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POX: A contagiously funny dual timeline rom-com
Two women bound by a deadly affliction.
Oxford, Present Day. Researcher Anna Butler is hopelessly in love with history professor Jeremy Trelawny. Forced to endure him dating other women without sparing her a second glance, Anna suffers in silence. However, while examining some 18th-century books for Jeremy's smallpox research, Anna finds a memoir with unexpected parallels to her situation.
Essex, 1766. Mercy Graham is hired as a maid to unconventional rector Sebastian Fannon. But when his handsome, arrogant friend Jasper Donne comes to stay, Mercy falls hard. A lowly pox-scarred maid isn't on Jasper's wishlist for a wife, yet she unwittingly discovers a secret that connects them on a deeper level.
As Mercy’s story with the roguish Jasper unfolds, Anna attempts to deal with her own love life. But is fake dating a friend's cousin the best solution?
If you like contemporary romance and historical fiction then you'll love this funny, heartwarming dual timeline rom-com.
Oxford, Present Day. Researcher Anna Butler is hopelessly in love with history professor Jeremy Trelawny. Forced to endure him dating other women without sparing her a second glance, Anna suffers in silence. However, while examining some 18th-century books for Jeremy's smallpox research, Anna finds a memoir with unexpected parallels to her situation.
Essex, 1766. Mercy Graham is hired as a maid to unconventional rector Sebastian Fannon. But when his handsome, arrogant friend Jasper Donne comes to stay, Mercy falls hard. A lowly pox-scarred maid isn't on Jasper's wishlist for a wife, yet she unwittingly discovers a secret that connects them on a deeper level.
As Mercy’s story with the roguish Jasper unfolds, Anna attempts to deal with her own love life. But is fake dating a friend's cousin the best solution?
If you like contemporary romance and historical fiction then you'll love this funny, heartwarming dual timeline rom-com.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 5, 2024
71 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Angela Pearse
16 books83 followersANGELA PEARSE writes contemporary and historical romcoms, and has recently added paranormal romance to her lineup. Known for her quirky humour, Angela’s books are often described as "page-turners", ranging from lighthearted escapades to darker satire.
A freelance editor with an MA in English, Angela is originally from New Zealand but now calls Edinburgh home, finding endless inspiration in its rich history and atmospheric streets.
Dive into her new vampire romance series - Fanged and Flirty!
Book 1: Flossed In Love - available now (read for free with Kindle Unlimited)
Book 2: Enthralled By You - available now (read for free with Kindle Unlimited)
Book 3: Biting My Knight - coming 4 February 2026 (available for pre-order)
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A freelance editor with an MA in English, Angela is originally from New Zealand but now calls Edinburgh home, finding endless inspiration in its rich history and atmospheric streets.
Dive into her new vampire romance series - Fanged and Flirty!
Book 1: Flossed In Love - available now (read for free with Kindle Unlimited)
Book 2: Enthralled By You - available now (read for free with Kindle Unlimited)
Book 3: Biting My Knight - coming 4 February 2026 (available for pre-order)
* Sign Up To Mailing List
* Visit Website
* Book Playlists
* Follow on Amazon Author Page
* Follow on BookBub
* Follow on Instagram
* Follow on Threads
* Follow on Tiktok
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
May 26, 2024
Is unrequited love as painful as having small pox? Probably not, but Author Angela Pearse has me weighing the options considerably.
POX is the story of two women told in dual POVs, separated by a couple of centuries, connected by a horrible disease and an even worse taste in men. I mean seriously, these dudes suck, but who hasn’t picked up an awkward hobby in hopes of a meet cute, and who hasn’t rifled through pockets they had no business being in?
This Rom-Com gives delightful cringe, hilarious spice, and has you wanting to shake these women who deserve so much more than they believe.
Highly enjoyed!
POX is the story of two women told in dual POVs, separated by a couple of centuries, connected by a horrible disease and an even worse taste in men. I mean seriously, these dudes suck, but who hasn’t picked up an awkward hobby in hopes of a meet cute, and who hasn’t rifled through pockets they had no business being in?
This Rom-Com gives delightful cringe, hilarious spice, and has you wanting to shake these women who deserve so much more than they believe.
Highly enjoyed!
May 30, 2024
Very confused by the high ratings on this... truly I have so much to say about POX but some of the things that made this book absolutely bizarre and just bad for me:
To start off, I felt like the two main characters, Anna and Mercy, had no distinguishable voice. They read exactly the same. Anna's storyline was set in present-day, and Mercy's was in the 1700s during the time of smallpox. The language/dialogue/conversation in Mercy's chapters sounded extremely modern and downright unbelievable.
Getting into more nitty-gritty details, this book just felt so rushed and sloppy. It felt like reading a 14 year old's wattpad story. It was less than 200 pages, so it makes sense the story would be super choppy. Anna & Mercy's idea of "love" was also totally wild to me. Two women claiming they "loved" men they hardly knew - Anna was "in love" with her boss that she hardly knew and Mercy was "in love" with some random stranger that came to stay at the rectory she was a maid for. There were so many little scenes that just felt useless to the plot. I.e. - when Mercy first comes to be Sebastian's maid and they have a reading lesson outside and he takes his shirt off??? It was like an attempt at a steamy scene I guess that went absolutely nowhere. And don't get me started on Mercy's reading lessons, my god. This girl went from being illiterate to being able to read full cursive letters/script in a hot second, lol. Anna and Mercy just felt so moronic, and like they were missing some critical brain development. I mean, towards the end, Jasper (the man Mercy was "in love" with even though she knew next to nothing about him) sexually assaults her friend, but she's still like "omg but I love him and would do ANYTHING to be touched by him 🤪" and climbs into bed with him pretending to be the friend he assaulted?!?? Then he throws her out and she's like "well I'm moving to Italy because I have smallpox scars and no one loves me". What. The. Hell. It was comical at that point. ALSO - Mercy gets married in Italy, yada yada yada, and has a son and names him GIOVANNI, after her dead dad????? So you're telling me in 1760s Essex, one of the most ENGLISH of english places, a British dude had the Italian name Giovanni??? 😂
I'm sorry, this book was just such a cluster f**k.
**All opinions in this BookSiren ARC review are my own**
To start off, I felt like the two main characters, Anna and Mercy, had no distinguishable voice. They read exactly the same. Anna's storyline was set in present-day, and Mercy's was in the 1700s during the time of smallpox. The language/dialogue/conversation in Mercy's chapters sounded extremely modern and downright unbelievable.
Getting into more nitty-gritty details, this book just felt so rushed and sloppy. It felt like reading a 14 year old's wattpad story. It was less than 200 pages, so it makes sense the story would be super choppy. Anna & Mercy's idea of "love" was also totally wild to me. Two women claiming they "loved" men they hardly knew - Anna was "in love" with her boss that she hardly knew and Mercy was "in love" with some random stranger that came to stay at the rectory she was a maid for. There were so many little scenes that just felt useless to the plot. I.e. - when Mercy first comes to be Sebastian's maid and they have a reading lesson outside and he takes his shirt off??? It was like an attempt at a steamy scene I guess that went absolutely nowhere. And don't get me started on Mercy's reading lessons, my god. This girl went from being illiterate to being able to read full cursive letters/script in a hot second, lol. Anna and Mercy just felt so moronic, and like they were missing some critical brain development. I mean, towards the end, Jasper (the man Mercy was "in love" with even though she knew next to nothing about him) sexually assaults her friend, but she's still like "omg but I love him and would do ANYTHING to be touched by him 🤪" and climbs into bed with him pretending to be the friend he assaulted?!?? Then he throws her out and she's like "well I'm moving to Italy because I have smallpox scars and no one loves me". What. The. Hell. It was comical at that point. ALSO - Mercy gets married in Italy, yada yada yada, and has a son and names him GIOVANNI, after her dead dad????? So you're telling me in 1760s Essex, one of the most ENGLISH of english places, a British dude had the Italian name Giovanni??? 😂
I'm sorry, this book was just such a cluster f**k.
**All opinions in this BookSiren ARC review are my own**
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2024
My new favourite book of Angela’s! This dual timeline story with two FMC quickly draws you into both of these characters lives, and I found myself rooting for Anna and Mercy pretty much immediately. The historical facts and research, against the romance (with some spice) was a great mix. Would definitely recommend reading it, and many thanks for the ARC!
May 27, 2024
Romance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️
The book tells the story of two women living in different times: Anna (present-day) and Mercy (1766). In one way or another, their lives are touched by the pox and two highly egotistic, self-absorbed men: Jeremy and Jasper. Throughout the story, we see Anna realise the severity of her obsession with Jeremy and work to move it forward in one way or another. Mercy also goes on a journey: she learns a lot both academically and about herself and the world.
I loved the Pox! I got pulled in from the start and kept wanting to read more by the end of every chapter. The setting was quite unusual and the stories of the two women were certainly unique. A lot of romance, heartbreak and a bit of spice. I think this is Angela's best one yet!
The book tells the story of two women living in different times: Anna (present-day) and Mercy (1766). In one way or another, their lives are touched by the pox and two highly egotistic, self-absorbed men: Jeremy and Jasper. Throughout the story, we see Anna realise the severity of her obsession with Jeremy and work to move it forward in one way or another. Mercy also goes on a journey: she learns a lot both academically and about herself and the world.
I loved the Pox! I got pulled in from the start and kept wanting to read more by the end of every chapter. The setting was quite unusual and the stories of the two women were certainly unique. A lot of romance, heartbreak and a bit of spice. I think this is Angela's best one yet!
June 5, 2024
I received an ARC from Hidden Gems and I'm willingly leaving a review
Sub-title reads "A contagiously funny dual timeline rom-com". I actually did not think it was funny at all; those women were desperate and wasted too much time on those men. "Two women bound by a deadly affliction". They are both hopelessly in love with a man out of their reach. That is not deadly. Then the description goes on to say "unwittingly discovers a secret". I'm not sure how Mercy saw herself but she blamed Jasper for ranting and screaming; she stole his letter and read it. He wanted it back, but she wouldn't give it up. Then she thinks she's no longer safe in the house but she really brought it upon herself. Jeremy is no gentleman (p.18 was my first cue) and he shows all his other red flags later on. Between the two women, I thought, in succession: "She has it bad, ridiculous, are you for real? No! (when they were happy with crumbs), wake-up!" Both women were nitwits but Thomas was the bomb! It was never said why Sebastian would seek anonymity. I was confused as to how much Jasper had a say in Sebastian's house. This book is full of sadness and there is violence against women staff (two mentions), which could be a trigger.
Sub-title reads "A contagiously funny dual timeline rom-com". I actually did not think it was funny at all; those women were desperate and wasted too much time on those men. "Two women bound by a deadly affliction". They are both hopelessly in love with a man out of their reach. That is not deadly. Then the description goes on to say "unwittingly discovers a secret". I'm not sure how Mercy saw herself but she blamed Jasper for ranting and screaming; she stole his letter and read it. He wanted it back, but she wouldn't give it up. Then she thinks she's no longer safe in the house but she really brought it upon herself. Jeremy is no gentleman (p.18 was my first cue) and he shows all his other red flags later on. Between the two women, I thought, in succession: "She has it bad, ridiculous, are you for real? No! (when they were happy with crumbs), wake-up!" Both women were nitwits but Thomas was the bomb! It was never said why Sebastian would seek anonymity. I was confused as to how much Jasper had a say in Sebastian's house. This book is full of sadness and there is violence against women staff (two mentions), which could be a trigger.
June 5, 2024
POX - by Angela Pearse
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level 🌶️
This was such an original and unique storyline. I enjoyed it a lot more than I could have imaged! It was clever, witty and beautifully written literary fiction with a dash of faking dating romance sprinkled in for good measure! I especially loved the dual timeline/POV it kept it really fast paced and unputdownable!
I adored both Anna and Mercy’s characters and the similarities they shared even though they were centuries apart. It just goes to show that whether you’re in the 18th century or 21st century, women are still so often unlucky in love!
The female characters in this book were strong and powerful yet vulnerable at the same time whereas the male characters just seemed to give me the ick (apart from Sebastian!)
The author’s character development was exceptional. All of the side characters had such interesting personalities and I loved learning more about each of them.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read something completely unique and a little outside of their comfort zone, you won’t be disappointed!
Thank you to Angela Pearse for this free ARC in return for an honest review. I am leaving this review voluntarily
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level 🌶️
This was such an original and unique storyline. I enjoyed it a lot more than I could have imaged! It was clever, witty and beautifully written literary fiction with a dash of faking dating romance sprinkled in for good measure! I especially loved the dual timeline/POV it kept it really fast paced and unputdownable!
I adored both Anna and Mercy’s characters and the similarities they shared even though they were centuries apart. It just goes to show that whether you’re in the 18th century or 21st century, women are still so often unlucky in love!
The female characters in this book were strong and powerful yet vulnerable at the same time whereas the male characters just seemed to give me the ick (apart from Sebastian!)
The author’s character development was exceptional. All of the side characters had such interesting personalities and I loved learning more about each of them.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to read something completely unique and a little outside of their comfort zone, you won’t be disappointed!
Thank you to Angela Pearse for this free ARC in return for an honest review. I am leaving this review voluntarily
May 26, 2024
Anna is a brilliant literary researcher who’s been in love with the professor she’s collaborating with on the scourge of smallpox and its after affects in 18th century Great Britain. Mercy is a survivor of smallpox in that time period who’s written a memoir that informs Anna’s research. The trials and exploits of Anna and Mercy mirror each other as Anna works her way through Mercy’s life story.
There are many poignant and humorous moments, along with lots of interesting details about the devastating impacts of smallpox in a time when germ theory hadn’t been conceived.
There is a surprise romantic interest for Anna just as she’s learning about Mercy’s trials as well. Without spoilers, let’s just say both ladies have outcomes far better than they’d dreamed.
Angela Pearse writes in an accessible voice and sprinkles her stories liberally with humor and even some absurdity. Her protagonists are flawed yet extremely likable, and her books are easy to read and satisfying. I devoured this book in less than a day.
I was fortunate to have been furnished an advance reader copy from the author and bookfunnel, and it’s my privilege to share my honest review.
There are many poignant and humorous moments, along with lots of interesting details about the devastating impacts of smallpox in a time when germ theory hadn’t been conceived.
There is a surprise romantic interest for Anna just as she’s learning about Mercy’s trials as well. Without spoilers, let’s just say both ladies have outcomes far better than they’d dreamed.
Angela Pearse writes in an accessible voice and sprinkles her stories liberally with humor and even some absurdity. Her protagonists are flawed yet extremely likable, and her books are easy to read and satisfying. I devoured this book in less than a day.
I was fortunate to have been furnished an advance reader copy from the author and bookfunnel, and it’s my privilege to share my honest review.
June 23, 2024
Hope for Mercy
This is a stellar read! How the author manages to alternate between hilarious to heartbreaking is astonishing. After research historian Anna finds a journal detailing a small pox survivor’s physical and emotional experience by the survivor herself, she is jubilant that this discovery will aid her boss’s research on that very item. The contemporary chapters are extremely humorous, lol 😝 funny, but the chapters dealing with Mercy in 1766 are filled with heartbreak, tragedy and despair. The two young women are connected by the shared experience of unrequited love. Handsome employer Jeremy barely acknowledges Anna and handsome Jasper, a guest at the rectory where Mercy works as a maid, is horrified by her pox scarred face. That is all I will reveal.
This novel is so well written, in the Queen’s English, of course, the MC’s are well developed, and the two storylines are informative and entertaining. I now have another favorite author. I have already purchased this book and look forward to reading it again.
July 5, 2024
I enjoyed Angela Pearse's dual timeline story about Mercy and Anna, two women separated by centuries, but joined by their terrible taste in men. We first meet Anna, who is a research assistant to Jeremy. As someone whose last boyfriend betrayed her with her own twin sister, Anna is afraid of love, so she chooses a man who she subconsciously thinks is so far out of her league that it will never happen. But then when it DOES happen, she realises beauty is only skin deep.
Similarly, Mercy is a housemaid who has survived the dreaded pox. It's affected her own appearance so badly that she starts to value looks above all other attributes and therefore falls for a gorgeous, but personality-stunted man named Jasper. She learns the same lesson as Anna.
In both cases, I think the women mistake love for obsession, but they both eventually look beyond that. I also have to point out that Anna has a very interesting first date that made me yell, 'He did what?!' and made me wonder about sterilisation practices when it comes to sex toys.
Pick up POX if you're looking for a fun, quick read with a historical flavour.
Similarly, Mercy is a housemaid who has survived the dreaded pox. It's affected her own appearance so badly that she starts to value looks above all other attributes and therefore falls for a gorgeous, but personality-stunted man named Jasper. She learns the same lesson as Anna.
In both cases, I think the women mistake love for obsession, but they both eventually look beyond that. I also have to point out that Anna has a very interesting first date that made me yell, 'He did what?!' and made me wonder about sterilisation practices when it comes to sex toys.
Pick up POX if you're looking for a fun, quick read with a historical flavour.
May 29, 2024
Mercy is an impoverished, scarred smallpox survivor in the eighteenth century. Anna is a highly educated literary historian in the present day. Both are in love with thoroughly unpleasant men. In POX, they struggle to be worthy of love - until they realize the defect is not in them but in those who fail to appreciate them.
POX was a quick and entertaining read. I was initially wary of the historical subject matter, but the author's deft storytelling treats Mercy's misfortunes with respect while keeping the pace brisk and the reading experience light. I enjoyed watching for parallels in the two main characters' outlooks and experiences, and there were some hilarious moments . The ending was satisfying, and my only complaint is that it came too soon - I could have read a whole book about either of these characters' adventures!
[I received a complimentary ARC from the author. Opinions are my own.]
POX was a quick and entertaining read. I was initially wary of the historical subject matter, but the author's deft storytelling treats Mercy's misfortunes with respect while keeping the pace brisk and the reading experience light. I enjoyed watching for parallels in the two main characters' outlooks and experiences, and there were some hilarious moments . The ending was satisfying, and my only complaint is that it came too soon - I could have read a whole book about either of these characters' adventures!
[I received a complimentary ARC from the author. Opinions are my own.]
June 5, 2024
I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to the author, who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of her book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review…
POX is a contagiously funny, dual timeline rom-com and that title describes it perfectly!
I have previously read a few of Angela’s books and thoroughly enjoyed them and this one was no exception, it was wonderful too…
Right from the very beginning of this dual timeline story i was totally engrossed and honestly i just couldn’t stop reading and it was such an easy book to read too.
I loved the four main characters and really enjoyed getting to know them all…
The historical aspects of this story mixed with some romance, heartbreak and a sprinkling of spice made for a perfect, heartwarming read…..
POX is a contagiously funny, dual timeline rom-com and that title describes it perfectly!
I have previously read a few of Angela’s books and thoroughly enjoyed them and this one was no exception, it was wonderful too…
Right from the very beginning of this dual timeline story i was totally engrossed and honestly i just couldn’t stop reading and it was such an easy book to read too.
I loved the four main characters and really enjoyed getting to know them all…
The historical aspects of this story mixed with some romance, heartbreak and a sprinkling of spice made for a perfect, heartwarming read…..
June 15, 2024
First let me start by saying this is not the first book I've read by Pearse and while I read the blurb and was captivated by the rom-com aspect I was still on the fence about this one. I don't typically do historical, or time travel type romances and I feared this is what I would be getting myself into...BUT while this does have historical aspects, I have to admit I really loved this book. The dual point of view was delivered in such a smooth and perfect way and the while this does have humor, I also found myself cringing at a lot of the antics but was captivated and compelled by this read and couldn't put it down. This was definitely a unique read for me and I have to admit I really enjoyed it!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 14, 2024
I absolutely loved this story , this is my second read from Angela and I love her writing. This book had me feeling second hand embarrassment yes I covered my eyes with my sweater , I felt giggy love like a teenager , remind me of my love for history and literature, it honestly had me in so many feelings and I love when a author can bring that out in there writing .
This is a two person view point Anna is a researcher for the handsome Jeremy who she is madly in love with but he isn't all what he seems , mercy is a hired maid who survived pox . Do they both get there happy endings read to find out and fall in love with both there journeys .
This is a two person view point Anna is a researcher for the handsome Jeremy who she is madly in love with but he isn't all what he seems , mercy is a hired maid who survived pox . Do they both get there happy endings read to find out and fall in love with both there journeys .
May 30, 2024
Angela Pearse has done it again! This is a beautiful story about unrequited love, the dangers of rose-tinted glasses, and ultimately finding someone who deserves you.
The parallels between the two timelines were cleverly written and woven together, and the novel has plenty of humour too (which you might not expect from a book partially about smallpox!)
Jasper and Jeremy are brilliantly "bad" but the bit at Jeremy's house did make me laugh...!
Highly recommend this for all rom-com lovers. Go check it out!
The parallels between the two timelines were cleverly written and woven together, and the novel has plenty of humour too (which you might not expect from a book partially about smallpox!)
Jasper and Jeremy are brilliantly "bad" but the bit at Jeremy's house did make me laugh...!
Highly recommend this for all rom-com lovers. Go check it out!
June 5, 2024
This was a fascinating concept for a historical fiction novel, it had that element that I was looking for in a romance element. I enjoyed getting to know Anna and Mercy and their time-period, I was invested in their story and how the story unfolded. I enjoyed the romance overall and was invested in the plot of the book. Angela Pearse has a great writing style and I was hooked from the first page. It had that feel that I was hoping for and glad I was able to read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 10, 2024
Where do I begin? I absolutely loved this book! Starting from the parallel stories to the history of smallpox to the romances of the two main characters in their respective times. Angela Pearce has done a wonderful job with her descriptions of times and places and bringing all the characters to life. Throwing in romance and all that entangles will captivate the reader and make it harder to put the book down! Angela Pearce has done it again! Love it! Will definitely read again and again. A must read!
June 12, 2024
Angela Pearse has done it again! I adore her refreshingly unique romances so much. They are always full of the best surprises and characters who jump off the page. I am always impressed by the amount of research that goes into historical fiction, and doubly impressed by those who can write such fluid and believable dual timeline stories. It's a true art. If you are looking for an engaging romcom that bucks the two-a-penny and formulaic, then this is it! I raced through it and now I have a raging book hangover...
June 3, 2024
Pox was a quick read. I enjoyed it but was hoping for more. I found the main character, Anna, a bit childish and immature but also funny and I was interested in seeing what was going to happen with her. I liked Mercy's story much better and loved the way it ended. If you like light romance with quirky characters and a bit of history, give Pox a read. Thank you to the author and Hidden Gems for a complementary copy to read and review.
June 27, 2024
Sweet and funny!
I enjoyed this novel so much! I loved the way Ms. Pearse inter wove the stories of Anna and Mercy. She connected them across three centuries through the smallpox epidemic and relationship woes.Also, the art therapy scene was hilarious! This was my first novel by this author, but not my last! Highly recommended!!
I enjoyed this novel so much! I loved the way Ms. Pearse inter wove the stories of Anna and Mercy. She connected them across three centuries through the smallpox epidemic and relationship woes.Also, the art therapy scene was hilarious! This was my first novel by this author, but not my last! Highly recommended!!
June 11, 2024
A totally captivating book with a dual timeline. I loved the well written story, the amazing characters, and the sweet romance between Anna and Thomas. A page-turner.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
January 22, 2025
A fun story
This book definitely pulls you in with both stories.
You feel for both main ladies.
The end wasn't quite what I expected, but definitely in good unexpected ways . There was happy endings for both , suffice it to say.
This book definitely pulls you in with both stories.
You feel for both main ladies.
The end wasn't quite what I expected, but definitely in good unexpected ways . There was happy endings for both , suffice it to say.
August 15, 2025
3.5 Easy and overall light-hearted read. Two interesting stories that are connected in little ways. Thomas is strange, but so good. Mercy is a queen.
October 29, 2024
Some history with a great story line
Loved this book. The way it was written kept you intrigued and I didn’t want to out it down. Felt the characters development and loved the ending. Trying more of Ms Pearse authored books now.
Loved this book. The way it was written kept you intrigued and I didn’t want to out it down. Felt the characters development and loved the ending. Trying more of Ms Pearse authored books now.
November 5, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
August 1, 2024
Angela Pearse's book really just does it for me. This is such an interesting yet cosy read. The characters are complex and interesting to read about, and it really strikes the balance between a fun romance read and a more realistic depiction of relationships really well - think Emily Henry's novels.
I can not recommend Angela's books enough as genuinely fun and interesting reads and also gives some historical context and research, which is so fun without completely romanticising historical times in Europe.
I can not recommend Angela's books enough as genuinely fun and interesting reads and also gives some historical context and research, which is so fun without completely romanticising historical times in Europe.
June 29, 2025
A dual POV romance and a pleasant read.
I enjoyed the insights into history and seeing the parallel between the two stories.
Anna is a research assistant to a Jeremy who dates a type of woman very different to Anna. She believes herself to be in love with him and wishes he would see her in the same way he sees the beautiful model types he prefers to date. Desperately hoping he will one day notice her, she enters a FWB style relationship with Thomas to help heal her broken heart so that, if Jeremy ever does notice her, she will be ready to date again.
In another century, Mercy is a housemaid for Sebastian, with whom she develops a friendship. She subsequently falls for his friend and houseguest Jasper - a man from a different social class who dates only society women, not a lowly maid.
Anna finds parallels between Mercy's story and her own. Eventually, both women manage to catch the attention of the man they have been pining for, but is it really all they hoped it would be?
An interesting twist at the end for both women leading to a satisfying conclusion.
Am I glad I read it - yes
Was it a waste of my time - no
Would I sit down and read it all over again - maybe
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the insights into history and seeing the parallel between the two stories.
Anna is a research assistant to a Jeremy who dates a type of woman very different to Anna. She believes herself to be in love with him and wishes he would see her in the same way he sees the beautiful model types he prefers to date. Desperately hoping he will one day notice her, she enters a FWB style relationship with Thomas to help heal her broken heart so that, if Jeremy ever does notice her, she will be ready to date again.
In another century, Mercy is a housemaid for Sebastian, with whom she develops a friendship. She subsequently falls for his friend and houseguest Jasper - a man from a different social class who dates only society women, not a lowly maid.
Anna finds parallels between Mercy's story and her own. Eventually, both women manage to catch the attention of the man they have been pining for, but is it really all they hoped it would be?
An interesting twist at the end for both women leading to a satisfying conclusion.
Am I glad I read it - yes
Was it a waste of my time - no
Would I sit down and read it all over again - maybe
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 21, 2024
Pox is a quick-moving, enjoyable, dual-timeline story of two young women who each have the misfortune of falling in love with someone completely wrong for them. The older timeline follows the adventures of Mercy, a smallpox survivor who believes her scars have destroyed her life. The newer timeline follows Anna, a modern scholar who, in the course of researching the history of the smallpox epidemic, comes across an autobiography written by Mercy.
The book is an easy, engrossing read that had me worried at times for both characters as they navigated numerous difficulties and made some truly questionable decisions. I found it easy to root for both women to overcome their problems and find happiness.
Anna's timeline contained my favorite secondary character; the banter between Thomas and Anna was often funny and their interactions were sometimes quite touching.
The weakest aspect of the story, in my opinion, is that Mercy's 1st-person account seemed quite modern in both language and attitude. Even with that, I still took a lot of pleasure in the story.
The ending was satisfying and I am glad I had the opportunity to read and review this book. Thank you to the author and to BookSirens for that! This review is an honest account of my views of Pox.
The book is an easy, engrossing read that had me worried at times for both characters as they navigated numerous difficulties and made some truly questionable decisions. I found it easy to root for both women to overcome their problems and find happiness.
Anna's timeline contained my favorite secondary character; the banter between Thomas and Anna was often funny and their interactions were sometimes quite touching.
The weakest aspect of the story, in my opinion, is that Mercy's 1st-person account seemed quite modern in both language and attitude. Even with that, I still took a lot of pleasure in the story.
The ending was satisfying and I am glad I had the opportunity to read and review this book. Thank you to the author and to BookSirens for that! This review is an honest account of my views of Pox.
June 14, 2024
Found this to be a very interesting and educational read about Pox/Smallpox. Believe the author did a good job describing the historical along with setting the background for Mercy. She got smallpox and her father, who treated her passed from it and this disease left a horrible disfiguration on Mercy's face.
Jasper if the wealthy man that Mercy loved and he treated her cruelly and pulled a lot of nastiness i his actions and tricks. Sebastian was her protector and helped her deal with Jasper. Mercy finally gave up, ran away and a Count fell in love with her and they had a family together
The everyday couple who studied smallpox and their romance was similar or parallel were Jeremy and Anna. Anna was an understudy and aid for professor Jeremy and they were studying Smallpox and doing a paper on it. Jeremy went through a lot of women and never looked at Anna in that manner. Jeremy was also a huge slob and Thomas entered Anna's life and he appreciated and cared for her.
I received a free copy, ARC, and am giving my free and voluntary review.
Jasper if the wealthy man that Mercy loved and he treated her cruelly and pulled a lot of nastiness i his actions and tricks. Sebastian was her protector and helped her deal with Jasper. Mercy finally gave up, ran away and a Count fell in love with her and they had a family together
The everyday couple who studied smallpox and their romance was similar or parallel were Jeremy and Anna. Anna was an understudy and aid for professor Jeremy and they were studying Smallpox and doing a paper on it. Jeremy went through a lot of women and never looked at Anna in that manner. Jeremy was also a huge slob and Thomas entered Anna's life and he appreciated and cared for her.
I received a free copy, ARC, and am giving my free and voluntary review.
May 23, 2024
This is the story of Anna and Mercy. Anna is a researcher, helping Jeremy, who is writing a book about smallpox. Anna has been working for Jeremy for 2 years and has been hopelessly in love with him for that long. Anna comes across a memoir in her research written by Mercy, a survivor of smallpox. Anna relates to Mercy since Mercy is hopelessly in love with Jasper, who is nothing but mean to her. Anna meets Thomas, who shows a genuine interest in her and sticks around even though she tells him about her feelings for Jeremy. Mercy finds kindness from her boss, Sebastian, who teaches her how to read and treats her with respect. Both women are able to move on and find a love that they deserve after they take control of their lives. Both women grow after realizing that they deserve better in their lives and find the right people to befriend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2024
I received an ARC of POX from BookSiren and am providing this review voluntarily.
POX was an entertaining beach read. I enjoyed the alternating chapters in each of the time periods and characters' voices. I learned a bit about small pox, though would have liked to have a bit more about that and less romance. But it didn't detract from the novel.
Angela Pearse has a good voice and uses enough description to paint a picture in the reader's mind, without being overly detailed. The characters were all well developed.
Mercy did seem to have a lot of leeway as a maid in the 1700s, but perhaps that was why the author made her boss so young and "hip".... I didn't understand her choice of love interest, either.
The title says "Contagiously Funny," but I found POX to be less comedy, more romance and matter of fact. But it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
I hope POX does well!
POX was an entertaining beach read. I enjoyed the alternating chapters in each of the time periods and characters' voices. I learned a bit about small pox, though would have liked to have a bit more about that and less romance. But it didn't detract from the novel.
Angela Pearse has a good voice and uses enough description to paint a picture in the reader's mind, without being overly detailed. The characters were all well developed.
Mercy did seem to have a lot of leeway as a maid in the 1700s, but perhaps that was why the author made her boss so young and "hip".... I didn't understand her choice of love interest, either.
The title says "Contagiously Funny," but I found POX to be less comedy, more romance and matter of fact. But it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
I hope POX does well!
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