This is only the second of Havig's books that I've read. I thought it was a wonderfully sweet romance and I liked the few tie-ins that she paralleled with the original tale of Cinderella.Allerednic, had sweet, clean romance, wonderful Jane Austen themes, and an interesting and backwards Cinderella story that had me intrigued - all things I was highly anticipating and love to read about.The one and only complaint I have about it is just that there didn't seem to be much conflict. There was no evil step-mother (although there was a step-mother. But she wasn't evil and mean). And although there was one other contender for her heart, it seemed like he was pretty much written off right from the start. The only thing I could see that was awful about this second would be suitor was that he was a rich snob and treated the main female character like she was a child.The story follows the main male and female characters. It's the typical falling in love regency romance. But they never really faced any road blocks until the last few chapters. Which was ridiculous. For so long, nothing major had happened. The romantic relationship progresses nicely with very few hiccups. Then, in a rush at the end, the main female character has this huge, pathetic moment of second guessing a man who is absolutely amazing, (another problem. Where were his supposed faults? He said he had some but never really shared any of them.) and then finding out this big secret about her past which wasn't even foreshadowed at all during the rest of the book. reading this moment in the book was like being on a calm sea and then all of a sudden being in the middle of a Gail. Hello, where did that come from? I still have whiplash weeks later. Basically, there was no conflict, and then so much all it once it was unnatural to the plotline and characters. And because there wasn't really any conflict during the rest of the book, it felt a bit dry.I liked this book, it just didn't seem realistic. What kind of a courtship reaches almost engagement stage without any roadblocks? Unrealistic. And then, even more so, a book with very little conflict doesn't exactly keep you turning the page for more.It was a nice book, but I wanted more. And the characters and their lives had potential to give me more. Which was why it was so disappointing. It all turns out the way you wanted in the end, but you had to travel through a desert of regency dances and etiquette and slow plotline/pacing before you reach the happily ever after. It started with great promise, which it ultimately failed to fulfill. I saw too many echoes of Austen - though maybe they were deliberate - and then a couple of places just threw me out completely as I wondered if that could ever really happen.Like another reviewer, I think I would have enjoyed it more without the Cinderella reference up front; I spent too much time looking for the story within the story, and when it finally came it was so short I almost blinked and missed it.
What do You think about Allerednic: A Regency Cinderella Tale--In Reverse (2012)?
i got bored and sped read through the last 25%.
—mihaela
I was pleasantly surprised by this little gem.
—bob
couldn't put this one down. lots of twists.
—pankake
