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Not my favorite Thomas, but it had its moments, including this one:
"I have loved her since the moment I first her, Madame. She has left me and I have left her. And now we are at last together, nothing, save death, will part us again. Not you. Not the liberal establishment. Not the opinion of every last man, woman, and child in England."
There were parts that were problematic to me, and it's probably a rounding up situation here. Despite that, it's still a second chance story that pulls at your heart strings.
Warning to anyone who reads this: Don't read on an empty stomach. The heroine is a gourmet chef, and the way Thomas describes her succulent food made my mouth water. The Hero is a practical, stand-up guy, and he considers food necessary but does not have any sense of taste. It's sustenance and nothing more. When he tastes the heroine's food for the first time, the flavors explode for him. He doesn't quite know what to think and sets it aside. Food is used as metaphor in this novel. The Hero and heroine's relationship is like that first taste of food. They meet and have an intense but brief first encounter. They do not meet again for 10 years.
Verity is a difficult-to-like heroine. She makes choices in her youth that are not well considered and alienate herself from her family. She falls for the wrong man twice before meeting the hero. The second wrong man makes it nearly impossible for her to have a relationship with the hero, (view spoiler) The second wrong man is also her employer and their liaison is scandalous and well known throughout the ton. The Hero is a rising political star, so she knows any connection with her would tarnish his reputation.
Thomas likes to find flawed characters and bring them together in impossible situations and make it works. Her prose is the lynchpin in most of her stories, making them quite unique to her. Hers never feel like you are reading the same ole HR again that any writer could mimic. It is one of the reasons she is a favorite of mine. Her stories are rich and complex, but are not easy. I need a break after reading her stories to reflect, and generally just ponder my existence. I find them powerful and moving. Granted, not all are on the same level, and this one is not among her best, IMO, but it still makes a lasting impression.
The romance is very slow to build here, and there is a secondary love story that ties in well and is perhaps more compelling than the primary one. This is a difficult story to review, and I am still not entirely sure what I think about it. I think Thomas fans will enjoy, but I am not sure about Thomas newbies.
"I have loved her since the moment I first her, Madame. She has left me and I have left her. And now we are at last together, nothing, save death, will part us again. Not you. Not the liberal establishment. Not the opinion of every last man, woman, and child in England."
There were parts that were problematic to me, and it's probably a rounding up situation here. Despite that, it's still a second chance story that pulls at your heart strings.
Warning to anyone who reads this: Don't read on an empty stomach. The heroine is a gourmet chef, and the way Thomas describes her succulent food made my mouth water. The Hero is a practical, stand-up guy, and he considers food necessary but does not have any sense of taste. It's sustenance and nothing more. When he tastes the heroine's food for the first time, the flavors explode for him. He doesn't quite know what to think and sets it aside. Food is used as metaphor in this novel. The Hero and heroine's relationship is like that first taste of food. They meet and have an intense but brief first encounter. They do not meet again for 10 years.
Verity is a difficult-to-like heroine. She makes choices in her youth that are not well considered and alienate herself from her family. She falls for the wrong man twice before meeting the hero. The second wrong man makes it nearly impossible for her to have a relationship with the hero, (view spoiler) The second wrong man is also her employer and their liaison is scandalous and well known throughout the ton. The Hero is a rising political star, so she knows any connection with her would tarnish his reputation.
Thomas likes to find flawed characters and bring them together in impossible situations and make it works. Her prose is the lynchpin in most of her stories, making them quite unique to her. Hers never feel like you are reading the same ole HR again that any writer could mimic. It is one of the reasons she is a favorite of mine. Her stories are rich and complex, but are not easy. I need a break after reading her stories to reflect, and generally just ponder my existence. I find them powerful and moving. Granted, not all are on the same level, and this one is not among her best, IMO, but it still makes a lasting impression.
The romance is very slow to build here, and there is a secondary love story that ties in well and is perhaps more compelling than the primary one. This is a difficult story to review, and I am still not entirely sure what I think about it. I think Thomas fans will enjoy, but I am not sure about Thomas newbies.
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Reading Progress
July 6, 2015
– Shelved
September 15, 2017
–
Started Reading
September 15, 2017
–
24.0%
"So many questions to start....a lot "if this, then why?" Questions...but I did just fly through this much of it."
September 16, 2017
–
59.0%
"I am enjoying this one and it's going quickly. It is a bit uneven, though. Note to self and others: don't read while hungry.
The main romance is slow going, but the characters in the secondary one are very interesting."
The main romance is slow going, but the characters in the secondary one are very interesting."
September 16, 2017
–
Finished Reading
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Jultri
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Sep 16, 2017 02:21PM
One of the few ST HRs I have yet to read. Must rectify this soon.
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You should! The main couple takes awhile to get to the point, but there is a very compelling secondary love story also, which bridges the gap. I think I may have a couple novellas still to go, now. Have you been reading the Lady Sherlock series?
Oh, sorry, I didn't see this question, Joanna. It's very annoying that I don't automatically follow the reviews I have commented on. No, I haven't read her Sherlock or Blade series, just because I don't like mixing my genres. I can't wait for another straight HR from Thomas.
Yea, I understand that. I am trying the Lady Sherlock series because it's a genre I enjoy occasionally, but I am not sold yet either. Her latest just came available from the library.
I have to read this as well. One of three HR by ST I haven't read yet.
I am down to two left, a novella and the first in the blade duology,which I am not sure if it qualifies.
Great review! Exactly how I felt about the story. I read all ST HRs and this one is still the least favorite for me. That said, it’s still much superior to other books in the genre.
Thanks Lyuda! I agree. Which is your favorite?
Joanna wrote: "Thanks Lyuda! I agree. Which is your favorite?"My favorites are Beguiling the Beauty and Not Quite a Husband.
I think I reread all of her HRs at least once with one exception -Ravishing the Heiress. I loved it but it was so heartbreaking and painful that I can't bring myself to read it again.
What about you?
I can't re-read Ravishing the Heiress, either. Exactly because of the reasons you mentioned, Lyuda. That and the ending.
Bubu wrote: "I can't re-read Ravishing the Heiress, either. Exactly because of the reasons you mentioned, Lyuda. That and the ending."That reminds me. Have you read Midnight Scandals? The A Dance in Moonlight novella there is a followup to Ravishing the Heiress. Isabelle is the heroine there. And I found her transformation to a sympathetic romantic heroine quite convincing :)
Lyuda wrote: "Bubu wrote: "I can't re-read Ravishing the Heiress, either. Exactly because of the reasons you mentioned, Lyuda. That and the ending."That reminds me. Have you read [book:Midnight ..."
No, I could never quite forgive Isabella but that's because my heart broke for Millie. I know ST always shows two sides of a coin but I haven't been able to bring myself to read Isabella's story yet.
Are any of the relationships with the 2 mister “wrongs� a part of the story? I ask bec an HR I really like (Very un-pc and written in the 80s—say no more!) the heroine marries two diff men (incl anti-Hs bro) before she and anti hero get the HEA.If h in this book relationships with the two bad guys are not on page, I’ll still try this book. This is a big risk on the part of author and publisher bec I’ve seen some discussions where reader don’t even care for previous marriage etc.
Andrea, the second wrong man is featured on page, both are in a way. This story jumps around in time quite a bit though flashbacks. There is no physical abuse, and she is never married until the hero. ST does take risks into the taboo. Several of her stories feature cheating by one or both of the leads, not this one, but am stating as an example.
@Bubu that is the novella I have yet to read for the same reasons.
@Lyuda -- Luckiest Lady is the only one I have reread, and I love that one. I actually really enjoyed My Beautiful Enemy, also, which it seems like I may be the only one? I would like to re-read Not Quite A Husband and Beguiling the Beauty, as they were very good, but I listened and enjoyed, but would really like to read them as well.
The best and the worst part of ST's books is that I can always sympathise with her main characters, with the exception of Cam from Private Arrangements whose temper tantrum lasted for 10 years. I could understand that he was upset, but I couldn't understand how he could hold a grudge for as long as he did.Anyway, regarding Ravishing the Heiress, I never really got why people were so upset with Fitz. He didn't know how Millie felt, and after a while they fell into a routine that suited him just fine. At the end of the day, Millie had consented to their arrangement. That doesn't mean that my heart didn't break for her, and it took him a bloody long time to see what he had had all along. As far as I can remember, Isabella not once truly regarded Millie's feelings. She came back and took Fitz's affection and the upcoming divorce for granted. I'm not much of a moralist when it comes to human flaws in relationships, but that was a tad too thoughtless, even for me. I'm not excusing Fitz's thoughtlessness. As I said, they arranged it and he became accustomed to it and it never even crossed his mind that Millie might feel more for him all along. What I'm trying to say is, Isabella didn't even try to put herself in Millie's shoes.
I'm babbling, sorry :) The Luckiest Lady in London and Not Quite a Husband are my favourites, although, again I can't really re-read the latter. Done it once, and it's a bit soul crushing. But Felix and Louisa? I could go on and on and on and on and on....
I recently reread The Luckiest Lady in London and loved it even more on re-read. It is in my top 3 of her books :) What I find so appealing in it, besides well developed, very likable protagonists is its perfect blend of humor and seriousness.
What a fascinating discussion about an author who is not afraid to push the boundaries. I have read Ravishing the Heiress and A Dance in the Moonlight, and I did not enjoy them. I just didn't like the hero in the first nor the heroine in the second. So much unnecessary pain and angst. I loved Not Quite a Husband but would not re-read it- too painfully emotional for me. But a fabulous story, also for its wonderful setting.
Strangely enough, I read Luckiest Lady some time ago, before I really read much HR or knew who Sherry Thomas was, and found it difficult. (The crap he pulled with the handkerchief goes down as one of the most humiliating scenes for a heroine I have ever read in HR. Was unforgivable for me). I found Ally's review summed it all up.
Always interesting, usually challenging and often heart-wrenching. I have actively disliked some of her books. Not my go-to author for a comfort read, but she certainly can write!
Bubu wrote: "The best and the worst part of ST's books is that I can always sympathise with her main characters, with the exception of Cam from Private Arrangements whose temper tantrum lasted fo..."I agree with all of this. I thought Millie smart and intuitive in her suggestion early on, and while Fitz was a dunderhead, his behavior was understandable.
I have wondered why ST likes the very long separations. 10 years is such a long time!
Lyuda wrote: "I recently reread The Luckiest Lady in London and loved it even more on re-read. It is in my top 3 of her books :) What I find so appealing in it, besides well developed, very likab..."I agree! I love how clever it is. Louisa is one of my favorite heroines.
Damn! I might have to re-read The Luckiest Lady in London. Maybe it improves on acquaintance? Maybe I won't hate on Felix so much? I suppose anything is possible.... :)
Ursula wrote: "What a fascinating discussion about an author who is not afraid to push the boundaries. I have read Ravishing the Heiress and A Dance in the Moonlight, and I did not enjoy them. I just didn't like ..."It has been a fun discussion! I totally understand your dislikes. ST can really produce strong reactions in the reader, sometimes it's a strong negative one!
What is this thing about the handkerchief misdeed in Luckiest Lady? I loved the book when I read it, but I cannot recall any nasty hanky moment!
I believe it's the scene that starts their estrangement, when he is deliberately cruel to push her way.
Joanna wrote: "I believe it's the scene that starts their estrangement, when he is deliberately cruel to push her way."I have to reread that scene, but I eat angst-inducing moments like that for dessert, so that scene likely enhanced the book for me rather than repelled me.
Jultri wrote: "Joanna wrote: "I believe it's the scene that starts their estrangement, when he is deliberately cruel to push her way."I have to reread that scene, but I eat angst-inducing moments like that for ..."
LOL....I am thinking I need to too.
When I wake up tomorrow ( too tired- 11 pm here) I will find it for you!😴😴
Agree, a failing, somewhat was that Marsden was there, stealing the show.
