I was looking forward to reading this book, but it really disappointed me. Cornelia seems like a woman who is simply very confused and Alistair seems like one of those classmates that no one could stand anymore because they did nothing but chaos. I gave it two stars, only because I was interested in the political discussion on women's rights, which the author was able to describe much better than this love story (?) that dragged on for an infinite number of pages. And to think that I liked the first book in this series so much.....

Non vedevo l'ora di leggere questo libro, che peró mi ha proprio deluso. Cornelia sembra una donna semplicemente molto confusa e Alistair sembra uno di quei compagni di classe che nessuno sopportava piú perché non facevano altro che casino. Gli ho dato due stelle, soltanto perché mi interessava il discorso politico sui diritti alle donne, che l'autrice ha saputo descrivere molto meglio rispetto a questa storia d'amore (?) che si é trascinata per un infinito numero di pagine. E pensare che il primo libro di questa serie mi era piaciuto cosí tanto.....

I received a complimentary digital copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Merged review:

I was looking forward to reading this book, but it really disappointed me. Cornelia seems like a woman who is simply very confused and Alistair seems like one of those classmates that no one could stand anymore because they did nothing but chaos. I gave it two stars, only because I was interested in the political discussion on women's rights, which the author was able to describe much better than this love story (?) that dragged on for an infinite number of pages. And to think that I liked the first book in this series so much.....

Non vedevo l'ora di leggere questo libro, che peró mi ha proprio deluso. Cornelia sembra una donna semplicemente molto confusa e Alistair sembra uno di quei compagni di classe che nessuno sopportava piú perché non facevano altro che casino. Gli ho dato due stelle, soltanto perché mi interessava il discorso politico sui diritti alle donne, che l'autrice ha saputo descrivere molto meglio rispetto a questa storia d'amore (?) che si é trascinata per un infinito numero di pagine. E pensare che il primo libro di questa serie mi era piaciuto cosí tanto.....

I received a complimentary digital copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

So many romances are predictable. Not this one, and I kept reading wanting to know what happened! I'm also tired of a**hole heroes, and Stroud aka Rip was definitely not in this vein. What a sweetheart! I commend Cordelia for seeing what others couldn't see.

Dnf @ 64%
Its a cute read, nothing more really

What this book has and fulfills in my distinct preferences:

1. Has the kind of writing that clean writers make but still has enough intimacy that they lack
2. A couple that understand one another and makes each other better
3. A very BIG yet cinnamon roll and hilarious Hero
4. A feminist independent Heroine with a career but still understandable and sensible in the heart matters.
5. Not about sex, but still has it in a way that compliments the story's energy and is partially closed door.
6. Parties wherein friends play silly games demonstrating how they have fun differently back in the day.
6. An ending with NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS or KIDNAPPING or telenovela-like climax (which is rampant in HRs)
7. An ending with two people teaming together in a hilarious way to conquer a goal.

While I enjoyed the first book in this Historical Romance series more, Book of Love was a glance into a sliver of history, through the eyes of two characters who are polar opposites, that you can't help but notice parallels of today's struggles when it comes to Women's Rights. I wished it had more romance to it, but, in the end, I enjoyed the story for its obviously deeply researched details from the art of bookbinding in the 1800s to the slow-moving machine that was the betterment of women's lives at the time.

The Book of Love was an interesting story. I found the main characters to be polar opposites but yet their chemistry could not keep them apart. At times I found Stroud's antics and Cordelia's icy demeanor to be to much. Overall, I liked the book.

What this book has and fulfills in my distinct preferences:

1. Has the kind of writing that clean writers make but still has enough intimacy that they lack
2. A couple that understand one another and makes each other better
3. A very BIG yet cinnamon roll and hilarious Hero
4. A feminist independent Heroine with a career but still understandable and sensible in the heart matters.
5. Not about sex, but still has it in a way that compliments the story's energy and is partially closed door.
6. Parties wherein friends play silly games demonstrating how they have fun differently back in the day.
6. An ending with NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS or KIDNAPPING or telenovela-like climax (which is rampant in HRs)
7. An ending with two people teaming together in a hilarious way to conquer a goal.

This story was so sweet and fun! I loved the juxtaposition of the two main characters, how well they respect each other while also challenging each other. I laughed out loud several times! I love reading historical fiction centered around women's rights and this one did not disappoint!

Coco? Coco? Jak papuga nazwana na cześć francuskiej artystki operetkowej?