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Ashmore Castle #2
The Affairs of Ashmore Castle
The second novel in the Ashmore Castle series, perfect for fans of DOWNTON ABBEY, from the author of the hugely successful MORLAND DYNASTY novels
Behind the doors of the magnificent Ashmore Castle, secrets are waiting to be uncovered . . .
England, 1903.
Giles, the new Earl of Stainton, is struggling to bring his family's estate back to order after the death of his father, and he has little time to spare for his young pregnant wife, Kitty. She lives in fear of her mother-in-law, who won't give up the reins of the household. Will she ever truly be mistress of Ashmore Castle? Perhaps if her coming child is a boy, that will change the balance of power...
Meanwhile, the Earl's younger sisters are having their first taste of romance, but not necessarily with the right people. Richard is pursuing his forbidden relationship with Molly, while Nina makes a lively new friend who leads her straight into trouble and pushes her relationship with her husband to the limit.
And below stairs, ambition, jealousy and revenge stalk the corridors, while a tragic suicide, a tender romance, and finally a mysterious disappearance challenge the castle's residents, both high and low . . .
The second novel in the Ashmore Castle historical family drama series, filled with heartbreak, romance and intriguing secrets waiting to be uncovered. The perfect read for fans of Downton Abbey, Bridgerton and rich period dramas. Don't miss the next book, The Mistress of Ashmore Castle.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2022
112 people are currently reading
322 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
168 books496 followersCynthia Harrod-Eagles (aka Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennett)
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
sampled-not-for-me
June 22, 2023I skimmed through the book as the marriage of convenience continuing into book 2 was not what I wanted to read. I don't think I will read any more of the series.
August 22, 2025
A very well written interesting book as you'd expect from this author.
This is the second in a series. I loved the first one and was eagerly waiting for this.
Kitty and Giles are now parents and settled at Ashmore Castle. At least Kitty is. The one fly in the ointment is Maud, Kitty's mother-in-law. A vile, bitter woman who makes life hell for everyone. She has no time for Kitty but thankfully she's away a lot this time 'showing' Rachel off and getting her ready for her season.
The usual petty jealousies abound below stairs. There's one or two incidents that made me cringe. We meet Nina and Mr Cowling quite a lot. This part of the story went round and round in circles and didn't really get anywhere. I know this is a series so they'll probably feature heavily at some stage.
Quite a few times I got a feeling of deja vu while reading. Maybe I've read too many of this type of book. I did guess at a few things that were going to happen.
Thankfully, Kitty develops and grows a back bone although this comes late on in the story. I was cheering her on and hope this will continue in the next book.
22/8/2025
I enjoyed it more this time round. I think I took more notice of some storylines. The Cowling's story sat easier. There's one aspect that's still annoying me and one person in particular I'd love to give a good shake to and say 'be a man'!
This is the second in a series. I loved the first one and was eagerly waiting for this.
Kitty and Giles are now parents and settled at Ashmore Castle. At least Kitty is. The one fly in the ointment is Maud, Kitty's mother-in-law. A vile, bitter woman who makes life hell for everyone. She has no time for Kitty but thankfully she's away a lot this time 'showing' Rachel off and getting her ready for her season.
The usual petty jealousies abound below stairs. There's one or two incidents that made me cringe. We meet Nina and Mr Cowling quite a lot. This part of the story went round and round in circles and didn't really get anywhere. I know this is a series so they'll probably feature heavily at some stage.
Quite a few times I got a feeling of deja vu while reading. Maybe I've read too many of this type of book. I did guess at a few things that were going to happen.
Thankfully, Kitty develops and grows a back bone although this comes late on in the story. I was cheering her on and hope this will continue in the next book.
22/8/2025
I enjoyed it more this time round. I think I took more notice of some storylines. The Cowling's story sat easier. There's one aspect that's still annoying me and one person in particular I'd love to give a good shake to and say 'be a man'!
October 4, 2025
Ah, so much fun! Lots of developments and cliffhangers of course. I’m going to do a quick overview by character:
Giles: Grow up, sir.
Richard: He is so much more emotionally intelligent than Giles. And he’s the only one who understands the dynamic between Kitty and Giles (until now when Kitty finally understands it herself). There was a very touching brief line towards the end that shows Richard in such a caring light. I’m curious about his romance.
Kitty: She is coming into her own in a fantastic way. Watch out Maud! I think the key line for her in this is when she is talking to Nina and mentions how much Richard, Sebastian, and Alice have helped her feel at home and Nina notices she has left out Giles. Enough said.
Nina/Mr Cowling: Well, the honeymoon period is over, if indeed it ever existed. Their marriage reminds me of Charlotte Mason’s famous quip that “children are born persons”. Only for this story, it’s that the woman you marry is a person. Nina seems now to have been the embodiment of someone sweet and young and innocent to Mr Cowling but he’s really going to have to reckon with the fact that she is a fully human person. I have a feeling Lady Clementine is an agent for mischief (but in a fascinating social justice way). I like Mr Cowling but he is paternalistic. Not in a cruel way by any means but he comes from a generation that believes men and older men know best. He’s been incredibly successful and he’s canny. I really want the best for him and for Nina but what would that look like?
Sebastian: What a gem! Oh, but how I feel for him! This is one of the biggest cliffhangers for me.
Alice/Axe: Pure sweetness. They’re my favorites!
I don’t care as much about the belowstairs cast of characters in this as I did with watching Downton Abbey, for example. The exceptions are Rose and Dory. I like Mrs Webster but she’s such a minor character. I hate James. He’s just the kind of character I despise most. I am curious about Speen and how that will play out in the next book. The whole situation with William just annoys me.
I’ll be starting the next book pronto.
Giles: Grow up, sir.
Richard: He is so much more emotionally intelligent than Giles. And he’s the only one who understands the dynamic between Kitty and Giles (until now when Kitty finally understands it herself). There was a very touching brief line towards the end that shows Richard in such a caring light. I’m curious about his romance.
Kitty: She is coming into her own in a fantastic way. Watch out Maud! I think the key line for her in this is when she is talking to Nina and mentions how much Richard, Sebastian, and Alice have helped her feel at home and Nina notices she has left out Giles. Enough said.
Nina/Mr Cowling: Well, the honeymoon period is over, if indeed it ever existed. Their marriage reminds me of Charlotte Mason’s famous quip that “children are born persons”. Only for this story, it’s that the woman you marry is a person. Nina seems now to have been the embodiment of someone sweet and young and innocent to Mr Cowling but he’s really going to have to reckon with the fact that she is a fully human person. I have a feeling Lady Clementine is an agent for mischief (but in a fascinating social justice way). I like Mr Cowling but he is paternalistic. Not in a cruel way by any means but he comes from a generation that believes men and older men know best. He’s been incredibly successful and he’s canny. I really want the best for him and for Nina but what would that look like?
Sebastian: What a gem! Oh, but how I feel for him! This is one of the biggest cliffhangers for me.
Alice/Axe: Pure sweetness. They’re my favorites!
I don’t care as much about the belowstairs cast of characters in this as I did with watching Downton Abbey, for example. The exceptions are Rose and Dory. I like Mrs Webster but she’s such a minor character. I hate James. He’s just the kind of character I despise most. I am curious about Speen and how that will play out in the next book. The whole situation with William just annoys me.
I’ll be starting the next book pronto.
January 23, 2023
While I enjoyed the book while reading it, I thought the ending was a very cheap trick. It just ended in the middle of a scene and left many loose threads. I understand that there will be a sequel later but I think it is wrong to have a book that can't stand alone. It was a most unsatisfying read at the end!
July 5, 2022
The second book in the Ashmore Castle series.
Spoilers for the first book ...
Giles became the Earl of Stainton when his father suffered a fatal accident whilst hunting. He inherited an estate on the brink of bankruptcy, his father had refused to economise and had spent Giles' sisters' dowries and his widow's stipend. Forced to make an advantageous marriage, Giles married Kitty, a jam heiress, despite falling desperately in love with Kitty's best friend Nina.
Giles' mother Maud is a self-absorbed tartar, obsessed with her own status and achieving advantageous marriages for her daughters. Giles has three sisters and one brother. Louisa is the eldest, she made a poor marriage and has resorted to blagging stays with relatives and foisting her two children onto others whenever possible. Rachel is the second sister, on the brink of coming out (into society) and the conventionally pretty one, Maud is investing all her time and effort into achieving a brilliant match. The youngest daughter is Lily, more fond of hunting and horses than of people, she has made friends with Axe, the blacksmith's apprentice and escape to his cottage in the woods to talk whenever possible (think Dickon from The Secret Garden). Finally, Richard is Giles' younger brother who has fallen in love with his father's former mistress Molly, mother to a musical prodigy. To complete the Stainton family, Giles' uncle Sebastian lives at Ashmore Castle, a bachelor with a love for playing the piano and astute observations.
Nina is an orphan, brought up by her aunt, she faced a life as a teacher, until sharing Kitty's season opened her eyes to a different life. Unable to marry the man she truly loves (and would never hurt Kitty by stealing the man she loves), she marries an elderly, but fabulously wealthy, shoe and boot manufacturer called Joseph Cowley.
Below stairs things are just as tortuous. Secret babies, unrequited love, petty jealousies, and vaunting ambitions.
...
This book is more of the same, I was a tad flummoxed by the first book because it just ended mid-plot, as does this one, but now I just treat this as a bit like a TV series (very similar to Downtown Abbey) with multiple storylines criss-crossing each other, very little is resolved but everything is moved forwards. I have to say I was ambivalent about the first book but I am starting to get invested in the plot, even if it seems unlikely that Giles and Nina can get their HEA without something awful happening to Kitty and Mr Cowley, both of whom are lovely characters.
Looking forwards to the next instalment.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Spoilers for the first book ...
Giles became the Earl of Stainton when his father suffered a fatal accident whilst hunting. He inherited an estate on the brink of bankruptcy, his father had refused to economise and had spent Giles' sisters' dowries and his widow's stipend. Forced to make an advantageous marriage, Giles married Kitty, a jam heiress, despite falling desperately in love with Kitty's best friend Nina.
Giles' mother Maud is a self-absorbed tartar, obsessed with her own status and achieving advantageous marriages for her daughters. Giles has three sisters and one brother. Louisa is the eldest, she made a poor marriage and has resorted to blagging stays with relatives and foisting her two children onto others whenever possible. Rachel is the second sister, on the brink of coming out (into society) and the conventionally pretty one, Maud is investing all her time and effort into achieving a brilliant match. The youngest daughter is Lily, more fond of hunting and horses than of people, she has made friends with Axe, the blacksmith's apprentice and escape to his cottage in the woods to talk whenever possible (think Dickon from The Secret Garden). Finally, Richard is Giles' younger brother who has fallen in love with his father's former mistress Molly, mother to a musical prodigy. To complete the Stainton family, Giles' uncle Sebastian lives at Ashmore Castle, a bachelor with a love for playing the piano and astute observations.
Nina is an orphan, brought up by her aunt, she faced a life as a teacher, until sharing Kitty's season opened her eyes to a different life. Unable to marry the man she truly loves (and would never hurt Kitty by stealing the man she loves), she marries an elderly, but fabulously wealthy, shoe and boot manufacturer called Joseph Cowley.
Below stairs things are just as tortuous. Secret babies, unrequited love, petty jealousies, and vaunting ambitions.
...
This book is more of the same, I was a tad flummoxed by the first book because it just ended mid-plot, as does this one, but now I just treat this as a bit like a TV series (very similar to Downtown Abbey) with multiple storylines criss-crossing each other, very little is resolved but everything is moved forwards. I have to say I was ambivalent about the first book but I am starting to get invested in the plot, even if it seems unlikely that Giles and Nina can get their HEA without something awful happening to Kitty and Mr Cowley, both of whom are lovely characters.
Looking forwards to the next instalment.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
June 26, 2023
Disappointing! It was interesting enough to keep me reading until the end but not the "can't put it down kind of book." The first one had lots of characters to keep straight and this one added even more. There was no ending/closure. It was as if the story just stopped in the middle of a chapter. I wish I would not have wasted a week of my time reading this one.
November 11, 2022
I enjoyed this comfortable read but it wasn’t as good as Cynthia Harrod Eagles books usually are. It was a bit slow and yet also rather jerky between characters and their plot lines. I will of course continue with the series when the next one comes out and hope it’s back to a five star read.
July 2, 2023
Not bad. Intriguing characters and interesting plots. Loved seeing Kitty stand up to her mother-in-law. But soooo tired of Giles and Nina mooning over one another. She's a right madam in my book. And neither deserve the loving spouses they have.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2023
I thought that I'd already read this book, but no! It picked up right where the first book left off. I found it tedious and repetitive. The characters weren't engaging and not well drawn out. Sorry I really wanted to like this series!
August 14, 2022
This would have been a solid five stars, except for all the bodies hanging over cliffs...read the review!
https://bookadept.com/2022/08/14/hang...
https://bookadept.com/2022/08/14/hang...
December 26, 2022
And so the saga continues....
This book I enjoyed better than the first book in parts. I still didn't like the servants as much. But I suppose not every servant or person is good. I like Dory and will like to hear more of her story. Do not like Hook the footman/valet who thinks himself above everyone else and is constantly sniping at everyone. He deserves a comeuppance.
Nina and her husband are moving about a bit, and she has a new friend who is a little bit fast.
Richard is still spending time with the Sands, the mother more than the daughter.
The dowager keeps away from the Castle and takes Rachel with her on family visits to Germany (as it is now), France, Isle of Wight and Scotland. Although we do not hear much what happens with Rachel on all her visits. Only a few pages. I would have liked more info on that I think.
It ends on a cliffhanger but not a dangerous one but an emotive one, of Alice and her friendship with entirely the wrong person for her.
This book I enjoyed better than the first book in parts. I still didn't like the servants as much. But I suppose not every servant or person is good. I like Dory and will like to hear more of her story. Do not like Hook the footman/valet who thinks himself above everyone else and is constantly sniping at everyone. He deserves a comeuppance.
Nina and her husband are moving about a bit, and she has a new friend who is a little bit fast.
Richard is still spending time with the Sands, the mother more than the daughter.
The dowager keeps away from the Castle and takes Rachel with her on family visits to Germany (as it is now), France, Isle of Wight and Scotland. Although we do not hear much what happens with Rachel on all her visits. Only a few pages. I would have liked more info on that I think.
It ends on a cliffhanger but not a dangerous one but an emotive one, of Alice and her friendship with entirely the wrong person for her.
December 27, 2022
Another great read and series from Cynthia Harrod Eagles! I was able to escape into the world of prewar (WWI) rural England and become absorbed into the book,the characters lives, hopes and dreams. It enveloped me and took me away like so many of CHE novels do, providing an escape that I needed from my own troubles.
IF her Morland Series and others were ever put to miniseries it would beat the pants off Downtown. ;0) Her Morland series predate and out does Downtown in my humble opinion! I cannot wait for the next in the series AND the NEXT in the Morland Dynasty series!!! yes! I CANNOT recommend her Family Saga novels highly enough!
IF her Morland Series and others were ever put to miniseries it would beat the pants off Downtown. ;0) Her Morland series predate and out does Downtown in my humble opinion! I cannot wait for the next in the series AND the NEXT in the Morland Dynasty series!!! yes! I CANNOT recommend her Family Saga novels highly enough!
November 14, 2022
A very engrossing story
Strong characters and believable plot line. Perfect cliffhanger conclusion; cannot wait for next installment. Completely enjoyable read, nicely picked up the threads of first book in series.
Strong characters and believable plot line. Perfect cliffhanger conclusion; cannot wait for next installment. Completely enjoyable read, nicely picked up the threads of first book in series.
November 11, 2022
Didn’t want this one to end. I’m a big fan of Downton Abbey and this is pretty similar. Loved the character development.
January 31, 2023
Excellent
Loved it. Excellent story. Fabulous characters all blended by a tantalising web. I want to read the next book. Can't wait.
Loved it. Excellent story. Fabulous characters all blended by a tantalising web. I want to read the next book. Can't wait.
June 22, 2023
it takes awhile to get into this story but once it gets you it flows right along really good book except for the ending,,, or the start of a new book awesome read
Read
July 25, 2023Second in the series.
Good! But a little slow. A lot like Downton Abbey.
Good! But a little slow. A lot like Downton Abbey.
September 25, 2024
Love this author
February 26, 2023
Ah, what a lovely read this was. This was the 2nd book of a series by Cynthia Harrod Eagles that has been filling the void of my Downton Abbey yearnings and I absolutely love this series.
The first book in the series entails the story of young Giles Stainton who unwittingly has become the Earl of Stainton after his father is killed during a hunting accident, a task that he is unhappy to undertake but must do so if the estate known as Ashmore Castle is to survive. Living carefree in Egypt on archeological digs that have become his passion he has been summoned home to sort out the details of the crumbling estate and deal with his family who have been left without direction on what's to be done with the servants and the tenants. After his arrival back home he comes to realize how badly Ashmore has been neglected and on the verge of ruin and is advised that with no capital coming in he must seek the hand of a wealthy heiress if the castle is to survive. But his true heart's desire will not be fulfilled as he falls in love with Nina whom he cannot marry because she does not have the wealth to rescue the estate. Eventually he meets the lovely and rich Kitty whom he does not love but will learn to be a husband to and sacrifice his dreams for the sake of saving his ancestral home and it's financial burdens.
This second book is the continuation of that story after Giles and Kitty have married and like Downton Abbey also charmingly focuses on the happenings and lives downstairs of the people who serve Ashmore Castle.
Again, this was a totally enjoyable read to get lost in and my only complaint is that I will have wait till August to find out what happens next. Recommended for Downton Abbey fans.
The first book in the series entails the story of young Giles Stainton who unwittingly has become the Earl of Stainton after his father is killed during a hunting accident, a task that he is unhappy to undertake but must do so if the estate known as Ashmore Castle is to survive. Living carefree in Egypt on archeological digs that have become his passion he has been summoned home to sort out the details of the crumbling estate and deal with his family who have been left without direction on what's to be done with the servants and the tenants. After his arrival back home he comes to realize how badly Ashmore has been neglected and on the verge of ruin and is advised that with no capital coming in he must seek the hand of a wealthy heiress if the castle is to survive. But his true heart's desire will not be fulfilled as he falls in love with Nina whom he cannot marry because she does not have the wealth to rescue the estate. Eventually he meets the lovely and rich Kitty whom he does not love but will learn to be a husband to and sacrifice his dreams for the sake of saving his ancestral home and it's financial burdens.
This second book is the continuation of that story after Giles and Kitty have married and like Downton Abbey also charmingly focuses on the happenings and lives downstairs of the people who serve Ashmore Castle.
Again, this was a totally enjoyable read to get lost in and my only complaint is that I will have wait till August to find out what happens next. Recommended for Downton Abbey fans.
December 25, 2025
Too many secondary characters, especially the employees’ storylines, which left me fairly indifferent. I would have liked much more focus on Kitty and Giles, and much less on Nina. She is a character I did not enjoy. The author constantly insists on how intelligent, admirable and inspiring she is, but as a reader I found her hollow and deeply irritating. When an author has to keep repeating that a character is admirable, it often means they have failed to truly bring that character to life.
On the other hand, Alice’s storyline is very beautiful and genuinely touching, one of the novel’s real strengths. Giles is a frustrating character. You understand his inner conflicts, but you mostly want to shake him. He lives in the past and passively endures the present.
And yet, thanks to him or perhaps because of him, something finally shifts for Kitty at the end of the book. This evolution is what makes me want to read the sequel. Kitty is by far the character I am most attached to, the one I want to protect and see take control of her life.
I do not think I will find the ideal love story I was hoping for in this series, but watching Kitty step into her own strength is already a very beautiful and satisfying moment.
On the other hand, Alice’s storyline is very beautiful and genuinely touching, one of the novel’s real strengths. Giles is a frustrating character. You understand his inner conflicts, but you mostly want to shake him. He lives in the past and passively endures the present.
And yet, thanks to him or perhaps because of him, something finally shifts for Kitty at the end of the book. This evolution is what makes me want to read the sequel. Kitty is by far the character I am most attached to, the one I want to protect and see take control of her life.
I do not think I will find the ideal love story I was hoping for in this series, but watching Kitty step into her own strength is already a very beautiful and satisfying moment.
April 17, 2025
Just like the first book, the story moves along very slowly, definitely not a “can’t put down” book. But still good. Multiple story lines for multiple characters who live at Ashmore Castle (upstairs) as well as the servants (downstairs). I’m curious to see how things will end up between Giles and Kitty, and Nina and Mr. Cowling. Not sure how they can all end up with a happy ending. I don’t like how the author ends the books even though I know it’s a series and there is another book coming, but it literally ends like it’s the middle of a chapter. Not even an end of a chapter. I’m glad the third book is already available so I can continue on, which I definitely will. I actually thought it was a trilogy but I’ve learned it’s a series and there is a fourth book. Highly recommend for fans of Downton Abbey and Bridgerton. 4.5 stars.
August 20, 2023
A little bit like reading a season of Downtown Abbey, but slower paced with less character development.
I didn’t realize this was book two in the series, but it didn’t seem to matter. I wouldn’t suggest reading book three when it comes out before this one though as we very clear setups at the very end of this book.
I enjoyed the writing, but have to be honest that it was easily put down. I never felt compelled to keep reading to find out what happens next.
I could have used a lot more character development. Nina and Alice are really the only ones that get much. The rest just seem ti be along for the ride.
I will probably read the first book, which I’m guessing is Nina and Kitty being courted, but not itching to do so right away.
I didn’t realize this was book two in the series, but it didn’t seem to matter. I wouldn’t suggest reading book three when it comes out before this one though as we very clear setups at the very end of this book.
I enjoyed the writing, but have to be honest that it was easily put down. I never felt compelled to keep reading to find out what happens next.
I could have used a lot more character development. Nina and Alice are really the only ones that get much. The rest just seem ti be along for the ride.
I will probably read the first book, which I’m guessing is Nina and Kitty being courted, but not itching to do so right away.
October 10, 2023
This is book number 2 of the series and I liked this one as much as the first. Kitty and Giles are now parents. She is happy and content with life while he would much rather be on a dig somewhere or with Nina. Sometimes I just wanted to smack him. Nina is settling in to married life with Mr. Cowling although they have their share of ups and downs. She started to get involved in the feminist movement. There is more downstairs drama with a woman trying to trick William into marriage.
All of the stories are interesting and given their share of time. The only story I still struggle with is Richard trying to date his late father's mistress. I am looking forward to the 3rd book.
All of the stories are interesting and given their share of time. The only story I still struggle with is Richard trying to date his late father's mistress. I am looking forward to the 3rd book.
September 20, 2023
The continuing saga of the inhabitants of Ashmore Castle, both the Tallant family and their servants, as well as various other friends and relatives elsewhere. Set in 1903 England, the title castle is located an easy train ride from London, making day trips easy; but the majority of the action happens at the castle itself. The reader is sucked into the story, wanting to more about these characters, some likeable, others not so much.
April 15, 2025
i don’t know if i’m confused or what?? there were sooooo many characters i had to keep referring back to the family list to keep everyone straight so that’s kinda annoying. i enjoyed the story i think? but it wasn’t as interesting as the back of the book make it seem. and when i read the last page i genuinely thought the book was missing pages because it was so abrupt. but i also partly want to read the next book?? idk my emotions are all over with this one.
June 4, 2025
Good until the end
Slow paced but intriguing story. But another reviewer said "cliffhanger" and I have to disagree. Better description was "unfinished." It was like someone hacked the last 10 pages or so off the book. I had to double check that my kindle file wasn't corrupted somehow. One second I was in the story and the next the book was over. Hopefully the next book picks up immediately because that was a really curt ending.
Slow paced but intriguing story. But another reviewer said "cliffhanger" and I have to disagree. Better description was "unfinished." It was like someone hacked the last 10 pages or so off the book. I had to double check that my kindle file wasn't corrupted somehow. One second I was in the story and the next the book was over. Hopefully the next book picks up immediately because that was a really curt ending.
April 1, 2024
Ked som si myslela ze prvu cast som zhltla rychlo, tuto som doslova preletela a nevedela som sa od nej odtrhnut. Postavy a ich radosti aj starosti vas dokonale prinutia citat dalej a dalej a ked pridete na koniec mate chut hned zhanat dalsiu knihu..paci sa mi vyvoj postav ake je to nepredvidatelne a chcem viac :)
September 12, 2023
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING????? Other than that, I prefer the plot of this one to the first, Im always iffy about sequels but this series seems to be more of a story of their lives rather so a second book doesn’t seem like it’s forcing a plot
October 20, 2023
If you want a guide to Edwardian home decorating and left-over Victorian strictures, this is the book for you. Otherwise, it's pretty humdrum. Worst of all, like the book that precedes it, it leaves you dangling to lead you on to the next book.
June 10, 2024
4.5 stars rounded down to 4 (I try to be very strict with my ratings). Read this one just as quickly as the first, really enjoying this series. I will say that I think they’re all meant to be considered as one long work, they don’t really work as stand alone books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews