3.5 stars. Love is Blind is a cute, clean Regency romance novella. The characters are likeable and the story moves along quickly. I was thrown by the...more3.5 stars. Love is Blind is a cute, clean Regency romance novella. The characters are likeable and the story moves along quickly. I was thrown by the multiple points of view (especially in such a short book) and shifts of point of view mid-scene, as well as some of the language, which didn't keep me "in period." Overall, Love is Blind is a good clean read for fans of Regency romance.(less)
Willett's writing is poetical and has a leisurely pace I like, so I'll be seeking out other books by her. But this one I couldn't engage with--the pr...more
Willett's writing is poetical and has a leisurely pace I like, so I'll be seeking out other books by her. But this one I couldn't engage with--the present tense with third person was odd...I could get past that, but the narration went into too many characters' heads. It was way off for me. I don't mind omniscient third person, but I think that works better not being in so many characters' heads. This was like having deep point of view with every character in the book. I hope Willett's other books don't use that style.(less)
Listened to the audio book with my older son. He's interested in WWI right now. Well done characterizations and a fairly quick pace kept us both inter...moreListened to the audio book with my older son. He's interested in WWI right now. Well done characterizations and a fairly quick pace kept us both interested. The narrator of the audio edition was very good as well, doing the different accents and tones of voice. (less)
Miss Julia is back, sassy yet proper, caring and careening from one errand of mercy to the next. Miss Julia to the Rescue is a fun read, and brings th...moreMiss Julia is back, sassy yet proper, caring and careening from one errand of mercy to the next. Miss Julia to the Rescue is a fun read, and brings the character back to what I remember from the first book in the series. I also love that Etta Mae is again involved, as well as many of the supporting characters readers of the series are familiar with. But it's Miss Julia who really shines in this book, and that's just what this fan of the series hoped for. (less)
I've been waiting to read "Laid to Rest" since I first read excerpts on Preston's blog. It's not as laugh out loud funny as I expected, and not as swe...moreI've been waiting to read "Laid to Rest" since I first read excerpts on Preston's blog. It's not as laugh out loud funny as I expected, and not as sweet as "The Yard Sale" (if mild adult situations and language bother you, I'd stick with "The Yard Sale" and not this one). However, this is a fun quick read--but not the 50+ pages it says, as there are multiple excerpts in the back. All that said, I enjoyed Darlene's humor and style and I'll be looking for Preston's future releases, especially to learn what happens to Darlene, Richie, and Tommy Ray. (less)
This quick, fun read is full of quirky characters and, as the series title states, down-home humor. I enjoyed snippets of the next book in this series...moreThis quick, fun read is full of quirky characters and, as the series title states, down-home humor. I enjoyed snippets of the next book in this series on Preston's blog some time ago, and had been looking forward to reading more of her brand of Southern humor. Yard Sale, while not as laugh-out-loud funny as I'd expected, delivered an enjoyable diversion and an unexpected, touching message. Well worth purchasing if you're a fan of Southern humor (like Ann B. Ross's Miss Julia). (less)
Overall, a charming Regency/P&P continuation. A clean read, fairly engaging characters written in diary format. There were a few places I was thr...more
Overall, a charming Regency/P&P continuation. A clean read, fairly engaging characters written in diary format. There were a few places I was thrown out of the story, but I enjoyed it and will read the sequel. (less)
3.5 stars, as there were things I would've liked more of and to know, like what happened to Angelita and a bit more about Marie and Claude's relations...more3.5 stars, as there were things I would've liked more of and to know, like what happened to Angelita and a bit more about Marie and Claude's relationship. Overall, I enjoyed this quick (clean) historical read. It's a fictionalized memoir of the author's (historical romance author Lynna Banning) grandmother's Argentine Honeymoon. None of us would call it a honeymoon, but rather a hardscrabble time on the Argentine Pampas. And it's not exactly a love story...still, if you enjoy historical fiction or memoirs of women, this should interest you. I felt this line summed up the tone of the book: "I am not yet 22 years of age and I feel the future yawn before me like a box canyon." There were passages toward the end which brought tears to my eyes--I'll be reading more from Banning. (less)
This is a cute book. I enjoyed the characters and references to Little Women and Concord. I liked it well enough to want to read the next in the serie...moreThis is a cute book. I enjoyed the characters and references to Little Women and Concord. I liked it well enough to want to read the next in the series. (less)