. Caroline has taken it upon herself to try to save her family, and to do so she needs to marry a man with money. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like she'll be able to find one because of what he said. At a dinner party that night, Caroline encounters David again, where he tries to rescue her and her sister this time. Then a late night encounter where he finds her swimming alone, brings her to his attention in other ways.
David is impressed by her skill and the passionate woman he senses behind the proper one he encountered during the day. He finds himself drawn to her, even though she's nothing like the women who usually appeal to him. He also knows that he's not the man for her. He's sworn he'll never marry because of what had happened all those years ago. In order for him to feel like he's repaid the debt to her, he takes it upon himself to try to repair her reputation among the people of Brighton. But doing so brings her to the attention of those who had treated her so badly.
I loved the interactions between Caroline and David. She sees the pain he still carries after all these years and wants to help him move past it. If he can, maybe she can show him that he's worth having. David seems to be the only person who can see the person that she really is. He tries to show her that only someone who can see and respect who she really is would be worthy of marriage. His biggest problem in making her attractive to others is that he becomes interested in her himself. His battle with himself frustrates Caroline, as it causes him to send out mixed messages to her. I liked his mother and the care he showered on her. I also liked the way she tried to show him that his guilt was misplaced and that it was okay to move on.
An upcoming swimming competition has Caroline teaching David to swim the way she does. She would love to enter the competition herself, but women of this time period don't swim. Meanwhile, thanks to David's efforts, she has become wildly popular. None of the men can measure up to David, but he's adamant that he isn't the man for her. The lead up to the swimming competition itself has Caroline trying to do what she thinks is best for her family rather than herself, only to find out that her mother and sister are also trying to keep the same promise to care for the family. I loved the competition itself, especially Caroline's part in it, and the effect on the people around her. The conclusion of the race itself was intense, as was its aftermath.
The secondary characters were all well done and each had a purpose within the story. Miss Baxter was my favorite, even though she was rather unlikable at the beginning. She was rather mean-spirited at times, but she redeemed herself very well at the end. Mr. Dermott was no gentleman in his actions through most of the book, though he did get better for awhile before he totally screwed up. I also liked Caroline's sister, Pen. It was pretty obvious what she had been doing during those times she was missing. I liked the way she went after what she wanted. I hope she gets her own story.
Twelve years later they meet again on that same stretch of beach, neither having forgotten the other. As a matter of fact, David has played a large part in Caroline's dreams over the years. She is still taken by the man he has become. In spite of the changes, David has no trouble recognizing Caroline. He has never forgotten being saved by her.
Caroline suffers socially, thanks to her unfashionable height and shortage of social graces. She has also become the butt of jokes thanks to a summer visitor to Brighton. She had trusted the young man, and he betrayed that trust. Caroline has taken it upon herself to try to save her family, and to do so she needs to marry a man with money. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like she'll be able to find one because of what he said. At a dinner party that night, Caroline encounters David again, where he tries to rescue her and her sister this time. Then a late night encounter where he finds her swimming alone, brings her to his attention in other ways.
David is impressed by her skill and the passionate woman he senses behind the proper one he encountered during the day. He finds himself drawn to her, even though she's nothing like the women who usually appeal to him. He also knows that he's not the man for her. He's sworn he'll never marry because of what had happened all those years ago. In order for him to feel like he's repaid the debt to her, he takes it upon himself to try to repair her reputation among the people of Brighton. But doing so brings her to the attention of those who had treated her so badly.
I loved the interactions between Caroline and David. She sees the pain he still carries after all these years and wants to help him move past it. If he can, maybe she can show him that he's worth having. David seems to be the only person who can see the person that she really is. He tries to show her that only someone who can see and respect who she really is would be worthy of marriage. His biggest problem in making her attractive to others is that he becomes interested in her himself. His battle with himself frustrates Caroline, as it causes him to send out mixed messages to her. I liked his mother and the care he showered on her. I also liked the way she tried to show him that his guilt was misplaced and that it was okay to move on.
An upcoming swimming competition has Caroline teaching David to swim the way she does. She would love to enter the competition herself, but women of this time period don't swim. Meanwhile, thanks to David's efforts, she has become wildly popular. None of the men can measure up to David, but he's adamant that he isn't the man for her. The lead up to the swimming competition itself has Caroline trying to do what she thinks is best for her family rather than herself, only to find out that her mother and sister are also trying to keep the same promise to care for the family. I loved the competition itself, especially Caroline's part in it, and the effect on the people around her. The conclusion of the race itself was intense, as was its aftermath.
The secondary characters were all well done and each had a purpose within the story. Miss Baxter was my favorite, even though she was rather unlikable at the beginning. She was rather mean-spirited at times, but she redeemed herself very well at the end. Mr. Dermott was no gentleman in his actions through most of the book, though he did get better for awhile before he totally screwed up. I also liked Caroline's sister, Pen. It was pretty obvious what she had been doing during those times she was missing. I liked the way she went after what she wanted. I hope she gets her own story.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
Overall enjoyed this, but the fatphobic commentary about a side character has NOT aged well.
abderiandumpling's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
heyhaley17's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 I have mixed feelings-- there are several elements that I enjoy about this and find unique for a historical romance. The characters were great and the setting great, but the last 1/4 of the book was clearly the best part.
Caroline is seen as too many with an athletic build due to her love of swimming. At 12 she saves David from the ocean-- clearly he is attempting suicide. They meet 10 years later and strike up a friendship. David has a sense of righteous anger in defense of Caroline and the treatment she receives from the men in town, which is even more of a problem for her as she is in desperate need of a marriage to save her family from genteel poverty. The men tend to loudly gossip about how manly they find her due to her height and athletic build. Meanwhile David not only likes her as a friend but progressively finds her more attractive, particularly her legs.
I understand that this book takes place in a sea side summer town and not the typical society of London, but I still find it difficult to comprehend how much is gotten away with in this book. The party of only young people, with no chaperones, drinking, pot, and scandalous games that pretty much equate to spin the bottle...umm...yeah, this is honestly where the book lost me a little bit. I kept thinking about it long after it had passed. I was really into the setting and the tidbits given outside of this one instance.
I could forgive a lot because I did enjoy Caroline and David's relationship and individual characters; however, the discovery of David's whole reasoning for his past attempt at suicide and his reason for forcing himself to not pursue a serious relationship with Caroline was.... well, silly. Spoiler....he fell in love but while she slept with him she never had any intention to marry him. He eventually learned she'd been pregnant and committed suicide...so it was his fault...? I understand there is a lot of emotional baggage that comes with such things, but this was just stupid and I didn't buy it as something he saw as his own fault to the extent that he did.
On the other hand, I loved David's inability to realize that the reason he was so judgmental and jealous of all of Caroline's suitors was because he was jealous.
All in all, I am just annoyed by my own confusion over my feelings for this one.
Caroline is seen as too many with an athletic build due to her love of swimming. At 12 she saves David from the ocean-- clearly he is attempting suicide. They meet 10 years later and strike up a friendship. David has a sense of righteous anger in defense of Caroline and the treatment she receives from the men in town, which is even more of a problem for her as she is in desperate need of a marriage to save her family from genteel poverty. The men tend to loudly gossip about how manly they find her due to her height and athletic build. Meanwhile David not only likes her as a friend but progressively finds her more attractive, particularly her legs.
I understand that this book takes place in a sea side summer town and not the typical society of London, but I still find it difficult to comprehend how much is gotten away with in this book. The party of only young people, with no chaperones, drinking, pot, and scandalous games that pretty much equate to spin the bottle...umm...yeah, this is honestly where the book lost me a little bit. I kept thinking about it long after it had passed. I was really into the setting and the tidbits given outside of this one instance.
I could forgive a lot because I did enjoy Caroline and David's relationship and individual characters; however, the discovery of David's whole reasoning for his past attempt at suicide and his reason for forcing himself to not pursue a serious relationship with Caroline was.... well, silly. Spoiler....he fell in love but while she slept with him she never had any intention to marry him. He eventually learned she'd been pregnant and committed suicide...so it was his fault...? I understand there is a lot of emotional baggage that comes with such things, but this was just stupid and I didn't buy it as something he saw as his own fault to the extent that he did.
On the other hand, I loved David's inability to realize that the reason he was so judgmental and jealous of all of Caroline's suitors was because he was jealous.
All in all, I am just annoyed by my own confusion over my feelings for this one.
guiltlesspleasures's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Let me say first off that I had to DO THE WORK to remove the image of potato-faced former UK prime minister David Cameron from my mind while reading this book.
Second, I loved this AND had some big problems with it. Both things can be true.
There were lots of really refreshing things about this book: The family is more or less poor, they live in Brighton rather than London, Caroline the heroine is tall and rather plain, and she’s a serious swimmer. It felt fresh, without the standard setting you normally get in 19th c. historical romances.
Initially I found her straightforwardness with David super cringe and a little desperate, but I ended up loving her bluntness. In much of the book he’s being an obtuse idiot, and all she’s doing is being super clear about her feelings. She’s not coquettish, and I like that a lot.
I also loved the historical detail of the bathing houses or whatever they were called. How ridiculous they were. And one of my favorite micro-tropes is the all-seeing Fairy Godmother of a modiste, and this book has a lovely one. Finally, someone sparks a doobie at a house party, and I am here for it.
This was a really enjoyable read. That being said, it could have been much better if these problems were addressed.
- So they met once, briefly, 11 years ago, and now recognize each other instantly?
- The first time he sees her swimming, he told her he’d never met anyone who could swim as well as she could, yet he got angry with her for… swimming? Ok
- All the men fighting over Caroline’s favor is amusing, but we haven’t been given a reason WHY, apart from that David talked up her legs a bit. McQuiston should have shown her being charming with them or something to warrant the three marriage proposals.
- I wish there had been a different reason why David felt for so long that he couldn’t be with anyone. It just felt really flimsy, not a reasonable motivation for him to be all dramatically tortured for 11 years.
Second, I loved this AND had some big problems with it. Both things can be true.
There were lots of really refreshing things about this book: The family is more or less poor, they live in Brighton rather than London, Caroline the heroine is tall and rather plain, and she’s a serious swimmer. It felt fresh, without the standard setting you normally get in 19th c. historical romances.
Initially I found her straightforwardness with David super cringe and a little desperate, but I ended up loving her bluntness. In much of the book he’s being an obtuse idiot, and all she’s doing is being super clear about her feelings. She’s not coquettish, and I like that a lot.
I also loved the historical detail of the bathing houses or whatever they were called. How ridiculous they were. And one of my favorite micro-tropes is the all-seeing Fairy Godmother of a modiste, and this book has a lovely one. Finally, someone sparks a doobie at a house party, and I am here for it.
This was a really enjoyable read. That being said, it could have been much better if these problems were addressed.
- So they met once, briefly, 11 years ago, and now recognize each other instantly?
- The first time he sees her swimming, he told her he’d never met anyone who could swim as well as she could, yet he got angry with her for… swimming? Ok
- All the men fighting over Caroline’s favor is amusing, but we haven’t been given a reason WHY, apart from that David talked up her legs a bit. McQuiston should have shown her being charming with them or something to warrant the three marriage proposals.
- I wish there had been a different reason why David felt for so long that he couldn’t be with anyone. It just felt really flimsy, not a reasonable motivation for him to be all dramatically tortured for 11 years.