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MelissaB's Reviews > Ten Things I Love About You
Ten Things I Love About You (Bevelstoke, #3)
by Julia Quinn (Goodreads Author)
by Julia Quinn (Goodreads Author)
MelissaB's review
bookshelves: 2010-reads, historical-romance, regency-romance
Jun 24, 10
bookshelves: 2010-reads, historical-romance, regency-romance
Read from June 23 to 24, 2010
*** 2 1/2 stars ***
Ten Things I Didn't Love About This Book
1. Way too much internal dialogue. Plus the internal dialogue was often about completely random stuff. Show me, don't tell me.
2. It was boring.
3. The hero came off as wimpy when he allowed the villain (his uncle) to push him around and do stuff to the heroine.
4. There were a million references to the hero's books, plus there were so many times where the hero would think "If I were writing this scene..." It was really annoying.
5. The uncle was allowed to assault the heroine multiple times and he pretty much just got away with it. Ridiculous.
6. There was only one short love scene. I think the descriptions of the uncle assaulting her were more graphic than the love scenes.
7. The love didn't seem all that passionate between the hero and heroine.
8. The heroine's grandmother was creepy, she didn't seem to care what happened to her granddaughter.
9. We were supposed to believe that only one nasty old guy was interested in the heroine? That didn't seem plausible. The way her family threw that nasty old guy at her was very distasteful and hard to read.
10. The book couldn't quite decide whether it wanted to be funny or serious at certain points. The serious issues such as the heroine being assaulted and the hero's PTSD from war were glossed over in too light of a manner.
So while some parts of the book were okay and a bit humorous, the story didn't work for me and I was just trying to reach the end without being too annoyed.
Ten Things I Didn't Love About This Book
1. Way too much internal dialogue. Plus the internal dialogue was often about completely random stuff. Show me, don't tell me.
2. It was boring.
3. The hero came off as wimpy when he allowed the villain (his uncle) to push him around and do stuff to the heroine.
4. There were a million references to the hero's books, plus there were so many times where the hero would think "If I were writing this scene..." It was really annoying.
5. The uncle was allowed to assault the heroine multiple times and he pretty much just got away with it. Ridiculous.
6. There was only one short love scene. I think the descriptions of the uncle assaulting her were more graphic than the love scenes.
7. The love didn't seem all that passionate between the hero and heroine.
8. The heroine's grandmother was creepy, she didn't seem to care what happened to her granddaughter.
9. We were supposed to believe that only one nasty old guy was interested in the heroine? That didn't seem plausible. The way her family threw that nasty old guy at her was very distasteful and hard to read.
10. The book couldn't quite decide whether it wanted to be funny or serious at certain points. The serious issues such as the heroine being assaulted and the hero's PTSD from war were glossed over in too light of a manner.
So while some parts of the book were okay and a bit humorous, the story didn't work for me and I was just trying to reach the end without being too annoyed.
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Reading Progress
| 06/23/2010 | page 15 |
|
4.0% | "I really like this new style of cover for some reason. I loved the cover on Nine Rules by Maclean but this one is cute too." |
| 06/23/2010 | page 100 |
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27.0% | "Good Gawd this book is boring me! There is wayyyy too much internal thought and dialogue." 23 comments |
Comments (showing 1-50 of 73) (73 new)
message 1:
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Eastofoz
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rated it 3 stars
Jun 24, 2010 04:19am
Geeze, another three star rating for this book. Not looking good for me :-/
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East,I did not like this book and debated 2 stars.
I found the writing frustrating because it was so much internal thoughts instead of action and dialogue.
There was only one small love scene, plus other plot points were very annoying.
Great review, Melissa. I agree with all your reasons for disliking this book, except for #8. Annabel's grandmother was creepy, but I had fun with her. Probably because she was the only character with a backbone in the story.
Good review, Melissa (and it was funny too). I am sorry this book didn't turn out well and I will definitely be putting it at the bottom on my TBR pile now. I hope the next book you read will be a lot better!!!
Too bad you didn't like this one, but I appreciate how well you explained why it didn't work for you. It bugs me when people just slap a rating on a book, especially when they are rating it poorly, without at least some explanation of why.
Great review, Melissa.Now I'm shaking in my boots, because it's on my TBR pile. Plus, I won it in the FirstReads draw, so I feel obligated to read it.
At least my expectations won't be high.
Dina - the grandmother was funny at times but she just didn't seem to care about Annabel very much. I did not like the way she pushed the nasty old guy onto her when she and the grandfather could have fixed their money problems but wouldn't.This type of fluff book just wasn't to my taste, I liked the two main characters but I didn't learn enough about them and I had too many issues with the plot and the writing style.
Hmmm. I hated Quinn's last book, that everyone else loved. Since people aren't like thing one, does that mean I should try it? ;-)
that wench willaful wrote: "Hmmm. I hated Quinn's last book, that everyone else loved. Since people aren't like thing one, does that mean I should try it? ;-)"I may not be the person to base an opinion off. I am not a big regency fan to begin with and I don't like fluffy historicals with little depth to the plot and characters. So maybe it just wasn't the book for me.
MelissaB, if you don't like fluffy with little depth then I really don't think you'll enjoy your experience if you continue reading Julia Quinn. In my mind she's synonymous with funny, fluffy, light, and not serious at all. She's really hit or miss with me and after this last one I think I've given up on her.
Good review. My main problem was the total lack of chemistry but I pretty much agree with every one of your points.
Of course UM, I have read most of the popular authors over my many years of romance reading. McNaught has too much drama and big misunderstandings for me but I used to read her books. So I guess I like something in the middle - depth to the characters and story but not a lot of drama and big misunderstandings. I like a nice historical feel and a hero who is alpha but not a jerk.
I've read some Highlander romances by Kathleen Givens that I really enjoyed. On a Highland Shore and Rivals for the Crown are the two I've read. Not really too fluffy at all.
I have read those UM. I liked On a Highland Shore but I thought Rivals For the Crown didn't have enough romance. Kilgannon and Wild Rose of Kilgannon are my favs by her.Believe me, I have plenty of historicals in the TBR pile, probably about 200 or so still to read.
Oh, I haven't read Kilgannon and Wild Rose yet, but I do have them. I had to get them off ebay though. I was sad when Givens passed away. I never heard what had happened, she seemed so young. And I had just started reading her books, too.I hope you don't think I'm trying to be pushy with books, I know you've read tons but I thought I'd make a couple of suggestions.
I think I have a Duran somewhere in the TBR mountain. I have many, many books to read, I think about 350 paper and 200+ ebooks. I think I have Written on Your Skin? I think I read that the Duke of Shadows is good, do you like it?
Wow, that's a lot of books! How do you choose which one you'll read next if you have so many available? Do you have a system? Just curious.
Not at all UM, I am open to suggestions for books. I put them on a Wish List if I think they sound good. Thanks for thinking of me :)
Melissa is it heavy on the narration when you say "show me don't tell me"? (**please say no, please say no!**)
Eastofoz wrote: "Melissa is it heavy on the narration when you say "show me don't tell me"? (**please say no, please say no!**)"East,
It's heavy on internal thoughts instead of just showing a scene with it's action and dialogue we read the endless thoughts of the characters in the scene.
Catherine wrote: "Wow, that's a lot of books! How do you choose which one you'll read next if you have so many available? Do you have a system? Just curious."I don't have a precise system, I am a moody reader so I read whatever book appeals to me most at that time. I make a pile of about 25 books of varying genres then usually choose from there, unless another book catches my eye somehow.
I'm jealous :) I'm a moody reader too, but I mostly have a to-buy or to-acquire list so I usually only get to choose between the 10 or so I have sitting around that I still need to read. I'll get in those funks where none of them sounds good and have to go to Hastings and browse until something catches my eye.
UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Oh, I haven't read Kilgannon and Wild Rose yet, but I do have them. I had to get them off ebay though. I was sad when Givens passed away. I never heard what had happened, she seemed so young. And I..."Sorry UM, I didn't mean to sound like I don't want suggestions. I think I am still freaked out by how many books I own since I was going through them last weekend so I know I really shouldn't add to the pile for a little while.
It's ok, I totally understand, Melissa! Really. I have hundreds of unread books, too. My list is embarrassingly long. We had to move my shelves into the walk-in closet. I do the same thing as you. I have a tote bag by my bed and I put books from different genres in it and choose from that whenever possible.
Melissa, Dhestiny, and Catherine...I am glad to hear that I am not alone with my massive collection of TBR books. I haven't counted them and have them everywhere at home. What does everyone do with the ones you don't especially want to keep? I have such a problem with books that I have read, but aren't particularly favorite ones. I won't throw them away so it is becoming a space issue.
I trade them on paperback swap or I go to my used bookstore and turn them in for cash or credit.Those might not help your space issue though. I always end up coming out of the used bookstore with just as many new ones after I've traded the old ones in!
I trade them on PBS which makes my book habit cheaper especially since I read so many older books that are available. I have given some to Goodwill too. You can also donate to the public library (which is also a great way to get books).I just ordered Duke of Shadows so I will see how I like it. This is how I have such a big TBR, too many good suggestions from people here and Amazon. Unfortunately I have to work so I can't read all day :)
Thanks Catherine...We don't really have a used bookstore in the city I live in (there is one, but it specializes in antique type books). I have heard about paperback swap so I need to check into it. I have a feeling that I probably won't be solving my problem since I will still be finding books after sending some of mine away!
message 34:
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UniquelyMoi *Dhestiny* BlithelyBookish
(last edited Jun 24, 2010 12:55pm)
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added it
Lady Ally, indeed, we're in good - or enabling, anyway - company.Catherine, I also take the books I liked but will never re-read to the UBS for credit as well. And, like you, I always come out with more.
What's really pathetic about me is that if someone I know on Goodreads raves about a book and I'm sure I MIGHT want to read it SOMEDAY, I'll track it down and buy it JUST IN CASE.
**hangs head in shame**
MelissaB wrote: "I trade them on PBS which makes my book habit cheaper espeially since I read so many older books that are available. I have given some to Goodwill too. You can also donate to the public library (wh..."Thanks Melissa! Drat! If only we could find a way to not have to do it and just read instead.
Ally, MelissaB is right. You can donate to your library and if you're interested in buying books sometimes they'll have a sort of friends of the library program where they sell those donations.
MelissaB wrote: "I just ordered Duke of Shadows so I will see how I like it. This is how I have such a big TBR, too many good suggestions from people here and Amazon. Unfortunately I have to work so I can't read all day :)"Yeah! Be sure to do updates whenever you start reading it. I'm going to feel really bad if you end up hating it!
How does PBS work? Do you have to return the books you read, or do you keep them? And is the postage expensive?
UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Catherine, I also take the books I liked but will never re-read to the UBS for credit as well. And, like you, I always come out with more."My husband always gives me the look when I come out with bags full of books after trading my old ones in. I have to do the walk of shame to the car while he teases me.
UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "What's really pathetic about me is that if someone I know on Goodreads raves about a book and I'm sure I MIGHT want to read it SOMEDAY, I'll track it down and buy it JUST IN CASE."I do that too! I thought I was the only weirdo who did that. :)
UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Lady Ally, indeed, we're in good - or enabling, anyway - company.Catherine, I also take the books I liked but will never re-read to the UBS for credit as well. And, like you, I always come out w..."
I do the same thing UM. I can write them on the Wish List but I am always afraid I will forget about them and miss out on a great read so I just order them.
Catherine wrote: "I do that too! I thought I was the only weirdo who did that. :) "No, we're a matched set. LOL
UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "How does PBS work? Do you have to return the books you read, or do you keep them? And is the postage expensive?"No, you don't have to return them. Here's how it goes:
-You list the books that you don't want anymore.
-If someone wants your book they will request it.
-You can say yes or no to the request.
-You mail the book to them at the media mail or first class rate (depending on the book weight)
-When they get the book they mark it 'received' and you get a book credit.
-You then use that book credit to request someone else's book.
You can keep the books you've received or relist them. I end up keeping a lot of them because I like to reread a lot. If the book you want isn't available at the moment you can add the book to your wishlist and it will let you know when it's available.
Well, and especially with OOP books! You never know when or if you might see them again so I snatch 'em up quick.
By the way, when you list your first ten books up for swap I believe they give you 2 free credits to start with. The mail cost ranges between $2 - $3. I can't remember sending out one that cost more than that. I pay a little extra and print shipping labels out through pbs. I think they charge something like $0.40 extra for the printable postage (which lets you track the books) and instant credit. I like not having to wait until my book is received to be able to use my credit.
Also if you don't have any credits available but you still see books you want you can buy credits directly from pbs. I think they're like $3.50 for a book credit.
They do hardcover, mass market, trade, audio books
Thank you, Catherine! Do people ever lie and say they didn't get the book and you don't get credit? I guess that's a waste of time because if they got a reputation for never receiving, it would be clear they were lying.
UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Thank you, Catherine! Do people ever lie and say they didn't get the book and you don't get credit? I guess that's a waste of time because if they got a reputation for never receiving, it would be ..."Yes, I think people do. They can only do it infrequently or they will build up that reputation and get booted from pbs. That's why I print my postage too. I can track it and I don't have to return my credit if the requester says they never received it.
Ally,Once you order a book, it's yours. I have tons of credits because PBS is connected to Swap A DVD which I used to get rid of a bunch of DVD TV series and non-Blu Ray DVD's. I can then switch my credits from Swap A DVD to PBS, 1 DVD = 1.5 books so I have about 50 credits at PBS. It's a great deal for me to switch DVD's I never watch into books.
