Patricia KiyonoCritiques

I received a copy from LibaryThing for an honest review. The story was very sweet but predictable as we could see from the beginning whom she would pick. I think it would have been nice to have more of an expansion of the characters as they seemed a bit simplified. Overall, a nice read and story.

I found this an interesting and enjoyable read, and it kept my interest until I had finished it in an afternoon. The characters were not overdone, and they were a likeable cast. The storyline was somewhat lighter weight for the romantic side, and differed from heavier historical novels, which I personally appreciated. The fact that it was without overmuch background description, or lengthy setting up of the historical timeline, made it an easy Sunday afternoon read. The anti-slavery component was incorporated intelligently, and without being overtly graphic or depressing.

ARC -
I feel like the story follows a predictable plot with just enough changed to keep the attention of the read for the duration of the story. I do like the aspect of the slavery issue coming up and it becoming a driving force for the main character. An easy read to cleanse the pallet.

A charming novella with a social conscience. I enjoyed the setting and the characters, but the plot seemed a bit thin. I felt that the pacing was a bit of a challenge; the story would be more balanced if expanded to a full novel. The ending felt a bit rushed to this reader. Flaws aside, an enjoyable read. I will look for more works by the author in the future.

Kiyono obviously has some skill with words, but this romance novella is a flop because there is no tension. There are supposedly four suitors for the protagonist, but there is barely a moment’s doubt over who she will end up with. The smelly illiterate butcher? The obnoxious doctor? Why even introduce them? That leaves us the rich man vs the poor. A lot more could have been done with this. Pressure to marry the rich man so she can afford her father’s doctor’s bills maybe, or some doubt over whether the poor man loves her, or Something! Give us some reason to keep reading to find out what happens. There was a whole Cyrano de Bergerac thing that wasn’t made use of (she could have fallen in love with the poetry). There is a bit of drama at the end, but it was too little too late.½

This is a lovely short story that takes you back when times were simple and sometimes harsh. The characters are great and you watch a love blossom and grow. A great book to read on a quiet afternoon.

This was a sweet, warm-hearted novella. The characters were likeable, and there is some interesting background given on the anti-slavery movement in Britain. It suffers somewhat from over- earnestness and some anachronistic attitudes, particularly regarding class distinctions. And the climax veers toward sudden melodrama. Overall, though, it has considerable charm, and makes for a short pleasant read.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Short and sweet. Pleasure reading this very well written story with characters having CHARACTER and a work ethic that is so sadly disappearing these days. It is a rather formalistic romance, but without the tiresome pages describing body part contacts. The novelty here was the ages of the protagonists.

The Road to Escape is a short, sweet tale set in a small town with great characters. Laurie and Tom both have intriguing backstories that are similar in some ways... maybe too many ways.

While this book is sweet, it reads more like the first draft of a story. Characters and setting are fleshed out, but the storyline moves too quickly, and key moments seem to either be ignored or glossed over. Two fantastic characters show up late in the story who could have easily added so much more to the storyline, but they each only played minor roles. Things happened too conveniently.

Honestly, I would truly LOVE to see this novel rewritten. I feel the author has made an excellent start here, but needs to put some meat on the bones. I would gladly read a fuller version if it ever happens.

I read The Three Inns by Patricia Kiyono in 2016.
I like her style.

In The Road to Escape a new character appears at two third of the book. That is too late. The book could have done without it.
The denouement at the end of the book is rather over the top.

And still: I like the people. The way they act, the way they talk.

So yes, it is a book other people should read too.

Special Note: I received this ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) in exchange for a review.

The synopsis was okay. The story line was fine, even though it may have been a little weak in a few places. Overall, I think this book should be targeted towards senior citizens as this particular time of life would be more relatable to them: failing health, widow status, etc.

Would I reread it again? Probably not. The author can produce a good story, but I'm much too young for something like this. Give me three decades and I'll have a better understanding of what these characters have endured.

It was nice to read a romance story that had older people as the main characters. Laurie and Tom both have sadness in their past, and although neither of them are looking, they both feel the need to have someone to be close to. This is a nice clean romance story with characters that are real and will be familiar to those of us in the older generation.

I really enjoyed this short book. It allows readers to take in small town atmosphere and enjoy the warmth of friends and family. I liked Laurie and thought she was a good character. We get to know her as the story revolves around her and the diner she bought. It has been hard for her to start over but she is trying to fit in . What made her stop being a nurse? Is there someone in town trying to sabotage Laurie? I loved the picture the author painted with clear and precise words of the diner. It would be fun to sit and visit in the diner as you eat the delicious dishes that are served.

Tom was an interesting character. He has lost his wife several years ago, but it is hard for him to let go of her memory. He begins to notice that something isn't quite right and after the doctor gives him a diagnosis, he decides he needs to make some changes. I loved reading a story about older people who have lived a happy life and now find themselves having to start over. I liked how the author slowly developed a relationship between Laurie and Tom. It is a nice story about family, friendship and finding love again. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the Early Readers Program from Librarything. The review is my own opinion.

I really enjoyed this short book. It allows readers to take in small town atmosphere and enjoy the warmth of friends and family. I liked Laurie and thought she was a good character. We get to know her as the story revolves around her and the diner she bought. It has been hard for her to start over but she is trying to fit in . What made her stop being a nurse? Is there someone in town trying to sabotage Laurie? I loved the picture the author painted with clear and precise words of the diner. It would be fun to sit and visit in the diner as you eat the delicious dishes that are served.

Tom was an interesting character. He has lost his wife several years ago, but it is hard for him to let go of her memory. He begins to notice that something isn't quite right and after the doctor gives him a diagnosis, he decides he needs to make some changes. I loved reading a story about older people who have lived a happy life and now find themselves having to start over. I liked how the author slowly developed a relationship between Laurie and Tom. It is a nice story about family, friendship and finding love again. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the Early Readers Program from Librarything. The review is my own opinion.

Special Note: I received this ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) in exchange for a review.

The synopsis was okay. The story line was fine, even though it may have been a little weak in a few places. Overall, I think this book should be targeted towards senior citizens as this particular time of life would be more relatable to them: failing health, widow status, etc.

Would I reread it again? Probably not. The author can produce a good story, but I'm much too young for something like this. Give me three decades and I'll have a better understanding of what these characters have endured.

I really enjoyed this book. I don't normally like books about older people, but this one was really sweet and easy to read.

A light and quick story of a book-loving lady with a passion for helping poor children and the partially-deaf duke who is enchanted with her. The tension in the plot is provided when she reveals she is writing a book, and thinks he is shocked when in actuality he didn't hear her. Pretty light and fluffy, but a fun read about quirky characters.

A short and sweet book that is a sequel to The Partridge and the Peartree, about the valet and lady's maid of the first book. It had a nice development of character in the hero. Really I would have given it 3.5 stars, because it was so short it felt rushed.

I received this book from LibraryThing for an honest review. I liked this story as it was really sweet about 2 employees tasked to teach little children while the lady of the house is confined due to pregnancy. Overall, it was a nice read but I wish it was a longer story. A nice Christmas themed story.

This is a charming holiday novella set below stairs in a Duke's household. The very proper valet and warm and impulsive lady's maid are pressed into service tutoring poor children in the Duchess' charity school as the holidays approach. A bit of drama, some misunderstandings, some heartwarming moments and holiday cheer all lead to a heartwarming conclusion.

There is a bit of amazing coincidence in the plot, and as a novella, it lacks the depth of character development that a longer novel might have, but overall it's a lovely bit of holiday froth.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Patricia Kiyono writes a nice little story about a woman in post-Napoleontic years.
We get interesting details about French laws, the revolution and the attitude of the French in a little village towards the enemy.
The story could have been nicer, if she had not rushed her story.
A pity.

Still, it is a nice story to read on a Sunday afternoon.

I received a copy from LibraryThing for an honest review. This was a sweet, short story of a British man who falls in love with a French woman who he had previously met. The plot was interesting but my only critique was that I wished the story was longer. Hopefully, Ms Kiyono will expand the storyline to showcase how the first met after the war and the lives of the characters before they met again at the inn.

This is a novella – a short but sweet read. It would have been a great read for the Christmas season.

Robert Townley and Jeanne Brown are servants in the house of the Duke of Bartlett. As the valet to the duke and the lady’s maid to the duchess, they have a lot of common ground.

It is when Townley is asked to help with the duchess’s chapel school that Townley begins to see life differently. As the duchess gives birth to the new heir, Townley reaffirms his plans of starting his own family. And he sees a prospective Mrs Townley in Jeanne Brown.

There is a plot that is efficient and captivating in these few pages. Patricia Kiyono’s attempt needs to be applauded; there is drama, romance, a twist here and a turn there in Two Tutor Doves. Patricia Kiyono could probably move on to full-fledged novels and if they are anything like Two Tutor Doves, they will be well received.

Early Reviewer Book. Very short novella about valet Robert Townsley and ladies maid Jeanne Brown and their relationship as they teach underprivileged children. They gradually become attracted to each other and the end is very predictable. I would like to see the author expand the books she writes to full length novels. I think the premise is good but the book needs more depth.

Short book, really a novella. Characters were well developed and the plot was interesting. I would like to see an expanded version with maybe more details in the scenery, maybe more about their first meeting and the conversations. Would love to know more about the family castle. A good read and will be interested in reading more of the author's series.