I can't say I liked this as much as Mr. Malcolm's List. I think there were too many characters for the short length and as such they felt a lot less dI can't say I liked this as much as Mr. Malcolm's List. I think there were too many characters for the short length and as such they felt a lot less developed than it could have been....more
There are a lot of comments to make on the ACTUAL story or worldbuilding or characters in this novel, but I'm mostly frustrated with the obvious bait There are a lot of comments to make on the ACTUAL story or worldbuilding or characters in this novel, but I'm mostly frustrated with the obvious bait and switch this is. Everything about the title and description says Red Riding Hood retelling, perhaps something with some action and darkness, and I was all here for it.
But this isn't that at all. This is just another YA Beauty and the Beast retelling (there's even a hand-held mirror she can use to see her family, and Red loves books, so it's an obvious play on the classic). The thing is (and I know this is unpopular) I'm not a huge fan of Beauty and the Beast retellings. They're never original enough to make the story worthwhile - just a YA romance that's always mostly cringe and never handled well. Unlike Red Riding Hood, which has so much room for possibilities and twists on the original, Beauty and the Beast always seems to follow such a generic formula.
The Wolf here at least isn't an obviously abusive jerk to our protagonist, which thank goodness. But he's not much else, either. Whitten removed the common toxic traits that one finds in a book like this, but she doesn't inject anything into his personality to replace them.
Others have pointed out there's some lack of solid worldbuilding here which erodes the ability to buy the story. It all takes a step back to make room for a romance that has no chemistry (because neither of the main characters have much personality to attract each other with. But he's Hot I guess so that's all she needs?).
If you're into YA romance and Beauty and the Beast retellings, this might be a better book for you. It's very much in line with A Court of Thorns and Roses, so if you love that you could very well love this. But I hated that book too, so...
Honestly, this is probably a two star book, at least the relationship isn't toxic. But I'm still mad I didn't get what was promised in all the marketing and I'm removing a star for that....more
There's a lot of melodrama here, and a heap of stuff I didn't particularly like, but the base issue is the theology is just very, very off.
And also, RThere's a lot of melodrama here, and a heap of stuff I didn't particularly like, but the base issue is the theology is just very, very off.
And also, Roman absolutely abused his employer/employee relationship to force our MC into being more friendly than she was obviously comfortable with. And they have zero chemistry....more
This just feels tonally all over the place. The almost comically terrible cooking competition, the heavy handed scoop of trauma, and the very sudden, This just feels tonally all over the place. The almost comically terrible cooking competition, the heavy handed scoop of trauma, and the very sudden, very unexpected, and very graphic sex scenes at the latter chunk of the book were all a jumble....more
Charming and fun, if a bit saccharine. I don't see it stretching out over a trilogy well.Charming and fun, if a bit saccharine. I don't see it stretching out over a trilogy well....more
For the most part this book hits all the notes you expect it to, but it's adorable as it does so. For the most part this book hits all the notes you expect it to, but it's adorable as it does so. ...more
This book just didn't work for me. The romance didn't click or have any chemistry or make any sense, which made the power difference very felt and verThis book just didn't work for me. The romance didn't click or have any chemistry or make any sense, which made the power difference very felt and very disturbing. The hard shift in tone in the last section didn't jive with the general romance feeling. And our main character just wasn't coherent or live up to what she should have been....more
I think my general disinterest and disconnect to this story might be more about the audiobook narrator and less in the story itself, so at some point I think my general disinterest and disconnect to this story might be more about the audiobook narrator and less in the story itself, so at some point I might pick it up again....more
I have read a few Heyer novels, and this is by far my favorite. Richard is the right balance of not-quite-respectable, but still an absolute gentlemanI have read a few Heyer novels, and this is by far my favorite. Richard is the right balance of not-quite-respectable, but still an absolute gentleman, and his straight and stoic way of handling things pairs so very well with Pen's naïve, energetic, and emotional view of life. Such a great couple, and a fun story....more
**spoiler alert** On one hand I found all the characters to be very unsympathetic. None of them felt real or likeable. How did such a terribly thought**spoiler alert** On one hand I found all the characters to be very unsympathetic. None of them felt real or likeable. How did such a terribly thoughtless and shallow and uninteresting women so captivate not one, not two, but three men so that even when she toys with and then rejects them that they pine for her and stick around and wait years and years because no one else could possibly do. And the one guy she actually falls for and gets she manages to do even though he loves another, even once he’s with her?
Yet, I still enjoyed it. Is that weird? Maybe I just had a fantastic narrator on Audible. Or maybe the writing just flowed well.
Or maybe because it is evident through that it’s not going to be a perfect love story and so the outcome was mysterious and intriguing throughout as I wondered what would happen. ...more
My lack of really loving this is that Kitty is just fine. She's who she needs to be to move the plot along, but I didn't particularly feel attached toMy lack of really loving this is that Kitty is just fine. She's who she needs to be to move the plot along, but I didn't particularly feel attached to her. Freddy however I adored....more
What a delightful, charming read! I'm not a huge romance reader, as they tend to get so bogged down in oh so much drama and accidental misunderstandinWhat a delightful, charming read! I'm not a huge romance reader, as they tend to get so bogged down in oh so much drama and accidental misunderstandings, but not this book, no! This book was so wonderfully crafted. The characters that end up together are obviously meant for each other, and yet the challenges that keep them apart are natural and not forced for plots sake. Sophie is such an amazingly charismatic and enchanting character! She has such energy and sass, so full of crazy plotting and schemes; I couldn't wait to see what she had up her sleeves. (view spoiler)[Though when she shot Charlbury I was rather shocked and thought she had gone quite too far! Poor Charlbury, I rather liked the fellow, he had to put up with so much, even more so than just the mumps or measles or whatever he had. (hide spoiler)] I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a grand romance. It's quite an enjoyable ride....more
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