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hollanddavis's Reviews (904)
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It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single woman in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a husband
This was a delightfully entertaining read that was everything I hoped it would be. All of the relationships (friendship and romantic) are deeper than surface level, and Allain beautifully writes characters that you want to root for. Allain isn’t afraid to make her characters reflect and grow, showing a surprising amount of character development in a novel this size.
What can I say about Max? We love a man who (a) takes initiative, (b) can admit when he’s wrong, and (c) loves the FMC unconditionally.
As a historical romance novel I thought the setting, dialogue, and characters were all written in a way that keeps the reader in the time period. You never forget it’s in the 1800s, and Allain does a great job of explaining some of the nuance people need to the genre might have missed without spoon feeding it to the reader.
10/10 I would recommend
This was a delightfully entertaining read that was everything I hoped it would be. All of the relationships (friendship and romantic) are deeper than surface level, and Allain beautifully writes characters that you want to root for. Allain isn’t afraid to make her characters reflect and grow, showing a surprising amount of character development in a novel this size.
What can I say about Max? We love a man who (a) takes initiative, (b) can admit when he’s wrong, and (c) loves the FMC unconditionally.
As a historical romance novel I thought the setting, dialogue, and characters were all written in a way that keeps the reader in the time period. You never forget it’s in the 1800s, and Allain does a great job of explaining some of the nuance people need to the genre might have missed without spoon feeding it to the reader.
10/10 I would recommend
This was a classic “who-done-it” with everything
✔️A blizzard
✔️A serial killer
✔️Several dead bodies
✔️An amateur sleuth
Stevenson kept the book entertaining and his readers guessing. The narration was perfect because I didn’t know if I should be grateful for such an honest MC or flustered by the amount of deductions he threw my way. I’d still be trying to fit puzzle pieces together, and Ern would be listing off five more clues. It definitely kept me in my toes.
The book was giving Glass Onion (2022): a little bit predictable, but you weren’t sure how they were gonna get there. Every time I felt like I’d definitely figured it out, there’d be enough new info to make me doubt myself.
I read as an audiobook, and I don’t think it added anything to the experience other than remind me it was set in Australia. Kinda wish I’d done it in print to help keep all the people in order.
✔️A blizzard
✔️A serial killer
✔️Several dead bodies
✔️An amateur sleuth
Stevenson kept the book entertaining and his readers guessing. The narration was perfect because I didn’t know if I should be grateful for such an honest MC or flustered by the amount of deductions he threw my way. I’d still be trying to fit puzzle pieces together, and Ern would be listing off five more clues. It definitely kept me in my toes.
The book was giving Glass Onion (2022): a little bit predictable, but you weren’t sure how they were gonna get there. Every time I felt like I’d definitely figured it out, there’d be enough new info to make me doubt myself.
I read as an audiobook, and I don’t think it added anything to the experience other than remind me it was set in Australia. Kinda wish I’d done it in print to help keep all the people in order.
It was corny and predictable and 200 pages too long, but definitely entertaining. Don’t regret reading, but probably won’t read again.
Was it my favorite story? No, but the audiobook improved its rating. The narrator did a great job giving the characters, especially Huston, a kinder tone than I was reading in my head. I’m glad I made the switch.
Huston had a lot of self worth issues and guilt that he needed to process, and he made decisions for the FMC because he thought he knew what she needed more than she did (a pet peeve of mine). I get it, he’s a sullen, battle hardened soldier with a past, but, eh, not too impressed. Work through your stuff, man. A lot of this conflict could’ve been avoided if you just used your words and talked to people instead of bottling it up and becoming a hermit.
Personally, I’m not a fan of love triangles or woe-is-me pining, and this book had both.
I knew I was going into a story set in the 1870s, but it still threw me for a loop when both of the MCs ended up being confederate sympathizers. I should’ve been prepared. The book is set in Texas and the FMC (Amelia) is from Georgia, but it still caught me off guard.
Memorable quote:
“I’ve got a one-room cabin, a few horses, and a dream that’s so small it won’t even cover your palm. But it sure seems a lot bigger when you’re beside me.” The moonlight streaming through the window shimmered off the tears trailing along her cheeks.
“I’ve always wanted a dream that I could hold in the palm of my hand,” she said quietly.
Huston had a lot of self worth issues and guilt that he needed to process, and he made decisions for the FMC because he thought he knew what she needed more than she did (a pet peeve of mine). I get it, he’s a sullen, battle hardened soldier with a past, but, eh, not too impressed. Work through your stuff, man. A lot of this conflict could’ve been avoided if you just used your words and talked to people instead of bottling it up and becoming a hermit.
Personally, I’m not a fan of love triangles or woe-is-me pining, and this book had both.
I knew I was going into a story set in the 1870s, but it still threw me for a loop when both of the MCs ended up being confederate sympathizers. I should’ve been prepared. The book is set in Texas and the FMC (Amelia) is from Georgia, but it still caught me off guard.
Memorable quote:
“I’ve got a one-room cabin, a few horses, and a dream that’s so small it won’t even cover your palm. But it sure seems a lot bigger when you’re beside me.” The moonlight streaming through the window shimmered off the tears trailing along her cheeks.
“I’ve always wanted a dream that I could hold in the palm of my hand,” she said quietly.
This book has everything you’re looking for
✔️Friends to Lovers
✔️Great chemistry
✔️a 20 year old cold case
The murder mystery was fun and engaging, and it wasn’t overshadowed by the romance. It kept me entertained and reading when I find most romance/mystery combos unbalanced or predictable.
The two main characters, Charlotte and John have chemistry that doesn’t feel forced or one sided. We love a couple who’s mutually respectful of each others’ dreams and ambitions. Charolette is straightforward and determined without being cavalier about the investigation or her own safety. John is supportive and keen to help Charolette’s investigation without compromising his integrity (by threatening people, cutting corners, etc) or hindering Charlotte’s pursuit of a career.
✔️Friends to Lovers
✔️Great chemistry
✔️a 20 year old cold case
The murder mystery was fun and engaging, and it wasn’t overshadowed by the romance. It kept me entertained and reading when I find most romance/mystery combos unbalanced or predictable.
The two main characters, Charlotte and John have chemistry that doesn’t feel forced or one sided. We love a couple who’s mutually respectful of each others’ dreams and ambitions. Charolette is straightforward and determined without being cavalier about the investigation or her own safety. John is supportive and keen to help Charolette’s investigation without compromising his integrity (by threatening people, cutting corners, etc) or hindering Charlotte’s pursuit of a career.
For those judging books by their cover (like me), it’s hard to discern the fact that this is a book for Christians that breaks down how scripture has been used throughout American history and not a book written about the impact of evangelical politicians and the shrinking separation of church and state.
Scheiss dives into the rise of the “small government” ideology among Christians since the 1980s but only touches on the overturning of Roe v. Wade briefly in the introduction. A decision, regardless of whether you’re pro-choice or pro-life, is decidedly “big government”. She touches on “Reaganomics”, it’s backing from pastors and theologians, and how the Bible’s scripture can be interpreted and applied to the economy, but she never dives into how “Reganomics” effected the economy long term. Like, these are policies that were largely endorsed by Christians in the 1980s and enforced by an openly Christian President that used his ideology to influence his policy, but you can’t talk about how they positively/negatively impacted the average American?
I know it’s sounds like I didn’t enjoy the book, but it did touch on both how people (presidents, founding fathers, political activists, etc) utilized/interpreted scripture differently (both the good and the bad), and it was well researched and informative. Scheiss understood how biases (like gender and race) impact your interpretation, and discusses the differences in white and black spirituality.
I read this one as an audiobook, and should’ve written down more of my thoughts as I was listening, but you get the gist. Would I read again knowing what I know now? Probably? I don’t think Christianity will stop influencing our politics in the near future, so it’s not unwise to familiarize myself with the perspective of people with different viewpoints as me, but I was definitely not the target audience.
Scheiss dives into the rise of the “small government” ideology among Christians since the 1980s but only touches on the overturning of Roe v. Wade briefly in the introduction. A decision, regardless of whether you’re pro-choice or pro-life, is decidedly “big government”. She touches on “Reaganomics”, it’s backing from pastors and theologians, and how the Bible’s scripture can be interpreted and applied to the economy, but she never dives into how “Reganomics” effected the economy long term. Like, these are policies that were largely endorsed by Christians in the 1980s and enforced by an openly Christian President that used his ideology to influence his policy, but you can’t talk about how they positively/negatively impacted the average American?
I know it’s sounds like I didn’t enjoy the book, but it did touch on both how people (presidents, founding fathers, political activists, etc) utilized/interpreted scripture differently (both the good and the bad), and it was well researched and informative. Scheiss understood how biases (like gender and race) impact your interpretation, and discusses the differences in white and black spirituality.
I read this one as an audiobook, and should’ve written down more of my thoughts as I was listening, but you get the gist. Would I read again knowing what I know now? Probably? I don’t think Christianity will stop influencing our politics in the near future, so it’s not unwise to familiarize myself with the perspective of people with different viewpoints as me, but I was definitely not the target audience.
