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Playing the Long Game
As the daughter of a humble housekeeper, Ellie Moreland spends her formative years with a giant chip on her shoulder and a burning desire to join the wealthy Cavendish family at the top of the food chain. As she watches their lavish parties and decadent lifestyle from a distance, she puts a plan in place that will ensure she is never seen as inferior again.
She has one particular Cavendish brother in her sights and is convinced he will be her ticket to the world of her dreams, but someone is determined to thwart her plans.
Heartbroken and bitter she vows revenge, but will her burning desire for success bring her the happiness she seeks?
She has one particular Cavendish brother in her sights and is convinced he will be her ticket to the world of her dreams, but someone is determined to thwart her plans.
Heartbroken and bitter she vows revenge, but will her burning desire for success bring her the happiness she seeks?
- GenresRomanceEnemies To Lovers
233 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2021
8 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Penhaligon
8 books58 followersSophie Penhaligon was born and raised in England but has lived in Canada for over 20 years. She enjoys reading and writing sweet and sexy romance novels with loveable characters and interesting locations.
You can find out more about Sophie's books by visiting her website: https://sophiepenhaligon.com where you can sign up to join her mailing list.
You can find out more about Sophie's books by visiting her website: https://sophiepenhaligon.com where you can sign up to join her mailing list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 21, 2022
This cute retelling of a classic romance is such a quick and easy read that I finished it in less than a day!
Ellie Moreland is tired of being the housekeeper's daughter. The wealthy Cavendish family is so strict and demanding! Teen Ellie dreams of marrying golden boy, Felix Cavendish, the younger brother of the family and turning the tables on her mean and snooty benefactors. When Ellie's crush on Felix is scuttled by Frances and Leo Cavendish, the matriarch and older son, Ellie throws herself into her architectural studies and swears off love forever. But years later, an unhappy homecoming to the Cavendish estate gives Ellie a whole new perspective of who is who in the Cavendish family, and maybe love will once again be on the table!
Readers who love classic romance will recognize that the triangle pays homage to Sabrina, but that's where the similarities end. Sophie Penhaligon puts her own stamp on the Cavendish brothers and readers will love the updated Ellie. This one is happy, straightforward fun!
(This is an independent and voluntary review of an author-gifted copy.)
Ellie Moreland is tired of being the housekeeper's daughter. The wealthy Cavendish family is so strict and demanding! Teen Ellie dreams of marrying golden boy, Felix Cavendish, the younger brother of the family and turning the tables on her mean and snooty benefactors. When Ellie's crush on Felix is scuttled by Frances and Leo Cavendish, the matriarch and older son, Ellie throws herself into her architectural studies and swears off love forever. But years later, an unhappy homecoming to the Cavendish estate gives Ellie a whole new perspective of who is who in the Cavendish family, and maybe love will once again be on the table!
Readers who love classic romance will recognize that the triangle pays homage to Sabrina, but that's where the similarities end. Sophie Penhaligon puts her own stamp on the Cavendish brothers and readers will love the updated Ellie. This one is happy, straightforward fun!
(This is an independent and voluntary review of an author-gifted copy.)
September 7, 2021
Ellie Moreland grows up the daughter of the housekeeper of the Ashton Estate. Growing up she and the twin sons of the chauffeur played together but never really mingled with the two Cavendish boys Leo and Felix whose parents owned the Estate. Leo, the oldest was dark-haired, serious and with a perma-frown. Felix was closer to Ellie's age, blonde-haired he was like a Greek god to her. Mr Cavendish was bad-tempered and Ellie grew up with a massive hatred of him and Leo for their supercilious behaviour. Like a typical teenager, Ellie wove fantastical dreams about marrying Felix and somehow turfing Leo and his father out of Ashton Estate to live in penury while she and Felix have a slew of golden haired babies and rear golden retrievers.
Alas, Ellie's dreams come crashing down around her head when she is eighteen and she leaves Ashton Estate, vowing never to return, until the night she gets a call to say her mother is seriously ill. Returning to Ashton Estate seven years later, Ellie realises she needs to let go of her childish anger and see things as they really are.
I found the blurb for this book to be a bit misleading, it suggests that Ellie has some kind of devious plan to bring the Cavendish family crashing to their knees rather than being a big drama queen in her own journal, which is the reality. So I was expecting a more of a dark sinister, he done her wrong plot rather than the variation on the film Sabrina which is what I got. That wouldn't have been so bad, because I was actually hoping it was a romance rather than a thriller, but unfortunately the execution felt like romance by numbers, hard to believe for a book written in the first person but it seemed like all telling and no showing. There was only one instance of Mr Cavendish being mean from which we are supposed to understand that he was a horrible individual. Honestly, the entire book felt like it was narrated by an immature teenager and I struggled to understand why people liked Ellie so much, she spent seven years away from Ashton Estate and yet all the staff and their families welcome her back with open arms, even Mrs Cavendish gushes over her.
Overall, it was a quick read but I didn't really engage with the characters, everyone except Ellie was a bit of a one-dimensional caricature and she was just immature.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Alas, Ellie's dreams come crashing down around her head when she is eighteen and she leaves Ashton Estate, vowing never to return, until the night she gets a call to say her mother is seriously ill. Returning to Ashton Estate seven years later, Ellie realises she needs to let go of her childish anger and see things as they really are.
I found the blurb for this book to be a bit misleading, it suggests that Ellie has some kind of devious plan to bring the Cavendish family crashing to their knees rather than being a big drama queen in her own journal, which is the reality. So I was expecting a more of a dark sinister, he done her wrong plot rather than the variation on the film Sabrina which is what I got. That wouldn't have been so bad, because I was actually hoping it was a romance rather than a thriller, but unfortunately the execution felt like romance by numbers, hard to believe for a book written in the first person but it seemed like all telling and no showing. There was only one instance of Mr Cavendish being mean from which we are supposed to understand that he was a horrible individual. Honestly, the entire book felt like it was narrated by an immature teenager and I struggled to understand why people liked Ellie so much, she spent seven years away from Ashton Estate and yet all the staff and their families welcome her back with open arms, even Mrs Cavendish gushes over her.
Overall, it was a quick read but I didn't really engage with the characters, everyone except Ellie was a bit of a one-dimensional caricature and she was just immature.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
January 20, 2022
I had to go and watch Sabrina after reading this because of the vibes this book gave me. A fun read that will keep you entertained for sure!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC which I received in return for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC which I received in return for an honest review.
September 7, 2021
I really enjoyed this lovely romance from start to finish and it was one of those books I honestly couldn’t put down. Here we have a feisty and slightly snarky heroine who is walking around feeling her life is entirely unfair. As with many teens, she goes about correcting that in completely the wrong way and gets her fingers burned in the process.
I thought this was a fun romantic romp with a little bit of unexpected intrigue injected at the end, just to add interest. I particularly enjoyed the HEA ending which made me go ahh! Just my kind of thing.
I thought this was a fun romantic romp with a little bit of unexpected intrigue injected at the end, just to add interest. I particularly enjoyed the HEA ending which made me go ahh! Just my kind of thing.
September 26, 2021
Playing the long game is a feel good romance.
The author describes well how teenagers usually think with their hormones and not their heads. That is what happens to Ellie. She is young, beautiful, and has vowed that she will make the youngest son of the manor falls in love with her. Because you see, Ellie is the daughter of the housekeeper on a huge estate and she thinks that life is unfair, as she cannot mingle with the rich kids. She wants the wealth and the fame and the love of course. She is actually an annoying, self-centered, whining, entitled teenager.
Of course her dreams don't come completely true and destiny has a few twists in store for her. One of them is the older son of the estate, Leo, a man that Ellie has decided she would hate until the end of her days.
This is an enjoyable romance, where they married and lived happily ever after. Perfect for an evening by the fire and nice warm drink, a quick read that will put you in a good mood.
Recommended to people who like fairy-tale romances.
#Playing the Long Game #Netgalley
The author describes well how teenagers usually think with their hormones and not their heads. That is what happens to Ellie. She is young, beautiful, and has vowed that she will make the youngest son of the manor falls in love with her. Because you see, Ellie is the daughter of the housekeeper on a huge estate and she thinks that life is unfair, as she cannot mingle with the rich kids. She wants the wealth and the fame and the love of course. She is actually an annoying, self-centered, whining, entitled teenager.
Of course her dreams don't come completely true and destiny has a few twists in store for her. One of them is the older son of the estate, Leo, a man that Ellie has decided she would hate until the end of her days.
This is an enjoyable romance, where they married and lived happily ever after. Perfect for an evening by the fire and nice warm drink, a quick read that will put you in a good mood.
Recommended to people who like fairy-tale romances.
#Playing the Long Game #Netgalley
September 7, 2021
This is a very quick and cute enemies to lovers story.
Ellie Moreland is a rounded, good character. She has some flaws, who doesn't, but she's very smart as well. Leo Cavendish has his own flaws, but he's a catch and also really smart. I loved their relationship. Sophie is really good at writing and giving enough details that you can imagine yourself in the story and right there in the action with the characters and book. I also really liked the other minor characters and how they were wrote and fit into the story.
I might need a *spoilers* tag here. There is a few reasons why I didn't give more stars. One, the story jumps around a few years early in the book and I didnt really feel it was necessary for some of it. We could have had a chapter of back history and then moved on from it. Secondly, there was places where we were in the present, but then it was wrote as the past and sometimes even the character speaking from the future. That was a little irritating. Third, I understood the added drama near the end, but I honestly felt Sophie could have ended this book in the fifteenth chapter and it would still have wrapped up enough for a HEA. And lastly, and this might not be a big deal to some, but I really think - and Spoiler - Leo admitting to Ellie that he had falling in love with her when she was sixteen!! and he was over twenty years old isn't the right move here ( especially when he then admits he watched her skinny dip after realizing he loved her!!!! ). I don't know about anyone else, but that doesn't scream romantic to me. I'd have gotten up and left the room after that.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ellie Moreland is a rounded, good character. She has some flaws, who doesn't, but she's very smart as well. Leo Cavendish has his own flaws, but he's a catch and also really smart. I loved their relationship. Sophie is really good at writing and giving enough details that you can imagine yourself in the story and right there in the action with the characters and book. I also really liked the other minor characters and how they were wrote and fit into the story.
I might need a *spoilers* tag here. There is a few reasons why I didn't give more stars. One, the story jumps around a few years early in the book and I didnt really feel it was necessary for some of it. We could have had a chapter of back history and then moved on from it. Secondly, there was places where we were in the present, but then it was wrote as the past and sometimes even the character speaking from the future. That was a little irritating. Third, I understood the added drama near the end, but I honestly felt Sophie could have ended this book in the fifteenth chapter and it would still have wrapped up enough for a HEA. And lastly, and this might not be a big deal to some, but I really think - and Spoiler - Leo admitting to Ellie that he had falling in love with her when she was sixteen!! and he was over twenty years old isn't the right move here ( especially when he then admits he watched her skinny dip after realizing he loved her!!!! ). I don't know about anyone else, but that doesn't scream romantic to me. I'd have gotten up and left the room after that.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2021
ARC received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review 😊
2.5/5 stars, the half star is because I flew through this book and that should count for something.
The premise of this story is really cute, but the execution really lacked for me. The main character, Ellie, isn't very likable and while there were a lot of growth opportunities for her, when things got hard, she always reverted back to being a judgmental teenager, in my opinion. Leo on the other hand, is absolutely wonderful. He's got a lot of empathy and respect and I liked that he insisted on talking to avoid miscommunication. The side characters where nice, but not very present. They could have had more significant roles, which would have given the story more depth.
Now, the story itself. Like I said, lovely premise. The fact that these two characters have this connection, growing up together, sort of, made them developing feelings for each other believable. The way Ellie acted up until she was 25, though, was ridiculous. She still sounded like a petulant teen when talking about Leo. And let's not even talk about her stupid fantasies regarding Felix. I know love is blind, but come on. Speaking of Felix, some of the things that happen in this story are just too out of the blue for me. Certain events where too dramatic and didn't fit in with the rest of the story, and consequently also weren't dealt with appropriately (speaking of the aftermath). From about 70% on, the pace was just off for me and nothing flowed anymore.
Now, from the reviews I've seen, a lot of people don't feel the same way I did, so if the premise intrigues you, I'd say go for it! It's a short book and you'll probably fly through it like I did and hopefully you'll enjoy it more 😅
2.5/5 stars, the half star is because I flew through this book and that should count for something.
The premise of this story is really cute, but the execution really lacked for me. The main character, Ellie, isn't very likable and while there were a lot of growth opportunities for her, when things got hard, she always reverted back to being a judgmental teenager, in my opinion. Leo on the other hand, is absolutely wonderful. He's got a lot of empathy and respect and I liked that he insisted on talking to avoid miscommunication. The side characters where nice, but not very present. They could have had more significant roles, which would have given the story more depth.
Now, the story itself. Like I said, lovely premise. The fact that these two characters have this connection, growing up together, sort of, made them developing feelings for each other believable. The way Ellie acted up until she was 25, though, was ridiculous. She still sounded like a petulant teen when talking about Leo. And let's not even talk about her stupid fantasies regarding Felix. I know love is blind, but come on. Speaking of Felix, some of the things that happen in this story are just too out of the blue for me. Certain events where too dramatic and didn't fit in with the rest of the story, and consequently also weren't dealt with appropriately (speaking of the aftermath). From about 70% on, the pace was just off for me and nothing flowed anymore.
Now, from the reviews I've seen, a lot of people don't feel the same way I did, so if the premise intrigues you, I'd say go for it! It's a short book and you'll probably fly through it like I did and hopefully you'll enjoy it more 😅
February 20, 2022
An absolute delight! Some really surprising twists and turns which thoroughly thrilled and excited! So enjoyable I devoured this book in a day! I really want sure what to expect and not I can see it should have been the unexpected. A joy to read.
Thank you Netgalley.
Thank you Netgalley.
September 22, 2021
I enjoyed the story overall. The beginning annoyed me as Ellie was just so naive. She studies so hard and is obviously bright but has her goal of doing all that for a boy. Just seemed ridiculous. I let it go and the overall was was enjoyable.
Full disclosure- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Full disclosure- I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2022
Wow , i feel in love with the leading man Leo . His love and loyalty for ellie is just breathe taking ,even if she doesnt appreciate it at 1st . Love that each of sophies books bring different kinds of romance and each heroine is so different and relatable . Ive read all of sophies books with in a week, i couldnt put them down . Sophie if u read this , i need more of your books there great .
September 12, 2021
I adored this story. It reminded me a bit of a historical romance, but it was set in today's time. My one big hang up is that I wasn't sure where exactly the book took place. My best guess is in New England area and possibly in up state New York, but if it ever said so directly, I glossed over the fact. There was a strong British feel to the book even though it took place in America and the family didn't appear to be British.
I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope.
I can't wait to read more from this author as I really enjoyed this story and it was a great introduction to her work.
I loved the enemies-to-lovers trope.
I can't wait to read more from this author as I really enjoyed this story and it was a great introduction to her work.
September 14, 2021
Ellie and her mother live in the staff cottage provided by the Cavendish family. Since Ellie was little, she has had a fantasy of marrying the younger, somewhat wild brother, Felix. He occupies Ellie’s fantasy life. The older brother, Leo, is groomed to take over the family business and Ellie sees him as stiff, cold hearted, and all business like his dad. Felix knows how he affects Ellie and asks her to go to Paris with him after she graduates from high school. She is excited until Leo and Mrs. Cavendish thwart her plans and suggest she get an architectural degree completely paid by the family including food and a nice apartment. She devotes her time to proving to them she can do well and thinks she will eventually be reunited with Felix until Felix is sent away and completely forgets about Ellie. Ellie is all business and ends up engaged to her boss at a prestigious architectural firm. When her mother dies, she is reunited with the Cavendish family and the staff who all seem like family. This is a great love story, and it is fun to see Leo and Ellie’s relationship flourish. Felix is not about to give up on the millions of dollars he feels he is entitled to. Business and pleasure can mix, and Ellie learns the importance of family and forgiving herself.
September 15, 2021
loved it !!! loved Ellie !!! Love Leo !!! Felix ? well, you decide... this is their story.. a fast paced slow-burn drama...jealousy...crush...unrequited love...upstairs, downstairs... this is their life until, that summer...Ellie thought she had it all...then Leo sent her away...fast forward ten years...she's made it...finally...until... we meet again... what a roller coaster ride...what happened to Felix ? Leo and Ellie ? a must read !!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 9, 2021
An enjoyable and somewhat predictable romance. Surprised by the English spelling of colour/color, etc. and had to verify this was taking place in the United States. That may be changed now as I read an ARC. The romance and the upstairs/downstairs feel of the story was charming. The use of the "f" word was glaring when it occurred. I also would have been happier without the intimate details. Overall I really enjoyed the story. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.
September 19, 2021
The book has a fun start and I really enjoyed the first half but around then it runs out of steam. By then both characters know that they are in love with each other, at least Leo has loved her forever, so where do we go from here? Fill up the pages with blank: put in some random skiing trip, a sex scene or two, add a kidnapping, and the book becomes such a cliche. I started skipping pages but around the kidnapping I gave up on the book.
I think the story would have worked and all the shortcomings would be forgiven if the suspense went on a bit longer, Leo and Ellies's characters more developed, and the build-up of their feelings was gradually introduced until the big end when the all hidden feelings are revealed. The emotional and sexual build-up usually works wonders because by the end the readers are just dying for this love story to work out. However, here the build-up ends before it evens starts somewhere around the middle.
Thus to sum up, the story is a complete cliche:
- a heir and a future billionaire CEO falls in love with the housekeeper's daughter when she is 16 and even 7 years later he is madly in love with her. How often does this happen in a real life?
- The personal chauffeur, the housekeeper and their families are treated as the family of the estate and are invited to the family Christmas. The housekeeper is treated as a close friend by the lady of the manor.
- The education and upkeep of the housekeeper's daughter is paid fully at the most prestigious university for architecture. Keep dreaming.
- Once Ellie graduates and gets her first job, she starts a relationship with the company's CEO. How inappropriate is that? Can you really imagine a junior staff sleeping with CEO at any company?
- Once Ellie realizes that her feelings to the architect CEO are not that deep, she jumps into the hands of another CEO (aka Leo) who has been in love with her since she was 16. I guess that no other women could have matched her 16 year old's tanned long legs, blond hair and height. As Leo barely knows her character, his feelings should be extremely shallow and so many blond tall women with long legs are available to him. His devoted love for Ellie seems forced as much as unreal.
- Leo, the second CEO, has such a super sensitive personality, all the kindness and empathy, and all the time on his hands - there is no way he would succeed in a CEO role of a billionaire company.
- Ellie, a recent graduate with only 2 years of work experience is hired as a main architect to build the headquarters of a billionaire company. Of course this billionaire company belongs to Leo. Why do we have to send these false messages to young people to think that one can rise quickly and up without much effort? Two years of career is barely learning the ropes.
- The heroine is someone who is natural genius in her field and the most beautiful woman with long legs. So the rest of us with average length legs, above average looks and long hard worked careers there is really no hope in life.
- Add a private jet here and holidays or dinners at fine restaurants, of course, all free to the heroine. Oh I just love the life of people in fiction. As if rich people in a real life subsidize everyone around them.
Why cannot we have books about relationships and love stories that happen in real life? At least once, please no private jets and no billionaire CEO. Billionaire CEOs do not marry their secretaries or housekeeper's daughters and you wouldn't want to date them anyway because most of them are sociopaths and definitely not kind, empathic people. A kind person would never succeed as a CEO of a billionaire company.
I know that some unhappily married women need fantasy in order to escape their lives, but what happen to the romance and stories that make sense. I know it might not be fair to Sophie Penhaligon because my rant is against the whole genre not just her book.
Thanks NetGalley for a free copy in exchange of the honest review.
I think the story would have worked and all the shortcomings would be forgiven if the suspense went on a bit longer, Leo and Ellies's characters more developed, and the build-up of their feelings was gradually introduced until the big end when the all hidden feelings are revealed. The emotional and sexual build-up usually works wonders because by the end the readers are just dying for this love story to work out. However, here the build-up ends before it evens starts somewhere around the middle.
Thus to sum up, the story is a complete cliche:
- a heir and a future billionaire CEO falls in love with the housekeeper's daughter when she is 16 and even 7 years later he is madly in love with her. How often does this happen in a real life?
- The personal chauffeur, the housekeeper and their families are treated as the family of the estate and are invited to the family Christmas. The housekeeper is treated as a close friend by the lady of the manor.
- The education and upkeep of the housekeeper's daughter is paid fully at the most prestigious university for architecture. Keep dreaming.
- Once Ellie graduates and gets her first job, she starts a relationship with the company's CEO. How inappropriate is that? Can you really imagine a junior staff sleeping with CEO at any company?
- Once Ellie realizes that her feelings to the architect CEO are not that deep, she jumps into the hands of another CEO (aka Leo) who has been in love with her since she was 16. I guess that no other women could have matched her 16 year old's tanned long legs, blond hair and height. As Leo barely knows her character, his feelings should be extremely shallow and so many blond tall women with long legs are available to him. His devoted love for Ellie seems forced as much as unreal.
- Leo, the second CEO, has such a super sensitive personality, all the kindness and empathy, and all the time on his hands - there is no way he would succeed in a CEO role of a billionaire company.
- Ellie, a recent graduate with only 2 years of work experience is hired as a main architect to build the headquarters of a billionaire company. Of course this billionaire company belongs to Leo. Why do we have to send these false messages to young people to think that one can rise quickly and up without much effort? Two years of career is barely learning the ropes.
- The heroine is someone who is natural genius in her field and the most beautiful woman with long legs. So the rest of us with average length legs, above average looks and long hard worked careers there is really no hope in life.
- Add a private jet here and holidays or dinners at fine restaurants, of course, all free to the heroine. Oh I just love the life of people in fiction. As if rich people in a real life subsidize everyone around them.
Why cannot we have books about relationships and love stories that happen in real life? At least once, please no private jets and no billionaire CEO. Billionaire CEOs do not marry their secretaries or housekeeper's daughters and you wouldn't want to date them anyway because most of them are sociopaths and definitely not kind, empathic people. A kind person would never succeed as a CEO of a billionaire company.
I know that some unhappily married women need fantasy in order to escape their lives, but what happen to the romance and stories that make sense. I know it might not be fair to Sophie Penhaligon because my rant is against the whole genre not just her book.
Thanks NetGalley for a free copy in exchange of the honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2021
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did, but there was something off from the start. For one thing, I couldn't figure out where it was set. I finally figured out it was the US, but it was written by someone from the UK who now lives in the US, which explains why things seemed a little strange. The tone is off for a book that is supposed to be about Americans. It always seems to be about people from a small British village and manor house. Go figure.
I didn't like the characters much, either. Ellie is one surly teenager. Penhaligon offers up two brief examples of her friendships (being piggybacked up the hill by a friend on the way to work one of the fancy parties, swimming at the lake with her friend Jenny), but mostly we see her treating her mother poorly and hating pretty much everyone else. She doesn't get any nicer as she gets older. Cold, aloof, in a loveless relationship with her boss. Sure, she's successful at school and then in business, but that seems to be the extent of it. She hasn't been home to visit her mother in a long time, it seems. She's content to just work and climb the corporate ladder. Hard to care about someone like that.
Then there is Leo. Has he truly been celibate and pining for a girl who hasn't given him a second thought (except to hate him from afar) for the past seven years? I hope we are just not given the details of his many girlfriends. I would hate to think he has been truly "playing the long game" in the hopes that he would somehow snag Ellie. It's creepy to think he fell in love with her when she was 16 and he's been waiting around for her ever since.
There was just so much wrong here. Yes, it's "just" a romance novel, but I read plenty of them and this one didn't sit well. I had high hopes for it, but in the end, I was simply disappointed.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.
I didn't like the characters much, either. Ellie is one surly teenager. Penhaligon offers up two brief examples of her friendships (being piggybacked up the hill by a friend on the way to work one of the fancy parties, swimming at the lake with her friend Jenny), but mostly we see her treating her mother poorly and hating pretty much everyone else. She doesn't get any nicer as she gets older. Cold, aloof, in a loveless relationship with her boss. Sure, she's successful at school and then in business, but that seems to be the extent of it. She hasn't been home to visit her mother in a long time, it seems. She's content to just work and climb the corporate ladder. Hard to care about someone like that.
Then there is Leo. Has he truly been celibate and pining for a girl who hasn't given him a second thought (except to hate him from afar) for the past seven years? I hope we are just not given the details of his many girlfriends. I would hate to think he has been truly "playing the long game" in the hopes that he would somehow snag Ellie. It's creepy to think he fell in love with her when she was 16 and he's been waiting around for her ever since.
There was just so much wrong here. Yes, it's "just" a romance novel, but I read plenty of them and this one didn't sit well. I had high hopes for it, but in the end, I was simply disappointed.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this unbiased review.
October 4, 2021
Ellie and her mother live on the Cavendish property as her mother is employed by the family. They live in the servants cottage while the family lives in the estate. Such is Ellie's view of life... always on the outside. But she is determined to find her way in. The plans to have the youngest Cavendish boy, Felix, fall in love with her and together they'll have their (very wealthy, socially affluent) happily ever after. Thwarted by Felix's older brother, Leo, and his mother, Ellie's plans never take flight. She tucks her tail between her legs and goes away to architectural school, She spends the next years of her life working hard at her career and at her continued hate of Leo Cavendish. She doesn't return to the estate for almost seven years until it's basically unavoidable.
When Ellie is forced to face Leo again, she begins to realize she may have misjudged him. Along with her judgement of Felix, and their mother, and her fiancé, and many other areas of her life. Ellie is learning that her judgements of many aspects of her life may have been way off... so much so that she feels like life if she knows it is imploding. She must decide to make the choice to release old hurts and stereotypes in order to move forward. She also must learn to forgive herself for the choices of her past and allow love to be a part of her future.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
When Ellie is forced to face Leo again, she begins to realize she may have misjudged him. Along with her judgement of Felix, and their mother, and her fiancé, and many other areas of her life. Ellie is learning that her judgements of many aspects of her life may have been way off... so much so that she feels like life if she knows it is imploding. She must decide to make the choice to release old hurts and stereotypes in order to move forward. She also must learn to forgive herself for the choices of her past and allow love to be a part of her future.
Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 16, 2021
Envy is Ugly . . .
I didn’t like this ungrateful story from the start. The housekeeper’s daughter, Ellie Moreland, resents the wealth of the Cavendish family who provides the job for her mother. Instead Ellie wants that wealthy life of leisure for herself, and plots to get it somewhere along the line.
Ellie sets her sights on the youngest Cavendish brother, Felix, who takes what she freely offers him and dashes off to Europe without a second thought for her. Leo is the one who has “loved” her since she was 16, but she doesn’t like him at all. Eventually she becomes engaged to a much older man in the corporate world who doesn’t seem to care about her either. And Leo still wants to have her come back to him.
The whole path of Ellie’s life irritated me. The book felt like a teenage story with a selfish teenager blaming the world for her fantasies not coming true. She is angry that she was not born into money and plots (at least in her mind) to get it. I don’t think she has a caring bone in her body. Will she get the wealth she wants? If she succeeds, would she find it isn’t what she needs after all? (I wonder if she would treat her housekeeper better than the way her mother was treated, in her eyes?)
I didn’t like this ungrateful story from the start. The housekeeper’s daughter, Ellie Moreland, resents the wealth of the Cavendish family who provides the job for her mother. Instead Ellie wants that wealthy life of leisure for herself, and plots to get it somewhere along the line.
Ellie sets her sights on the youngest Cavendish brother, Felix, who takes what she freely offers him and dashes off to Europe without a second thought for her. Leo is the one who has “loved” her since she was 16, but she doesn’t like him at all. Eventually she becomes engaged to a much older man in the corporate world who doesn’t seem to care about her either. And Leo still wants to have her come back to him.
The whole path of Ellie’s life irritated me. The book felt like a teenage story with a selfish teenager blaming the world for her fantasies not coming true. She is angry that she was not born into money and plots (at least in her mind) to get it. I don’t think she has a caring bone in her body. Will she get the wealth she wants? If she succeeds, would she find it isn’t what she needs after all? (I wonder if she would treat her housekeeper better than the way her mother was treated, in her eyes?)
June 24, 2022
Playing the Long Game introduces us to our main character, Ellie Moreland, who grew up watching from the outside in at the wealthy Cavendish family. Her mother is their housekeeper, and she would do anything to be a part of their world one day - her true dream would be to adopt some golden retrievers and marry the golden boy, Felix Cavendish. If only she knew how dangerous that dream could be.
The story follows Ellie as she gets her heart broken, follows her dreams, and learns about what love truly means. This was one of those books that was really hard for me to put down and I managed to finish it within a matter of days. I couldn't stop thinking about it! Some parts of the story were predictable while others kept me on my toes. I liked that the author gave enough depth to each of the characters, setting each one apart from one another in different ways.
I would highly recommend this book if you're looking for a light-hearted romance to curl up with over the weekend. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows Ellie as she gets her heart broken, follows her dreams, and learns about what love truly means. This was one of those books that was really hard for me to put down and I managed to finish it within a matter of days. I couldn't stop thinking about it! Some parts of the story were predictable while others kept me on my toes. I liked that the author gave enough depth to each of the characters, setting each one apart from one another in different ways.
I would highly recommend this book if you're looking for a light-hearted romance to curl up with over the weekend. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
September 17, 2021
4 *stars*
I wanted some cute romance book between my reads and this was the book!
My thoughts:
I really liked the main character Ellie especially how she realized what she has been seeking for years. I was happy how she stood up for herself and at the same time was really emotional and trusted the one person she really needed to. I really wanted more erotica between the characters. The book teases the reader and I hoped there would be a little bit more.
Brief synopsis:
Story about enemies to lovers. Ellie was the daughter of the maid for the Cavendish family. She lived on the housekeeper cottage with other staff member and they were like a family to each other. Ellie was madly in love with one of the Cavendish boys and she dreamed about the day she won't be working for someone else like her mother, but will be like the Cavendish family. She was madly in love but it is going to come true?
Thank you for the book!
#PlayingtheLongGame #NetGalley
I wanted some cute romance book between my reads and this was the book!
My thoughts:
I really liked the main character Ellie especially how she realized what she has been seeking for years. I was happy how she stood up for herself and at the same time was really emotional and trusted the one person she really needed to. I really wanted more erotica between the characters. The book teases the reader and I hoped there would be a little bit more.
Brief synopsis:
Story about enemies to lovers. Ellie was the daughter of the maid for the Cavendish family. She lived on the housekeeper cottage with other staff member and they were like a family to each other. Ellie was madly in love with one of the Cavendish boys and she dreamed about the day she won't be working for someone else like her mother, but will be like the Cavendish family. She was madly in love but it is going to come true?
Thank you for the book!
#PlayingtheLongGame #NetGalley
September 17, 2021
I rated this four and a half, rounding up.
Ellie's mother was employed by the Cavendish family. Growing up, she resented their riches and the status differences, and wanted to become a part of their world. Her plan is to study architecture and charm Felix Cavendish. However, her summer fling with Felix is cut short with the help of his older brother, starchy and serious Leo Cavendish, whom she hates. Flash forward several years, her mother dies suddenly, and it's Leo who steps up to help and comfort her. Sbe harbors a lot of guilt about not coming home sooner to see her mother, although her mom didn't come to see her either. Getting to knowLeo better, she realizes Felix had a dark side and Leo had problems and feelings she had been clueless about.
I loved this well crafted plot and the change in how her perception of Leo. There are scenes of sexual nature and a threatening episode.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ellie's mother was employed by the Cavendish family. Growing up, she resented their riches and the status differences, and wanted to become a part of their world. Her plan is to study architecture and charm Felix Cavendish. However, her summer fling with Felix is cut short with the help of his older brother, starchy and serious Leo Cavendish, whom she hates. Flash forward several years, her mother dies suddenly, and it's Leo who steps up to help and comfort her. Sbe harbors a lot of guilt about not coming home sooner to see her mother, although her mom didn't come to see her either. Getting to knowLeo better, she realizes Felix had a dark side and Leo had problems and feelings she had been clueless about.
I loved this well crafted plot and the change in how her perception of Leo. There are scenes of sexual nature and a threatening episode.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 18, 2021
This book was a nice and easy read. The love interest was predictable in the best way possible. I loved the childhood crush gone wrong and how she ended up falling for the older brother. Watching as the pair went from enemies, to friends to lovers was amazing and is one of my favourite tropes to read about. Seeing how much he cared about her and the love confession was everything and more I need in a romance novel. I would read this book again for a comfort read and i believe the way they depicted Felix as the golden child turned rotten egg was amazing. Ellie and Leo deserve the entire world and seeing how their relationship looked in the epilogue filled my heart with so much joy and I felt like the story was told from start to finish and that Ellie was finally given not only her prince in shining armour but also the family and friends she had longed for her entire life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2021
The original Sabrina was a favorite of mine growing up. I was afraid of how this would go. If it was a complete copy, that'd be unoriginal. if it was "inspired by," how far would it deviate and how much would I like it?
I actually started the first few sentences and the shriek/whine was a bit off-putting. I need to like my heroines and we've all read books where we didn't like the main character. So, I put this book down and read something in between. Then, I returned and finished this... in a day.
You're wanting "Linus" to win her over, but part of the charm of the movie was you could see why she started with "David." On this, we already sensed there was some skeeviness and you've got to wonder why "L" pined for her for so long, whereas the movie presented a more organic falling in love story.
Overall, this turned out better than I expected.
I actually started the first few sentences and the shriek/whine was a bit off-putting. I need to like my heroines and we've all read books where we didn't like the main character. So, I put this book down and read something in between. Then, I returned and finished this... in a day.
You're wanting "Linus" to win her over, but part of the charm of the movie was you could see why she started with "David." On this, we already sensed there was some skeeviness and you've got to wonder why "L" pined for her for so long, whereas the movie presented a more organic falling in love story.
Overall, this turned out better than I expected.
November 21, 2022
It wasn’t horrible; but it didn’t live up to my expectations.
I liked the concept and the ideas that were touched on but overall lack lustre.
**spoilers ahead**
I liked the strong self made woman Ellie begins this story as; but then I felt she got way too mushy and “hold me in scared” at the end with the kidnapping. Really, you missed lunch and had great sex all night and you don’t have the adrenaline to run to the main house you’ve lived at a majority of your life? Felt too damsel in distress and out of line with the build up for Ellie.
I did enjoy the bit between Brad Ellie and Leo; Leo pecking at Brad and his lack of emotion or care for Ellie; the realization she didn’t want a business partnership as a marriage.
The kidnapping was too much for me; sort of left field and forced.
I liked the concept and the ideas that were touched on but overall lack lustre.
**spoilers ahead**
I liked the strong self made woman Ellie begins this story as; but then I felt she got way too mushy and “hold me in scared” at the end with the kidnapping. Really, you missed lunch and had great sex all night and you don’t have the adrenaline to run to the main house you’ve lived at a majority of your life? Felt too damsel in distress and out of line with the build up for Ellie.
I did enjoy the bit between Brad Ellie and Leo; Leo pecking at Brad and his lack of emotion or care for Ellie; the realization she didn’t want a business partnership as a marriage.
The kidnapping was too much for me; sort of left field and forced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2021
When I read the synopsis on the book I knew I needed to give it a try! I could tell I was going to love the story. I grew very fond of almost all the the characters. I couldn’t put it down. I was set to give the book a great review when it seemed to be wrapping up and all was well. Then I realized I was only at 70% of the story. From that point on the book lost me. I think maybe it should have ended and then used the rest to create a second book. It went from sweet and emotional to a bit silly. It kind of ruined it for me. If I could go back I’d stop before I got to that part because the first part really was great!
Thank you BooksGoSocial for the copy of the book.
Thank you BooksGoSocial for the copy of the book.
December 12, 2021
This title was a fun read with the typical gal from 'the help' falling for one of the guys in the main house. Only, the gal in question falls for the brother who isn't into relationships. And when it appears his older brother is the wrecker of their relationship, she blames him and stays away from her home.
Unbeknownst to her, older brother Leo has been smitten with her for years. After Ellie's mother dies, she returns to Cavendish and becomes reacquainted with Leo and his family. And learns not only that her current relationship is all wrong, but that Leo is the man for her.
An enjoyable read overall.
Unbeknownst to her, older brother Leo has been smitten with her for years. After Ellie's mother dies, she returns to Cavendish and becomes reacquainted with Leo and his family. And learns not only that her current relationship is all wrong, but that Leo is the man for her.
An enjoyable read overall.
June 6, 2022
Marketed as an enemies to lovers, but when the male protagonist has been in love with the the female protagonist the whole book, it doesn’t really give the effect of enemies to lovers.
The beginning was really interesting I thought there might have been some sort of revenge plot line with what she was writing about in her journal but it kinda fell flat.
Then the end of the book just seemed so forced and rushed.
It was a really quick cute read if I knew what I was getting myself in for. I was expecting a different book from the Amazon tag line. But it was well written and the characters were cute.
The beginning was really interesting I thought there might have been some sort of revenge plot line with what she was writing about in her journal but it kinda fell flat.
Then the end of the book just seemed so forced and rushed.
It was a really quick cute read if I knew what I was getting myself in for. I was expecting a different book from the Amazon tag line. But it was well written and the characters were cute.
September 15, 2021
Thank you so much Netgally and the publisher for sending me an ARC of this book.
I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was very entertaining. It’s cute, it’s romantic and it was a tad bit dramatic and cheesy at times but in a good way. Leo easily was my favorite character. He got some serious moves. Haha . I was not a big fan of Ellie in the beginning. Felt like she was very naive and kind of ungrateful in a way. Loved how the author described the vibe of the estate during the winter times. Made me miss the Christmas times.
I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was very entertaining. It’s cute, it’s romantic and it was a tad bit dramatic and cheesy at times but in a good way. Leo easily was my favorite character. He got some serious moves. Haha . I was not a big fan of Ellie in the beginning. Felt like she was very naive and kind of ungrateful in a way. Loved how the author described the vibe of the estate during the winter times. Made me miss the Christmas times.
September 25, 2021
Loved this book. This is the second book I have read from this author and I love the way she writes. She had me into the book from the start. It had a bit of love, hate and suspense. Love the strong characters and the interaction between the characters. I must of loved it because read it in a couple of days. Can’t wait for her next novel.
December 2, 2021
Ellie is the housekeepers daughter who is always looking in. She’s decided she’s going to finally be a part of the castle and to after the youngest of the brothers. She’s decided the oldest brother Leo however will be her enemy. I did overall enjoy this.
I received this ARC through #netgalley and I am voluntarily reviewing this book
I received this ARC through #netgalley and I am voluntarily reviewing this book
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