Scan barcode
coolcatbookreader's review
5.0
This book came alive for me right from the beginning. I thought at first Sybil was going to be a selfish woman. After she moved to Brooke House, I fell in love with her character. I enjoyed the banter between her and Roderick. I also loved the interactions between Sybil and Mrs. Dove. I felt everything in this book. Amanda DeWees did an incredible job describing the moments, clothing and gestures without going over the top. Elizabeth Klett was a perfect narrator. Her voice is one I could listen to all day.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast.
reneesmith's review
4.0
The entertaining Nocturne for a Widow, which has been well-described as a humorous gothic, plus Elizabeth Klett's excellent narration made my afternoon of grading fly by! It's fitting that I'm reading Amanda DeWees's books while also reading Jane Eyre---a non-humorous, weighty gothic---with some of my students. I enjoyed Sybil & Roderick & their banter, and aspects of this novel reminded me of what I liked best in Georgette Heyer books. What a good find for me! (No strong language. No gratuitous scenes. Paranormal elements.)
kitvaria_sarene's review
4.0
I found this author by stumbling across a Christmas novella and a short story in an anthology.
I fell in love with her tone and style, and the main character Sybil right away! So I ran off and bought the first book in the actual series.
And I can now say I did not regret it!
Nocturne for a Widow had me hooked right from the start. I'm always a sucker for a strong willed and slightly sarcastic female main character who goes her own way. And Sybil does just that! She knows her strengths, and she likes to play to them, but she also knows her limitations and makes the most of whatever life throws at her. Instead of fainting or becoming hysterical she'll look for a way forward and just won't give up! I also love how she's definitely looking out for herself, but at the same time is really loyal and loveable, as well as open to all sorts of people and experiences.
The love story in this one reminded me a bit of Jane Austen, but in a good way, not in a copy cat way. Both characters are strong willed and direct, and they do clash heads at first as it seems fate has set them against each other. But deep down they are quite similar, and I loved their banter and squabbling!
The plot is as much mystery and ghost story as it is regency romance, and I enjoyed each of the aspects! The prose was fluent and quick and so very easy to devour.
The one star missing is for some moments where I would have preferred just a tad more depth, and for the switch in the characters relationship being a bit to quick for my taste, but it was a fantastically fun read, and I will absolutely buy the rest of the series as well!
I fell in love with her tone and style, and the main character Sybil right away! So I ran off and bought the first book in the actual series.
And I can now say I did not regret it!
Nocturne for a Widow had me hooked right from the start. I'm always a sucker for a strong willed and slightly sarcastic female main character who goes her own way. And Sybil does just that! She knows her strengths, and she likes to play to them, but she also knows her limitations and makes the most of whatever life throws at her. Instead of fainting or becoming hysterical she'll look for a way forward and just won't give up! I also love how she's definitely looking out for herself, but at the same time is really loyal and loveable, as well as open to all sorts of people and experiences.
The love story in this one reminded me a bit of Jane Austen, but in a good way, not in a copy cat way. Both characters are strong willed and direct, and they do clash heads at first as it seems fate has set them against each other. But deep down they are quite similar, and I loved their banter and squabbling!
The plot is as much mystery and ghost story as it is regency romance, and I enjoyed each of the aspects! The prose was fluent and quick and so very easy to devour.
The one star missing is for some moments where I would have preferred just a tad more depth, and for the switch in the characters relationship being a bit to quick for my taste, but it was a fantastically fun read, and I will absolutely buy the rest of the series as well!
bean0530's review
5.0
Here I am again getting sucked into a book because of the cover. Thankfully the story was able to deliver. Big time.
How is this not a more popular book?! It needs to be. It's a beautiful story! I loved how the main character stayed strong with her beliefs and didn't let anyone bring her spirits down. She was very clever and quick witted.
It had that eerie suspenseful feel and it was well done indeed. The paranormal bits really set the mood for a great story.
I never read a romance before and this book definitely got me into the Gothic Romance genre. The writing was lovely and elegant and I need more!
How is this not a more popular book?! It needs to be. It's a beautiful story! I loved how the main character stayed strong with her beliefs and didn't let anyone bring her spirits down. She was very clever and quick witted.
It had that eerie suspenseful feel and it was well done indeed. The paranormal bits really set the mood for a great story.
I never read a romance before and this book definitely got me into the Gothic Romance genre. The writing was lovely and elegant and I need more!
liltastypuff's review
2.0
2.5
Quite enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book, but after the musical I just couldn’t stand Sybil. So much so I didn’t enjoy the remainder of the book.
Quite enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book, but after the musical I just couldn’t stand Sybil. So much so I didn’t enjoy the remainder of the book.
ajenkins979's review
3.0
I love this author and I usually love her books. But I will be very honest with this review. It took me forever to read this book. I just had no interest, the book/story did not hold my interest at all.
Ms. DeWees is an excellent author, and writes extremely well. This book however felt like it drug on and on, I felt that there was some unnecessary descriptions and rambling on.
The story is complicated. Sybil was a very strong character, and I loved her. I enjoyed the banter between her and Roderick.
But sadly, I am not a fan of this book. I still however look forward to the next book this author releases.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ms. DeWees is an excellent author, and writes extremely well. This book however felt like it drug on and on, I felt that there was some unnecessary descriptions and rambling on.
The story is complicated. Sybil was a very strong character, and I loved her. I enjoyed the banter between her and Roderick.
But sadly, I am not a fan of this book. I still however look forward to the next book this author releases.
I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.
erinstjames's review
4.0
My first gothic romance novel and it did not disappoint. A bit sluggish in the beginning but it does pick up as soon as Roderick is introduced. Looking forward to the sequel.
halloqueen's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
fabmom52's review
3.0
I love a good Victorian mystery and love story.
I thought Sybil's character was strong and the going back forth with Roderick was fun. But I had a hard time how quick the relationship developed. Think the author tied it up too quickly-especially with the sequel coming. The mystery wasn't super strong, but good characters, so I will try the 2nd book.
I thought Sybil's character was strong and the going back forth with Roderick was fun. But I had a hard time how quick the relationship developed. Think the author tied it up too quickly-especially with the sequel coming. The mystery wasn't super strong, but good characters, so I will try the 2nd book.
holtfan's review
1.0
I was willing to bite my tongue and ignore the fact that the mystery in this book makes the Hardy Boys look like Hercule Poirot. I was willing to ignore the fact that a ghost practically shoving the answer down the heroine's throat ignores every rule of good mystery writing. I was even willing to ignore how predictable and uninteresting most of these characters were.
Until the romance decided to kick it up a notch.
Up until that point, the heroine and hero enjoyed the slight romantic tension that keeps a story going. Then someone flips a switch and they are in luuuuvvvvvvv and obsessed with one another and going 90 miles an hour. It is so out of nowhere that I expected there to be some supernatural reason for it. But no. They just decided to take the enemies to lovers trope and skip the "to".
Quite a disappointment, I must say. A little subtlety would have done this book a world of good.
Until the romance decided to kick it up a notch.
Up until that point, the heroine and hero enjoyed the slight romantic tension that keeps a story going. Then someone flips a switch and they are in luuuuvvvvvvv and obsessed with one another and going 90 miles an hour. It is so out of nowhere that I expected there to be some supernatural reason for it. But no. They just decided to take the enemies to lovers trope and skip the "to".
Quite a disappointment, I must say. A little subtlety would have done this book a world of good.