Sarah Pawley lives near Fort Knox. She has been a life-long writer, a lover of books, and is currently working on her third novel. She loves to hear from.
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I was delighted that Langdon did not try to rewrite the original story, but rather, took us to a point after the end of Oliver Twist. We get small peeks into the past, which will seem familiar to anyone acquainted with the original story, and even ge I am such a fan of Oliver Twist in all its incarnations. We get small peeks into the past, which will seem familiar to anyone acquainted with the original story, and even get an appearance from a familiar face.
Olivia was a great heroine. She was fierce, feisty, and fabulous and had the biggest heart. She was essentially the anti-Victorian woman, and I loved her. Jack was so swoony. He would say these things to Olivia that absolutely made me melt. He was also working so hard to be the best that he could be all for her.
He wanted to be worthy of Olivia, and I am a sap for that sort of thing. I absolutely loved being in Victorian London. Langdon did a wonderful job painting the picture of life in that day and age, and it was fun doing the party circuit with Olivia. There was a lot going on this story, yet I never felt like it was too much. Langdon let it unfold in such a way and at a great pace, that it flowed nicely. I loved the orphan boys.
I really thought it was fabulous that Olivia had that link to her past, and sort of kept Olivia walking a fine line between her former street life and her posh upbringing. I was a fan of the romance of course. There was a lot of tension and electricity between these two, and they shared so much in their past, that they had a solid foundation to build upon. It was quite lovely and made me smile. The word smashed into his chest like a cannon ball.
Who was he kidding? Every street kid knew love was nothing but a myth. But to have her by his side - to know she was his - would be enough. A new take on a old favorite, that kept me flipping the pages with its mystery and suspense, but mostly with its romance. Apr 13, Sarah Monzon rated it it was amazing.
Some delicious kisses inside these pages! Oh, Jack, you handsome rogue. Plot - 5 Writing style - 5 Characters - 4 Romance - 4 In which Olivia was forced to disguised herself as a boy ever since her late mother gave birth to her. Now, at the age of eighteen, with the help of her uncle whom she tried to steal from when she was still a street rat, Olivia is now a fine young lady. Where Olivia Twist was already adopted by her uncle. Thank the heavens for that because it wo Plot - 5 Writing style - 5 Characters - 4 Romance - 4 In which Olivia was forced to disguised herself as a boy ever since her late mother gave birth to her.
Thank the heavens for that because it would absolutely be boring if we began on any unnecessary scenes. I have to admit, I dived right into Olivia Twist without any knowledge about the original story of it. Sorry but I am not a huge fan of classics. Anyway, despite that fact, enjoying Olivia Twist was an easy thing to do. What I also happened to admire about the novel was that it was action-packed. No dull and unnecessary moments. We wouldn't want to read about how the protagonist prefer this to that, right?
That oh, the weather is nice today. That oh, the birds are chirping outside her bedroom window. Though the said twist only lasted for like a couple of paragraphs, no problems though. The "revelation" was immediately ascertained after 10 chapters or so which was good, by the way. Read it in one sitting.
The writing style was friendly. One thing I am not, let's say, satisfied was the dialogue. Don't get me wrong, sometimes, they're hilarous and enough to turn your cheeks as red as a tomato. The thing is, most of the times, they felt a bit bland. However, I applaud the author for her skills in writing monologues. Olivia - she is the type of character that you'll find yourself wanting to be. What a strong independent woman, indeed. She has a heart made of gold. She's like this straight-outta-Disney-movie character.
Olivia Twist
He resembles Flynn Rider. You know, that hot thief from Tangled. Most of the times, I do enjoy his monologues. Truth be told, I find his character okay at the very beginning but as I read, I learn to appreciate him. I would be lying if I say I was not annoyed at one point because he seriously got pissed off when Olivia decided to keep her virginity for her future husband. Uhm, like, what the hell, who are you to complain? It would be really amazing if the author added more scenes with the orphans.
I just want to get to know more of them. Olivia Twist's romance was somewhere between am-I-watching-disney-movie and am-I-reading-an-awful-Victorian-romance? Anyways, obviously, Olivia and Jack are truly madly in love with each other. Enough to get themselves kill just to save each other's asses. The ending was too good to be true but hey, I am not complaining since I am a sucker for happy endings. Mar 27, Mindee Arnett rated it it was amazing. Beautifully written, this gender-bent, Oliver Twist retelling is sure to sweep your heart away.
The romance is sweet and sizzling, and the story is full of heart. I loved every moment. Apr 07, Alyssa marked it as to-read Shelves: Jul 06, Simi Sunny rated it it was amazing. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. As I expected, this book has taken my breath way.
I could see that he was a changed man in the book, because in the original "Oliver Twist," he was just a thief. As for Olivia, she was scared of who to choose to be with, because Maxwell was wealthy, so it could be an advantage for her to give the money to the orphans. More importantly, she could help her uncle with his health and the As I expected, this book has taken my breath way. More importantly, she could help her uncle with his health and the loans to pay.
And she thought if she chose Jack, how will she be able to help both the orphans and her uncle. But in the end, she chose Jack, because she saw how Maxwell didn't like how the way she is, and there were hints that he didn't care much about her, only reputation. It was worth reading the story, even though there were a few things that are unrealistic, but some things could give you hope in life. Aug 01, Amy rated it really liked it. Overall rating is 4.
If you love retellings please pick this one up. It will make you laugh whilst hurting your heart because of all the feels!! Thank you Lorie Langdon. You made me one happy reader. I am personally not very big on romance, so at times it got a bit too much for me, but any lover of romance will find the pair adorable.
Despite my eventual fall out with them, the main characters were lovely to get to know. Even if she sometimes makes terrible decisions, she has such a big heart.
At times she came across a little too perfect and sweet, but that may just be my pessimistic heart talking. Jack gave off so many Flynn Rider vibes, which I was totally okay with. Their interactions together were hilarious and I definitely cracked a smile on multiple occasions.
You can feel the sparks and the love emitting from them. There are moments in the book where the time jumps around and that did get a little bit confusing at times. But overall, the story had a nice pacing and an ending that made me happy. Also, this book makes me really want to rewatch Oliver the musical, and maybe finally read the original book. Mar 25, Rissi rated it really liked it Shelves: Living on the streets as Oliver Twist, Olivia is now Miss Brownlow living as a debutante about to make an advantageous match.
Secrets, pasts and danger collide between these two lives… lives that seem to boast a glittering future. Taking a stab at reimagining the classic Dickens story, Oliver Twist , Langdon reworks the story through a different lens, that of a female protagonist. Part of the appeal of this novel for my shelf is its setting. Every scene and descriptive phrase is perfect, all of which is likely aided by the visualizations already affixed in my mind from BBC productions.
With its shadowed streets and potential dangers lurking around the corners, the world is fascinating, and also, wisely, left in realistic format. As characters existing in this world, Olivia and Jack are among the good. A trait I appreciate. Olivia Twist is everything it promises to be - a historical work of fiction that dazzles. Sincere thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book; all opinions are my own Apr 08, Sylvie rated it it was amazing Shelves: What's not to love about this book? The pratoganist Olivia Brownlow was forced to spend the majority her life living as a boy named Oliver Twist for her own sake in order to protect herself among the street gangs in London.
Until she was rescued by her long-lost uncle at age 12 while she was pick-pocketing him. Now she's living in a luxury with her uncle and attending to high society parties, also to find and marry to a suitable husband, because we are talking about the 19th century. She never forgot who she was and where she came from and who took her under his wings while she was living on the streets as an orphan little boy.
She disguises herself as a man at midnight and goes helping less fortunate and orphan children. When she encounters Jack MacCarron, she recognizes him as the boy who saved her when they were just kids, and her world turns upside down, they sense the familirity about each other, however for Jack it as a bit difficult to recognize her fully, because she was disguising herself as a boy many years ago and now she's a high society, grown lady.
And so on an attraction grows between the two of them. Will they have to sacrifice and lose everything in order to be together or will they have to forget about one another? The writing style was lovely and the whole story was written very beautifuly, I loved Olivia for her sassiness and her kind heart and I loved Dodger for his scrappiness and also for his heart. Dodger aka Jack may seem as a cocky, arrogant and a ladies man but at heart he was more than that, the complete opposite of his apperance. Overall, I really enjoyed every part of this book. May 26, imts rated it really liked it Shelves: A genderbent retelling of Oliver Twist, except written as a romance?
The romance bit was what made me hesitate. However, excluding the bit about how Lorie Langdon changed the Artful Dodger into a stereotypical romantic male lead, this was actually a pretty interesting read. View all 6 comments. May 07, Galaxy Adventurer rated it it was amazing Shelves: Apr 06, Julia rated it it was amazing Shelves: Wonderful characters, well-thought through plot couldn't find any holes or far fetched ideas.
The twist no pun intended to the Dickens story is used in a great way, there's suspense, romance, and a hat-tip to Kingsmen. Jul 18, Jenny rated it really liked it. I've never read Oliver Twist, so I'm not sure how much of a retelling this is, but I really enjoyed the story! I really got into the romance between Olivia and Jack. I think Jack is my new bookish crush! That was so beautiful Jun 26, Delaney rated it it was amazing.
I have never read Oliver Twist but Olivia Twist stole my heart. It not only blends in some of that dirty Barrel atmosphere from Six of Crows but with that Victorian happiness and fluff from Austen novels. I could not ask for anything more, this book gave me everything. Within pages I felt like I knew these characters for years and I was rooting for them to get together.
Touched By Angels Duo | Awards | LibraryThing
I was tingly and bubbly every time they were together or heck yes kissing. Each of them face struggles within themselves, share similar histories, and just have so much heart for each other. Most of the time I don't like romance taking a main stage with the plot, but, y'know, sometimes an uber cute couple and romance just sweeps you off your feet and you just don't say no to it. Not when you are smiling from ear to ear. You are never bored and something is always happening. Midway I was questioning whether somethings would be resolved or addressed and, don't fret my friend, questions are answers and many things are addressed.
The only teeny problem I found with the book was that the pacing near the end felt rushed. All of that tension and suspense could have been built throughout the book instead of rushed at the end bits. There was just so much at the end that she could have explored more throughout the book.
But, I have no complaints how Langdon wanted to take her story. So, honestly, read it for the fluff. Plus, there is also a lot of cross-dressing involved which It was so much fun to read and I honestly felt like I was reading a Disney movie or something: Jun 04, Kav rated it it was amazing. This book makes me rapturously giddy! That's in a large part due to the toe-curling romantical nature of this tale. Be still my heart. Jack MacCarron is a rogue and a scoundrel with a heart three sizes too big beneath that sardonic exterior. And Olivia may present as a sweet and guileless debutante but she's as scrappy as any street kid.
They are both playing roles and hiding secrets and when their worlds collide -- oh my stars -- fireworks of cosmic proportions! Serious sizzle and sass and enou This book makes me rapturously giddy! Serious sizzle and sass and enough toe-curling to be mildly painful but oh, so worth it. And the characterizations are so brilliantly done!
Love the twist ha -- pun not intended but I'm leaving it in of Oliver being an Olivia. This is a story inspired by the classic Dickens novel -- a re-imagining more than retelling, because really, how could you improve upon perfection? But taking the essence of the story and creating something new and thrilling and utterly captivating -- well that's more than doable and Lorie Langdon surpassed my expectations.
This is the kind of novel that is so much fun to read you try to slow down to make it last longer only it's so good you want to race ahead to find out what happens next Which there are a lot of. He was so drastic, so intense, and not in a good way. His constant outbursts, his extreme feelings, his uncompromising thoughts were so unrealistic it made for very difficult reading.
I skipped ahead, because I couldn't stand reading about Jack, but I wanted to see how it turned out. His thoughts, actions and words were so over the top, he ruined the whole book.
One minute he was charged with earth-shaking rage, the next second he was melting with love. Over and over and over. It's a wonder he didn't implode! I have never experienced this in a book. I have in a movie or TV show, where my dislike of a particular actor playing the lead turns me off to an otherwise entertaining show, but I haven't experienced it in a book.
Usually my imagination can fix that, but not here. Jack is just too much to put up with. This book left me with a really bad taste! Thank goodness it's over!! One person found this helpful. I hate to be the lone negative person here, but I really was disappointed in this book. After reading all the glowing reviews, I was quite surprised by all the typos and grammatical errors in the book. Both that and the characters' unrealistic way of speaking for the time period were very distracting to me. The story itself started pretty well, but by the end I was skimming just to get it finished I will say, though, that the story of Henry caught my attention.
Since I hear another sequel is planned, I'm hoping for a happy ending for him. What I liked most about this book was the style of the writing. The author doesn't waste words on unnecessary explanations of scenes and looks or dress; only about their hearts and minds. It doesn't drag, every word is connected to the next idea, thought and sentence. I gave it 5 stars because it touched my emotions, and and I was able to feel the character's pain, hopes and dreams.
I read the sequel first and it didn't ruin the first book at all, only made it better. One person found this helpful 2 people found this helpful. Ordered this book a few years back and only got around to reading it now. What a shame as it was very enjoyable. Will definitely look for more from this author. I enjoyed the story. What women had to do to combat backward men seems ridiculous in this day and age, but it was the way of life back then, especially for a country bumpkin like Jack was.
But he came around in time. Oh, that Sarah had written a 3rd or 4th book to the series. I loved this one and the one that followed. It was a treat to go back in time and meet The Langdons with their spunk, bravery and true loves. I lost myself for a good while without regret for the chores that awaited me.
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It is a nice story. The first part was better than the second one. Towards the end I got tired of Jack and decided he was a simpleton blockhead and Alice deserved better. I liked the book though but the end wasn't exciting. Could have been a great story, but I really took issue with the main character's treatment of his mother. I get that she ignored abuse, and the author can make him behave how she wishes; but if I am to root for this young man his manners cannot come and go as he pleases.
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