The prose and setting were gorgeous, but I felt like the characters didn't grow much. It was a satisfying ending, though, which was great!

I liked Harry and Juana, and the friends/family side characters were all fine when they appeared. But I didn't particularly want a history of the Peninsular War, especially when it didn't feel connected to the characters except in a most technical way. 

The Bath setting was done well, and I liked all the characters we were supposed to like. Lucilla was often frustrating, and I would've liked to see her grow more. The sister-in-law felt to me like a slightly less silly Isabella Knightley, which was fun. One of my favorite sections was when Oliver commented on Annis' first name - that felt very real. I felt like some pacing could've been better.

I liked Pen & Sir Richard well enough, and the childhood friend disappointment worked well. The necklace side plot didn't work as well in my opinion but did make for a more dramatic story. I would've loved a few more pages at the end.

Charity's father reminded me of Fanny's father in Mansfield Park a little, maybe mixed with Yates - he felt very real. I liked a story with actual brotherly affection displayed where both brothers were competent. However, these were side elements that were so impressive. The actual titular character was constantly disparaged by even her friends, which I didn't love - like, we get it, she doesn't like to read, but she's a good person! Her eventual husband was underdeveloped for sure. I did like Hetta and her match well enough, but for a book called Charity Girl, Charity's husband needed more time on the page.

There was a good rapport between the main couple but the plot felt overly silly at times (really, the new valet was a former Bow Street Runner?). There were too many duels to take it seriously.

Short and amusing; good French. I liked the continuing joke that the main guy couldn't write poetry well but he kept trying. It was a fun reverse Cinderella for the guy to have the makeover scene, but I didn't like how easily he was able to do everything, and the girl could've had more personality besides her relationship with him.

This was an intriguing plot setup done fairly well, though I thought the ending for Léonie's birth family was a little too quick and convenient. The couple's chemistry felt realistic. I would've liked more motivations for secondary characters besides just getting the main couple together.

I had such a good time with this book, especially the sibling dynamic! The balloon was so funny. I loved that the kids were realistic characters and that their relationships with each other made sense with their ages and personalities. Some plot contrivances but good fun.

What a fun concept for a history book! Impeccably researched and beautifully laid out. Really transports you! I was especially fascinated by the music and literature sections at the end, but the clothing and food details really brought me into the Elizabethan setting.