Deidre C. (Historical-Book-Lovr) - reviewed The Heiress (Madison Sisters, Bk 2) on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Ok this one lagged for me. Mostly due to it feeling like I was rereading The Countess which I just read less than a month ago. Only in the last 150 pages does it really pick up and go on with their story. I hate it when authors do this reusing the same scenes and conversations from another book they wrote only changing the names so the other character is saying it. In the end it is still the same thing I read last time =( I think I feel cheated with this book...I hope the next will redeem this trilogy...I am looking forward to reading the youngest sister's story. Hopefully with Robert..
Helpful Score: 5
Ouch. Second in series.
I understand retelling a story from different perspectives, but retelling the story IDENTICALLY using the exact same words is past the point where I enjoy reading a book. I was especially sad to see that even the humorous scenes were repeated as well. A few more were added, but it was still hard getting through the book.
2/3 of the way through, we finally get to new material only to find it predictable and slow.
I will save however, that I loved the character of Suzette (as I did in the first book), but would've liked to see it as so much more...
Debating about Lisa's future story. If that repeats the last 1/3 of this book too, I'll probably skip it! My recommendation: pick either book one or two, but not both.
I understand retelling a story from different perspectives, but retelling the story IDENTICALLY using the exact same words is past the point where I enjoy reading a book. I was especially sad to see that even the humorous scenes were repeated as well. A few more were added, but it was still hard getting through the book.
2/3 of the way through, we finally get to new material only to find it predictable and slow.
I will save however, that I loved the character of Suzette (as I did in the first book), but would've liked to see it as so much more...
Debating about Lisa's future story. If that repeats the last 1/3 of this book too, I'll probably skip it! My recommendation: pick either book one or two, but not both.
Helpful Score: 4
Okay...so like other reviews (here and elsewhere) have mentioned, the heiress spends about 2/3's of the book rehashing the events of the countess but from different characters perspectives....
while the idea sounds like a good one (at least IMO) it doesn't really pan out...
Sure like most LS books it had its cute and funny moments, but there really is just too much repetition... So much so that it doesn't really feel like a separate new book until you (finally) reach that last third of the book... Mind you it wasn't a bad book, just disappointing and no where near as great as Sands other historicals.
I am eager and more hopeful for lisa's book though, as she didnt seem to play as much of a part in Christianas story ( from the first book) and her romance barely made a showing...so her final book in the trilogy should ( crossing fingers) be more original.
while the idea sounds like a good one (at least IMO) it doesn't really pan out...
Sure like most LS books it had its cute and funny moments, but there really is just too much repetition... So much so that it doesn't really feel like a separate new book until you (finally) reach that last third of the book... Mind you it wasn't a bad book, just disappointing and no where near as great as Sands other historicals.
I am eager and more hopeful for lisa's book though, as she didnt seem to play as much of a part in Christianas story ( from the first book) and her romance barely made a showing...so her final book in the trilogy should ( crossing fingers) be more original.
Helpful Score: 1
2.5 stars.
Unfortunately, the first 200+ pages of this book cover material we already read in The Countess. Granted the view points are from a different perspective, the information is still very much repetitive. I found myself skimming more than reading.
Once Lynsay catches us up to the point in which The Countess left off, the book is fun and the quality wit and writing syle I am used to in one of Ms. Sands books. It just came way too late in the story, I would have preferred not to have to re-hash so much for so long.
I am hoping the next book will not be more of the same. I am hoping Lisa's story starts where this one leaves off.
Cherise Everhard, March 2011
Unfortunately, the first 200+ pages of this book cover material we already read in The Countess. Granted the view points are from a different perspective, the information is still very much repetitive. I found myself skimming more than reading.
Once Lynsay catches us up to the point in which The Countess left off, the book is fun and the quality wit and writing syle I am used to in one of Ms. Sands books. It just came way too late in the story, I would have preferred not to have to re-hash so much for so long.
I am hoping the next book will not be more of the same. I am hoping Lisa's story starts where this one leaves off.
Cherise Everhard, March 2011
Helpful Score: 1
i read Lynsay Sand's novels because i usually find them funny,not this time.
"The Heiress" is boring.
Like other members pointed out,the problem with the second -and hopefully last- book of this series is that we already read the story in the first,is redundant for those who read "the Countess" and i believe confusing for people who have not.
The heroine and hero,that showed so much potential in "The Countess", aren't even giving a new perspective to the same events.
I also disliked the too many tedious light erotica scenes, and a predictable "mystery" at the end.
Someone should tell romance novel authors not to try to write mysteries.
"The Heiress" is boring.
Like other members pointed out,the problem with the second -and hopefully last- book of this series is that we already read the story in the first,is redundant for those who read "the Countess" and i believe confusing for people who have not.
The heroine and hero,that showed so much potential in "The Countess", aren't even giving a new perspective to the same events.
I also disliked the too many tedious light erotica scenes, and a predictable "mystery" at the end.
Someone should tell romance novel authors not to try to write mysteries.
Helpful Score: 1
I actually haven't read the other two books but I can see how the other books might be redundant after reading just one. I was curious to know how Sands was going to make the "Countess" interesting since the two stories happen at the same time. From the reviews, I guess she doesn't do a good job of it.
So just on this book alone it was very enjoyable. I know my review for the "Countess" will be much lower. It was funny and I love the way Suzette is so outspoken. I am so thankful they didn't drag out Dickey / George / Rich predicament.
At the same time, it does seem like half a book because there seems to be so much missing info (must be in the first book). I think maybe it would have been better if Sands just combined it all into one book and have it flow better.
I still plan to go back to read the "Countess" and Lisa's story.
So just on this book alone it was very enjoyable. I know my review for the "Countess" will be much lower. It was funny and I love the way Suzette is so outspoken. I am so thankful they didn't drag out Dickey / George / Rich predicament.
At the same time, it does seem like half a book because there seems to be so much missing info (must be in the first book). I think maybe it would have been better if Sands just combined it all into one book and have it flow better.
I still plan to go back to read the "Countess" and Lisa's story.
Okay. The Heiress really doesn't start until chapter 10 on page 134 ( according to my digital review copy ). Now, what I mean by this is what everyone else before me has already stated, the greater portion of this book is just The Countess ( book one ) only its from the point of view of Suezette & Daniel instead of the hero / heroine from book one. The story picks right up where the book end on Page 134 so if you want to skip everything before that go ahead. Reviewing the last seven chapters alone ( the story ) it was just as awesome as I had hopped it would be, even though you really only get about 86 pages.
This made it fun to read a story I knew from a different angle - finding out what happened when someone left a room or was seen coming out of a room in the first book, now you know where they went and what they did. No matter what the event, no two people will see it the same way.
This is a retelling of Lynsay Sands book, "the Countess" focusing on the second sister's story. I still enjoyed it.
Really, really enjoyed this book. A departure from usual historical romances in that the females ALL seem to have a backbone. Fast read.