Tag: 20th century

Mini-Reviews: Wicked, Left-Handed, Madam

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Julia Quinn, When He Was Wicked

Michael Stirling is known throughout society as “the Merry Rake,” but despite his myriad sexual conquests, he’s been in love with Francesca Bridgerton since the moment he saw her. Unfortunately, she was betrothed to his cousin John at the time and is now John’s wife. When John dies unexpectedly, Michael can no longer hide his true feelings, but can he pursue a relationship with Francesca without dishonoring his cousin’s memory? I wanted to like this book more than I did. I enjoy a hero who pines for the heroine, but in this case I didn’t understand why Michael was so obsessed with Francesca. He’s already in love with her when the story begins, so we don’t see what makes her so special to him. Further, he “courts” her exclusively by seducing her, so their romantic relationship is based entirely on sex, which I didn’t find particularly appealing. I’ve really liked some books in the Bridgerton series, but this one just wasn’t for me.

Garth Nix, The Left-Handed Booksellers of London

Eighteen-year-old Susan Arkshaw has come to London to find the father she’s never met. She tracks down Frank Thringley, an old friend of her mother’s, to see if he knows anything about her father — but she arrives just in time to see him crumble into dust at the prick of a hatpin. The hatpin’s wielder is Merlin, who describes himself as a “left-handed bookseller” and tells Susan she is in grave danger. He explains that the Old World of myths, legends, and ancient powers is real, and it’s starting to intrude dangerously into the ordinary world — unless Susan and the booksellers can stop it. This is a really creative YA adventure novel that seems intended to introduce readers to (or reinforce their love of) British fantasy fiction and mythology. I really liked all the literary allusions and the occasional humorous banter, but the book is a bit too episodic and plot-driven for me — too many action sequences, not enough character development. Overall, I liked but didn’t love it, and I probably won’t read the sequel.

Mary Stewart, Madam, Will You Talk?

Charity Selborne is a young Englishwoman on holiday in the South of France. At her hotel in Avignon, she befriends a 13-year-old boy named David and gradually realizes that something is very wrong in his life. She then learns that David’s father, an accused murderer, is at large and has followed David to France. Charity’s decision to help David plunges her into days of suspense and fear, during which she encounters a mystery with its roots in World War II and finds love in an unexpected place. I really enjoy Mary Stewart’s novels of romantic suspense, though they all follow the same basic pattern: beautiful girl in exotic location finds danger and romance. But this is one of her strongest books, in my opinion — the plot is nice and twisty, and there’s a very memorable car chase. Recommended if you like this type of book!

Mini-Reviews: Red, Rom-Com, Garden

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Mary Roberts Rinehart, The Red Lamp

Professor William Porter has recently inherited a seaside house from his Uncle Horace. He decides to stay there during his summer vacation, along with his wife Jane, niece Edith, and Edith’s beau Warren Halliday. When they arrive, they immediately learn that the house is reputed to be haunted, and they soon witness strange occurrences themselves, such as a red light shining from the supposedly empty house. Then sheep start dying with their throats cut, and a police deputy goes missing. Are evil spirits responsible for these tragedies, or is human malice at work? This is my first book by Rinehart, and I wasn’t terribly impressed. The novel tries hard to create an atmosphere of eerie suspense, but I never fully felt that; instead, William’s constant musings on possible supernatural explanations just irritated me. In terms of moving the mystery plot forward, not much happens till almost the end of the book. I felt like there weren’t enough clues for readers to grab hold of, and I’m not quite sure the solution all hangs together. Still, Rinehart’s writing is good, and I’m interested to try more of her work; maybe this one is an uncharacteristic dud.

Jayne Denker, The Rom-Com Agenda

Eli has just been dumped by his girlfriend, Victoria, but he’s convinced she’s the one. While she’s on sabbatical in Europe, he and his friends devise a plan to win her back: He’ll give himself a makeover, basing his new look and personality on the heroes of classic romantic comedies. When he meets Leah, a lonely young woman who quickly gets absorbed into his friend group, they immediately hit it off and begin watching the rom-coms together. But as Eli and Leah grow closer, he must decide where his heart truly lies. This contemporary romance is predictable but sweet, and I enjoyed the allusions to some of my favorite movies, like Better Off Dead and The Princess Bride. I liked Leah’s quiet strength and Eli’s exuberant, genuine nature. The book also has a low steam factor with no explicit sex scenes, which is a plus for me. Overall, though, this is a fun read but not a standout, and I don’t feel particularly compelled to seek out more by the author.

Lauren Willig, The Garden Intrigue

Augustus Whittlesby is widely regarded as the worst poet in Paris, but he’s also secretly a British agent working with — and infatuated by — the Pink Carnation, a.k.a. Miss Jane Wooliston. Jane’s friend, Emma Delagardie, constantly ridicules Augustus’s terrible poetry but is also maybe a tiny bit attracted to him. When Augustus and Emma are thrown together to write a masque for Bonaparte and his court, they develop a deeper relationship. But Augustus is conflicted, both because of his feelings for Jane and because he’s using Emma to learn more about Bonaparte’s plans for invading England. Augustus has been a frequently recurring character throughout this series, so I’m glad he finally got his own story. I liked that both he and Emma ultimately have the same conflict: they have to choose between guarding their (relatively) safe, self-protective lives and taking a chance on real love. This book isn’t quite as light and fun as earlier installments of the series, and it isn’t one of my favorites, but it’s still an enjoyable read.

Mini-Reviews: Scandal, French, Murder

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Sophie Irwin, A Lady’s Guide to Scandal

Ten years ago, Eliza Courtenay married the wealthy Earl of Somerset out of duty to her family, even though she was in love with Somerset’s nephew at the time. The marriage was restrictive and unhappy, but now the earl has died and left Eliza unexpectedly rich. She decides to take control of her life and set up her own household in Bath. But her newfound independence comes with complications, especially when she’s torn between her old love (who is now the earl) and the charming yet scandalous Lord Melville. I greatly enjoyed Irwin’s debut novel, A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting, so I had high hopes for this one, but it never quite grabbed me. I liked the development of the love triangle, where Eliza’s choice of man reflects her choice about what kind of life she really wants. But at the same time, that conflict feels very modern; with historical romance, I want to be transported to a different time, and I didn’t feel that here. Overall, I’d call this one good but not great.

Sarah Ready, French Holiday

After watching her sister marry her best friend, with whom she’s been desperately in love for the past four years, Merry DeLuca needs an escape. Her godmother offers to let her stay in her French chateau, and Merry jumps at the chance. But she’s shocked to discover that Noah Wright, the best man at her sister’s wedding, is also staying at the chateau to work on a travel documentary. Merry and Noah have always disliked each other, but now their close proximity causes them to reevaluate their relationship. I enjoyed this contemporary romance, though it feels a little unpolished (which makes sense, as I believe it’s self-published). At times the prose gets a bit overwrought, and some of the humor veers toward cringey, but the romantic/sexual tension is well done, with excellent use of the “only one bed” trope. Definitely worth a read if the premise interests you!

E.C.R. Lorac, Murder by Matchlight

In the opening chapter of this World War II-era mystery, a young man witnesses a murder—but because of the wartime blackout, he doesn’t actually see anything except a face that’s briefly revealed when the victim lights a match in the seconds before his death. Scotland Yard Inspector Macdonald is on the case and soon learns that the key to the truth lies in the dead man’s mysterious identity and background. This vintage mystery was a bit of a mixed bag for me. I loved the wartime setting and its subtle but important effects on the plot — for example, one of Macdonald’s suspect interviews is interrupted by an air raid. The cast of characters is interesting, and Macdonald is a likable sleuth. But I think the mystery itself is a bit weak, and the plot is mostly just Macdonald interviewing people, which gets boring. Overall, though, I’d be interested in reading more by Lorac.

Mini-Reviews: Rule, Violets, Theoretically

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Sarah Adams, The Off Limits Rule

After losing her job and her boyfriend pretty much simultaneously, Lucy temporarily moves in with her overprotective big brother, Drew. That becomes a problem when Lucy meets — and is immediately smitten with — Drew’s best friend, Cooper. The attraction is mutual, but they’re hesitant to pursue a relationship for fear of Drew’s reaction. This is a cute, quick read, but because Lucy and Cooper are into each other almost immediately, there’s very little romantic tension. The obstacle of Drew’s disapproval seems silly to me; these people are adults and should be beyond the “eww, no dating my sister!” stage. And a lot of the “humor” comes from Lucy’s embarrassment over her cringeworthy behavior, which makes her seem incompetent and immature. All that said, there is something appealing about the novel’s cutesy style and the banter between the main characters, but it’s definitely not destined to be a favorite.

Baynard Kendrick, The Odor of Violets

Duncan Maclain lost his sight in the First World War. Now, at the beginning of the second, he works as a private investigator and does the occasional job for U.S. intelligence. When a fellow spy is murdered, Maclain’s investigation leads him to the prominent Treadwill family, which includes a famous theater producer, an engineer working on secret military equipment, and the dead spy’s ex-wife. This is an odd book that tries to combine a traditional mystery with a spy thriller, and the result is a little half-baked. Because of the book’s split focus, there’s not enough time to flesh out the various suspects or provide meaningful clues. However, I did enjoy the depiction of a blind detective who relies on hearing, touch, and smell to observe the world. Kendrick apparently did a lot of research and tried to make Maclain’s abilities as realistic as possible. Overall, I liked some elements of this novel, but it didn’t quite gel for me.

Ali Hazelwood, Love, Theoretically

Elsie is a theoretical physicist who’s desperate to find a research position, but for now she’s stuck as a poorly paid adjunct professor. To supplement her income, she works for a fake-dating app. While on a “date” with her favorite client, she meets Jack, the client’s brother, who seems disapproving and suspicious of her. Disastrously, she meets him again while interviewing for her dream job at MIT, where Jack—an experimental physicist with a well-known grudge against theorists—is on the search committee. But as Elsie spends more time with Jack, she revises her first impression of him and learns his true feelings for her. The thing about Ali Hazelwood is that I’m often irritated by her books, but I still devour them in one sitting! As with her previous novels, I thought the hero’s level of devotion to the heroine was pretty implausible, and the overabundant science references were clumsily inserted. But I did find Elsie relatable in her need to be liked, though she takes people-pleasing to an unhealthy extreme. This is a flawed but compelling read, and I’ll doubtless continue to read Hazelwood’s work.

Mini-Reviews: Tie, Bright, Italian

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Ngaio Marsh, Death in a White Tie

The London Season is in full swing with its debutantes, chaperones, and elaborate parties. Unfortunately, a blackmailer is also making the social rounds, preying upon high-society women. Inspector Roderick Alleyn is on the case, and he asks his friend Lord Robert “Bunchy” Gospell for help, since Bunchy is invited everywhere and will be able to observe suspicious activity firsthand. When Bunchy is murdered, Alleyn will do whatever it takes to bring his killer to justice — but was it the blackmailer or someone else with a grudge against Bunchy? This is another excellent Alleyn novel; I loved getting more insight into his character as he’s forced to investigate the death of a friend and to suspect people he knows and likes personally. I’ll certainly continue with the series and am glad Marsh was so prolific!

Chloe Neill, The Bright and Breaking Sea

In an alternate 19th-century Britain, Kit Brightling is a naval captain who is magically Aligned to water. Her successes at sea have earned her the queen’s favor, and now the queen has ordered her to rescue a spy who’s been caught by the enemy and imprisoned in a pirate fortress. But Kit is also compelled to team up with Rian Grant, a viscount and former soldier. They distrust each other at first, but their opinions change as they’re forced to work together. Meanwhile, they uncover a dangerous conspiracy involving a deposed emperor and a ship capable of weaponizing magic. What a fun book! The plot is full of excitement, from daring escapes to naval battles to espionage at society events. I also really liked Kit and Grant’s relationship, though I found most of the secondary characters underdeveloped and unmemorable. Still, I’d heartily recommend this book if you love historical romance and/or tales of the British navy with a bit of magic thrown in. There’s a sequel that I plan to get my hands on ASAP!

Rebecca Serle, One Italian Summer

After her mother’s tragic death, Katy feels utterly bereft and disconnected. The loss makes her question everything in her life, including her marriage to her college sweetheart. Needing space, Katy decides to go solo on the trip to Italy she’d been planning with her mom. But when she gets to Positano, she’s shocked to meet her mother in the flesh at age 30 (not a spoiler, it’s mentioned in the cover copy). As Katy gets to know this younger version of her mother—and embarks on a flirtation with a handsome stranger—she also learns more about herself and begins to process her grief. I’ll say one thing about this book, it made me want to travel to the Amalfi coast immediately! But I found Katy a frustrating character. Though her grief is understandable, her actions aren’t particularly sympathetic, and while I love my mom, I can’t imagine idolizing her to the extent Katy does! So while I’m now even more eager to travel to Italy one of these days, I wouldn’t particularly recommend this book.

Mini-Reviews: Neighbors, Cluny, Velvet

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Stephanie Burgis, Good Neighbors

Ever since Mia and her father were run out of town by an angry mob wielding torches and pitchforks, she’s tried to appear normal and respectable, hiding her true identity as a metal mage. Too bad her new home is right next door to a necromancer’s castle. Leander has no interest in hiding his own unnatural gifts, and he soon seeks Mia out to form a defensive alliance against the hostile townsfolk. But as Mia and Leander grow closer, the town’s increasing anger toward those with magical powers forces them to take a stand. This is an enjoyable but insubstantial wisp of a book with a heavy-handed message about how society treats those who are perceived as different. The story is a bit sketchy and underdeveloped, and several loose threads are left dangling. I like the author but wouldn’t recommend this particular work — try Masks and Shadows or Congress of Secrets instead.

Margery Sharp, Cluny Brown

Cluny Brown is a young woman who, according to her plumber uncle, doesn’t know her place, so he decides to find one for her as a parlormaid in an English country house. Cluny isn’t a great success as a parlormaid, but she does make several new friends, both upstairs and down. Eventually she decides where (and with whom) she’ll make her true place in the world. This is a quiet slice-of-life novel set just before the outbreak of World War II. It satirizes the English class system but does so in a gentle and affectionate, not mocking, way. The plot centers around romantic complications that all come right in the end, although I did feel sorry for Cluny’s rejected suitor! I also watched the movie starring Charles Boyer and Jennifer Jones, which I didn’t like quite as much as the book (it changed too many things, and I think Boyer was miscast). But I would recommend the book if you like this type of novel!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Velvet Was the Night

This novel, billed as “neo noir,” is set in 1971 against the backdrop of the Mexican Dirty War. Elvis belongs to a gang with shadowy ties to the repressive government; he’s tasked with brutalizing student activists and other left-wing demonstrators. Meanwhile, Maite is dissatisfied with her life and escapes through the pages of romantic magazines. When Maite’s neighbor Leonora, a young woman with possible communist ties, disappears, Elvis and Maite cross paths as they both try to track her down. I’m not a big noir reader, as I generally prefer optimism in my fiction, but I found this novel fascinating. I know shamefully little about Mexican history, so I was happy to learn more about an unfamiliar place and time. I also really enjoyed the story and was able to guess some of the twists and turns. The ending isn’t exactly happy (this is noir, after all!), but it is satisfying and arguably hopeful. Overall, this book impressed me, and I’m eager to try more of Moreno-Garcia’s work.

Mini-Reviews: Closed, Countess, Wager

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Patricia Wentworth, The Case Is Closed

One year ago, Geoffrey Grey was convicted of murdering his uncle and is now in prison. His wife and her cousin Hilary believe he’s innocent, but the evidence against him is overwhelming — that is, until Hilary has a chance meeting with Mrs. Mercer, one of the prosecution’s star witnesses. Mrs. Mercer seems deeply troubled and hints at secrets she could reveal if she weren’t deathly afraid of her husband. Hilary decides to investigate with the help of her beau, Henry, but her sleuthing soon puts her in danger. I really enjoyed this book! The mystery is satisfying, albeit not particularly complex, and I also adored the romance between Hilary and Henry. They’ve quarreled at the beginning of the book, but they obviously still love each other, and it’s a treat to peek inside their heads as they attempt to get back together. If you like your vintage mysteries on the lighter side, with a generous helping of romance, you’ll enjoy this one!

Eva Ibbotson, A Countess below Stairs

Newly arrived in England after fleeing the Russian Revolution, Countess Anna Grazinsky has no choice but to work as a housemaid at the grand estate of Mersham. Despite her noble upbringing, she’s willing to work hard and soon endears herself to the other servants and the entire household. She also catches the eye of Rupert, Mersham’s owner, but he is already engaged to the beautiful but coldhearted Muriel. This book is one of my favorite comfort reads, and I adored it just as much this fifth or sixth time through. The central romance is sweet and passionate, and there’s a wealth of sympathetic, lovable secondary characters as well. The good characters are a bit too perfect and the bad ones totally irredeemable, but I love the book so much that I can easily overlook its flaws.

Lynn Painter, The Love Wager

After a drunken one-night stand, Hallie Piper is determined to make better romantic choices, so she joins a dating app in hopes of meeting “the one.” On the app, she spots her one-night stand, Jack Marshall, and decides to send him a joking message. He responds, and they soon strike up a fun conversation, which turns into a real-life friendship. They make a bet about which of them will find love first — but the more time they spend together, the more they begin to wonder if they’re each other’s perfect match. I enjoyed this fun and funny romantic comedy. Hallie and Jack both felt like real people, and their playful banter had me rooting for them from the beginning. I did find the central conflict a bit frustrating, since it all came down to poor communication, and the ending felt a bit drawn out. But I still liked the book overall and would definitely recommend Lynn Painter to fans of contemporary romance.

Mini-Reviews: Matchmaker, Georgie, Secrets

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Stella Gibbons, The Matchmaker

This slice-of-life novel centers around Alda Lucie-Brown, who has moved with her three daughters to a small cottage in Sussex after their London home was bombed in World War II. Now the war is over, but Alda’s husband is still stationed in Germany, so she’s feeling somewhat isolated in the country. Her solution is to meet the neighbors and try her hand at a little matchmaking, but naturally things don’t go as planned. This is a calm, pleasant read where not much happens, but the characters are nuanced and interesting enough to carry the book. I loved the setting of postwar England; I’ve read plenty of WWII novels, but not many set in the aftermath. So it was fascinating to read about, for example, the Italian POWs still compelled to work on English land. Gibbons reveals some of the prejudices of her time but is also pretty generous in her character depictions. The book isn’t as comedic as Cold Comfort Farm (though it has flashes of gentle humor), but I’d recommend it to fans of books from this era.

Kate Clayborn, Georgie, All Along

Georgie Mulcahy is at a loose end after being laid off. She’s temporarily moved back to her small hometown in Virginia, where she’ll help out her pregnant best friend Bel and try to figure out what to do with her life. She doesn’t expect to feel a connection with Levi Fanning, the town troublemaker and black sheep of the illustrious Fanning family. Levi has been keeping his head down and his nose clean for years, but he’s still living with a bad reputation and with the anger and guilt of his past. As Georgie and Levi grow closer, they both have to confront the mental and emotional obstacles holding them back. I really love Kate Clayborn’s writing, and this latest book doesn’t disappoint. I especially loved getting inside Levi’s head and seeing how he and Georgie interpreted the same events differently. The book deals with some heavier themes than the cover art and publisher’s blurb would suggest, but it’s still an uplifting read with a fair amount of humor. Highly recommended for fans of contemporary romance!

Alyssa Everett, Lord of Secrets

When Rosalie Whitwell’s father suddenly dies during a transatlantic voyage, she finds herself with few options for her future. That is, until one of her fellow travelers, the cold and reclusive David Linney, marquess of Deal, proposes marriage. Despite his reserved manner, Rosalie perceives a softer side to David, so she happily accepts and is prepared to fall in love with her handsome new husband. David is strongly attracted to Rosalie but refuses to consummate the marriage, which frustrates and confuses her. When he finally reveals his secrets, will he lose Rosalie’s love? This book didn’t work as well for me as Ruined by Rumor, but I think it’s entirely due to the subject matter. David’s secrets are quite dark, and certain flashback scenes were very difficult to read. (No spoilers here, but if you google the book, you’ll be able to find relevant content warnings.) Further, once he confesses everything to Rosalie, the happy ending comes way too soon and feels unrealistic. I still enjoy this author’s writing style and will continue to read more of her work, but this one isn’t destined to be a favorite.

Mini-Reviews: Highway, Seven, Roughest

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Hannah March, The Devil’s Highway

Former tutor Robert Fairfax is about to begin a new position as Sir Edward Nugent’s secretary. As he and Sir Edward travel to the latter’s country estate, they encounter an overturned stagecoach whose coachman and passengers have all been shot to death. Public opinion assumes a local highwayman is to blame, but Robert isn’t so sure — especially when one of the victims is incorrectly identified, and a woman who was supposed to be on the stagecoach is nowhere to be found. I enjoyed this book at least as much as the first in the series, if not more. Robert Fairfax is a sympathetic sleuth, and the Georgian setting is well realized, with this book touching on the state of mental asylums and the rise of Methodism. The mystery itself is perhaps a bit too convoluted, so I think this series is more for historical fiction fans than mystery buffs. But as a lover of both genres, I’d recommend it!

J. Jefferson Farjeon, Seven Dead

A petty thief breaks into Haven House hoping to steal a few valuables — but instead he stumbles upon seven corpses in a locked room. Who are they, how were they killed, and what brought them to Haven House? The local police are on the case, assisted by journalist and amateur yachtsman Thomas Hazeldean. The investigation takes Hazeldean to Boulogne in pursuit of the house’s absent owners, where he becomes embroiled in additional mysteries — and falls in love. I’ve tried a couple of Farjeon’s books in the past, with mixed results, but I liked this one a lot. The mystery isn’t particularly shocking in terms of whodunit, but there are plenty of twists and turns as readers learn just how horrible the culprit really is. Despite some dark elements, the book also has a fair amount of humor (plus the romantic subplot), which keeps it from getting too depressing. Recommended for fans of Golden Age mysteries.

Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka, The Roughest Draft

Katrina and Nathan met at a writers’ workshop and instantly became writing partners and friends. They wrote two books together, the first moderately successful and the second a huge best-seller. But then they had a falling-out, and they haven’t spoken to each other in four years. Unfortunately, they still have a contract with their publisher for another co-written book. Reluctantly, they agree to work together one last time, but they’ll have to finally confront the issues that drove them apart. I liked the premise of this book, but in practice I was underwhelmed. Neither Katrina nor Nathan is very likable; they’re both extremely privileged (she lives in a $4 million house, he has a trust fund, neither has to work an actual job), and they’re mean to each other for a significant chunk of the book. The novel also focuses so narrowly on Katrina and Nathan that it feels somewhat claustrophobic — don’t they have any healthy relationships (family, friends) in their lives? The central romance is somewhat compelling if you like a lot of angst, but overall this book just wasn’t for me. I would consider trying something else by these authors, though.

Mini-Reviews: First, Lady, Lease

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Robin Stevens, First Class Murder

In this installment of the Wells and Wong mystery series, Hazel’s father has decided to take her and Daisy on a holiday aboard the Orient Express. They’ve been strictly admonished not to do any detecting, but neither Hazel nor Daisy intends to obey, especially when they encounter espionage, theft, and murder on the train. Obviously the setup is an homage to Agatha Christie’s famous novel (which Daisy is actually reading in this book), but Stevens puts her own spin on the plot. One thing I really like about this series is that, despite the unrealistic premise of two 13-year-old girls solving murders, the books deal with the consequences of that premise in realistic ways. The fallout from Hazel and Daisy’s previous case (chronicled in Poison Is Not Polite) continues to matter in this book. There’s also some nice character development for Hazel as her relationship with her father begins to change. I’m definitely planning to continue with the series!

Sylvia Izzo Hunter, Lady of Magick

Two years after the events of The Midnight Queen, Sophie and Gray travel to the University of Dun Edin in the kingdom of Alba, a fantasy version of Scotland. While there, they observe economic hardship and political unrest, which is exacerbated by news of the Alban princess’s betrothal to an English prince. Eventually, Sophie and Gray find themselves at the center of a sinister magical plot that could upset both the Alban and English thrones. Since I loved the first book of this trilogy, I was excited to continue with this installment, but I found it very disappointing. The pace is glacial; basically nothing relevant to the plot happens till beyond the halfway point. The first book was slow-paced too, but because the character development and world-building were so interesting, I didn’t mind. In this book, though, none of the main characters grow or change in a significant way, so it all just felt a bit pointless. I’m still cautiously optimistic about the third and final book, but my expectations are definitely more moderate now.

Falon Ballard, Lease on Love

Sadie is a financial analyst who thinks she’s finally about to get a well-deserved promotion. When her boss gives it to his future son-in-law instead, she reacts poorly and ends up getting fired. Now she can’t afford her pricey Manhattan apartment, so she looks for a new living situation and meets Jack, who’s renting out a room in his Brooklyn brownstone. The rent is ridiculously low, so she jumps at the opportunity, despite the fact that nerdy, introverted Jack is her total opposite. But as they get to know each other better, they find that opposites attract. This is a fun, breezy contemporary romance that’s oddly low-stakes given the main characters’ tragic backstories. I never quite understood why they didn’t act on their feelings much sooner! Also, Jack seems entirely too perfect, and since we only see him through Sadie’s eyes, we never learn what makes him tick. That said, the book is a quick and enjoyable read, but not a necessary one in my opinion.