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Can Someone Please Explain What’s Going On?! #1
Can Someone Please Explain What’s Going On?! Volume 1
If you thought regular marriages were insane, wait until you see the contract Viola signed! Our heroine, the daughter of an earl, signed herself away in a marriage contract to an aloof duke, Cersis, in order to save her family from a lifetime of poverty. All of a sudden, Viola’s life is turned upside down when she moves into the Fisaris family’s manor and is left to negotiate her new life as a “show wife” in a world she had only ever caught glimpses of before. How will she shake things up at the Fisaris estate?
231 pages, Nook
Published March 16, 2020
40 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 19, 2020
This book. This book.
I wanted so, so much to love it. The idea is fun, and when, from (foolishly) guessing via the character images before the story, I thought that it would be about a neglected young wife ending up in a reverse harem situation with the male servants, it seemed like it could be an entertaining take on the genre.
And then the heroine started narrating.
Holy frigging crap, I have rarely been so annoyed by a narrative style. I could cope with Viola's textbook YA self-esteem issues that had zero reason to exist besides the book being YA. I was okay with Cercis being a tool and everyone in the kingdom of Flur having flower names. Heck, I could handle the ludicrous premise of Viola accepting a contract marriage to save her family's fortunes, because I am a romance reader. But what I absolutely could not stand was the fact that this pseudo-Medieval set novel constantly used modern colloquialisms and references without being an isekai story. (Was there a draft of this were Viola came from our world? It might have been better.)
I will grant you that I'm picky about historical accuracy, but this was so over-the-top that it was impossible to ignore. Add in some random French spouted by the cook and a series of locations with names like "Rovence" (not Provence!) and it was almost more than I could bear.
Your mileage is likely to vary here. In some ways the ending is just as big a problem and I was rooting for , because that might have been satisfying on some level. But other than that, I can but give this book the dubious distinction of being one that I actually like less and less the longer I think about it.
I wanted so, so much to love it. The idea is fun, and when, from (foolishly) guessing via the character images before the story, I thought that it would be about a neglected young wife ending up in a reverse harem situation with the male servants, it seemed like it could be an entertaining take on the genre.
And then the heroine started narrating.
Holy frigging crap, I have rarely been so annoyed by a narrative style. I could cope with Viola's textbook YA self-esteem issues that had zero reason to exist besides the book being YA. I was okay with Cercis being a tool and everyone in the kingdom of Flur having flower names. Heck, I could handle the ludicrous premise of Viola accepting a contract marriage to save her family's fortunes, because I am a romance reader. But what I absolutely could not stand was the fact that this pseudo-Medieval set novel constantly used modern colloquialisms and references without being an isekai story. (Was there a draft of this were Viola came from our world? It might have been better.)
I will grant you that I'm picky about historical accuracy, but this was so over-the-top that it was impossible to ignore. Add in some random French spouted by the cook and a series of locations with names like "Rovence" (not Provence!) and it was almost more than I could bear.
Your mileage is likely to vary here. In some ways the ending is just as big a problem and I was rooting for , because that might have been satisfying on some level. But other than that, I can but give this book the dubious distinction of being one that I actually like less and less the longer I think about it.
March 28, 2020
I read this on J-Novel Club's website with my monthly subscription. I read part of it a month or two ago, and decided to finish it today out of curiosity more than anything else. TBH, it's okay but not amazing. The MC, Viola, is pretty fun, and I liked reading from her perspective. However, the male lead, Cercis, is kind of unimpressive, and came across more as immature and rather pathetic or lame at times than anything else. By the end of the story, I stood with Viola - I was more or less uninterested in him, haha. That said, I don't hate the guy, so I'm thinking of reading the next volume out of curiosity, or something. This book has a rather wild premise, and it mostly delivers, with solid translation and a good main character. The male lead isn't that great, but he maybe has potential, so if you're interested in the synopsis, I'd give it a go (even if just for the female lead). 3.25 stars.
August 28, 2021
Cute. I really liked the MC h. The MC H was kind of a drip, but I guess he gets better in the next books. I won’t be reading them, it didn’t grab me and I know how it’s going to end. 3 solid stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2024
I absolutely loved this!
October 7, 2020
Viola has no idea why a wealthy duke suddenly wants to marry her, the daughter of an earl deep in debt, but since the marriage looks like nothing more than a contract for erasing her family's debt, she agrees. Her new husband is perfectly content to leave her completely alone in his massive manor, and she's finding ways to fit into her new life. But Duke Cercis is starting to have issues with his lover, and spending more time at home . . .
Viola is an interesting main character, and the setup is fine, but the make-or-break point of this book is Duke Cercis. I don't actually mind that he's rude and tells Viola flat out he has an existing lover he can't marry, so he needs a trophy wife to keep society happy while he putters off in his little cottage with his girlfriend. The story is about Viola anyway, and how she's coming to terms with her new life.
No, the problem is that by the end, Duke Cercis is showing signs he's actually interested in Viola, and wants to start taking this pretend marriage more seriously.
Luckily Viola isn't incredibly interested in having him act as her husband (at least for now). Aside from the fact the Duke is acting like a huge child (and knows it), at this point she's basically just his next attempted fling.
I may go on with this a little farther, but I don't think the Duke needs any sympathy, but rather a swift kick upside the head (which, granted, Viola is metaphorically giving him). But at least as far as the first book focuses on Viola, it's fun, and it may be interesting to see how she attempts to outmaneuver him in the future. I rate this book Neutral.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
Viola is an interesting main character, and the setup is fine, but the make-or-break point of this book is Duke Cercis. I don't actually mind that he's rude and tells Viola flat out he has an existing lover he can't marry, so he needs a trophy wife to keep society happy while he putters off in his little cottage with his girlfriend. The story is about Viola anyway, and how she's coming to terms with her new life.
No, the problem is that by the end, Duke Cercis is showing signs he's actually interested in Viola, and wants to start taking this pretend marriage more seriously.
Luckily Viola isn't incredibly interested in having him act as her husband (at least for now). Aside from the fact the Duke is acting like a huge child (and knows it), at this point she's basically just his next attempted fling.
I may go on with this a little farther, but I don't think the Duke needs any sympathy, but rather a swift kick upside the head (which, granted, Viola is metaphorically giving him). But at least as far as the first book focuses on Viola, it's fun, and it may be interesting to see how she attempts to outmaneuver him in the future. I rate this book Neutral.
See my reviews and more at https://offtheshelfreviews.wordpress....
August 15, 2020
I went into this expecting a rich guy with a side girl while he has a wife to keep him respectable in society. I got that and would've been happy to give this a higher rating if that was all. Fast read, cliche set-up, general good pacing for the light novel writing style, etc.
However, I just cannot stand to continue this series. This is because I eventually had to avoid all things written in italicized font. The internal narration and thoughts of our MC was just absolutely horrid and painful to read. Reading modern, VERY modern, phrasing and words in the setting that the story takes place in made me recoil every time. Halfway through the book I figured out that I could skip all of that and not be any worse for wear on the plot, so I did and was able to finish the book. If I would've had to suffer one more "I need eclipse glasses" or "man the battle stations" phrases because someone is so blindingly dazzling to behold or the MC is expecting a kerfuffle I would've chucked my Kindle across the room.
2 stars because without that character dialogue in italics it would've been a decent but predictable read.
However, I just cannot stand to continue this series. This is because I eventually had to avoid all things written in italicized font. The internal narration and thoughts of our MC was just absolutely horrid and painful to read. Reading modern, VERY modern, phrasing and words in the setting that the story takes place in made me recoil every time. Halfway through the book I figured out that I could skip all of that and not be any worse for wear on the plot, so I did and was able to finish the book. If I would've had to suffer one more "I need eclipse glasses" or "man the battle stations" phrases because someone is so blindingly dazzling to behold or the MC is expecting a kerfuffle I would've chucked my Kindle across the room.
2 stars because without that character dialogue in italics it would've been a decent but predictable read.
January 2, 2021
I'm sorry, I can't really explain what's going on either.
"Can Someone Please Explain What's Goin On?!" is the story of Viola, an earl's daughter whose family is down on their luck. They're in debt up to their eyeballs, so when Duke Fisalis offers her a marriage of convenience (he pays her family's debt, she pretends to be his wife so he can keep his girlfriend), Viola accepts.
That's the setup, and then the rest is Viola just doing her thing and hanging out with the different servants. It's cute and a quick read, maybe a little too quick. Things move at a fast clip and the writing can be a little stilted at times. Generally, it has a cast of fun characters to play with and explore, and I wish a little more time was spent with all of them. Especially Mr. Fisalis, who at the end without too much lead up. While I found that bit to be pretty amusing, it could have been built to a little more.
As I've found with some of these light novels, I like the idea more than what I actually got. I'll give another volume a try and see if it's a case of slow start.
"Can Someone Please Explain What's Goin On?!" is the story of Viola, an earl's daughter whose family is down on their luck. They're in debt up to their eyeballs, so when Duke Fisalis offers her a marriage of convenience (he pays her family's debt, she pretends to be his wife so he can keep his girlfriend), Viola accepts.
That's the setup, and then the rest is Viola just doing her thing and hanging out with the different servants. It's cute and a quick read, maybe a little too quick. Things move at a fast clip and the writing can be a little stilted at times. Generally, it has a cast of fun characters to play with and explore, and I wish a little more time was spent with all of them. Especially Mr. Fisalis, who at the end without too much lead up. While I found that bit to be pretty amusing, it could have been built to a little more.
As I've found with some of these light novels, I like the idea more than what I actually got. I'll give another volume a try and see if it's a case of slow start.
April 22, 2020
I was kinda disappointed in this book, it did not go the way I expected, and not in a good way. The term 'fantasy' applies very loosely here, as in it's in a made up kingdom of a made up country, but that's it. I was also super annoyed at all of the modern analogies and terms used, even though this is supposedly set around what I would guess was the Renaissance era. But here the protagonist is, talking about tv shows and lasers and things like that.
April 19, 2023
There were definitely some odd things that were annoying such as modern terminology in a book clearly inspired by several historical periods. It was like the book couldn’t decide on that. But the fact that this book held my attention from the beginning to the end and I spent all my free time reading it says a lot. So this book gets a 5 star for doing the impossible.
September 28, 2021
So much fun
This was so much fun, such a delightful funny read. Viola, with her sharp wit, sarcastic personality and kind disposition was a great narrator.
Ceris was meh, though the side stories were fun.
And the mansion's staff were precious.
This was so much fun, such a delightful funny read. Viola, with her sharp wit, sarcastic personality and kind disposition was a great narrator.
Ceris was meh, though the side stories were fun.
And the mansion's staff were precious.
May 6, 2024
This should have just been a cozy story about an abandoned wife and her servants. Her husband was kind of a wimp in that he never communicated directly with his lover or his wife and seemed to switch up on them.
February 18, 2021
I loved it and laughed so hard! The only problem I am having is watching the Duke get redeemed because his actions were priceless. Then again, her reaction was just as great.
May 7, 2020
A fun little read
You don't go into a light novel expecting thought provoking drama.
Light novels, unlike normal novels, give a more casual read. You don't have to think hard about the plot and you don't have to be left with no sleep in the morning cause you couldn't find the right time to stop reading.
This novel shows this perfectly.
More a daily life diary about a "common" noble fighting against her servants wishes for her to show more bourgeoisie behaviour than anything. There is some (read: little) interaction between her and her husband before the novel ends with him throwing his lover away for our heroine.
Now if you think too much about things this will confuse and aggravate you. this book isn't for you.
If you can chill and go with the flow for a bit of quick, shameless fun, this book is great for you
You don't go into a light novel expecting thought provoking drama.
Light novels, unlike normal novels, give a more casual read. You don't have to think hard about the plot and you don't have to be left with no sleep in the morning cause you couldn't find the right time to stop reading.
This novel shows this perfectly.
More a daily life diary about a "common" noble fighting against her servants wishes for her to show more bourgeoisie behaviour than anything. There is some (read: little) interaction between her and her husband before the novel ends with him throwing his lover away for our heroine.
Now if you think too much about things this will confuse and aggravate you. this book isn't for you.
If you can chill and go with the flow for a bit of quick, shameless fun, this book is great for you
September 3, 2022
Viola is the oldest daughter of an impoverished earl. Her father had to borrow a lot of money to help his people during a famine. When a young duke and knight offers to pay her families debt in return for her hand with the understanding that Viola is just going to be a wife for show since the duke has a mistress. Viola accepts for her family's sake, so she starts her new life alone among the servants in the duke's manor in the capital with minimal contact with the duke and his lover.
I did not expect much from the story: a generic semi-medieval Europe like society (the romantic version) with mostly nice people, shallow albeit likeable characters (for now anyway, it is the first volume in a series) with little real drama. It is what I got. The writing style was from the first person perspective of Viola, easy to read, but nothing special. I am glad Viola does not (suddenly) falls in love with the Duke by the end of the volume as I half expected, although having her walk away as another reviewer wanted feels a bit out of character. She is there for her family not her own happiness after all. For those expecting much romance, I suspect that is something more for later volumes. This is more slice-of-life of living in a mansion and mingling with the servants.
So, in the end it was an okay read, nothing that it sets it apart, neither bad nor good. Still, I did finish in one go, so all in all a decent read.
I did not expect much from the story: a generic semi-medieval Europe like society (the romantic version) with mostly nice people, shallow albeit likeable characters (for now anyway, it is the first volume in a series) with little real drama. It is what I got. The writing style was from the first person perspective of Viola, easy to read, but nothing special. I am glad Viola does not (suddenly) falls in love with the Duke by the end of the volume as I half expected, although having her walk away as another reviewer wanted feels a bit out of character. She is there for her family not her own happiness after all. For those expecting much romance, I suspect that is something more for later volumes. This is more slice-of-life of living in a mansion and mingling with the servants.
So, in the end it was an okay read, nothing that it sets it apart, neither bad nor good. Still, I did finish in one go, so all in all a decent read.
February 20, 2022
Mild Spoilers about the last portion of this book
Cercis really needed to be verbally destroyed by both his wife and lover for being such a double simp that he should be renamed to Duke Simp of the Duchy Simpington.
Cercis really needed to be verbally destroyed by both his wife and lover for being such a double simp that he should be renamed to Duke Simp of the Duchy Simpington.
April 19, 2020
以往常看到的橋段是假扮男女朋友
這本開頭就直接是假結婚
一開始是感覺還蠻新鮮的
--
J-Novel Club 限時免費閱讀第6本
這本開頭就直接是假結婚
一開始是感覺還蠻新鮮的
--
J-Novel Club 限時免費閱讀第6本
April 19, 2020
Harlequin romance- Japanese light novel style!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews