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The Metamorphosis Series #1
Of Moths and Butterflies
Archer Hamilton is a collector of rare and beautiful insects. Gina Shaw is a servant in his uncle’s house. Out of place in the position in which she has been discovered, she becomes a source of fascination…and curiosity. A girl with a blighted past and a fortune she deems a curse, Gina has lowered herself in order to find escape from her family and their scheming designs. But when she is found, the stakes suddenly become dire. All Gina wants is the freedom to live her life as she would wish. All her aunts want is the money that comes with her. But there is more than one way to trap an insect. An arranged marriage might turn out profitable for more parties than one.
Mr. Hamilton is about to make the acquisition of a lifetime. But will the price be worth it? Can a woman captured and acquired learn to love the man who has bought her?
Mr. Hamilton is about to make the acquisition of a lifetime. But will the price be worth it? Can a woman captured and acquired learn to love the man who has bought her?
648 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2011
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3101 people want to read
About the author
V.R. Christensen
34 books81 followersV.R. Christensen writes classically inspired romantic historical fiction and steampunk dystopian novels of depth and sensitivity. V.R.’s historical romances have been multiple-time bestsellers and have been compared to Jane Austen and Charles Dickens (a literary lovechild, perhaps?) V.R. is half English and resides in the United States, though she spends a majority of her time immersed in late-Victorian classic literature and costume dramas. Her work has been described as “masterful for its genre” and “gorgeous”—“like a river flowing through a beautiful landscape that is sometimes light, sometimes dark and threatening.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
August 3, 2020
They say you can never tell a book by its cover and that is true. I chose this book because of the beautiful blue butterfly gracing its front (also, it was free on Book Bub) and it was disappointing. At 600 pages, I would never have finished it, but it was part of a Book Challenge: choose a book for its cover. That being said, it was written well grammatically.
It was just tedious in its length and the back and forth between the hero and his heroine. Each carries a secret they can not tell. Their obvious affection for each other could not even be breached by their subsequent marriage! Their hemming and hawing really got on my nerves. Each would approach the other, attempting to break through their defenses, but alas it was not to be until the very last pages of this massive doorstop of a book. Yikes!
It was just tedious in its length and the back and forth between the hero and his heroine. Each carries a secret they can not tell. Their obvious affection for each other could not even be breached by their subsequent marriage! Their hemming and hawing really got on my nerves. Each would approach the other, attempting to break through their defenses, but alas it was not to be until the very last pages of this massive doorstop of a book. Yikes!
March 3, 2016
My Thoughts....
This book was really looooong. (610 pages) By the end I wanted to kick the 2 main characters from here to kingdom come! If I had to read one more conversation about trust, failure and courage, I was going to scream... (I think I did a few times, at least in my head).
What in the world happened here? This book started off to a pretty good start, but 4 days later, I was still reading this. Why? I kept thinking it would get better. But it didn't! I figure in 300 pages the story could have been told and probably been a nice enjoyable story. But come on, this book was never going to be the "Great American Novel" whether is was 610 pages or 300 pages.
While I was reading I kept saying to myself: "Where was the editor? Was there an editor? Was her best friend the editor and afraid to have a talk with the author?" I guess I'll never know...
It had a lot going for it in the beginning, but then it started hashing over the same things, over and over... The only thing that kept me reading was I like Historical Story esp. ones set in England.
I don't know what the author wanted to accomplish with the hero/heroine. What she did accomplish was the fact that they came across as weak and indecisive. Especially Imogen. And Archer grated on my nerves, he was such a coward, Who did he want to please, his wife or his uncle, he couldn't have it both ways....
I decided to finish this book after I started it even though it took parts of 4 days. The story wasn't all bad, but it was just to long and drawn out. Therefore I decided it was only worth 2.5 "Small Butterfly" stars. This book was a freebie, probably found it on Bookbub, so no money lost on this one. Will I ever read another book by this author...NO!
This book is a part of my Kindle library.
This book was really looooong. (610 pages) By the end I wanted to kick the 2 main characters from here to kingdom come! If I had to read one more conversation about trust, failure and courage, I was going to scream... (I think I did a few times, at least in my head).
What in the world happened here? This book started off to a pretty good start, but 4 days later, I was still reading this. Why? I kept thinking it would get better. But it didn't! I figure in 300 pages the story could have been told and probably been a nice enjoyable story. But come on, this book was never going to be the "Great American Novel" whether is was 610 pages or 300 pages.
While I was reading I kept saying to myself: "Where was the editor? Was there an editor? Was her best friend the editor and afraid to have a talk with the author?" I guess I'll never know...
It had a lot going for it in the beginning, but then it started hashing over the same things, over and over... The only thing that kept me reading was I like Historical Story esp. ones set in England.
I don't know what the author wanted to accomplish with the hero/heroine. What she did accomplish was the fact that they came across as weak and indecisive. Especially Imogen. And Archer grated on my nerves, he was such a coward, Who did he want to please, his wife or his uncle, he couldn't have it both ways....
I decided to finish this book after I started it even though it took parts of 4 days. The story wasn't all bad, but it was just to long and drawn out. Therefore I decided it was only worth 2.5 "Small Butterfly" stars. This book was a freebie, probably found it on Bookbub, so no money lost on this one. Will I ever read another book by this author...NO!
This book is a part of my Kindle library.
May 2, 2012
I couldn't finish this book!! I read about 30% according to my kindle. I hated Imogen ( the heroine) and i didn't care what happened to her. She let everyone tell her what to do and took it without trying to fight it at all. She doesn't want the money her uncle left her , but she can't live as a servant so i guess she does need it!! She loves her cousin ( he wants to marry her , but courts another girl while she is gone for a few weeks , so i guess he doesn't want her that bad ). Archer ( i imagine she ends up with him , but i wouldn't know for sure ) really likes her , but does whatever his uncle wants so stays away from her. He needs a rich wife and even though they find out she is rich for some reason his uncle still tells him to stay away from her. She likes Archer more that she likes her cousin , but doesn't decide one way or the other. They are all spineless as far as i can tell!!! Maybe the book gets better , but it was just moving to slow for me to keep trying!!
April 17, 2013
What the heck happened here? This book was off to a good start with me, but 4 days later, I was at my wits end still reading this. Why? I'll tell you, the author wouldn't have had that big of a book here if she would have had the hero/heroine have a conversation that lasted more than 2 minutes.
I mean come on 300 pages could have easily been removed if the author had been creative enough and brave enough to just end it. This book was never going to be an opus or the great american novel. Reality check please.
Where was the editor here pointing this out to her? It was like Groundhog Day but set in the 1890's.
It had ALL of the elements going for it in the beginning but it was like beating a dead horse. The only thing that kept me reading was the superb writing style and the author really captured the essence of Victorian England.
If the author had not backed herself into a corner by giving up the goods to soon, it would have been a better book and the length would have been justifiable. She should have expounded on those early plot devices and created more sub-plots. The book would have been paced better and the plotting tighter. What we ended up with were pages upon pages of internalized POV's going over the same things we learned about early on.
It seems to me, that the author wanted the hero/heroine to be uber intellectual with soul deep morality instead they came across as wishy-washy and so frustratingly shallow. Especially Imogen. I mean get a grip already girl! Archer was not so bad, but he was so p-whipped I kept thinking he needed to grow a pair.
I mean come on 300 pages could have easily been removed if the author had been creative enough and brave enough to just end it. This book was never going to be an opus or the great american novel. Reality check please.
Where was the editor here pointing this out to her? It was like Groundhog Day but set in the 1890's.
It had ALL of the elements going for it in the beginning but it was like beating a dead horse. The only thing that kept me reading was the superb writing style and the author really captured the essence of Victorian England.
If the author had not backed herself into a corner by giving up the goods to soon, it would have been a better book and the length would have been justifiable. She should have expounded on those early plot devices and created more sub-plots. The book would have been paced better and the plotting tighter. What we ended up with were pages upon pages of internalized POV's going over the same things we learned about early on.
It seems to me, that the author wanted the hero/heroine to be uber intellectual with soul deep morality instead they came across as wishy-washy and so frustratingly shallow. Especially Imogen. I mean get a grip already girl! Archer was not so bad, but he was so p-whipped I kept thinking he needed to grow a pair.
September 15, 2013
Of Moths and Butterflies is in essence an historical romance, and since I don't often read that genre, this book came as a pleasant surprise.
Our heroine, Imogen, is a young English girl trapped in a time when women have few rights. She is an orphan taken into care by an uncle who bequeaths her a fortune. Archer Hamilton, is a young English gentleman trapped in a time when marrying well was a financial necessity and doing one's duty to family was a strong and daunting expectation. Imogen and Archer are thrown together, both are haunted by the past, both are manipulated by family, and both must find a way to make a life for themselves.
This novel brings together not only Imogen and Archer, but several other strong characters. They interact in ways that make each others lives both better an at the same time more difficult. This tale has its fair share of misunderstandings, of secrets and of lives interwoven.
The novel goes beyond the romance, to adventure and intrigue.
A thoroughly enjoyable read; great entertainment. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Our heroine, Imogen, is a young English girl trapped in a time when women have few rights. She is an orphan taken into care by an uncle who bequeaths her a fortune. Archer Hamilton, is a young English gentleman trapped in a time when marrying well was a financial necessity and doing one's duty to family was a strong and daunting expectation. Imogen and Archer are thrown together, both are haunted by the past, both are manipulated by family, and both must find a way to make a life for themselves.
This novel brings together not only Imogen and Archer, but several other strong characters. They interact in ways that make each others lives both better an at the same time more difficult. This tale has its fair share of misunderstandings, of secrets and of lives interwoven.
The novel goes beyond the romance, to adventure and intrigue.
A thoroughly enjoyable read; great entertainment. I look forward to reading more by this author.
May 2, 2012
Meh. This book was really long. By the end I wanted to knock the 2 main characters' heads together. If I had to read one more conversation about trust and courage and failure I was going to choke. On the other hand, I would have loved to read more about Roger and Claire. They cracked me up and provided some much needed comic relief from the boring whining of Imogen and Archer.
February 22, 2012
Of Moth and Butterflies is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction that firmly integrates the social and economic realities of gender and class in the late Victorian period in England into a story of mystery, suspense, and romance.
Imogen Everard, the heroine, struggles over and over to achieve some sort of independence, yet is thwarted time and again, like the insects captured and displayed in the specimen boxes of Archer Hamilton. Hamilton, himself, turns out to be equally caught by a web of family secrets and demands, and his own lack of courage to break free. Their stories, woven together as their fate begins to intertwine was very moving, and I really cared about the outcome.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the role of secondary characters, good and evil, particularly the humor that was revealed when the protagonists’ dearest relatives and friends, Claire and Roger, finally meet. I strongly recommend to people who love the Victorian era; they will feel like they had a lovely visit to that time and place with this book.
Imogen Everard, the heroine, struggles over and over to achieve some sort of independence, yet is thwarted time and again, like the insects captured and displayed in the specimen boxes of Archer Hamilton. Hamilton, himself, turns out to be equally caught by a web of family secrets and demands, and his own lack of courage to break free. Their stories, woven together as their fate begins to intertwine was very moving, and I really cared about the outcome.
I also thoroughly enjoyed the role of secondary characters, good and evil, particularly the humor that was revealed when the protagonists’ dearest relatives and friends, Claire and Roger, finally meet. I strongly recommend to people who love the Victorian era; they will feel like they had a lovely visit to that time and place with this book.
December 29, 2016
I really liked the summary of this book, that's why I decided to download it onto my kindle but I was left feeling a little disappointed with the novel when I was finished. I just could not connect with the character at all and often found myself struggling to remember what was going on despite reading it only a short time before. I think I held too high expectations with this novel that fell flat in its face.
October 20, 2012
Waaaaaaay too long!
January 22, 2017
I was struggling through this. The author received a lot of praise for writing in the style of Jane Austen etc, and while I think this is a worthwile and praiseworthy endeavour, I for one was not as captured by this story as I was by those of Jane Austen, the Bronte Sisters and their contemporaries.
Yes the narration style is a bit convoluted and sometimes difficult to follow, but whereas the other authors did keep me interested in the story, I must admit this one was so longwinded (and sorry to say, sometimes downright boring) that I actually only read enough of each chapter to not lose the thread.
I do not for one moment doubt that events and abuse like the ones told in this story happened in that era, on the contrary, but going through the narration was like walking through mud, each step dragging and sticky, and repetitive-sounding conversations and dialogues did not help.
Sorry to say - apart from a few passages I actually liked, on the whole this book was just okay for me, and nothing I would recommend to friends.
Yes the narration style is a bit convoluted and sometimes difficult to follow, but whereas the other authors did keep me interested in the story, I must admit this one was so longwinded (and sorry to say, sometimes downright boring) that I actually only read enough of each chapter to not lose the thread.
I do not for one moment doubt that events and abuse like the ones told in this story happened in that era, on the contrary, but going through the narration was like walking through mud, each step dragging and sticky, and repetitive-sounding conversations and dialogues did not help.
Sorry to say - apart from a few passages I actually liked, on the whole this book was just okay for me, and nothing I would recommend to friends.
August 19, 2016
If I could, I'd give this a 2.5 star rating. If you're a sucker for light historical fiction, you could do worse than this one.
Despite the criticisms I'm about to put forth, I really did enjoy this novel. Some aspects were very well-done. The pacing of the first half of the book is elegant and, up to a point, the development interesting. After the half-way point, however, the pace not only drags, but the plot takes a decided turn for the melodramatic. The story could very easily have been wrapped up in about two-hundred fewer pages with much less wailing, gnashing of teeth, and general hand-wringing.
Caveat: I probably never would have picked this one up if it hadn't been free for Kindle last week. It's not being in my preferred reading style no doubt had something to do with my lack of overall enjoyment.
Despite the criticisms I'm about to put forth, I really did enjoy this novel. Some aspects were very well-done. The pacing of the first half of the book is elegant and, up to a point, the development interesting. After the half-way point, however, the pace not only drags, but the plot takes a decided turn for the melodramatic. The story could very easily have been wrapped up in about two-hundred fewer pages with much less wailing, gnashing of teeth, and general hand-wringing.
Caveat: I probably never would have picked this one up if it hadn't been free for Kindle last week. It's not being in my preferred reading style no doubt had something to do with my lack of overall enjoyment.
January 24, 2013
OMG!! I finally finished this book!! Truly one of the longest 650 pages I have ever read and yet I kept reading it!!
The author could have accomplished her story in 1/2 the pages. The story itself was good, but so incredibly long winded. I was constantly checking to see how much progress I had made to being finished.
Imogen and Archer drove me nuts with their insecurity, whining, and inability to speak up, and yet I was happy to see them together.
I would have loved to have seen more of Claire and Roger...thought those two characters were wonderful.
Because of the unnecessary length however, I would have a hard time recommending this book which is sad because the story was there.
The author could have accomplished her story in 1/2 the pages. The story itself was good, but so incredibly long winded. I was constantly checking to see how much progress I had made to being finished.
Imogen and Archer drove me nuts with their insecurity, whining, and inability to speak up, and yet I was happy to see them together.
I would have loved to have seen more of Claire and Roger...thought those two characters were wonderful.
Because of the unnecessary length however, I would have a hard time recommending this book which is sad because the story was there.
September 1, 2013
I would have given this book a 3 or even a 4 if it had ended halfway through. Unfortunately I found myself frustratedly skimming the last 1/3 of the book. Don't recommend it unless you want to just stop reading after part 1, sad to say.
July 7, 2021
This book was sooooooooooooooooo long
🎼a la la la la long, a la la la la long long li long long long.
I wanted to create two voodoo dolls and smash their heads together and yell ‘communicate for crying out loud!’
Read this book if you want to be frustrated.
🎼a la la la la long, a la la la la long long li long long long.
I wanted to create two voodoo dolls and smash their heads together and yell ‘communicate for crying out loud!’
Read this book if you want to be frustrated.
February 3, 2012
This carefully, beautifully crafted novel takes the reader on a journey toward love, acceptance, enlightenment, insight, and trust. It really is written in the style of a Victorian novel (It brings to mind several authors) and it takes place in Victorian times. The book is filled with riveting characters, and each one is lovingly fleshed-out, so that the reader grows intimately attached to all (except Sir Edmund and Wyndham, the dark side of the mirror, so to speak), and learns to understand what emotions, life events, and histories are prompting their actions (and in some cases, inactions). While I liked and rooted for Imogen, I was perhaps most drawn to Archer. He is a complex hero in every sense. Young Charlie, too, was a well-drawn child who tugs at, and captures, the heart.
Imogen suffers an attack. This event affects her so profoundly that she runs away from home and what's left of her family and pretends to be a servant. Her rashly-made choice will change her life, in some ways for the better, and in some ways for worse. Due to the act of running away, she is exposed to Archer, who also has mysteries and pain in his own past, and who is very much drawn to this captivating young woman he believes to be a low-born servant. Yet, subconsciously, he can tell that is not the case. She is also exposed to Sir Edmund, Archer's uncle, one of the most despicable, unlikeable, cruel fictional characters I have ever had the misfortune and the pleasure of meeting in the pages of a book. Another of my favorites was the wise and inestimable Mrs. Montegue, who throws in her two cents at the most opportune moments, and it would be an error to not mention the tragic, heartbreaking Bess, (Charlie's mother) who literally brought tears to my eyes; and the crotchety yet loyal Mrs. Hartup. Of the many twists and turns in the human relationships, one that was absolutely delightful, scintillating in every way, was the budding relationship between Clair and Roger. I loved it!
There is growth in this story, setbacks, danger, abuse, triumph and tragedy. There is everything a lover of historical fiction and romance could want. The dialogue is done so skillfully that one almost feels the characters are in the room conversing. I especially loved how masterfully the author wrote anger, confrontation, and arguments. Sexual-romantic tension runs underneath the misunderstandings and miscommunication. Archer and Imogen are obviously very much attracted to each other. Yet, time after time, something comes between them, preventing them from exploring these deeper feelings.
Of Moths and Butterflies is no light, fast, simple, romp. This is a book to sink one's teeth into, and to curl up with on a long winter's afternoon. It hearkens back (for me) to the books I read years ago: meaty novels that took their time and told a magnificent story. I wish more books would be written this way.
Highly recommended for those who love big, complex historical fiction novels with a strong romantic element.
Imogen suffers an attack. This event affects her so profoundly that she runs away from home and what's left of her family and pretends to be a servant. Her rashly-made choice will change her life, in some ways for the better, and in some ways for worse. Due to the act of running away, she is exposed to Archer, who also has mysteries and pain in his own past, and who is very much drawn to this captivating young woman he believes to be a low-born servant. Yet, subconsciously, he can tell that is not the case. She is also exposed to Sir Edmund, Archer's uncle, one of the most despicable, unlikeable, cruel fictional characters I have ever had the misfortune and the pleasure of meeting in the pages of a book. Another of my favorites was the wise and inestimable Mrs. Montegue, who throws in her two cents at the most opportune moments, and it would be an error to not mention the tragic, heartbreaking Bess, (Charlie's mother) who literally brought tears to my eyes; and the crotchety yet loyal Mrs. Hartup. Of the many twists and turns in the human relationships, one that was absolutely delightful, scintillating in every way, was the budding relationship between Clair and Roger. I loved it!
There is growth in this story, setbacks, danger, abuse, triumph and tragedy. There is everything a lover of historical fiction and romance could want. The dialogue is done so skillfully that one almost feels the characters are in the room conversing. I especially loved how masterfully the author wrote anger, confrontation, and arguments. Sexual-romantic tension runs underneath the misunderstandings and miscommunication. Archer and Imogen are obviously very much attracted to each other. Yet, time after time, something comes between them, preventing them from exploring these deeper feelings.
Of Moths and Butterflies is no light, fast, simple, romp. This is a book to sink one's teeth into, and to curl up with on a long winter's afternoon. It hearkens back (for me) to the books I read years ago: meaty novels that took their time and told a magnificent story. I wish more books would be written this way.
Highly recommended for those who love big, complex historical fiction novels with a strong romantic element.
January 18, 2012
This is an amazing book. It was hard to put it down. Imogen and Archer suffer greatly at the hands of their uncles. The twists and turns this novel produces are very suspenseful and leave you yearning to discover what will happen next. It's appalling that Imogen's inheritance can be controlled by her husband. Her husband allows his uncle and her aunt to plot and use her inheritance for their needs. Archer's uncle and Imogen's aunt are very unscrupulous. The characters and settings are very realistic.There are secret relationships in Archer's family that cause under currents in the Hamilton's marriage.The roles of the cousins help the main characters deal with their situations.Both of the main characters have major secrets that they do not share until near the end of the novel. I truly enjoyed this book and I'm looking forward to reading her next novel. I recommend this book to people who read romances, mysteries and historical fiction.
March 27, 2021
This was a long story. I like the way Christensen tells a story. Just when you think it is over it is just beginning. There is lots of trouble, drama and deep emotion but not the silly kind, they real life stuff. Imogene is a character that makes you want to cry and scream. So oppressed with so little choice. I felt for this poor girl. I loved Archer! Yes he was a little lost in his need for his Uncles approval but he was the only parent this poor guy ever new. These two just had so much to overcome! The story is like a Dickens novel. It reminded me a little of Bleak House- just the feel of it. SO many different things going on! This would make a great BBC miniseries.
This is an adult novel. There is talk of Rape and a rape happens before the book beginnings. There is also an attempted rape, it does not go far. There is a couple slaps and hits.
This is an adult novel. There is talk of Rape and a rape happens before the book beginnings. There is also an attempted rape, it does not go far. There is a couple slaps and hits.
June 16, 2013
This book reminded me of Mary Robinette Kowal’s “Shades of Milk & Honey” which I read just recently. Both are historical romance stories featuring English female protagonists. However, while “Shades of Milk & Honey” smacks totally of Jane Austen, “Of Moths & Butterflies” is heavier, sans the delightful frivolity found in many such books.
Imogen, our female protagonist, is an independent and tough young woman; a little too impulsive perhaps but that’s to be expected in someone who’s only 20 years old. With money, youth and looks on her side, she could have had everything she wanted, but social norms and expectations, coupled with a dark secret in her past, made her life a veritable prison cell. After her uncle’s death, she escaped from home to seek freedom from her dire position but was eventually forcibly married off.
It’s a long book, but did not feel so. The author provided mystery upon mystery to the storyline, so I found myself enthusiastically reading on to ferret out Imogen’s “disgraceful” secret and whom she would end up marrying, and after that, whether she had the ability and gumption to confront and defeat the ones who strove to manipulate her and take away her inheritance. And of course whether she would find a way to reconcile to her marriage, and whether her husband could accept her secret, once revealed… In short, it was a fast and engrossing read because I had many “whethers” which I wanted answered!
This socially-minded fiction about class, aspirations and ambition, coupled with mystery and a nice love story, will appeal to many readers. Recommended!
Imogen, our female protagonist, is an independent and tough young woman; a little too impulsive perhaps but that’s to be expected in someone who’s only 20 years old. With money, youth and looks on her side, she could have had everything she wanted, but social norms and expectations, coupled with a dark secret in her past, made her life a veritable prison cell. After her uncle’s death, she escaped from home to seek freedom from her dire position but was eventually forcibly married off.
It’s a long book, but did not feel so. The author provided mystery upon mystery to the storyline, so I found myself enthusiastically reading on to ferret out Imogen’s “disgraceful” secret and whom she would end up marrying, and after that, whether she had the ability and gumption to confront and defeat the ones who strove to manipulate her and take away her inheritance. And of course whether she would find a way to reconcile to her marriage, and whether her husband could accept her secret, once revealed… In short, it was a fast and engrossing read because I had many “whethers” which I wanted answered!
This socially-minded fiction about class, aspirations and ambition, coupled with mystery and a nice love story, will appeal to many readers. Recommended!
February 3, 2016
I hope this is the worst book I read in 2016.
February 16, 2019
I enjoyed every page of this book. The writing was absolutely beautiful. I've read reviews by readers who claimed to be bored and even angry with the characters' behaviors, but I found myself experiencing emotions I expect the characters themselves experienced. I was frustrated each time a conversation was misinterpreted; saddened when an opportunity seemed lost; excited when a friend approached.
The length of the book was intimidating at first, but I could not put it down. I look forward to reading more from this author.
The length of the book was intimidating at first, but I could not put it down. I look forward to reading more from this author.
January 19, 2023
i have no idea why was so invested in this story when i don't think the couple had a real conversation this entire time
July 18, 2021
A book with it all
A wonderful story with secrets, mystery, action, love, romance and twists! I couldn’t put it down for wanting to know what was coming next and as I came near the end, I didn’t want to see it finished! Have to read the next of the series!!!
A wonderful story with secrets, mystery, action, love, romance and twists! I couldn’t put it down for wanting to know what was coming next and as I came near the end, I didn’t want to see it finished! Have to read the next of the series!!!
November 11, 2013
This isn't your romance novel. This is more like your great-great-grandmother's romance novel, and I mean that in the best sense. The book reminded me alternately of Dickens and Austen--a realistically dark story of people who are miserably and unfairly unhappy, and whose happiness can't be restored easily (as in most historical romances) by the protagonists' feelings for each other. I liked this book more than I expected to.
Unfortunately, I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. My rating is more of a 3.5 than a 4. Largely because of two things: 1) I could see the author's puppet strings in the characters' willingness or unwillingness, at any given moment, to reveal or conceal the various secrets around which the plot turns. The plot-convenient treatment of secrets reminded me a lot of gothic literature, and not in a good way. 2) The central secret of the plot made no sense. Regardless of how good a book is--and this book is VERY good--it can't bear up fully under the weight of a plot flaw like that.
I hope to read more by this author. I'm very ready to give her another chance to wow me.
Unfortunately, I didn't like it as much as I wanted to. My rating is more of a 3.5 than a 4. Largely because of two things: 1) I could see the author's puppet strings in the characters' willingness or unwillingness, at any given moment, to reveal or conceal the various secrets around which the plot turns. The plot-convenient treatment of secrets reminded me a lot of gothic literature, and not in a good way. 2) The central secret of the plot made no sense. Regardless of how good a book is--and this book is VERY good--it can't bear up fully under the weight of a plot flaw like that.
I hope to read more by this author. I'm very ready to give her another chance to wow me.
July 6, 2014
A solid 3 stars! There were so many things to love about this book and so many others to make you scream. I agree with all of the other 2.5-3 star ratings...the book is too long; the two main characters drove me crazy; and there are WAY too many assumptions, misunderstandings and "circumstances that get in the way" of the story moving forward. The book is predictable (can't think of one story-line that surprised me) but overall, I enjoyed it and wanted to keep reading. The book could have been better had it been shortened but also, there were several times when the author's writing style thoroughly confused me. I know she was trying to keep a sense of mystery and intrigue, but many times I had to reread passages and still couldn't figure out exactly what was meant. Thankfully, because of the predictability, its easy enough to fill in the holes and finish the book.
My favorite characters were Claire and Archer but (as with most of the other readers) Imogen drove me INSANE and I just wanted to choke her. Her story was sympathetic but her thoughts, actions and reactions were erratic and child-like. Over and over the reader was subjected to her self pep-talks as she built up courage but her actions were exactly opposite. I found it difficult to feel empathy for her, therefore, I wasn't rooting for her. But I was rooting for Archer and enjoyed the story through him. I wanted to know more about Claire and would happily read a book that branched off in her direction!
My favorite characters were Claire and Archer but (as with most of the other readers) Imogen drove me INSANE and I just wanted to choke her. Her story was sympathetic but her thoughts, actions and reactions were erratic and child-like. Over and over the reader was subjected to her self pep-talks as she built up courage but her actions were exactly opposite. I found it difficult to feel empathy for her, therefore, I wasn't rooting for her. But I was rooting for Archer and enjoyed the story through him. I wanted to know more about Claire and would happily read a book that branched off in her direction!
October 4, 2017
Exceptional!
This book was very well written. There are very few books I turn off the TV to watch but this one was. It is well written and flows seamlessly. It was unpredictable and intriguing. The only part I had trouble visualizing was the scene with the uncle in the upstairs tower when he struggles with Imogene on the stairs. It was a good, clean romantic suspense. It kept me up late wanting to know what happened next. Anticipating reading more from her!
This book was very well written. There are very few books I turn off the TV to watch but this one was. It is well written and flows seamlessly. It was unpredictable and intriguing. The only part I had trouble visualizing was the scene with the uncle in the upstairs tower when he struggles with Imogene on the stairs. It was a good, clean romantic suspense. It kept me up late wanting to know what happened next. Anticipating reading more from her!
June 25, 2017
This book was TEDIOUS!! It wouldn't have been so bad if the main characters just talked to each other. Any time that they begun to discuss anything of consequence, they were interrupted. According to the percentage meter on my kindle, I was 79% done with the book before they started to discuss any of the important information. I didn't like either of the main characters. I hated that they both refused to act but, rather, allowed themselves to be bullied and acted upon. The book was also way too long. I cannot recommend this one. I did like another book by this author so I'll give her another chance but this one was a stinker for me.
November 18, 2011
I was not able to read this one too quickly but I loved every time I got back into it and all of the secrets and deception that was unveiling the deeper I read into the story. The hero and heroine endure so much to find love. What a tale that is to be discovered here! A particular aspect I truly loved was the dialogue between characters. Intelligent, sharp and true to the age. If BBC doesn't make a production of this I will be shocked.
June 20, 2012
I loved this book. It reminded me very much of a Thomas Hardy novel except with a more positive ending. It was extremely heartwrenching, yet very satisfying. I loved the symbolism of the moths and butterflies and the foreshadowing in the novel. It was very well written and well done. It is a study in selflessness, sacrifice, and redemption as well as the extreme opposites in these virtues. Loved it!
March 31, 2015
What a very trying and rewarding book.
It examines every aspect, and general human behavior and interaction with others. It's hard to describe.
Some would classify this as a romance, but I feel it goes much deeper than that.
To continuously examine the choices and thoughts and feelings throughout a courtship... It's overwhelming and very genuine.
I enjoyed this book but think it is only suited for a certain crowd.
It examines every aspect, and general human behavior and interaction with others. It's hard to describe.
Some would classify this as a romance, but I feel it goes much deeper than that.
To continuously examine the choices and thoughts and feelings throughout a courtship... It's overwhelming and very genuine.
I enjoyed this book but think it is only suited for a certain crowd.
June 9, 2019
Ugh. I thought this started out reasonably well, but became tedious and absurd long before it finally petered out. I felt I'd been duped into reading a "romance" novel of the most generic type. The dithering of the main characters was maddening, and the author's imperfect grasp of the style and language of the time period irritating. And any author who doesn't know the difference between "borne" and "born", or "augur" and "auger" needs a better editor than this one had.
Waste of time.
Waste of time.
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