hollanddavis's Reviews (904)

Dr. Lydia Weston's patient is murdered, drawing her into this 1870s murder mystery set in Philadelphia . The beginning of the book felt a bit slow, but once investigation begins and you're invested in Dr. Weston, it starts to pick up. By the end of the book, it's difficult to put down. The medical chapters seem straightforward, but who am I to say? Not my field. But, I've read books where the characters are performing the first ever blood transfusion and arterial surgeries under unideal circumstances (I'm not naming names. Lisa Kleypas 👀), and this seems much more realistic. 

Memorable Quote:
  "This is Dr. Weston and Sergean Davies. They have come about Anna."
     "Doctor? A lady doctor?" he asked, a brow arched in amusement. "My goodness, what will the modern world serve up next." He looked from one to the other as he removed his gloves. "What is your specialty, if I may ask, Dr. Weston?"
     "Medicine" came the terse reply."

Me 🤝 a 4⭐️ review

Was it perfect? No. Did I read it in one day? Yes. Four stars seems like a good compromise. (Also the audiobook is narrated by Justine Eyre, and I could listen to her read the phone book, but I digress). 

You’re introduced to the three Irish sisters (Gwen, Dara, and Elise) and their plan to make it to London for the Season. There’re disguises, gambling, sibling rivalry, murder, and treason all packed into this enemies to lovers that’s more of a will they, won’t they? and makes it a quick read.

The real question. Will I be reading the next one? Yes. Probably. If I remember when it comes out 🫣

4.5 ⭐️

You’re hooked by the casual mention of quid pro quo foot jobs in chapter one, but you stay for lines like “When you love someone,” he said haltingly, “… you want to make this world look different for them. To give all the ugly stuff meaning, and amplify the good. That’s what you do. For your readers. For me.”. 

January and Gus aren’t perfect, and that’s okay. They aren’t supposed to be. She’s grieving. He’s healing. They’re figuring their shit out, and that’s the point. Henry writes the growth of their relationship from neighbors to friends to more, smoothly and with the tension you’d expect from the synopsis. 

Memorable quotes: 

“ It wasn’t that I couldn’t get enough of him. Or that he was the best man I’ve ever known. (I thought that was my dad, but now it was the dad from my favorite, 2000s teen drama, Veronica Mars) #TEAMKEITH

"I’m nothing but your wife. January's mother. I’m nothing else, and I don’t think you can imagine how that feels. To be forty-two and feel like you’ve done everything you’re going to do”

"He tossed my shirt aside, then studied me intensely. “God,” he said, voice deep, raspy.
     I fought a smile. “Are you praying to me, Gus?”

Frederick. Freddie. Fred. My man. Come on. If you’re gonna  “hire” someone to help you fit into the twenty-first century because you’ve been in a coma for 100 years (and you really genuinely need the help), why are you acting like it’s being done with a gun to your head? Every interaction is like PULLING TEETH: ordering coffee, social media, new clothes, WiFi. You adapt, eventually. I’ll give you that, but seriously I thought my eyes were gonna roll out of my head.

Cassie. Babe. A little self confidence, please. I beg you 🙏🏼 “Woe is me. I’m not good enough, or pretty enough, or smart enough”. You’re 30 some odd years old, and you’ve made some questionable life decisions, sure. But you’re doing what you love, and you have friends that support you you. Stop, I can’t listen to you. Granted, there is some self actualization by the end, but it’s minimal at best. So does that count?

This book would’ve been easier to read if it had the forced proximity tension I was hoping for, but it lacked.

Honorable Mention Quotes:

“You have never met anyone like me, Miss Greenberg,” he said, sounding almost sad about it, before turning and walking out of my bedroom.”(Because is it really a vampire book without it 👌🏼)

“Dear Diary,
Oh, gods.
Is it possible for a person like me to die from shame?” (ICONIC. Fred did have some bangers)

Sure, you can say Charlotte and Alex are Enemies to Lovers in the sense that his group of pirates hates her coven of witches, but they're only enemies for like (maybe?) 50% of the book. Don't get me wrong, the tension is there, it's very Montague/Capulet, and I ate it up, but there wasn't HATE, it was a feud (with, among other things, a stolen briefcase, instant attraction, a mutual kidnapping, and an inn with two beds). 

Was this one as funny as Wisteria Lady of Lady Scoundrels? No, the banter hit a little different, but that's wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It more serious because Charlotte and Alex had more time to explore their relationship (and discuss their feelings) in a way that Cecelia and Ned didn't. It added depth to their characters. 

Holton kept it up with the campy adventures that, in the grand scheme of things, aren't super complicated and little predicable, but are so much fun to read (listen to) that I don't mind.

Memorable quotes: 

“Let me guess. Hair the color of wild honey, lovely eyes, holds herself as if she's a rifle aimed at is target and about to fire?'
     "It's not in the compass of my employment to comment on the quality of ladies eyes," Bixby replied"

“Alex looked heavenward for patience, but only got an eyeful of rain. It was enough to make him believe god was a witch."

“He smiled, and lifted her gently onto his lap so she would be more comfortable than on the cold, hard floor. She nestled close, laying her cheek against his shoulder. It felt like a whole-body kiss.
     I love you, he thought silently, trying not to tremble.
     "Fiend," she muttered.
     "Witch," he replied"

I'd say this is a pretty solid 3 ⭐️ book. Was the plot very complicated? No. But it was an easy, fluffy read. Allain gives you easy characters to root for: Mr. Malcolm (deep, misunderstood, handsome beyond reproach), Selina (benevolent, smart, absolutely gorgeous). The character development is minimal, at best, and the connection between the two seems surface level. I'm not a personal fan of dramatic irony or miscommunication. You don't want to be apart of the prank, Selina? You think it's wrong to trick Mr. Malcolm? TELL HIM. 

Will I be watching the movie? Undoubtedly. Don’t judge.

Memorable quote because you're never too old for your mother to humble you:

 “Jeremy, I never knew you to be such a poor judge of character until now. Although they do say 'love is blind,' I have never heard it said it is deaf and dumb, as well," Lady Kilbourne said, shaking her head in disbelief"

When the description of the book said that Cecilia is a thief that flies around England getting into mischief, I didn’t think they meant literally, and that’s one me. So warning to other readers, there is magic (low level, nothing crazy), but Holton tosses you right in and you get the hang of it pretty quick.

I read this one as an audiobook, and I think it made me enjoy it even more! The narrator, Elizabeth Knowelden, kills it. Absolutely smashes the dialogue. Holton wrote “grin while you’re reading” banter, and Knowelden delivers it so well. It lowkey reminded me of Gilmore Girls. 

Was it campy? Yes. Did I eat it up? 110%. Can’t wait to read the next one.

Memorable quotes:

“Call me Ned.” He nudged her with an elbow as if they were old friends.
“I shall do no such thing. Your manners are dreadful and your cologne cheap. Go away.”

“You servants have been sent away with severance pay”
“What do you mean, severance pay? Did you cut off their hands?”
“No.”

“Marry me,” Ned whispered to Cecelia. 
“Over Freddy’s dead body,” she muttered in reply.
“This afternoon then,” Ned said. “The poor chap is about to expire from hysterics.”

“I’m thinking of starting a Society of Gentlemen Scoundrels.”
“You’re a millennia too late. It already exists and it’s called the patriarchy.”