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Less is More #3
Guileless: Less is More: "Season One", Volume Three
Antonia Gibson has been educated in the manner of most young women of the 19th century—to be good, obedient wives and not much else. When Antonia’s family takes the time to notice her, they only see what they a silly, trivial girl, unpossessed of a mind of her own. These qualities are what keep her silent when her father and equally overbearing brothers contrive to manipulate her into an engagement with a gentleman for whom she can summon no sufficiently warm feelings. Meanwhile, brother Tom, having been expelled from Cambridge, has hired Mr. Gregory Hale, a young lawyer striving to help Tom in his efforts to contest the accusations laid against him and salvage his character. It is this stranger to the family who discovers that Antonia is not entirely incapable of intelligent thought and helps her feel truly seen for the first time in her life. He encourages Antonia to fight for her own happiness, but at what cost? Mr. Hale, after all, is no stranger to scandal, for a dark history looms behind his otherwise charming demeanor and threatens to destroy the happiness of all with whom he comes in contact—perhaps none more so than Antonia herself.
465 pages, Paperback
First published February 27, 2022
196 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
V.R. Christensen
34 books81 followersV.R. Christensen writes classically inspired romantic historical fiction and steampunk dystopian novels of depth and sensitivity. V.R.’s historical romances have been multiple-time bestsellers and have been compared to Jane Austen and Charles Dickens (a literary lovechild, perhaps?) V.R. is half English and resides in the United States, though she spends a majority of her time immersed in late-Victorian classic literature and costume dramas. Her work has been described as “masterful for its genre” and “gorgeous”—“like a river flowing through a beautiful landscape that is sometimes light, sometimes dark and threatening.”
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 4, 2022
loved this book
Without repeating the storyline I will say that this was a very rich book about a woman coming into her own with the help of stronger women friends and the man she fell in love with. Antonia was demeaned and oppressed by her father and brothers…with the Mother going along with it…out of sense that she wasn’t smart enough to know what she wanted and that they knew better. It was deeper than that because the brothers were also oppressed by their fathers expectations and behaviors. In the end, there were many lessons learned by everyone involved.
Without repeating the storyline I will say that this was a very rich book about a woman coming into her own with the help of stronger women friends and the man she fell in love with. Antonia was demeaned and oppressed by her father and brothers…with the Mother going along with it…out of sense that she wasn’t smart enough to know what she wanted and that they knew better. It was deeper than that because the brothers were also oppressed by their fathers expectations and behaviors. In the end, there were many lessons learned by everyone involved.
July 5, 2022
A most remarkable HEA for teens and adults!
The first two sections of this lengthy novel impressed me with the author's handling of domineering parents and manipulative relations. The resemblance to personal experiences was uncanny. The novel is very detailed and some may say overly long, but I disagree with that assessment. It is a gourmet meal of many courses that entice the diner to savor every detail. I liked the different points of view that unfolded from Antonia, Luke, Tom and the rest of the characters. And though loveable Lucy exits for a while, she sends a most capable friend to help. Well, kiss me Kate! Personalities come alive so vividly. I highly recommend this sweet romance. It's not a quick read but worth the journey.
The first two sections of this lengthy novel impressed me with the author's handling of domineering parents and manipulative relations. The resemblance to personal experiences was uncanny. The novel is very detailed and some may say overly long, but I disagree with that assessment. It is a gourmet meal of many courses that entice the diner to savor every detail. I liked the different points of view that unfolded from Antonia, Luke, Tom and the rest of the characters. And though loveable Lucy exits for a while, she sends a most capable friend to help. Well, kiss me Kate! Personalities come alive so vividly. I highly recommend this sweet romance. It's not a quick read but worth the journey.
October 23, 2022
Love this story.
What a story! This is the story of an upper class family who has been forced to follow their father's wishes. When they finally begin to rebel at his commands, the family seems to tip upside down. The daughter, who they all thought didn't know a lot, stands up to her father and refuses to marry the man her dad has chosen for her. The man she loves has been falsely accused of wrong doing. What should she do? I highly recommend this book. Relax and enjoy the action.
What a story! This is the story of an upper class family who has been forced to follow their father's wishes. When they finally begin to rebel at his commands, the family seems to tip upside down. The daughter, who they all thought didn't know a lot, stands up to her father and refuses to marry the man her dad has chosen for her. The man she loves has been falsely accused of wrong doing. What should she do? I highly recommend this book. Relax and enjoy the action.
October 13, 2022
Definitely a winner in a clean romance
I loved this!! Occasionally I thought it was a little wordy & I wasn't crazy about Antonia's always 1st person narrative, but everyone else's 3rd person. I loved everything else..the twists, the romances, the hopes, dreams, & obstacles, and the triumphs & forgiveness from many directions.
I loved this!! Occasionally I thought it was a little wordy & I wasn't crazy about Antonia's always 1st person narrative, but everyone else's 3rd person. I loved everything else..the twists, the romances, the hopes, dreams, & obstacles, and the triumphs & forgiveness from many directions.
March 21, 2022
Suspenseful and entreaging
If you like historical romance, you will love this book! A reminder of a time when expectations for a young woman were far more engrained in society than today. Well developed plots and characters. A very enjoyable read.
If you like historical romance, you will love this book! A reminder of a time when expectations for a young woman were far more engrained in society than today. Well developed plots and characters. A very enjoyable read.
May 23, 2022
lots on inner workings
This story was in my opinion the best of the three. It still dragged at times and had too much thoughts going on but there were multiple characters with multiple issues all going on and it all gets tied together in the end
This story was in my opinion the best of the three. It still dragged at times and had too much thoughts going on but there were multiple characters with multiple issues all going on and it all gets tied together in the end
August 2, 2022
I admit the first 20% made me a little crazy not understanding Antonia at all. It seemed just too extreme to me. It's also a bit long, but I enjoyed the book overall and would read more written by the author.
June 9, 2023
Guileless
I loved the finish of this book. I am not a fan of the rules of 1800's England. I do not.like women being controlled. I do not think if a man doesn't have a son that a daughter should not be able to inherit .I do not like the way a woman is referred to as stupid.
I loved the finish of this book. I am not a fan of the rules of 1800's England. I do not.like women being controlled. I do not think if a man doesn't have a son that a daughter should not be able to inherit .I do not like the way a woman is referred to as stupid.
July 6, 2023
Predictable love story
Although I kept reading this book to the end I found it a bit boring and predictable. Antonia was the strongest and most likeable of the family and she persevered through all the drama her family created.
Although I kept reading this book to the end I found it a bit boring and predictable. Antonia was the strongest and most likeable of the family and she persevered through all the drama her family created.
June 30, 2022
Enlighten me
Another good historical romance, it seems I just can't get my fill of them sometimes! This one was especially good as Toni has to right a wrong when all seems to go wrong. Especially when few people take you seriously. I especially loved the scenes towards the end of the book!!
Another good historical romance, it seems I just can't get my fill of them sometimes! This one was especially good as Toni has to right a wrong when all seems to go wrong. Especially when few people take you seriously. I especially loved the scenes towards the end of the book!!
June 29, 2022
Heartwarming read
Story was well written with rich detail, and memorable characters. I recommend this story to anyone that enjoys plot twists and romance.
Story was well written with rich detail, and memorable characters. I recommend this story to anyone that enjoys plot twists and romance.
July 5, 2022
Another winner
I enjoyed this story of Toni and her 4 brothers. They make mistakes as they grow into adult relationships with each other, their parents, and their friends.
I enjoyed this story of Toni and her 4 brothers. They make mistakes as they grow into adult relationships with each other, their parents, and their friends.
July 23, 2022
A fun, mindless read about perceptions and family delemma.
June 29, 2022
Basic
I cannot get over how many times the author wrote "could care less". The correct term is "could NOT care less". The editor should have caught it!
I cannot get over how many times the author wrote "could care less". The correct term is "could NOT care less". The editor should have caught it!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews