The writing is somewhat entertaining...but at certain times the dialogue between characters feels off. Im gonna keep reading to see how it pans out.

Well, I did finish this... But I'm getting tired of these books that describe a modern woman in sort of historical setting. I do like Kate Noble's writing, but I just need my historical fiction to be historical. Or at least historically believable. I think I will stick to contemporary romance for a bit... ( )

The book started out giving me a bit of a strange and icky feeling with Max liking Gail's sister Evie first and kissing her, I just like my romances to keep it out of the menage a trois family arena I guess.
I love, love, loved the small bit of Gail's intelligent passion about British taking artifacts from other countries and in her eyes stealing from their cultures, so refreshing and endured the character of Gail to me heartily. By adding this part of Gail's personality is how characters become real and I start to visualize them in my mind, it's about going this small extra mile (take note authors).
Awesome scene: Gail and Max are in the British museum and she complains about the Greek statues being stolen and Max points to a lower class little girl and says people who aren't advantaged would otherwise never be able to see them, then they are quiet for a while and then Gail starts to assert her point again I love how Max interrupts her sighs, and then says "Let it go". (By the way I stared into space for about 5mins here thinking about their argument and who I thought was right. I originally agreed with Gail but then Max pointing out the little girl turned me a bit. I still don't know how I feel about it…but I must move on, nerdiness over) This brief subtle scene hit such a cord with me. After I read this I swear there was an audible ding sound as if this was the moment Gail and Max's relationship became real for me. This was definitely the moment I started to become quite intrigued about their relationship and hoped this was a turning point in the book and looked for more interaction between the two.
Although the story was absolutely predictable from Max and Gail to Will (Max's friend, who actually could have played a bigger part, even interrupting Gail/Max and I wouldn't have minded. I never say that!) and Evie (Gail's sister) the way Gail was written was fresh and titillated me. Gail was an intelligent, strong willed, and insecure girl. She wasn't completely captivating in her looks, a swashbuckler who wore pants, or a diamond of the first water who flaunts society but refreshingly average in her unconventionalism; awesome character.
Powerful writing when Max's father dies and Gail goes to his apartments to comfort him. I don't know if I have ever read a scene such as that one where the male lead character breaks down in such a heartbreakingly beautiful way and it is the female lead character's strength which shines through.
The tone of the book was uneven at times, seem to be warring between being a serious book and a hokey kind of humor, the writing didn’t blend and flow as easily as it could have I think.
The character of Gail is one of the best (if not #1)female leads I have read in '09. Gail had an inner strength paired with a sweetly sympathetic vulnerability I loved. When Max's father dies a weakness rarely shown in a male lead's character utterly captivated me (again, take note authors) and created a beautifully compelling scene. There were other smaller flashes of brilliance for Max but on the whole he was kind of just another London Lord. In the end it was a good book but not a keeper because of the unbalance, tried and true story line, and lack of a certain je ne sais quoi.


Oh and I almost forgot what in the world was with Gail's ratty old brown riding hat?!? There was a big deal made out of it and then nothing, why was it so important to her? Grrr, another unsolved mystery, if someone knows tell me maybe I missed it!!!

B ( )

Too many plot-holes, historical goofs and anachronisms in this patchwork of story elements taken from dozens of other historical novels. The narrative works because of the strong characterisation and (for the most part) skillful pacing.

I’m a sucker for strong-willed, opinionated blue-stocking heroines, but when the protagonist of this book suddenly bursts out with ‘Bullshit!’ (which the OED records as appearing nearly a century later) the bubble of suspended disbelief pops loudly.

Right at the end, the author suddenly adopts a twee ‘Dear Reader’ voice that it totally unnatural and unnecessary—apart from providing an excuse to add another dozen or so pages.

An enjoyable read, but so many other authors have done the same thing so much better, so many times. ( )

This was harmless enough but the dialogue (even down to the swearing) was totally wrong for the period and much of the behaviour of the characters was also completely inappropriate. I had hoped for something like Georgette Heyer, but was disappointed. There was little humour and I don't like heroes who lash out like small children. ( )