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traci1974's review against another edition
3.0
I had a bit of trouble getting into this one, but I ended up liking it for the most part. I felt like the characters were pretty well developed, and the story itself was enjoyable. It didn't always hold my attention, but overall it was one I'd recommend.
fern_island_farm's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
cottonmegan08's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It is just a person's story. What made it better for me is that it is based on a real person. Although the ending that concludes what happens to the real people really got to me
christine_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
3.0
Isabel Bilton is the eldest of three daughters living in a military barracks and controlled by her mother. Isabel longs to be on the stage and her father allows this, before long she is the toast of London. After a early affair with a scoundrel naive Isabel becomes pregnant and afterwards she vows only to marry for love, reinventing herself as Belle. Falling for a young Irish nobleman, Belle is shunned by his family as they try to force the couple apart leading to a notorious court case. Supported by her sister and her close friend Isidor, Belle triumphs and finally takes her place in society.
This is a terrific story, a woman who led her life on her own terms in the cauldron of society in the 1890s, Belle is an engaging character. My problem was that I was expecting a biography and instead got a very syrupy romantic novel. This is the sort of book that will appeal to the masses who like their stories with a rosy glow and their characters very one-dimensional, the issue is that is not me. It's my fault for expecting something different, not the the author's fault, she has written what she wanted to write.
This is a terrific story, a woman who led her life on her own terms in the cauldron of society in the 1890s, Belle is an engaging character. My problem was that I was expecting a biography and instead got a very syrupy romantic novel. This is the sort of book that will appeal to the masses who like their stories with a rosy glow and their characters very one-dimensional, the issue is that is not me. It's my fault for expecting something different, not the the author's fault, she has written what she wanted to write.
aliciasplendeur's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC(digital) from First to Read
This book was a good read and the ending left me wanting to know more about these characters. At the end of the book when you learn that this was based on real people and you get a little bit of info on how the real people ended up. That was interesting and sad.
I wasn't in love with any of these characters as they are most definitely flawed. And when you sit back and take in the story as a whole you can see why she made some of her more questionable choices even if you may not agree with them.
This book was a good read and the ending left me wanting to know more about these characters. At the end of the book when you learn that this was based on real people and you get a little bit of info on how the real people ended up. That was interesting and sad.
I wasn't in love with any of these characters as they are most definitely flawed. And when you sit back and take in the story as a whole you can see why she made some of her more questionable choices even if you may not agree with them.
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
4.0
Inspired by a true story of the countess clancarty, this historical fiction is a great read. It’s enjoyable, a real page turner. I loved Belle, her strength and going against convention of the time. An inspiring story.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
mombond's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted to give this book zero stars, but I felt generous since the author was working with actually people. I hope she very generous with her poetic license. I couldn't stand Belle. She was completely self-centered and annoying. William drove me crazy. Was he insanely immature or arrogant? The only person I liked was Wertheimer and in the author notes she states there was no evidence that he was gay...but that was the main point of his character. The gratuitous sex was completely unnecessary.
shayneyj's review against another edition
2.0
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review of the book.*
I'm not going to lie, I saw this beautiful cover and immediately feel in love and requested this book from NetGalley instantly, only briefly glancing at what the book was about. After learning that my request had been accepted, I got so excited and immediately dove into this book, checking out the synopsis fully beforehand but without actually realising that it was based on a true story.
I didn't really enjoy this book at all and I kept continually putting it down, not only because I kept getting bored and wasn't enjoying the writing of it, but also because I wasn't liking the main character Belle at all, finding her selfish. There was nothing that made me want to pick this book back up once I had put it down, except for the fact that it was a NetGalley read and I needed to finish it in order to review it. It advertised as being witty and inherently feminist and it wasn't either of those things. I don't know how much of this book is actually based on true events and I'm not interested in learning, which is shocking to me as I usually go exploring the real events afterwards, which for me, goes to show my complete lack of interest in this book.
I have really been enjoying historical reads lately, but this one was certainly a miss for me. Whether it was the story, the writing, the characters or a combination, I found this book lacking.
I'm not going to lie, I saw this beautiful cover and immediately feel in love and requested this book from NetGalley instantly, only briefly glancing at what the book was about. After learning that my request had been accepted, I got so excited and immediately dove into this book, checking out the synopsis fully beforehand but without actually realising that it was based on a true story.
I didn't really enjoy this book at all and I kept continually putting it down, not only because I kept getting bored and wasn't enjoying the writing of it, but also because I wasn't liking the main character Belle at all, finding her selfish. There was nothing that made me want to pick this book back up once I had put it down, except for the fact that it was a NetGalley read and I needed to finish it in order to review it. It advertised as being witty and inherently feminist and it wasn't either of those things. I don't know how much of this book is actually based on true events and I'm not interested in learning, which is shocking to me as I usually go exploring the real events afterwards, which for me, goes to show my complete lack of interest in this book.
I have really been enjoying historical reads lately, but this one was certainly a miss for me. Whether it was the story, the writing, the characters or a combination, I found this book lacking.
s_hay's review against another edition
2.0
I like historical fiction based on real people, but this one did not have that compelling of a story and the main character was rather naive and possibly dumb. This made it very hard to like her much. I kept going with it waiting for more to happen in the story.