I have to apologize for enjoying this book....
356313
I bought this on a whim because it was a Sherlock Holmes tale I missed.  It could have been titled "How It All Began," and that's the plus here.  I learned that Holmes had hubris matching his skills, for example, right from the start.  It features some great action and mystery writing from Conan Doyle, though.  The negative, speaking for my Mormon friends, is that it features some Brigham Young bashing.  I doubt that the events portrayed in Part II have any basis in fact, but selective slander and libel were very characteristic of the era.  I'm guessing that this was more of the same in a time when British writers appealed to the masses by playing to readers' negative stereotypes.  Remember, shortly after the appearance of this book, Oscar Wilde was thrown in jail for being a homosexual.  The prudish Victorian era wasn't the UK's proudest historical period, by any means.
280434
I really want to do more like a 2.5, but I'll round up.

First off, the book is funny. I laughed a lot. The insults and the way the characters talk to each other has an over the top humor to it that's fantastic.

However, there are several moments where I find myself groaning. Julian and Katherine are the biggest causes. They're meant to be the characters that don't know anything about the game so the author can take some time to explain it, but there's several moments with them where their questions go outside of just not knowing the game and into unbelievable stupidity. Like not even knowing what an elf is, or when someone gives you experience points you write them as increases to your HP. A new player would likely ask where he should write in experience points, rather than just ignorantly think that experience points go in HP.

For those who will get the reference, Julian sometimes displays Caboose level stupidity from Red vs. Blue. If only it was as funny.

And apparently a lot of the characters are really bad with names. This is just an annoying thing the author added, presumably for humor, but it's just not funny. Once or twice okay but to keep it going for the rest of the book... seriously?

I'm torn on buying the second book. I think it might get better, because as time goes on the author should feel the need to explain the game less, so hopefully the characters aren't so stupid and the author doesn't feel the need to try to simplify everything so much as he's sure readers understand the game.
1092783
I am sad about this series.  I had ordered it because I was doing a lot of driving and traveling, & so I ordered the set for my Kindle and the first in the series on Audible as well.  I listened to the first two or three chapters of the first book, and quickly realized that apparently Debbie Macomber's earlier books contained more sexual innuendo than her later ones.  Although I love her books, and will probably order new ones again, I just couldn't continue with this one, nor will I try to see if later books in the series are better.  It is my own fault for not checking out a bit of the book ahead of time, but I have always enjoyed her books & didn't hesitate to order without checking reviews or listening/reading the sample.  I discovered it early enough that I was able to return, and am grateful for that.  I can't really speak for the total content of the book, and maybe it got better, but I just didn't want to continue in the hopes that it would, while reading content that I didn't care for. If that content isn't uncomfortable for you, then you will probably be fine with it. I was just too much for me.
4014309
I really wanted to like this book, but I did not.  I have been in a bit of a reading slump, so I am trying to be fair with my rating.  Sometimes you read a book at the wrong time in your life.  However, I cannot imagine that my opinion of this book will improve as I age.  I read this because I was in the mood for something light, humorous, and quick.  It was a quick read.

This is the story of Harriet Chance.  She is 79 years old and her husband just died.  Before he died, he bought them a cruise to Alaska and she decides to take the trip on her own.  She has a son she adores and a daughter who is a disappointment.  Her daughter joins her on the cruise and they work on healing their relationship.  Harriet is visited by her deceased husband as he tries to explain things and make amends.  The story moves back and forth between Harriet in the present and Harriet in the past.  The chapters about her past bounce around in no particular order, which can be confusing.  You need to pay attention to the chapter titles and dates.  There are also some bizarre chapters about the deceased husband and his decision to return to the land of the living.

My major complaint with this book is the way the story is presented.  The story itself is good and has a lot of potential.  There are topics of aging, illness and caregiving, marriage, betrayal and forgiveness, friendship, children, and secrets.  I think these things could have resonated if they were presented in a more frank tone.  The book is narrated by an unknown person or announcer with a snarky attitude.  I imagine that we are to be reminded of the TV series, This Is Your Life, or any other 1950-1960's game show.  I found the humor to be forced and therefore not very funny.  Personally, I try to find the humor in difficult moments, so I am surprised that I am criticizing a book for trying to be funny.  To me, there was a disconnect between the subject matter and the humor.  I think the author was trying too hard to be too funny.  I would like to say that I will not read anything else by this author.  However, I had already purchased The Fundamentals of Caregiving.  I hold out some hope, as I read one reviewer who loved that book and did not like Harriet Chance.  This book really fell flat for me and I would not recommend it.
3419260
I thought this book was going to be a fun, enjoyable read. So I was a bit shocked when I dove into it and discovered really bad language and highly sexual wording. I'm not a prude, but I think some books should come with warning labels that they contain highly adult content. I'm sure lots of readers will like this book. I removed it from my Kindle without getting beyond the first sex-stuff. So tea and this book? Not so much. Maybe a stiff whiskey or two and I could have read it.
3576486
I ended the reading dissatisfied, and perturbed about being dissatisfied. I really hate to be so critical, but the plot's discrepancies and unfinished business interfered with my satisfaction.  And, with a romance novel, I think it's important- if not essential to the author's establishment of a loyal following- to have some feeling of satisfaction at the end.  First, the title baffled me.  I expected a scandal... at the Kingsborough Ball... but, no such kissing-based scandal took place.  I re-read the first chapter with the scene at the Kingsborough Ball... No kiss. Perhaps, when the author initiated writing the story, there was a kiss. But, since the kiss was rationalized out of the ball scene (by the self- professed rake, no less), it should also have been removed from the title.  Perhaps a better title should have been "Dancing with an Heir at the Kingsborough Ball?"  Or, how about "The Rake and the Recluse?"  I don't know... THIS need to rename the whole thing... It's definitely evidence of my dissatisfaction.

I'm not going to give much more of the plot, but, really?  The near cat fight scene at the gaming club?  Wasn't the reckless mismanagement of Rebecca's reputation (present at a gaming club!) enough, without all that fussing?  And, what about the earrings? Rebecca's character could have handled receiving them, if they had been gotten back... Heck, she could have won them at a table... Why didn't she?  The fact that they were never won back by the "heir," and eventually given to Rebecca (the rightful owner by default) was a disappointment. If she could handle (even request) being at the club with his former mistress, she wouldn't have minded the earrings being returned to the estate.  But, alas, that situation wasn't satisfactorily resolved, and it left me feeling uncomfortable as the story just moved right along...  I think to continue on about all the remaining incidences of questionable outcomes would take a book-sized review.  My point has been made.  Overall, the book was just okay... as was the romance.  By the way... If you're looking for a satisfactory reason for her being locked away in a castle (??), well... don't look too hard. I promise, you will not be satisfied with what you find.
3787812
I'm on chapter 3 and I have to say it is very bad. For a book that is supposed to be about education it takes an extremely long time to get on topic. So far I have learned about the author's upbringing: how privileged he was, his family history with the Fao Schwarz toy company (in depth), how he met his wife, his rebellion as a teen, etc. The problem is that he goes on and on and on and then repeats the same stuff a few pages later, as if he thinks his readers can't remember things from a few pages ago.

It's also riddled with some really awkward prose. Take for instance page 35: "Maureen's whole persona was as foreign to me as it was attractive, and by the end of dessert, and after several glasses of wine, we discovered that we were the only ones left in the room. Above the table we were engaged in a deep conversation about childhood, while below it our feet were engaged in a wonderful game of footsie."

A wonderful game of footsie... in a book about combatting the achievement gap in America's schools. It's followed by a whole page about Maureen's parents and grandparents. Page 36: "I met Grandma Gilmore shortly after Maureen and I got engaged and was amazed to learn that her sons-in-law visited her every afternoon for a glass of buttermilk or cup of tea and a slice of her fresh-baked brown bread or raisin scones."

Page 40: "It was 98 degrees and just past noon when Maureen and I finally began to pedal. "Off at the crack of noon," I joked, and we turned in our hard leather bicycle seats to share knowing smiles."

Let me take a quick break and check the cover of the book I'm reading so I can make sure I didn't accidentally pick up one of my grandma's sappy love stories. Nope, this is 'The Opportunity Equation'.

The author also says that his dad's earnings put them in the top one percent of the nation, yet the paragraph before that he says they "often wore their clothes until they were threadbare". I'm sure their clothes looked real shabby on their vacations in Africa and Europe (explained in the same paragraph).

I could go on but I'll stop here. But by all means, get this book if you're curious to find out what the author's first words were or what he and his wife packed on their bicycle trip. If you want to read a book about American public schools or education in general, look elsewhere.
4411325
I can see why the author might need to write this book - to come to grips with a turbulent marriage - but reading it has left a bad taste in my mouth. The Bradys lived a charmed life in so many ways, and clearly that's why she stayed with him. Upton entertained her, he dazzled her. Theirs was a life of New England privilege, with the house (albeit rented) on 500 acres in a lush and magical part of the state, the sailing to the private island, the entertaining, the intellectual stimulation. So now that it's all over, why is she whining? I knew Upton slightly and he didn't strike me as a very nice man, but I have a queasy feeling having read about him crawling, drunk, across the dining room floor. Was this book her revenge for all he put her through? I wish there had been more about her own growth - first under the domination of her mother, whom she allowed to highjack her wedding, then a slave to a mercurial and drunken husband. The pitch seemed to be that she found out only after he died that he was sexually attracted to men - but really, she knew it pretty much all along. I wish I hadn't read it.
4425102
Considering I was able to buy this book for $2.00, I guess I really shouldn't complain.  However, I am not yet halfway through and I find it so painful that I don't think I will be able to finish.  One of the things that bothered me was how, when Christine discovered the unconscious "Angel of Music" in his lair, he smelled like sweat and urine.  Gross!  I can't handle Erik humanized to this degree.  And I suppose it is realistic to expect that Christine had to clean up after him, since he was in a coma, but still...

The words "sensual" and "sensually" are WAY overused.  I also couldn't handle the "romantic" scene and had to simply skip ahead.  I was baffled by the magical transformation of Erik from bone-thin to incredibly muscular in just a few pages.  And if Christine coos to Erik "Ooh, how I love you," one more time.....

I was also bothered by the characterization of Raoul.  He is depicted as a selfish, verbally-abusive braggart and I don't buy it!  Moreover, he says he is not really in love with Christine (keep in mind I am only one-fourth through the book), and I find that hard to believe.

I did, however, appreciate the religious aspect.  Christine is accurately portrayed as devout.  Even Erik (or The Angel of Music, since no one ever calls him Erik in this book) is religious, though is contrasts strangely with his impure thoughts (those I found annoying).
686078
This book looks so good but.....................
Why in the world is this book so much???????????
3523882
If you don't mind being distracted from what you are reading, I would recommend this book. The story is fun, even though I had the feeling I had read it before, which I haven't. Extra words, missing words, misspelled words, incorrect words, and repeat words created an uncomfortable reading experience. Having read a few of the reviews, I am not the only one who noticed. The author even acknowledges the problem, but it has not been corrected. I would like to finish the story, but I doubt I will.
2158348
When I spend more time feeling angry at the characters for stupidity then enjoying the book I can't recommended it... I finished it but that was just a stubborn desire to not have money wasted.
22522
I started this book but then got distracted and forgot to finish..
3292552
This book is just not for me.  It seems to be well written, but I just cannot get into it.  I have read about a third of the book and have decided not to finish it.  It bounces around a lot and for some reason I am getting very frustrated while reading it.  I feel bad because I hate to put a book aside before I finish it.
4773574
.....good grief this book caused me grief to read it!!!!!wish I had not read it.....it spoilt my joy in reading for a while.
866165
I devoured the first book and am looking forward to reading the next one, but this book got into areas that...FOR ME PERSONALLY...I find disgusting.  The book could have been written differently and it would have gotten the point across and I would have given it at least 4 stars.
296627
I am sorry Darlings ( mass send out for several authors).
I got into a reading OCD mode, so I fell behind in writting reviews.
I am in the process of correcting that  & hope I get to all of the books soon.