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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
I've read several maya banks books and this is by far my fave. Definitely helps that it's narrated by the excellent Timothy Campbell.
A great romance! Everything you need in a romance novel. Spirited woman, honorable man winning against the bad guys.
First of all, I don't like the name Jillian. I don't understand what it is with authors and always choosing very similar names for the main characters. When I read names, I usually just look at the first letter, so the names Jillian and Justin annoyed me because they required me actually having to read their full name every time. Anyways, that is not the main problem.
The plot of the book could have been interesting, however it was not. What I think was supposed to be one of the biggest reveal of the story, Jillian's husband being alive, I easily guessed it simply by the way his death was announced. It was like she was saying to much about his death, to make sure we would understand he was really gone, and all it did was tell us he would be back.
Case (also a weird name) and Jillian's relationship was weird. The explanation for the start of their friendship did not make for a plausible long lasting friendship. The banter between Case and his brother regarding Justin and Jillian's relationship was none existent. Jillian and Justin's relationship was weird. He fell for her because she acted 'differently' that what he expected twice. And she fell for him, well honestly I have no clue why??
Most of the scenes in this book were just not plausible. First of all, there were a few anachronisms. Secondly, meeting that one person you hate every time you leave the house is just unrealistic. I understand that a lot of plot points in historical romances are the characters happening to stumble upon each other while out and about. But in this one it happened to be every single time they were out. How is it that the one time her carriage turns over, Justin happens to be there, and apparently Case too. And when Jillian and Case are out for lunch, guess who they bump into... Justin.
Probably the worst of all the story, the ending. It seemed like Maya Banks had no clue how to tie it in, so suddenly made us jump a year ahead and settled the affair in a day. Case is in town for the first time, guess what the husband is too and we are just going to kill him, not got to prison because "I'm a Duke" and go back to normal, as if the last year never happen. Must I forget, get married before the baby is born, to make him legitimate, but any doubt of him being conceived out of wedlock, well do not dwell, he is literally born the moment the ceremony is over.
The book went on for far too long, it should not have exceeded chapter 20 or 21.I usually enjoy to some extent Maya Banks' novels, but this one was just not it.
The plot of the book could have been interesting, however it was not. What I think was supposed to be one of the biggest reveal of the story, Jillian's husband being alive, I easily guessed it simply by the way his death was announced. It was like she was saying to much about his death, to make sure we would understand he was really gone, and all it did was tell us he would be back.
Case (also a weird name) and Jillian's relationship was weird. The explanation for the start of their friendship did not make for a plausible long lasting friendship. The banter between Case and his brother regarding Justin and Jillian's relationship was none existent. Jillian and Justin's relationship was weird. He fell for her because she acted 'differently' that what he expected twice. And she fell for him, well honestly I have no clue why??
Most of the scenes in this book were just not plausible. First of all, there were a few anachronisms. Secondly, meeting that one person you hate every time you leave the house is just unrealistic. I understand that a lot of plot points in historical romances are the characters happening to stumble upon each other while out and about. But in this one it happened to be every single time they were out. How is it that the one time her carriage turns over, Justin happens to be there, and apparently Case too. And when Jillian and Case are out for lunch, guess who they bump into... Justin.
Probably the worst of all the story, the ending. It seemed like Maya Banks had no clue how to tie it in, so suddenly made us jump a year ahead and settled the affair in a day. Case is in town for the first time, guess what the husband is too and we are just going to kill him, not got to prison because "I'm a Duke" and go back to normal, as if the last year never happen. Must I forget, get married before the baby is born, to make him legitimate, but any doubt of him being conceived out of wedlock, well do not dwell, he is literally born the moment the ceremony is over.
The book went on for far too long, it should not have exceeded chapter 20 or 21.I usually enjoy to some extent Maya Banks' novels, but this one was just not it.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Was ok, I have read a few of Maya Banks books now and this was a refreshing change from the other ones. Took a while for me to get used to the narrator.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.5 stars
I love an angsty “FMC is misjudged by the MMC” storyline, and the deliciousness when he realises how wrong he was.
This book scratched the itch, but I did find it hard to fully connect with the story — possibly because I switched between audiobook to ebook several times. I liked Jillian (the whole time) and Justin (once he realised how wrong he was), and I also liked the storyline itself, so it could have been a mood thing. TW for abuse (not between the main characters).
Maya Banks’s books also do tend to lean soapy, which I personally enjoy, but YMMV.
I love an angsty “FMC is misjudged by the MMC” storyline, and the deliciousness when he realises how wrong he was.
This book scratched the itch, but I did find it hard to fully connect with the story — possibly because I switched between audiobook to ebook several times. I liked Jillian (the whole time) and Justin (once he realised how wrong he was), and I also liked the storyline itself, so it could have been a mood thing. TW for abuse (not between the main characters).
Maya Banks’s books also do tend to lean soapy, which I personally enjoy, but YMMV.
Note: While this is the first book in the series the books aren’t interconnected, stand alone, and can be read in any order.
I enjoyed this one. This is a bit of enemies to lovers theme as Justin and Jillian are originally at odds and quite a bit of verbal sparring goes on. I liked that Case was still her friend and didn’t choose either his brother or Jillian over the other.
The more Justin & Jillian spend time together the more they realize they’ve made assumptions. It’s a lovely transition to lovers for them. Unfortunately, Jillian isn’t as free from her dead husband as she thought and there’s a mysterious threat. Threatening letters and a shooting. Justin vows to protect her and there’s some really sweet moments for them when they’re in seclusion.
Since they aren’t getting their own books, I would have liked some resolution for Case and even Hawk. Overall a charming listen.
Narration:
I enjoyed Tim Campbell’s narration. He did a good job of giving all the characters unique voices and handled the emotions perfectly. Enjoyable listen.
Content Warnings (spoilers):
Mentions of past rapes and domestic violence, plus a more descriptive assault and attempted rape, and attempted murder against Jillian.
I enjoyed this one. This is a bit of enemies to lovers theme as Justin and Jillian are originally at odds and quite a bit of verbal sparring goes on. I liked that Case was still her friend and didn’t choose either his brother or Jillian over the other.
The more Justin & Jillian spend time together the more they realize they’ve made assumptions. It’s a lovely transition to lovers for them. Unfortunately, Jillian isn’t as free from her dead husband as she thought and there’s a mysterious threat. Threatening letters and a shooting. Justin vows to protect her and there’s some really sweet moments for them when they’re in seclusion.
Since they aren’t getting their own books, I would have liked some resolution for Case and even Hawk. Overall a charming listen.
Narration:
I enjoyed Tim Campbell’s narration. He did a good job of giving all the characters unique voices and handled the emotions perfectly. Enjoyable listen.
Content Warnings (spoilers):
Mentions of past rapes and domestic violence, plus a more descriptive assault and attempted rape, and attempted murder against Jillian.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated