Tag: Victorian England

book review

The Gentleman: Exploring a Madcap and Devilish Literary Adventure

kristenLeave a comment

The Gentleman by Forrest Leo
Genre: fantasy, I guess?
I read it as a(n): audiobook
Narrator: Samuel Roukin and John Keating
Length: 7:56:00 
Her Grace’s rating: 4 stars

Imagine you are a writer. Maybe not a super successful one, maybe not the very best one, but a writer all the same. You make words on the page and sell them and people buy them and at least some of those people enjoy them and are eager to read the next words you put on the page and sell. You love what you do but then you discover that you’re broke and so you decide to find a lady and marry her just for her money. This effectively kills your muse and you don’t write for months. Then, during a dinner party you didn’t want to host, you accidentally sell your new wife to the devil – the Gentleman in question – and then, to your horror, discover that you actually are in love with her and now you have to go on a mission to get her back. 

This is what happens to Lionel Savage, broke peer of the realm, mediocre poet, and failed but besotted husband. The book is told through Lionel’s essay on the adventure, with footnotes added by his editor (and cousin-by-marriage), Hubert Lancaster, who is possibly the best character in the book besides Simmons the butler. 

If you are looking for a book that challenges your deeply-held beliefs or is a philosophical exploration on the mysteries of love, inspiration, and family dynamics, this is absolutely not the book for you! If you want a pseudo-Victorian historical fiction filled with duels, flying machines, secret societies, a soft-spoken Devil who uses Dante as a gardener, literary snobbery by one of the characters, derring-do, brutal British wit, and general madcap adventure in the vein os Pratchett, Wilde, or Wodehouse, then step right up! 

I haven’t laughed this hard at a book since the last Scalzi I read.

book review · historical fiction

Bookshop Cinderella

kristenLeave a comment

bookshop cinderella

Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke
Genre: Victorian romance
I read it as a(n): digital galley
Length: 336 pp
Her Grace’s rating: 3 out of 5 stars 


Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke is a delightful Victorian romance that will have readers of the genre swooning with its charming rags-to-riches storyline. Evie Harlow is a strong and independent woman, which is a source of consternation to her family and society in general. She took over the ownership and management of her father’s rare books store when he died and has been happily ensconced in that ever since. She has no need of male companionship beyond a dear childhood friend and can’t imagine herself in any sort of long-term relationship. It simply doesn’t fit in with her daily life. Although she occasionally longs for a happily ever after for herself, she’s mostly given up on the thought and does her best to enjoy the life she has. So you can imagine how flustered she is when she finds herself in the acquaintance of Duke Maximillian of Westbourne. Introduced mainly by a random mutual acquaintance, Max initially intends only to use Evie’s talents at research to help with a fancy dinner party he’s been put in charge of. It soon changes when Max’s young proteges mock Evie for her lack of fashion and beauty and propose a scheme to Max. Max is determined to win a bet that proves Evie can become a debutante and take the London Season by storm.

The basic cast of characters are developed well and have plenty of interesting personality quirks, which is what I think really helps move a plot forward in a romance novel. The chemistry between Evie and Max is palpable, and the author does an excellent job of developing their relationship in a way that feels natural and authentic. Evie and Max are both imminently likeable characters in their different ways, and even secondary characters feel like actual people and not placeholders needed to fill a crowd. There was a lot of slow building passion between Evie and Max, which made the anticipation a pleasant ride. 

My one real quibble is that there wasn’t much resolution with regard to the villain in the story. His motivations felt a bit contrived and the ending for his part of the story was rushed and felt incomplete. I would have liked more closure on that. I confess, I wanted to see a proper comeuppance, but instead, that part of the story just ended! Totally unsatisfied with that. 

The book is filled with banter, a few hilariously biting remarks about the aristocracy, and romantic moments that are sure to please readers. Gurhke’s writing style is engaging and immersive, readers were treated to some details about daily life among the peerage and the working classes, and the end result was everything it needed to be. It’s a quick and easy read that is perfect for anyone looking for a light romance.