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Rhymes With Love #6
Six Impossible Things
In the sixth novel of the enchanting Rhymes With Love series from New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Boyle, a nobleman falls in love with a beautiful spy he must protect…
Lord Rimswell is a man of honor and absolutes. If he says something is impossible, it is. Yet his life of right and wrong is turned upside down when he finds himself in a compromising situation with the most unyielding, yet maddeningly beautiful, woman in London. If only he had not given in to the irresistible temptation to kiss her. Now he must marry her.
Miss Roselie Stratton is the very definition of impossible—headstrong, outspoken, and carrying a reticule of secrets that could ruin more than her reputation. Kissing Brody is hardly the most ruinous thing Roselie has ever done as a secret agent for the Home Office…nor will she let a marriage of convenience stop her from continuing her work. Little does Roselie realize that she has underestimated Brody's resolve to keep her safe—for he has hopelessly fallen in love with her and is determined to do the impossible by stealing her heart in return.
Lord Rimswell is a man of honor and absolutes. If he says something is impossible, it is. Yet his life of right and wrong is turned upside down when he finds himself in a compromising situation with the most unyielding, yet maddeningly beautiful, woman in London. If only he had not given in to the irresistible temptation to kiss her. Now he must marry her.
Miss Roselie Stratton is the very definition of impossible—headstrong, outspoken, and carrying a reticule of secrets that could ruin more than her reputation. Kissing Brody is hardly the most ruinous thing Roselie has ever done as a secret agent for the Home Office…nor will she let a marriage of convenience stop her from continuing her work. Little does Roselie realize that she has underestimated Brody's resolve to keep her safe—for he has hopelessly fallen in love with her and is determined to do the impossible by stealing her heart in return.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2017
145 people are currently reading
1065 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Boyle
93 books2,084 followersElizabeth Boyle is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 historical romance novels and several novellas. Her upcoming novel, O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM, is a mix of women's fiction and historical fiction, with a bit of magic thrown in. This story of friendship and empowerment is already getting rave reviews.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
Her first novel, Brazen Angel, won Dell's Diamond Debut Award and the Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best First Book. Her books are called "fast-paced," "adventurous," and "funny."
Not sure where to begin? If you love adventure, try THIS RAKE OF MINE or ONE NIGHT OF PASSION.
If you need to laugh, SOMETHING ABOUT EMMALINE, LOVE LETTERS FROM A DUKE, or THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE.
Want a little magic in your romance? Try HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING.
When not writing, Elizabeth enjoys knitting, gardening, travel and reading a wide variety of stories. She lives with her family in Seattle.
Sign up for her weekly newsletter, Five Things for Friday on her website. A weekly roundup of books, shows, and things to cook or laugh over, her readers love this weekly laugh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
June 28, 2017
2.5 stars. I love this series and this author's books in general but this book was hella annoying.
Namely, Roselie was hella annoying. I wanted to punch her at least six impossible times during this book. I didn't like her at all.
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Six Impossible Things by Elizabeth Boyle
Book Six of the Rhymes with Love series
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
Lord Rimswell is a man of honor and absolutes. If he says something is impossible, it is. Yet his life of right and wrong is turned upside down when he finds himself in a compromising situation with the most unyielding, yet maddeningly beautiful, woman in London. If only he had not given in to the irresistible temptation to kiss her. Now he must marry her.
Miss Roselie Stratton is the very definition of impossible—headstrong, outspoken, and carrying a reticule of secrets that could ruin more than her reputation. Kissing Brody is hardly the most ruinous thing Roselie has ever done as a secret agent for the Home Office…nor will she let a marriage of convenience stop her from continuing her work. Little does Roselie realize that she has underestimated Brody's resolve to keep her safe—for he has hopelessly fallen in love with her and is determined to do the impossible by stealing her heart in return.
What I Liked:
I am a huge fan of this series, and the author, and some of my favorite historical romance novels are from this series. But this book was an utter disappointment (for me).
Roselie Stratton has been out for four Seasons and she's still unmarried, but she prefers it that way. She is an unofficial agent of the Home Office, a fact known to very few. Not even Brody, Lord Rimswell, actualy Home Office agent, her childhood friend knows. But he has met Roselie a few times when she was in disguise. When he finds out that it's Roselie under the mask and wig, he is furious. Who knew that the impertinent girl next door grew up to be a meddling, impossible unofficial agent in disguise? When the investigation in Lord Ilford's crimes takes a dangerous turn, Brody tries to stop Roselie from interfering further. Especially when they forced to marry under hasty circumstances. One of them - or both - is going to get hurt, but not if Roselie and Brody can work together to discover the truth about Ilford and his past.
So we have protagonists Brody and Roselie, both of whom were present in the previous books in this series. I adored Brody in the previous books (and I can't really remember what I thought of Roselie - no surprise there). Check the dislikes section for my full discourse on Roselie (spoiler alert: I did not like her). But Brody - well, I adored him.
Brody (or Bradwell, which is very sturdy name) was the second son of a baron, but after his older brother Poldie died in the war, Brody become baron. Brody never really wanted to be Lord Rimswell, especially with his duties with the Home Office. Brody isn't really a rake or a scoundrel, but he is charming and wicked in his own way. He's rakish without actually being one, which is fun to follow. I love his sense of loyalty and responsibility and duty - as well as his passionate side. Brody is a rare all-around good guy, without being a complete snob.
I loved seeing all of the cameos, from Lavinia, Louisa, Harriet, and their husbands (Tuck, Piers, Roxley). Harriet is one of my favorite heroines of the series, and I love the (small) role she played in this book. Other secondary characters were lovely - Miss Minx (hahahaha), Lady Wakefield, even the dowager Lady Rimswell.
This story was fairly engrossing, though I did struggle at times when it got a little slow and boring. It took me by surprise when, halfway through the book, Brody and Roselie were caught in a compromising situation and immediately got married. Usually the hero and heroine find themselves in a compromising situation but never get caught, so that took me by surprise. But I liked this twist, because it threw off the non-balance between the two, and really forced them to get closer.
I really wish I liked the romance but overall, I didn't, and it circles back to my dislike of Roselie. The romance had its steamy times but nothing remarkable.
Overall, this book wasn't awful, but I'm struggling to come up with more things that I genuinely liked. Brody, most of the secondary characters, the one or two steamy scenes, the story in general. But the female protagonist ruined my overall enjoyment of the book.
What I Did Not Like:
Let me first say that sometimes when I find myself not connecting with or liking a female protagonist, I tell myself to put myself in her shoes, and imagine myself in the story as her. Well, I tried that with Roselie. And I failed to agree with a single one of her decisions (except marrying Brody, maybe).
Where do I even start... from the beginning of this book, Roselie rubbed me the wrong way. She is masquerading in super sexy clothing, a mask, and a wig, trying to recover stolen information, or find out information about this or that relating to the nefarious Lord Ilford. This alone is not plausible and and had me calling BS. I already disliked her for putting her name and reputation, and her family's name and reputation, in danger. She is very selfish, and she could have (and should have) gotten caught. Luckily when she did get caught, it was by Brody.
Anyway, as the story went on, Roselie became more and more "impossible", to quite Brody. Trust me, I know stubborn and hard-headed (I am stubborn and head-headed). But this girl is stubborn and hard-headed to a fault. She refuses to let anyone tell her ANYTHING, whether it's for her own good or not, whether it makes perfect sense or not, whether it's to protect her or her family/loved ones.
To be honest? One of the things I absolutely hate about this new crop of historical romance heroines is their complete disregard for their reputation and their family's reputation. There are so many new HR books with heroines who are "bada**" and daring and assertive - feminist, I suppose. But it just does not work for me, for several reasons. (1) It's historically inaccurate (well, to the degree that these authors are portraying). (2) It's kind of irritating (again, to the degree that the authors are portraying). (3) The heroines, to me, come across as incredibly stupid?
Take Roselie - she refuses to listen to Brody when he tells her that she should do this or that. Like, she refuses on the principle that he can't tell her what to do. What kind of backwards, dumba** logic is that? You're so proud, but you can't take it down like sixty notches when someone tells you that you are literally a dead woman with a target on her back?
I wanted to strangle Roselie so many times. I mean, if I knew her in real life, I might have. Her "assertiveness" really grated my nerves. Don't get me wrong, I love assertive heroines and I think it's great when they stand up for themselves, but Roselie was so irritating, and pig-headed, and stupid. She's one of those characters that thinks she is so smart, but she came across as incredibly stupid. And selfish. So, so selfish.
I couldn't even connect with her! I thought for sure I'd at least be able to connect with her as she fell for Brody. But I felt nothing towards her. She seemed more of a flat, static character, especially compared to Brody. I don't really see what was so fascinating and interesting about her (other than her sexy, breast-padded alter ego Asteria, whom Brody was super attracted to, without knowing it was Roselie).
I didn't feel anything for Roselie (other than sheer irritation, wrath, and loathing), and it made it hard for me to ship the romance. I adored Brody and I love that he found love, but I really just did not care about the romance. Once you hate the female protagonist, it's really hard to like the book. The romance seemed so flat though, regardless. Besides lust, I really didn't get a lot in terms of emotions or feelings (mostly from Roselie's side). Really it seemed like she was more interested in thwarting him, running from him, defying him, going against his will... yeah, that doesn't make for a very swoony romance. I don't think I swooned once.
Anyway, I'm done. This book pissed me off in several different ways and all of them connect to Roselie and her stupid, stupid stubbornness. The short of it: Roselie had no respect for Brody, on any level, and she was incredibly selfish and stupid.
Would I Recommend It:
I most certainly do not recommend this book, which pains me to say, because I love this series. Try If Wishes Were Earls or The Knave of Hearts, or maybe even The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane (though Louisa bothered me, in that book). Better yet, try an entirely different author. You know who does assertive, "feminist"-type heroines who don't irritate the s**t out of me? Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Hoyt, Caroline Linden. One of the sexiest and most feminist thing a female protagonist can do is treat her man with respect.
Roselie... did not do that with Brody.
Rating:
2 stars. I almost can't believe I'm giving a historical romance novel such a low rating! Historical romance novels are usually my "guilty pleasures". This one was supposed to lift me out of a small rut I've been in, but it has sunk me further into the rut. Honestly I kind of hope this series is over, because I don't want to be disappointed again!
Namely, Roselie was hella annoying. I wanted to punch her at least six impossible times during this book. I didn't like her at all.
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Six Impossible Things by Elizabeth Boyle
Book Six of the Rhymes with Love series
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: April 25, 2017
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
Lord Rimswell is a man of honor and absolutes. If he says something is impossible, it is. Yet his life of right and wrong is turned upside down when he finds himself in a compromising situation with the most unyielding, yet maddeningly beautiful, woman in London. If only he had not given in to the irresistible temptation to kiss her. Now he must marry her.
Miss Roselie Stratton is the very definition of impossible—headstrong, outspoken, and carrying a reticule of secrets that could ruin more than her reputation. Kissing Brody is hardly the most ruinous thing Roselie has ever done as a secret agent for the Home Office…nor will she let a marriage of convenience stop her from continuing her work. Little does Roselie realize that she has underestimated Brody's resolve to keep her safe—for he has hopelessly fallen in love with her and is determined to do the impossible by stealing her heart in return.
What I Liked:
I am a huge fan of this series, and the author, and some of my favorite historical romance novels are from this series. But this book was an utter disappointment (for me).
Roselie Stratton has been out for four Seasons and she's still unmarried, but she prefers it that way. She is an unofficial agent of the Home Office, a fact known to very few. Not even Brody, Lord Rimswell, actualy Home Office agent, her childhood friend knows. But he has met Roselie a few times when she was in disguise. When he finds out that it's Roselie under the mask and wig, he is furious. Who knew that the impertinent girl next door grew up to be a meddling, impossible unofficial agent in disguise? When the investigation in Lord Ilford's crimes takes a dangerous turn, Brody tries to stop Roselie from interfering further. Especially when they forced to marry under hasty circumstances. One of them - or both - is going to get hurt, but not if Roselie and Brody can work together to discover the truth about Ilford and his past.
So we have protagonists Brody and Roselie, both of whom were present in the previous books in this series. I adored Brody in the previous books (and I can't really remember what I thought of Roselie - no surprise there). Check the dislikes section for my full discourse on Roselie (spoiler alert: I did not like her). But Brody - well, I adored him.
Brody (or Bradwell, which is very sturdy name) was the second son of a baron, but after his older brother Poldie died in the war, Brody become baron. Brody never really wanted to be Lord Rimswell, especially with his duties with the Home Office. Brody isn't really a rake or a scoundrel, but he is charming and wicked in his own way. He's rakish without actually being one, which is fun to follow. I love his sense of loyalty and responsibility and duty - as well as his passionate side. Brody is a rare all-around good guy, without being a complete snob.
I loved seeing all of the cameos, from Lavinia, Louisa, Harriet, and their husbands (Tuck, Piers, Roxley). Harriet is one of my favorite heroines of the series, and I love the (small) role she played in this book. Other secondary characters were lovely - Miss Minx (hahahaha), Lady Wakefield, even the dowager Lady Rimswell.
This story was fairly engrossing, though I did struggle at times when it got a little slow and boring. It took me by surprise when, halfway through the book, Brody and Roselie were caught in a compromising situation and immediately got married. Usually the hero and heroine find themselves in a compromising situation but never get caught, so that took me by surprise. But I liked this twist, because it threw off the non-balance between the two, and really forced them to get closer.
I really wish I liked the romance but overall, I didn't, and it circles back to my dislike of Roselie. The romance had its steamy times but nothing remarkable.
Overall, this book wasn't awful, but I'm struggling to come up with more things that I genuinely liked. Brody, most of the secondary characters, the one or two steamy scenes, the story in general. But the female protagonist ruined my overall enjoyment of the book.
What I Did Not Like:
Let me first say that sometimes when I find myself not connecting with or liking a female protagonist, I tell myself to put myself in her shoes, and imagine myself in the story as her. Well, I tried that with Roselie. And I failed to agree with a single one of her decisions (except marrying Brody, maybe).
Where do I even start... from the beginning of this book, Roselie rubbed me the wrong way. She is masquerading in super sexy clothing, a mask, and a wig, trying to recover stolen information, or find out information about this or that relating to the nefarious Lord Ilford. This alone is not plausible and and had me calling BS. I already disliked her for putting her name and reputation, and her family's name and reputation, in danger. She is very selfish, and she could have (and should have) gotten caught. Luckily when she did get caught, it was by Brody.
Anyway, as the story went on, Roselie became more and more "impossible", to quite Brody. Trust me, I know stubborn and hard-headed (I am stubborn and head-headed). But this girl is stubborn and hard-headed to a fault. She refuses to let anyone tell her ANYTHING, whether it's for her own good or not, whether it makes perfect sense or not, whether it's to protect her or her family/loved ones.
To be honest? One of the things I absolutely hate about this new crop of historical romance heroines is their complete disregard for their reputation and their family's reputation. There are so many new HR books with heroines who are "bada**" and daring and assertive - feminist, I suppose. But it just does not work for me, for several reasons. (1) It's historically inaccurate (well, to the degree that these authors are portraying). (2) It's kind of irritating (again, to the degree that the authors are portraying). (3) The heroines, to me, come across as incredibly stupid?
Take Roselie - she refuses to listen to Brody when he tells her that she should do this or that. Like, she refuses on the principle that he can't tell her what to do. What kind of backwards, dumba** logic is that? You're so proud, but you can't take it down like sixty notches when someone tells you that you are literally a dead woman with a target on her back?
I wanted to strangle Roselie so many times. I mean, if I knew her in real life, I might have. Her "assertiveness" really grated my nerves. Don't get me wrong, I love assertive heroines and I think it's great when they stand up for themselves, but Roselie was so irritating, and pig-headed, and stupid. She's one of those characters that thinks she is so smart, but she came across as incredibly stupid. And selfish. So, so selfish.
I couldn't even connect with her! I thought for sure I'd at least be able to connect with her as she fell for Brody. But I felt nothing towards her. She seemed more of a flat, static character, especially compared to Brody. I don't really see what was so fascinating and interesting about her (other than her sexy, breast-padded alter ego Asteria, whom Brody was super attracted to, without knowing it was Roselie).
I didn't feel anything for Roselie (other than sheer irritation, wrath, and loathing), and it made it hard for me to ship the romance. I adored Brody and I love that he found love, but I really just did not care about the romance. Once you hate the female protagonist, it's really hard to like the book. The romance seemed so flat though, regardless. Besides lust, I really didn't get a lot in terms of emotions or feelings (mostly from Roselie's side). Really it seemed like she was more interested in thwarting him, running from him, defying him, going against his will... yeah, that doesn't make for a very swoony romance. I don't think I swooned once.
Anyway, I'm done. This book pissed me off in several different ways and all of them connect to Roselie and her stupid, stupid stubbornness. The short of it: Roselie had no respect for Brody, on any level, and she was incredibly selfish and stupid.
Would I Recommend It:
I most certainly do not recommend this book, which pains me to say, because I love this series. Try If Wishes Were Earls or The Knave of Hearts, or maybe even The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane (though Louisa bothered me, in that book). Better yet, try an entirely different author. You know who does assertive, "feminist"-type heroines who don't irritate the s**t out of me? Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Hoyt, Caroline Linden. One of the sexiest and most feminist thing a female protagonist can do is treat her man with respect.
Roselie... did not do that with Brody.
Rating:
2 stars. I almost can't believe I'm giving a historical romance novel such a low rating! Historical romance novels are usually my "guilty pleasures". This one was supposed to lift me out of a small rut I've been in, but it has sunk me further into the rut. Honestly I kind of hope this series is over, because I don't want to be disappointed again!
March 20, 2019
If you want to have an idea of what is going on in this, make sure you've read from #3 and on in this series, this is #6. I read #3 in 2014 and #5 in 2016 and I could barely hang in there as it was in the beginning.
This pretty much follows the mystery set up in the books I mentioned, one of the bigger villains is pretty much already dealt with but while the other books dispatched of him, they also hinted at someone else behind the scenes, this is all about the hunt for that someone behind the scenes.
I feel like I've been complaining about this a lot lately, just my string of luck with picking stories I guess, but our hero and heroine had a childhood friendship, we get no scenes of it. Basically, she already has found him sexy and wanted him, while he is waking up to the fact that he, too, has always wanted her. I missed watching and experiencing the development of attraction.
This pretty much follows the mystery set up in the books I mentioned, one of the bigger villains is pretty much already dealt with but while the other books dispatched of him, they also hinted at someone else behind the scenes, this is all about the hunt for that someone behind the scenes.
I feel like I've been complaining about this a lot lately, just my string of luck with picking stories I guess, but our hero and heroine had a childhood friendship, we get no scenes of it. Basically, she already has found him sexy and wanted him, while he is waking up to the fact that he, too, has always wanted her. I missed watching and experiencing the development of attraction.
December 14, 2018
I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a plot I had missed the start of. Too many characters were thrown at the reader in quick succession. It was hard to keep straight and I suspect a way of tying into previous books, which I could frankly have done without, seeing as I remembered none of them.
There also was not much in the way of romance as the leads knew each other since childhood and spent most of the book running from place to place after bad guys (who I'd also have liked to have seen less of) rather than having any significant interaction.
The Resolution was asinine after all the buildup.
They made supposedly menacing criminals seem suddenly bumbling and straight up ridiculous.
Quality of the writing itself was fine.
I may have missed it, but I also don't get the point of the rather weird and slightly stupid book title.
There also was not much in the way of romance as the leads knew each other since childhood and spent most of the book running from place to place after bad guys (who I'd also have liked to have seen less of) rather than having any significant interaction.
The Resolution was asinine after all the buildup.
They made supposedly menacing criminals seem suddenly bumbling and straight up ridiculous.
Quality of the writing itself was fine.
I may have missed it, but I also don't get the point of the rather weird and slightly stupid book title.
February 11, 2022
This book is classic Boyle: it's an exuberant, sexy, doesn’t take itself too seriously kind of spy romance. We both enjoyed the heck out of reading it as long as we didn't think too closely about the particulars of the plot.
You see, Roselie has an alter ego. As Astaria, she gives the Crown an assist by completing some domestic spying. As Roselie, she's a debutante who should be popular, but manages to discourage any suitors. And as both, she's head over heels in love with Brody, her childhood BFF.
Brody's the kind of competent doofus hero we love: he might be a successful spy, but even though he and Astaria have engaged in some heavy petting in the past, he just can't believe she has any connection with Roselie.
6-Word Summaries:
Laine: Almack's: at the center of everything.
Meg: Wannabe spy spies better than actual spy.*
*Laine pointed out that this is actually 7 words but this summary is NOT BEING CHANGED.
You see, Roselie has an alter ego. As Astaria, she gives the Crown an assist by completing some domestic spying. As Roselie, she's a debutante who should be popular, but manages to discourage any suitors. And as both, she's head over heels in love with Brody, her childhood BFF.
Brody's the kind of competent doofus hero we love: he might be a successful spy, but even though he and Astaria have engaged in some heavy petting in the past, he just can't believe she has any connection with Roselie.
6-Word Summaries:
Laine: Almack's: at the center of everything.
Meg: Wannabe spy spies better than actual spy.*
*Laine pointed out that this is actually 7 words but this summary is NOT BEING CHANGED.
August 28, 2017
I started this series with book 4, The Viscount Who Lived Down the Lane. I decided I had to read the entire series and began the process of purchasing them one at a time.
I enjoyed this entire series enough that I chose this book to pull me out of a slump. I like the book well enough to say the decision was a success; but it wasn’t my favorite in the series, on equal pat to book 1. Starting off I felt disoriented. It took me a while to remember all the characters. So much action happens at the same time as prior books I think this series would be a good candidate to re-read through all books in sequence once they have all been released.
I enjoyed this entire series enough that I chose this book to pull me out of a slump. I like the book well enough to say the decision was a success; but it wasn’t my favorite in the series, on equal pat to book 1. Starting off I felt disoriented. It took me a while to remember all the characters. So much action happens at the same time as prior books I think this series would be a good candidate to re-read through all books in sequence once they have all been released.
September 17, 2017
2.5 stars
This is what happens when you inadvertently drop into a series six books in, encounter approximately 3.4 million characters for which you have no background, and the plot is all over the place.
This is what happens when you inadvertently drop into a series six books in, encounter approximately 3.4 million characters for which you have no background, and the plot is all over the place.
May 17, 2017
3.5 Stars for the story and narration. I found the suspense/spy angle somewhat tough to follow and lacking development in this book (the mystery is mostly explained at the end, but I felt like it should have had more of an on-going slow reveal throughout the book with clues along the way to intrigue the listener). However, it may have been harder for me to follow because I have not read/listened to all of the books in the series.
The narration is fine sped up, but has a breathy, whispery quality at normal speed.
Source: Library-loan.
The narration is fine sped up, but has a breathy, whispery quality at normal speed.
Source: Library-loan.
October 27, 2020
Audiobook Review:
Elizabeth Boyle is one of my favorite authors and I've enjoyed this series until this last book. For some reason it was just okay as compared to the other books in this series. Who says a woman can be a spy? Well the heroine proved them wrong and was excellent at her job. I loved the banter between the hero and heroine and at some points felt like was in two different stories although it was just one.
I enjoyed the sub-characters as they were mentioned in other books in the series. In any case, it was an enjoyable book 6 but not as captivating as the others. Narration by Susan Duerdan was nicely done and I enjoy her as narrator.
Elizabeth Boyle is one of my favorite authors and I've enjoyed this series until this last book. For some reason it was just okay as compared to the other books in this series. Who says a woman can be a spy? Well the heroine proved them wrong and was excellent at her job. I loved the banter between the hero and heroine and at some points felt like was in two different stories although it was just one.
I enjoyed the sub-characters as they were mentioned in other books in the series. In any case, it was an enjoyable book 6 but not as captivating as the others. Narration by Susan Duerdan was nicely done and I enjoy her as narrator.
April 15, 2023
Letto a parecchia distanza degli altri quindi alcuni eventi e personaggi sono completamente sfuggito alla mia memoria. L'ho trovato molto sottotono rispetto ai precedenti che ricordo mi erano piaciuti molti , soprattutto i primi. Sì è ripreso un po' solo alla fine
March 4, 2017
Pub date: Apr 2017
I loved this series, but wasn't a huge fan of this one. Even though I read the rest of the series, I felt like I was missing things, as many characters from previous books pop-up throughout the story. Definitely you'd want to have read (or reread) the previous books (or just have a fabulous memory.) And I have to say even though Brody makes a bad impression with his spy skills, Rosalie is awesome! I felt like the romance played a bit part in order to wrap-up this series' over-arcing mystery.
I loved this series, but wasn't a huge fan of this one. Even though I read the rest of the series, I felt like I was missing things, as many characters from previous books pop-up throughout the story. Definitely you'd want to have read (or reread) the previous books (or just have a fabulous memory.) And I have to say even though Brody makes a bad impression with his spy skills, Rosalie is awesome! I felt like the romance played a bit part in order to wrap-up this series' over-arcing mystery.
May 8, 2017
This book was kind of a mess, mostly because I thought the pacing was all over the place. The plot progression didn't feel linear, jumping back in time two years or a year when I'd have rather had those scenes and the conflict inherent in them (Brody trying to track Roselie's secret identity) be a bigger part of this book. Putting those scenes in the present tense would certainly have ratcheted up the chemistry and the tension in the book.
Meanwhile, the mystery Roselie is supposedly unraveling didn't make much sense to me. We don't see a lot of clues being discovered, we're just told that things have progressed. We see Brody being terrified for Roselie, but we have no real stakes or hints to the person's past behavior to discover WHY. And the entire mystery needed to get going much earlier, as it was still wrapping up two pages from the end. I mean, the ENTIRE reveal and explanation as to what they've vaguely been figuring out is sort of all dumped with about forty pages left, and it didn't have enough to do with the hints that had been dropped earlier in the book to make the payoff work for me.
This series has been so hit and miss for me; the plots tend to be the weakest parts and it hurts the characterization. Roselie is the only female spy for the home office, but we don't really do much with that. The entire book is Brody telling her she can't do things because it isn't proper or safe while she goes out, tries to do them, and gets in a scrape and he frantically tracks her down from townhouse to party to ball to wherever. And her obstinacy and his fussiness made them unlikable at times. Mostly because I didn't know much else about them.
Plus, while chemistry between characters has never been a problem in this series, I didn't feel anything for Roselie and Brody. We didn't really see them interact much unless they were mad at each other or kissing, and I honestly wish this hadn't been a trapped into marriage plot as there was too much other stuff going on. We're told they like each other and are drawn to each other so much, and they both think to themselves they love the other fairly early in the book, but there was no tug to make those feelings matter. Even his discovery of her identity was a let down, because it happens s matter-of-factly, and if it was that easy for him to notice, it makes it seem even dumber and more implausible that he hadn't already. I wanted there to be more impact from that, but that would have required more scenes of them together and a better understanding of their past.
The romance in a romance is inevitable, of course, but it also shouldn't be taken for granted. There still need to be some stakes. We didn't get enough to establish Brody and Roselie's past. I felt like at one point he said he'd screwed everything up between them, but we didn't really follow up on that. And the flashbacks to their previous kisses when Roselie was in her spy guise felt totally unnecessary, because it meant I lost some of the tension of waiting for them to kiss each other - Roselie and Brody, that is, not Brody and this enigma we're told he was chasing. I wish we'd had a prologue that established their closeness when they were younger to give us a better hint as to their personalities and opened with one of the kissing scenes and THEN proceeded to the plot.
The background characters also had potential, but they didn't feel as fully drawn as background characters in previous books in the series had been, which was too bad. And there was SO MUCH BLATANT HINTING about future couples/conflicts, but not in a way that added anything to this book. Still, the Hathaway brothers are a delight and added a lot (though I wish we'd better established their relationship with Brody so this could stand alone); I wish the dummy friend had had more to do (though I am about 99% sure he is the lord Mariah was speaking to otherwise why introduce him); and I wish we'd seen some scenes of Brody's set just hanging out and having a chat outside of the opening scene of the book. Friendships tell us a lot about characters, and that was missing in this book for me.
I don't know. This installment was the weakest so far, and suffered many of the same flaws as the third book in this series: a plot that made little sense, didn't progress in any logical fashion, and was hampered by extraneous points of view. I'll read the next one (if there is one) because I DO find Elizabeth Boyle's books charming and fun (and there were certainly some fun scenes here), and because I want to know if I'm right about Mariah's mysterious lord.
Meanwhile, the mystery Roselie is supposedly unraveling didn't make much sense to me. We don't see a lot of clues being discovered, we're just told that things have progressed. We see Brody being terrified for Roselie, but we have no real stakes or hints to the person's past behavior to discover WHY. And the entire mystery needed to get going much earlier, as it was still wrapping up two pages from the end. I mean, the ENTIRE reveal and explanation as to what they've vaguely been figuring out is sort of all dumped with about forty pages left, and it didn't have enough to do with the hints that had been dropped earlier in the book to make the payoff work for me.
This series has been so hit and miss for me; the plots tend to be the weakest parts and it hurts the characterization. Roselie is the only female spy for the home office, but we don't really do much with that. The entire book is Brody telling her she can't do things because it isn't proper or safe while she goes out, tries to do them, and gets in a scrape and he frantically tracks her down from townhouse to party to ball to wherever. And her obstinacy and his fussiness made them unlikable at times. Mostly because I didn't know much else about them.
Plus, while chemistry between characters has never been a problem in this series, I didn't feel anything for Roselie and Brody. We didn't really see them interact much unless they were mad at each other or kissing, and I honestly wish this hadn't been a trapped into marriage plot as there was too much other stuff going on. We're told they like each other and are drawn to each other so much, and they both think to themselves they love the other fairly early in the book, but there was no tug to make those feelings matter. Even his discovery of her identity was a let down, because it happens s matter-of-factly, and if it was that easy for him to notice, it makes it seem even dumber and more implausible that he hadn't already. I wanted there to be more impact from that, but that would have required more scenes of them together and a better understanding of their past.
The romance in a romance is inevitable, of course, but it also shouldn't be taken for granted. There still need to be some stakes. We didn't get enough to establish Brody and Roselie's past. I felt like at one point he said he'd screwed everything up between them, but we didn't really follow up on that. And the flashbacks to their previous kisses when Roselie was in her spy guise felt totally unnecessary, because it meant I lost some of the tension of waiting for them to kiss each other - Roselie and Brody, that is, not Brody and this enigma we're told he was chasing. I wish we'd had a prologue that established their closeness when they were younger to give us a better hint as to their personalities and opened with one of the kissing scenes and THEN proceeded to the plot.
The background characters also had potential, but they didn't feel as fully drawn as background characters in previous books in the series had been, which was too bad. And there was SO MUCH BLATANT HINTING about future couples/conflicts, but not in a way that added anything to this book. Still, the Hathaway brothers are a delight and added a lot (though I wish we'd better established their relationship with Brody so this could stand alone); I wish the dummy friend had had more to do (though I am about 99% sure he is the lord Mariah was speaking to otherwise why introduce him); and I wish we'd seen some scenes of Brody's set just hanging out and having a chat outside of the opening scene of the book. Friendships tell us a lot about characters, and that was missing in this book for me.
I don't know. This installment was the weakest so far, and suffered many of the same flaws as the third book in this series: a plot that made little sense, didn't progress in any logical fashion, and was hampered by extraneous points of view. I'll read the next one (if there is one) because I DO find Elizabeth Boyle's books charming and fun (and there were certainly some fun scenes here), and because I want to know if I'm right about Mariah's mysterious lord.
May 26, 2017
Faster than a speeding bullet, unless it's lodged in her shoulder.
Why? Cause she didn't listen.
More powerful than a locomotive, unless she's tied to the track.
Why? Cause she didn't listen.
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, and break her legs.
Why? Cause she didn't listen.
Look! Up in the sky!
It’s a bird.
It’s a plane.
It’s You're-Not-the-Boss-of-Me Girl!
Here's the deal. I've read many, many books in which one or more characters irritate me. Yes, yes, I know you find that hard to believe because I'm such a mild-mannered person. But sometimes a character comes along who is just toooo annoying and when they do, they really ruin the story. Well, let me introduce you to Roselie Stratton, Elizabeth Boyle's latest heroine. See that tear in my eye? I am crying big drops of salt water because Elizabeth Boyle is one of my favoriiiiiiiite authors and is responsible for one of my favorite heroines - Emmaline. But gee willikers, Roselie Stratton is - is - is - so strangle-worthy. I can do nothing but stutter. Words just come out of my mouth, like: gag, suffocate, idiotic, witless - I could go on and on. I don't believe I've been so stunned by such a stupendously stupid, headstrong, heroine in a long time. Yes, during the night Roselie Stratton dresses as a mild-mannered sexy floozy. But when trouble comes knocking on her door she runs to the nearest phone booth and turns into You're-Not-the-Boss-of-Me Girl! Ta-ta-tah!!!
You see, Roselie thinks she can catch a killer. Yes, yes, you heard me - a killer. Not just any old killer, but a dangerous one! (As opposed to the ones who are not so dangerous). But that's all right, because she knows everything and she can do anything allllll by herself - with no help from more experienced spy-like people. For instance our hero, Brody. Brody tries to tell her, warn her, protect her, but she doesn't heed his words. She ignores his advice, she doesn't ask for help. She just blindly charges into one disaster after another. She even manages to come up with a plan to help a friend and that friend ends up murdered.
Roselie ruined the entire book for me. Was the plotline good? Wouldn't know, because Roselie was in there doing stupid things. Did I like the hero, Brody? Yes, I did. But how could he be in love with such a nincompoop as Roselie. In my opinion she treated him like dirt and definitely didn't respect him. Should the head of the spy/agent/operative/whatever office have been fired for allowing an idiot woman to cavort through dangerous places? Yes, yes, yes!!!! What was he thinking? Can women be spies? Sure they can - at least the ones who are smart. There's a reason Mata Hari was shot - she wasn't the brightest bulb in the kingdom!
Not even the presence of characters from other books could take my focus away from You're-Not-the-Boss-of-Me Roselie. I'm all for strong heroines, but you don't have to kick a door in to prove your strength. What could have been a charming book was obliterated for me by Roselie.
I shall now cry in private.
Why? Cause she didn't listen.
More powerful than a locomotive, unless she's tied to the track.
Why? Cause she didn't listen.
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, and break her legs.
Why? Cause she didn't listen.
Look! Up in the sky!
It’s a bird.
It’s a plane.
It’s You're-Not-the-Boss-of-Me Girl!
Here's the deal. I've read many, many books in which one or more characters irritate me. Yes, yes, I know you find that hard to believe because I'm such a mild-mannered person. But sometimes a character comes along who is just toooo annoying and when they do, they really ruin the story. Well, let me introduce you to Roselie Stratton, Elizabeth Boyle's latest heroine. See that tear in my eye? I am crying big drops of salt water because Elizabeth Boyle is one of my favoriiiiiiiite authors and is responsible for one of my favorite heroines - Emmaline. But gee willikers, Roselie Stratton is - is - is - so strangle-worthy. I can do nothing but stutter. Words just come out of my mouth, like: gag, suffocate, idiotic, witless - I could go on and on. I don't believe I've been so stunned by such a stupendously stupid, headstrong, heroine in a long time. Yes, during the night Roselie Stratton dresses as a mild-mannered sexy floozy. But when trouble comes knocking on her door she runs to the nearest phone booth and turns into You're-Not-the-Boss-of-Me Girl! Ta-ta-tah!!!
You see, Roselie thinks she can catch a killer. Yes, yes, you heard me - a killer. Not just any old killer, but a dangerous one! (As opposed to the ones who are not so dangerous). But that's all right, because she knows everything and she can do anything allllll by herself - with no help from more experienced spy-like people. For instance our hero, Brody. Brody tries to tell her, warn her, protect her, but she doesn't heed his words. She ignores his advice, she doesn't ask for help. She just blindly charges into one disaster after another. She even manages to come up with a plan to help a friend and that friend ends up murdered.
Roselie ruined the entire book for me. Was the plotline good? Wouldn't know, because Roselie was in there doing stupid things. Did I like the hero, Brody? Yes, I did. But how could he be in love with such a nincompoop as Roselie. In my opinion she treated him like dirt and definitely didn't respect him. Should the head of the spy/agent/operative/whatever office have been fired for allowing an idiot woman to cavort through dangerous places? Yes, yes, yes!!!! What was he thinking? Can women be spies? Sure they can - at least the ones who are smart. There's a reason Mata Hari was shot - she wasn't the brightest bulb in the kingdom!
Not even the presence of characters from other books could take my focus away from You're-Not-the-Boss-of-Me Roselie. I'm all for strong heroines, but you don't have to kick a door in to prove your strength. What could have been a charming book was obliterated for me by Roselie.
I shall now cry in private.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2017
Series: Rhymes With Love #6
Publication Date: 4/25/17
I have loved this entire series and I enjoyed this addition to it, but it surely wasn’t my favorite in the series. It did take me a while to feel oriented though because I felt as if I had been dropped into the middle of a story and had to figure out where I was and what was going on.
Why do authors equate being a smart and brave heroine who is good at her task with being foolhardy? That seems to be the case in most of the books I read where the heroine is intelligent and sassy. It is highly annoying. I know that the author has to come up with some method of making the story work and that is an easy one, but I just wish that whatever befalls the heroine it isn’t because she has done something stupid that endangers herself and others as well. Our heroine Miss Roselie Stratton is one of those heroines. She is very intelligent, brave and – well – foolhardy.
I liked Brody who is very straight-laced and honorable. However, I felt as if he was portrayed as a bit of a bumbler and a bit weak-willed. He was a smart and capable spy, but he always came in second to Roselie. Whatever she wanted he did, there wasn’t any real partnership. The author did try to make it seem like a partnership at the end, but they were still doing whatever she wanted.
I loved the story wrap-up where everyone is gathered. It was nice to catch up with some of my favorite characters from other books and see what the future holds for them all.
Publication Date: 4/25/17
I have loved this entire series and I enjoyed this addition to it, but it surely wasn’t my favorite in the series. It did take me a while to feel oriented though because I felt as if I had been dropped into the middle of a story and had to figure out where I was and what was going on.
Why do authors equate being a smart and brave heroine who is good at her task with being foolhardy? That seems to be the case in most of the books I read where the heroine is intelligent and sassy. It is highly annoying. I know that the author has to come up with some method of making the story work and that is an easy one, but I just wish that whatever befalls the heroine it isn’t because she has done something stupid that endangers herself and others as well. Our heroine Miss Roselie Stratton is one of those heroines. She is very intelligent, brave and – well – foolhardy.
I liked Brody who is very straight-laced and honorable. However, I felt as if he was portrayed as a bit of a bumbler and a bit weak-willed. He was a smart and capable spy, but he always came in second to Roselie. Whatever she wanted he did, there wasn’t any real partnership. The author did try to make it seem like a partnership at the end, but they were still doing whatever she wanted.
I loved the story wrap-up where everyone is gathered. It was nice to catch up with some of my favorite characters from other books and see what the future holds for them all.
March 4, 2020
I adored almost everything about Six Impossible Things. The gumption of Roselie coupled with the exasperation of Brody trying to "save" her really made me smile the entire way through. Their topsy turvy romance coupled with the intrigue was really fun to read. I highly recommend picking this up! I don't think you will be disappointed.
December 10, 2019
3.5/5. Humour aplenty as expected from this author but unconvincing espionage/murder plot dominates this book over romance. Everyone seems to be working for the Home Office but even though the hero is an agent, he was dreadfully naive and not very observant.
August 26, 2022
I was so excited about this book! The blurb captured me! I was ready!
And then I was disappointed.
Okay, so after reading the blurb, this is what I was expecting from this book: Our heroine is a spy. Competent, sassy, and willing to do whatever to further the cause of the Home Office and England. Our hero is a reserved, honorable, gentleman, who is caught unawares by our heroine. He is in the library at a ball (I don't know, I just like library scenes) to avoid all the matchmaking mammas, and she comes in, trying to avoid someone who wants her dead because, well, spy. In a flash of brilliance (or stupidity), she kisses him to make anything that she left the ballroom for a tryst. They are caught and BOOM! The marriage of convenience plot has begun!
I explained this idea to my housemates, and they agreed that this is the book we all wanted. A total reversal of the usual romantic character roles!
That is what the blurb implied. And I was so excited. I checked this book out from the library so fast! I was sure that we were finally getting a book where the HEROINE was the badass, while the hero was the one who is like "oh, but it's dangerous! Please be careful!"
However,
Two stars for this book because the writing was pretty decent, and the plot did work, it just wasn't what I wanted. And for other reason under the spoiler tag.
And then I was disappointed.
Okay, so after reading the blurb, this is what I was expecting from this book: Our heroine is a spy. Competent, sassy, and willing to do whatever to further the cause of the Home Office and England. Our hero is a reserved, honorable, gentleman, who is caught unawares by our heroine. He is in the library at a ball (I don't know, I just like library scenes) to avoid all the matchmaking mammas, and she comes in, trying to avoid someone who wants her dead because, well, spy. In a flash of brilliance (or stupidity), she kisses him to make anything that she left the ballroom for a tryst. They are caught and BOOM! The marriage of convenience plot has begun!
I explained this idea to my housemates, and they agreed that this is the book we all wanted. A total reversal of the usual romantic character roles!
That is what the blurb implied. And I was so excited. I checked this book out from the library so fast! I was sure that we were finally getting a book where the HEROINE was the badass, while the hero was the one who is like "oh, but it's dangerous! Please be careful!"
However,
Two stars for this book because the writing was pretty decent, and the plot did work, it just wasn't what I wanted. And for other reason under the spoiler tag.
May 1, 2017
I love historical novels about spies, especially when one of the spies is a woman. I liked that Roselie/Asteria didn’t act like she would have preferred to be a man, and didn’t act like she was all that tough, just that she could almost take care of herself and she only told Brody that once instead of over and over again throughout the story. Roselie was better with words, and she had some great lines.
This was all about Roselie being a masked spy and Brody’s attempt to unmask her, while falling in love with her. And Roselie, having grown up with Brody, always trying to hide her identity from him. It was about them both trying to find out who was selling England’s secrets to France. It was a book filled with spies, murder, kidnapping and romance. What more can you ask for? And there was some fun and entertaining secondary characters in it, too. Budgey was really funny and I was sorry he wasn't in the book except for the very beginning. I wondered why he was even added to the book. He seemed to be a non-entity to me. He was part of the Ton, acted like a fool for a few minutes then he disappeared. It was a little odd, and disappointing.
There was sex scene and a little desire once in a while. No swearing.
As to the narration: I absolutely love Susan Duerden. She does great voices BUT most of all she reads with emotions and enthusiasm. AND, most importantly, she laughs and whispers when the book calls for it. That’s the most important thing to me, especially the whisper. When a narrator reads that a character whispers and the narrator doesn’t, then that makes for a bad narrator. The very worst thing is when there’s a female narrator and the book says the hero’s voice is deep and sexy but he sounds just like a girl when he talks, THAT is really a bad narrator. And still, in 2017, the female narrators are ruining books by not even trying to sound even a little bit like a man. Amazing!!
July 20, 2017
Perhaps it's not fair to complain that you don't know what's going on when you start with the sixth book in a series, but this wasn't as good as the short story I just read by the author. I did not care in the slightest about the characters, the tension was never very tense, and I found myself sorry I hadn't picked up an Amanda Quick, which might have had some annoying mystical element but at least the mystery would be solid. I found an over-reliance on dialogue here, and spotty character development. In fact, none of the characters are real enough for me, they are outlines of characters I might like, and the idea that rage is a spicy kind of passion was pretty off-putting. Bleh.
dnf
January 1, 2018Is there a rating for books one does NOT finish? I stopped at 39%. Not because it is a bad book, I just did not enjoy it enough to want to continue. I was not interested in the plot and the main characters. From the summary it should have been for me, but it wasn’t.
September 9, 2017
poor plot, annoying/stupid characters. overall, not fond.
June 17, 2017
I thought this book was on the cusp of being good. It had hints of something amazing but it never really delivers. I love the introduction of the heroine. She wanted to be an agent and had the makings of it. However, she was a girl and the opportunities weren't really available. Therefore, she settled on bedeviling her friends, family, and acquaintances. I love the idea of it. It was such a short and succinct hook that made me want to read. She seemed like a really interesting and capable heroine. I wanted to know about the scrapes she would get into and the romance in store for her. However, what followed were just hints but never really a proper delve in her life.
I think this is best seen in the romance. There were just hints at it instead of rich writing. By all accounts, the romance should have been interesting. They were childhood friends who drifted away from each other as they got older. Both of them had a secret life. What was in the writing was just references to their description as interesting people instead of showing what interesting things happened to them.
The writing was a bit hamfisted in that it just presents something without really exploring it. There should have been a gradual reveal when the hero discovers that his childhood friend was the woman he had been looking for. He looks for her alternative identity at balls and there was a big to do about his obsession about finding her. The heroine makes a note that he doesn't even notice her but he does her alter ego. I thought that was an interesting dynamic but it isn't really explored. Instead, when he finds out her secret, suddenly he loves her. There was no reflection on the change and it was just really disappointing. I also would have enjoyed more scenes of them interacting to show the moment he fell for her. Instead, the author just writes in that he loves her and so he is. I felt a bit gypped because by all accounts, these were two interesting characters. However, the book only references that they are interesting without really proving they are. It is used as a prop instead of something that just is. I think the writing just isn't up to par with the ideas. The only book in this series that I consider good was The Viscount Down the Lane. I felt like the hero and heroine actually interacted, spent time with each other, and grew by being with one another, which I find a bit absent in this book.
I also found that there were a lot of fillers. I feel like a person reading this as a standalone would get bored. There are many references to previous characters without really making them interesting. Lavinia and Tuck got married and I just can't imagine someone who hasn't read the other books could ever find it interesting the way it was written. While it was a fun aside, it was really irrelevant to the story.
The story revolves around Brody and Roselie. Roselie is a very nosey person. She is talented at gathering information and is using that talent to help her country. Ilford had been committing treason. Her friend died in the mission and managed to pass along relevant information. Ilford was arrested but he had accomplices who were looking out for him. She became a target and her cover was blown. Brody compromises her and they get married. He sets out to protect her but she has her own mind and trusts her own capabilities. She continued her investigation and it led to an asylum. The dead duchess wasn't really dead and the duchess decided it was time to resurface. The duchess told her story, which was that she was framing the blackmailer and the blackmailer's son for her murder. She hoped that this would lead to them backing off of her husband. She took in the down on her luck blackmailer and got repaid with threats. The blackmailer raped the duke and concocted a plan to plant her son as the heir to the childless ducal couple. She killed husbands along the way and was not in track to stop. So, the duchess faked a seedy death in hopes of throwing suspicion on the blackmailer and her son. Meanwhile, the duke had been finding the rightful heir and spending every resource at his hands to not pass along the title to his blackmailing son. Roselie took on the case and promised she would help them. They set up a plan to trap the blackmailer and her ward. The plan went awry but they corrected it. They caught them in the end. In the epilogue, they had kids. Apparently, the mother in law mellowed out as soon as she had grandchildren.
I think this is best seen in the romance. There were just hints at it instead of rich writing. By all accounts, the romance should have been interesting. They were childhood friends who drifted away from each other as they got older. Both of them had a secret life. What was in the writing was just references to their description as interesting people instead of showing what interesting things happened to them.
The writing was a bit hamfisted in that it just presents something without really exploring it. There should have been a gradual reveal when the hero discovers that his childhood friend was the woman he had been looking for. He looks for her alternative identity at balls and there was a big to do about his obsession about finding her. The heroine makes a note that he doesn't even notice her but he does her alter ego. I thought that was an interesting dynamic but it isn't really explored. Instead, when he finds out her secret, suddenly he loves her. There was no reflection on the change and it was just really disappointing. I also would have enjoyed more scenes of them interacting to show the moment he fell for her. Instead, the author just writes in that he loves her and so he is. I felt a bit gypped because by all accounts, these were two interesting characters. However, the book only references that they are interesting without really proving they are. It is used as a prop instead of something that just is. I think the writing just isn't up to par with the ideas. The only book in this series that I consider good was The Viscount Down the Lane. I felt like the hero and heroine actually interacted, spent time with each other, and grew by being with one another, which I find a bit absent in this book.
I also found that there were a lot of fillers. I feel like a person reading this as a standalone would get bored. There are many references to previous characters without really making them interesting. Lavinia and Tuck got married and I just can't imagine someone who hasn't read the other books could ever find it interesting the way it was written. While it was a fun aside, it was really irrelevant to the story.
The story revolves around Brody and Roselie. Roselie is a very nosey person. She is talented at gathering information and is using that talent to help her country. Ilford had been committing treason. Her friend died in the mission and managed to pass along relevant information. Ilford was arrested but he had accomplices who were looking out for him. She became a target and her cover was blown. Brody compromises her and they get married. He sets out to protect her but she has her own mind and trusts her own capabilities. She continued her investigation and it led to an asylum. The dead duchess wasn't really dead and the duchess decided it was time to resurface. The duchess told her story, which was that she was framing the blackmailer and the blackmailer's son for her murder. She hoped that this would lead to them backing off of her husband. She took in the down on her luck blackmailer and got repaid with threats. The blackmailer raped the duke and concocted a plan to plant her son as the heir to the childless ducal couple. She killed husbands along the way and was not in track to stop. So, the duchess faked a seedy death in hopes of throwing suspicion on the blackmailer and her son. Meanwhile, the duke had been finding the rightful heir and spending every resource at his hands to not pass along the title to his blackmailing son. Roselie took on the case and promised she would help them. They set up a plan to trap the blackmailer and her ward. The plan went awry but they corrected it. They caught them in the end. In the epilogue, they had kids. Apparently, the mother in law mellowed out as soon as she had grandchildren.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2017
Plot: 4/5
Characterisation: 3/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
Characterisation: 3/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 4/5
May 12, 2019
I was so frustrated by both Roselie and Brody for most of the book. Stubborn and frustrating. About three quarters of the way through, they finally became characters I actually liked. Glad I borrowed this from the library rather than purchased it.
September 11, 2023
Too much cloak and dagger and murder for me.
June 28, 2017
First off, I don't understand why this book was titled Six Impossible Things. The word impossible was appropriate for in the first chapter the author expressed how people were always telling Rosalie that things were impossible for her to do or accomplish. I was expecting the phrase, "six impossible things," to be used somewhere later in the book but it never was. What six impossible things happened in this book? I surely don't know.
I usually love Elizabeth Boyle's books. I've got all of them and read most of them more than once. But these last few books she's written have done nothing for me. I really wanted to give this one at least 4 stars but I just can't.
A book that has a mystery woven into the storyline should be more exciting. I should be looking forward to finding out who done it. Instead I could have cared less. And I was looking forward to the end of the book but only because that meant that it would be over.
Now, I didn't hate this book. It was well written and had strong characters. I was just very tired of the same storyline. Ms. Boyle had been working off of the same bad guy for three books now. And they caught him in the end of previous book! But he had this elaborate plot he was orchestrating from prison to have Rosalie killed. And the new-ish villains who were working with Illford, just didn't do it for me. The whole thing was just too drawn out!
Like I said, I like Elizabeth Boyle's novels as a whole and I will keep reading her books. She does light, fluffy, witty, regency romance very well. The first two books in the series were superb. There was no ridiculous spy plot going on in either of them. Things went downhill after that. Her trying to weave in this mysterious plot line in to the last few books just didn't work for me. I just hope her next series will be better than this one.
I usually love Elizabeth Boyle's books. I've got all of them and read most of them more than once. But these last few books she's written have done nothing for me. I really wanted to give this one at least 4 stars but I just can't.
A book that has a mystery woven into the storyline should be more exciting. I should be looking forward to finding out who done it. Instead I could have cared less. And I was looking forward to the end of the book but only because that meant that it would be over.
Now, I didn't hate this book. It was well written and had strong characters. I was just very tired of the same storyline. Ms. Boyle had been working off of the same bad guy for three books now. And they caught him in the end of previous book! But he had this elaborate plot he was orchestrating from prison to have Rosalie killed. And the new-ish villains who were working with Illford, just didn't do it for me. The whole thing was just too drawn out!
Like I said, I like Elizabeth Boyle's novels as a whole and I will keep reading her books. She does light, fluffy, witty, regency romance very well. The first two books in the series were superb. There was no ridiculous spy plot going on in either of them. Things went downhill after that. Her trying to weave in this mysterious plot line in to the last few books just didn't work for me. I just hope her next series will be better than this one.
May 16, 2017
Without any real surprises, I fell in love with the author, Elizabeth Boyle's latest novel, "Six Impossible Things." In honesty, if you love historical romances as much as I do you will want to add Boyle's novels to your reading lists. Her stories possess strong heroine leads, to-die-for-romance and of course the true hunks that rule the genre as well as the women they love.
Like the novel, Boyle's, "Rhymes of Love," series has been a number of stories that have quickly become a favorite of mine. Yet, "Six Impossible Things," has to be the top book out of the series. I literally adored this story from start to finish and normally I am not a fan of spy novels. In short, this is one novel that does offer something for every reader.
To begin with Brody, the hero was widely attractive. I liked Brody's sense of wicked charm. Brody was the kind of hero that was sexy without needing to try too hard. As the reader, I was attracted to Brody's rugged ways as well as to his ego. The same can be said for Roselie, the heroine and my favorite character out of the story. Roselie was so independent that she was willing to put her own life at risks to solve the mysteries surrounding the plot of the book. Together, Roselie and Brody made for quite the romantic couple and I had so much for being a part of their wild adventure.
I would definitely recommend this novel, this series as well as all other novels by the author as it is nearly impossible not to fall in love with the writings of Elizabeth Boyle.
Like the novel, Boyle's, "Rhymes of Love," series has been a number of stories that have quickly become a favorite of mine. Yet, "Six Impossible Things," has to be the top book out of the series. I literally adored this story from start to finish and normally I am not a fan of spy novels. In short, this is one novel that does offer something for every reader.
To begin with Brody, the hero was widely attractive. I liked Brody's sense of wicked charm. Brody was the kind of hero that was sexy without needing to try too hard. As the reader, I was attracted to Brody's rugged ways as well as to his ego. The same can be said for Roselie, the heroine and my favorite character out of the story. Roselie was so independent that she was willing to put her own life at risks to solve the mysteries surrounding the plot of the book. Together, Roselie and Brody made for quite the romantic couple and I had so much for being a part of their wild adventure.
I would definitely recommend this novel, this series as well as all other novels by the author as it is nearly impossible not to fall in love with the writings of Elizabeth Boyle.
October 24, 2019
This was a pretty good book, though the romance aspect felt a bit rushed, and Rose was a bit hardheaded, even when it was for her own good. I can understand where she is coming from though, because Brody never told her she had to stop because there had ben threats against her, there were people following him and her, ect. He just told her it was dangerous, which she already knew, and to stop because he was her husband and she had to listen to him. It was a tad high handed, but he was looking out for her best interests so...
Overall, a quick time passing read.
Overall, a quick time passing read.
September 6, 2017
Talk about a spy novel and this book has a woman doing it as independent because the Home Office doesn't believe she can do it like many others do. However she does do it Rosebud is something else i am a fan of independent women. A must read for book lovers everywhere.
July 20, 2017
A delightful book featuring a lady spy, possible collusion with a foreign adversary, and a sexy central couple. I dug it!
March 2, 2018
Je me souviens de mon jeune temps lorsque je lisais des romances historiques mes préférées étaient celles de Jude Deveraux, Amanda Quick, Eloïsa James ou Kathleen Woodiwiss. Pour leurs jeunes héroïnes têtues et pugnaces. Pour ce contexte historique, ces grands bals et ces beaux lords qui finissaient toujours amoureux.
Avec Elisabeth Boyle j'ai retrouvé cet engouement.
Roselie est une héroïne comme je les aime. Sous couvert d'être une jeune lady, elle est aussi une espionne de la Couronne. Rôle qu'elle a choisi de force face au destin justement parce que tout le monde lui assurait que c'était inconvenant, impossible, pas féminin. Sa ténacité et son réseau d'informateurs l'ont propulsé dans les hautes sphères de l'espionnage et la mission en cours devrait être sa derrière.
Face à elle et pourtant aussi dans son camp il y a Lord Rimswell, Brody. Amis d'enfance, leur complicité de trublions s'est altérée avec l'âge.
Mais lui aussi est un espion. Et un bon. Et cette espionne britannique, Asteria, il compte bien mettre la main dessus car elle le trouble plus que personne d'autre.
Alors quand le doute commence à l'assaillir. Que des pièces du puzzle se mettent en place et que le danger rôde un peu trop près d'eux, Brody veut prendre les choses en main. Mais c'est sans compter la courageuse jeune femme passionnée et têtue qu'il a face à lui.
La piste la mène vers de nombreux secrets. Ses découvertes semblent troubler de plus gros poissons. Et l'auteure va ainsi nous entraîner dans une aventure à la fois rocambolesque vu les prises de bec de nos deux héros mais aussi pleines d'aventures et de danger.
J'ai retrouvé l'enthousiasme de mes lectures ado, celles où la romance n'avait pas forcément la part principale mais était suffisamment présente pour ne pas perdre de vue quelques passages torrides ou aguicheurs. Ces romances où l'aventure reste au premier plan, où l'action prime sur les bisous même s'ils n'en sont jamais loin et où la mièvrerie n'a aucune place. Elisabeth Hoyle a su aussi poser quelques touches d'humour fort divertissantes et parfois « so british ». Cela apporte alors un brin de légèreté dans cette chasse au traitre en mettant en avant des personnages un peu caricaturaux mais totalement attachants.
Tout cela pour dire que j'ai découvert cette série "les débutantes de Kempton" au travers des aventures de Roselie et que cela m'a donné envie de me pencher sur les autres débutantes de cette auteure. Car si elles sont toutes aussi têtues et intrépides que celle ci je vais me régaler.
Avec Elisabeth Boyle j'ai retrouvé cet engouement.
Roselie est une héroïne comme je les aime. Sous couvert d'être une jeune lady, elle est aussi une espionne de la Couronne. Rôle qu'elle a choisi de force face au destin justement parce que tout le monde lui assurait que c'était inconvenant, impossible, pas féminin. Sa ténacité et son réseau d'informateurs l'ont propulsé dans les hautes sphères de l'espionnage et la mission en cours devrait être sa derrière.
Face à elle et pourtant aussi dans son camp il y a Lord Rimswell, Brody. Amis d'enfance, leur complicité de trublions s'est altérée avec l'âge.
Mais lui aussi est un espion. Et un bon. Et cette espionne britannique, Asteria, il compte bien mettre la main dessus car elle le trouble plus que personne d'autre.
Alors quand le doute commence à l'assaillir. Que des pièces du puzzle se mettent en place et que le danger rôde un peu trop près d'eux, Brody veut prendre les choses en main. Mais c'est sans compter la courageuse jeune femme passionnée et têtue qu'il a face à lui.
La piste la mène vers de nombreux secrets. Ses découvertes semblent troubler de plus gros poissons. Et l'auteure va ainsi nous entraîner dans une aventure à la fois rocambolesque vu les prises de bec de nos deux héros mais aussi pleines d'aventures et de danger.
J'ai retrouvé l'enthousiasme de mes lectures ado, celles où la romance n'avait pas forcément la part principale mais était suffisamment présente pour ne pas perdre de vue quelques passages torrides ou aguicheurs. Ces romances où l'aventure reste au premier plan, où l'action prime sur les bisous même s'ils n'en sont jamais loin et où la mièvrerie n'a aucune place. Elisabeth Hoyle a su aussi poser quelques touches d'humour fort divertissantes et parfois « so british ». Cela apporte alors un brin de légèreté dans cette chasse au traitre en mettant en avant des personnages un peu caricaturaux mais totalement attachants.
Tout cela pour dire que j'ai découvert cette série "les débutantes de Kempton" au travers des aventures de Roselie et que cela m'a donné envie de me pencher sur les autres débutantes de cette auteure. Car si elles sont toutes aussi têtues et intrépides que celle ci je vais me régaler.
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