Ren

A solid start to the series. I liked the setting and introduction to the characters/Rivers family. Usually I’m all in on the enemies to lovers trope as well as a grumpy hero, but it took longer for me to warm up Cash. I have the feeling it’s how his character was introduced. He was so dismissive of Mollie then left her crying in a car writing it off that she was just spoiled. I thought Mollie was a great sunshine. Easy going and confident.

My two challengers with Wyatt was learning the details of the River’s parents death and <spoiler>John B with a gun; I didn’t really see how any of them moved past it especially considering their childhood trauma of losing their parents</spoiler>. Otherwise, I loved both Wyatt and Sally. I appreciate a good fake dating trope, and liked that this one didn’t fake it for long.

I really enjoyed the overlapping moments of this story. <spoiler>The fact that they only live a few blocks apart and frequent the same restaurants and cafes creates such a cute tie between the characters.</spoiler> I also liked the way each of the characters is introduced smoothly and thoughtfully aka Aiden on the telephone with Maya and Grayson kicking through the back door. I’m hopeful Jackson’s story will be next.

Viola and Jesse crossed paths years earlier at an interview. Now their paths align again to co-create a video game as lead designers, but first they have to show they can get along. <spoiler>A whirlwind romance after discovering they’ve both been pining for the other for years. The reveal that he asked her out the first time they met was adorable. Everything else felt rushed, but it seems like that’s the result of the condensed story versus there not being more to say. </spoiler>

It felt as though this book was an attempt to stall larger plot points and often referenced prior discoveries in previous books as a way of avoiding sharing new information. All the pieces were there, but it just didn’t come together. It did however set up the next book to have interesting reveals, so I’ll be reading for those.

I thought the idea of having Mrs. Norton utilize disguises to regain her vouchers was a great start. Especially since Beatrice and Damien no longer use costumes in their investigations. The mysteries continue to be more complex, which also seems related to their marriage. The list of suspects they can visit together increases, so the complexity of the murder can as well. I expected to lose interest the farther along I progressed in the series, but I am enjoying it more as characters continue to evolve.

Katie and Ben had a sizzling meet cute that she runs from due to the surprising attraction. They then meet again on the press trip Kate has arranged thru her PR group. I thought the friendships formed on the trip and Katie’s familial relationship with Eva were lovely. I found her and Ben’s relationship less believable or possibly less important than the impact Eva had on her life and choices. I thought her and Ben felt rushed together at the end and wished they’d had more time on the page together.

Another book where too much happens within Bea's inner dialogue leaving the most enjoyable bits to be the moments she and Kesgrave do discuss the events. I did love that Kesgrave makes his own decisions for their marriage at the end, but desperately wanted more details going into the wedding. 

More in love with the characters with each book. I particularly enjoyed Lady Abercrombie as a confidante and look forward to her friendship with Bea growing. The admission of love while sitting on a murderer was appropriate.

Clem is my favorite heroine in some time. She loves nature, her family and her dear friend Archie. I had so many personal touchstones to this book, and the discussion with Archie's mom in the garden truly made me cry. I didn't want it to end and look forward to the next book focused on Effie. I have one tiny note, which was that I wish there had been a reference to Archie's mom discussing their children with Clem's mom. I feel like Clem could have gained clarity in that moment as well if it had been the wish of both their mother's they married.

Lucy stumbles upon Anthony in an alley mistaking him for a corpse.
The story weaves together his world as a Duke and her life in Shoreditch. Together in the glass house and her aunt's dress shop they create a world where they can reveal their true selves to one another.

The structure for the book following the timeline along with the book club reads is such a fun take. I'd read some of the books they read, which made it fun to know what book  they were discussing and the subtle references made about it. Matthew and Lottie are opposites in so many ways, but they both care deeply for the friends and family in their life. When Henry returns I hated seeing Matthew take a step back, but also loved him more for it. The book has a Notting Hill vibe and even references the film at one point, which really sealed how much I loved the whole story.

Charlie and Nora are the two career  minded significant others that get left for small town romance. They mirror each other and allow the other to feel seen. 

I'm a sucker for an Emma adaptation especially when it cleverly references Clueless and Breakfast at Tiffany's. I liked this one even more than the first in the series, and I couldn't decide if it was due to my preference for Emma. Either way it was fun and I had trouble putting it down. 

I decided to read this series even though some reviews had me feeling uncertain. I really liked Billie and George and I found their story as believable as any hate to love scenarios. It seemed like George and Billie had never spent time together before and suddenly were in one another's company daily due to their families' close friendships and Andrew's return home. I thought their scheming mamas were the best and worked in a way that the Bridgerton family pulls off well.  

Thorn and Olivia have a second chance romance. Both have their careers they prefer to society and they both prefer to avoid large social functions. It's sweet how drawn together they are throughout.