It started out as just a grown up "Reading Record" that didn't have to be signed off by a teacher, and has morphed into a Book Review Blog ... who knew that could happen?
I borrowed this as a Kindle Unlimited book, and luckily it came along with a free audio file. Whilst it had all the constitute parts, they failed to make a really interesting and completely satisfying whole. I am not sure why that was the case, now matter how much I think about it. Mediocre is the best way to describe this offering. The inevitable 'gotten' made an appearance (something that I abhor) and it felt like a few inconsistencies: can somebody who will inherit a Marquisate have an elder brother? On balance I can't award it more than a 3 star rating ... even though I would like to have been more generous. Hugs Kay xxooxx View all my reviews
This book, the first I have read by Chloe Banks, was on the shortlist for the People's Book Prize in 2015, and when I first started reading for about a chapter I did wonder why. It was a slow-burn read told from the perspective of several chapters in alternating sections, there was also a nicely done epistolary element between one of the main characters and her long-time friend - I liked the imagination of the author in mixing up the delivery a bit. There were no major plot twists and turns, rather it meandered along at a nice clip. It wasn't seat of the pants reading, but it was enjoyable and highly recommended with somewhere between the lower end of 4 and 5 stars. I purchased mine with Amazon Kindle Unlimited. Details HERE. Errors/Bug Bears/Highlights: The production value was really quite good, with only one mistake that I noticed: Page 53: 'in the pub like nay normal person ...' - probably should be 'any'. Hugs Kay xxooxx View all my reviews
I found it to be fairly slowed paced, but please don't take that as a criticism - sometimes a meander is just as satisfying as a fast-paced adventure. Without giving any spoilers, it's a two stranded book with a contemporary and historical (pre-WWII) flip between chapters and there is a paranormal element to add a little texture. I like the cut of this author's jib - whilst this was a good read - it was a little safe. I am fairly confident that she could really turn up the gas to produce something truly outstanding. As I am a Kindle Unlimited Member on Amazon I got this free, you can get hold a copy HERE. Highlights: Page 67 - 'Okay. Now I knew I would have to get better, so that I could kick him in the nuts.'
Bug Bear/Error: A really goo quality production for this, with just one error I spotted at Page 171 'aggrieved tone he often used.' - I think it should have been 'she'. Hugs Kay
This is the first time that I have read anything by this author, but I am so glad I decided to try it. We'll leave the ending aside for now (I don't want to add any spoilers), and instead will just discuss the overall standard of penmanship - it was simply outstanding, beguiling and beautiful. I wouldn't say it can be described as a romance, but it is romantic ... in the end I classified it as a saga, as it has all the possible elements for it to be such a thing. The ending, for me, was completely different from the picture that I had been building in my head, but thinking about it now it completely fits. It's difficult to get a 5 Star plus rating out of me - this book has achieved it.
Purchased as part of my Kindle Unlimited Bundle, you can see it on Amazon HERE. High quality production with no errors, which is always impressive.
