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jackiehorne's review
2.0
2.5 Completely agree with Kaz's review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1591516807
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1591516807
whiskeyinthejar's review
3.0
2.5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lady Quince has a rebel streak a mile wide but has managed to direct it for good by playing a bit of a Robin Hood. However, when the Marquess of Cairn comes back home after his grandfather's death and is charged with finding out who the thief is, Quince has a worthy adversary. Years ago, Alasdair Marquess of Cairn was courting Quince's sister but he was always amused by the younger sister. Now all grown up, wee Quince is not only amusing him but stirring up his desire. He needs to find the thief and the new highwayman so he can devote more time to the hoyden while Quince needs to decide if her attraction to Alasdair is too dangerous for her heart and her life.
I was highly anticipating this new release by Ms. Essex as her "Scandal to Remember" was my favorite book read in 2015. While that one had a nice balance of adventure and character interaction, this one seemed to be mostly concerned with a character driven plot, specifically, the heroine. Quince is the star of the show and who leads us through the vast majority of the story. Seeing so many of her fellow Scottish being turned off the land in favor of sheep, has her pocketing trinkets left forgotten by the upper class and turning over the profits to a local church to help support them. Her compulsion to steal, she admits that it has more to do with thrill seeking than altruism, is the nucleus of the plot. Now, that part about stealing from rich to give to poor makes her a fun character to read about but as I mentioned, it's clearly stated by Quince, more than once, that even if there weren't poor, she'd feel the need to steal. This along with her reckless, borderline TSTL, attitude made her not so much fun to read. Others may not mind her personality traits but I was never truly comfortable with her and not liking the heroine definitely colored how I felt about the story overall.
Our hero, Alasdair (Quince calls him Straithcairn, his old title, for most of the story but for simplicity, I'll stick with Alasdair) was a great complementary component to Quince. He wasn't bowled over by her and matched her word play but his character overall, was overshadowed. As this is mostly Quince's story, we miss more povs by Alasdair and even though some of his backstory is alluded to throughout the story and supposed to be dramatic, the character never felt like he reached his full potential. He is lead about too much by Quince to be the domineering hero I usually gravitate towards in romance.
The writing and flow of the story is a little different, the scenes seemed to stretch out longer. The first 20% could almost be called one scene on its own. They mostly consist of Quince and Alasdair verbally sparring with one another, not so much hostile combative as rousing vying. I like word play but the scenes were so long and so filled with word play, that it out played itself. I found myself growing annoyed with the heroine and wanting the hero to give up on her, especially when she decides out of nowhere to step up her criminal activities in a harebrained scheme that seemed pretty pointless. As the reader, I was often exasperated with the heroine, which left little room for me to fully know the hero and engross myself in their romance.
The world play mostly stands in substitute for bedroom scenes, there are a few making out scenes but even after our couple is married, you're in for a wait for the big payoff. There was a lot of breast talk and how the hero liked what the heroine had to offer, which got a bit repetitive. The heroine's mother and sister make small appearances and there's a small villain role that felt forced in. Other than that, it's pretty much our couple trying to outwit and talk one another. I'm typically a hero-centric reader and the heroine's hubris was a bit of a turnoff but readers who like somewhat larcenous and sassy heroines may not have the same problems I did.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Lady Quince has a rebel streak a mile wide but has managed to direct it for good by playing a bit of a Robin Hood. However, when the Marquess of Cairn comes back home after his grandfather's death and is charged with finding out who the thief is, Quince has a worthy adversary. Years ago, Alasdair Marquess of Cairn was courting Quince's sister but he was always amused by the younger sister. Now all grown up, wee Quince is not only amusing him but stirring up his desire. He needs to find the thief and the new highwayman so he can devote more time to the hoyden while Quince needs to decide if her attraction to Alasdair is too dangerous for her heart and her life.
I was highly anticipating this new release by Ms. Essex as her "Scandal to Remember" was my favorite book read in 2015. While that one had a nice balance of adventure and character interaction, this one seemed to be mostly concerned with a character driven plot, specifically, the heroine. Quince is the star of the show and who leads us through the vast majority of the story. Seeing so many of her fellow Scottish being turned off the land in favor of sheep, has her pocketing trinkets left forgotten by the upper class and turning over the profits to a local church to help support them. Her compulsion to steal, she admits that it has more to do with thrill seeking than altruism, is the nucleus of the plot. Now, that part about stealing from rich to give to poor makes her a fun character to read about but as I mentioned, it's clearly stated by Quince, more than once, that even if there weren't poor, she'd feel the need to steal. This along with her reckless, borderline TSTL, attitude made her not so much fun to read. Others may not mind her personality traits but I was never truly comfortable with her and not liking the heroine definitely colored how I felt about the story overall.
Our hero, Alasdair (Quince calls him Straithcairn, his old title, for most of the story but for simplicity, I'll stick with Alasdair) was a great complementary component to Quince. He wasn't bowled over by her and matched her word play but his character overall, was overshadowed. As this is mostly Quince's story, we miss more povs by Alasdair and even though some of his backstory is alluded to throughout the story and supposed to be dramatic, the character never felt like he reached his full potential. He is lead about too much by Quince to be the domineering hero I usually gravitate towards in romance.
The writing and flow of the story is a little different, the scenes seemed to stretch out longer. The first 20% could almost be called one scene on its own. They mostly consist of Quince and Alasdair verbally sparring with one another, not so much hostile combative as rousing vying. I like word play but the scenes were so long and so filled with word play, that it out played itself. I found myself growing annoyed with the heroine and wanting the hero to give up on her, especially when she decides out of nowhere to step up her criminal activities in a harebrained scheme that seemed pretty pointless. As the reader, I was often exasperated with the heroine, which left little room for me to fully know the hero and engross myself in their romance.
The world play mostly stands in substitute for bedroom scenes, there are a few making out scenes but even after our couple is married, you're in for a wait for the big payoff. There was a lot of breast talk and how the hero liked what the heroine had to offer, which got a bit repetitive. The heroine's mother and sister make small appearances and there's a small villain role that felt forced in. Other than that, it's pretty much our couple trying to outwit and talk one another. I'm typically a hero-centric reader and the heroine's hubris was a bit of a turnoff but readers who like somewhat larcenous and sassy heroines may not have the same problems I did.
ironskin's review
3.75
This was remarkably lovely and I kept being surprised by what happened, which was nice. I really enjoyed the side characters and would read more by this author
mtk_reads's review
4.0
I'm done being embarrassed about the fact that ridiculous romance novels are my go-to comfort reading when I'm a specific type of overwhelmed. This had a badass lady heroine going full Robin Hood (with a fake French accent!) and also kissing lessons, and was exactly what I needed this week.
codexmendoza's review
4.0
Amazing a "Robin Hood" inspired romance novel where the heroine actually is just a kleptomaniac and it's not glossed over.
shanbreads's review
5.0
Sent from netgally and the publisher for review
This story was a joy to read. I especially liked that I could not see a way that things could work out for the best between the couple. As the story developed Quince just seemed to be getting deeper and deeper into trouble and I could see now way that she could not end up in prison. I love a book that isn't easy to guess how I ends. There are some wonderful light hearted scenes that had me giggling especially some of the things that Quince came out with . There were also scenes that had me holding my mouth over with shock. A book that has light and shade is definitely a good book and makes for an exciting read. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series. I hope it won't be too long.
This story was a joy to read. I especially liked that I could not see a way that things could work out for the best between the couple. As the story developed Quince just seemed to be getting deeper and deeper into trouble and I could see now way that she could not end up in prison. I love a book that isn't easy to guess how I ends. There are some wonderful light hearted scenes that had me giggling especially some of the things that Quince came out with . There were also scenes that had me holding my mouth over with shock. A book that has light and shade is definitely a good book and makes for an exciting read. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series. I hope it won't be too long.
turophile's review
1. Mad About the Marquess, Elizabeth Essex (October 16, owned ebook) - DNF
This book had the potential to be fun – set in Scotland. The hero’s a reluctant newly elevated Marquess. The heroine is a spunky younger sister of someone he once courted. She’s trying to make the world a better place by stealing small items, selling them and using the proceeds to feed the poor.
The book opens when they encounter each other at a ball and she decides to steal his silver buttons. Conversations and slight flirtation ensues and he suspects that she’s the thief of his buttons and a snuff box.
This is where the story goes off the rails – he demands she returns the items. She denies the theft (and she’d already given the spoils to her servant so they weren’t on there). So he uses his size advantage to grope her in an effort to find the buttons. When he finds nothing, he’s apologetic – but I’m sorry it’s too late.
Maybe it’s that as I read this we’re dealing with a presidential candidate accused of groping women with impunity. Horrific stories of men groping and assaulting women and not receiving adequate punishment. Whatever it is, I’m just not up for a book that starts off like this. Ugh.
This book had the potential to be fun – set in Scotland. The hero’s a reluctant newly elevated Marquess. The heroine is a spunky younger sister of someone he once courted. She’s trying to make the world a better place by stealing small items, selling them and using the proceeds to feed the poor.
The book opens when they encounter each other at a ball and she decides to steal his silver buttons. Conversations and slight flirtation ensues and he suspects that she’s the thief of his buttons and a snuff box.
This is where the story goes off the rails – he demands she returns the items. She denies the theft (and she’d already given the spoils to her servant so they weren’t on there). So he uses his size advantage to grope her in an effort to find the buttons. When he finds nothing, he’s apologetic – but I’m sorry it’s too late.
Maybe it’s that as I read this we’re dealing with a presidential candidate accused of groping women with impunity. Horrific stories of men groping and assaulting women and not receiving adequate punishment. Whatever it is, I’m just not up for a book that starts off like this. Ugh.
dreamofwinter's review
5.0
Highlighted from my reading:
"Manure for the soul!"
Indeed, that's an apt description of Elizabeth Essex's best books, and this is one of them. It was delightful on all fronts. I only wish I'd reviewed it immediately after reading it so I could tell you the details of why. Now I've got to re-read it so I can review it properly ;)
"Manure for the soul!"
Indeed, that's an apt description of Elizabeth Essex's best books, and this is one of them. It was delightful on all fronts. I only wish I'd reviewed it immediately after reading it so I could tell you the details of why. Now I've got to re-read it so I can review it properly ;)
chaosqueen's review
Nope, I can't. I liked the beginning, but my enjoyment has worn out. I also don't like how often "Wee Quince" is said. Same for "inconvenient man." and "holy _______ (insert 60's Batman-style phrase here.)" I'm done. Hopefully there will be another novel to hold my interest.......even though I'm in the middle of a few things already XD.
rebleejen's review
3.0
This story was silly, but the witty dialogue made it excessively readable. (Also, the author was considerate enough to put the gratuitous sex scene at the end, so if you prefer to skip that sort of thing, you won't accidentally miss an important plot point.)
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