[NOVEL] Murder at the Mayfair Hotel by C.J. Archer

Why a character can't just be smart when sleuthing?

December 1899. After the death of her beloved grandmother, Cleopatra Fox moves into the luxury hotel owned by her estranged uncle in the hopes of putting hardship and loneliness behind her. But the poisoning of a guest on Christmas Eve throws her new life, and the hotel, into chaos.Cleo quickly realizes no one can be trusted, not Scotland Yard and especially not the hotel’s charming assistant manager. With the New Year’s Eve ball approaching fast and the hotel’s reputation hanging by a thread, Cleo must find the killer before the ball, and the hotel itself, are ruined. But catching a murderer proves just as difficult as navigating the hotel’s hierarchy and the peculiarities of her family.Can Cleo find the killer before the new century begins? Or will someone get away with murder?

A Cleopatra Fox Mystery. Book 1

Fell flat. And I have a lot to say.

The plot is too obvious and also too convenient. A lot of forced parts. There is a biggest plothole in there. The establishment of characters is flat. And the main character despite impressive name did not impress me. Although a lot of things happened it left me with the feeling like I don't care.

Also the story is told from 1st person POV, which I dislike.

Let's dissect.

Part 1. Arrival. Character introduction. 

Cleopatra Fox is a "poor relation" of her uncle and aunt Ronald and Lillian Bainbridge. Here she finds out that uncle sponsored her for all these years and she had no idea (why establish this fact, who knows). Her two cousine Florence and Floyd are people who are the most basic youth among the wealthy, quite carefree and positive.

Cleopatra meets several main figures of the hotel that will play a role in the consequent development. The manager Mr Hobart, his nephew Mr Harry Armitage (whose father is a detective inspector of Scotland Yard). She also witnesses how Mrs Kethering, a housekeeper reprimands a maid Edith who wasn't supposed to go to 5th floor. I have no idea how more obvious you should be to establish that one of the characters has illicit relationship with one of the guests. 

I hope I didn't butcher their names, because this is how some of the characters are forgetful.

because Cleo is now part of the family she is given room to occupy on the 4th floor with the rest of the family. Her maid is called Harmony.

Part 2. Murder.

The one murdered is called Mrs. Warrick. We have to rewind back to introduction of this character. I had no idea how old she is actually, they say she is old enough. Cleo first met Mrs Warrick in passing in front of the lift, where Mrs Warrick turned back and commented to herself that "this person shouldn't be here". Meaning she recognized someone, but who for some reason couldn't be here in the hotel in her opinion. This is what I call convenent, it works for the story, but if we were in the universe that comment might mean nothing at all and can't be used as a solid lead, but will be used as such.

The other convenience that happens is that there are only 3 men that she could have talked about - Mr Armitage, Mr Hookly and Mr Duffiled.

This happened on Christmas Eve and the next morning Mrs Warrick is found dead, poisoned in her own room.

Honestly, if Poirot was here he'd crack this case in a nanosecond if I'm being honest, but what followed is what got on my nerves the most - the false lead. While to readers I think it becomes apparent who is at fault.

The circumstances of Mrs Warrick death: The door locked, found by maid Edith around 7 AM, all signs of poisoning, she did not dine the previous evening and only consumed hot chocolate (which was taken for testing). For a reader it becomes obvious that the two points of her recognition of someone and her death are connected. Which leaves three suspects, which can be reduced to one because of the two following scenes.

Part 3. Investigation.

It is known that police interviewed the staff and especially one footman who brought the chocolate. Now they need to establish what contained poison, time of death etc. All under the wing of Armitage's father who is brother to Manager Mr Hobard.

For some unknown reason, the above-mentioned maid Harmony asks Cleo to investigate. Absolutely no clue why, because Cleo just arrived, she had no prior cases to solve etc. Just because she is a relation and also does not believe the footman did it, or at least wants to prove the innocent.

What baffled me is how she discussed the details with all the staff, while being naively sure that none of them could have done it. Amateur mistake.

Now about the two scenes and why Mr Armitage couldn't have been the culprit but Cleo still took this false lead anyway.

Firstly, I was under the impression that Mrs Warrick stayed in the hotel not once. Proof: they talked about her "routines" about the time when she drinks her hot chocolate or tea, which means she stayed at this hotel several times and because Mr Armitage is a visible figure she should have noticed him on her prior visits if he was at fault. And Cleo followed this false lead for half a book, digging the past of Harry and actually exposing it to her uncle, which eventually led to his dismissal and she regretted it horribly, but honestly.. She felt so stupid at that time. Her leads were so flimsy, she thought that everyone would cover up for him (because of his relationship with his father). Anyway, her imagination got the best of her.

It felt forced because now Harry can do what he wanted to do, he found himself attracted to being a private detective type. Because the reason he was shifty and Cleo suspected him is that he was also trying to find who was steling the silver from the hotel. Honestly so forced just to make your two character do the investigative work later on.

Other two suspects:

Scene 1. Mr Duffield who dined with Cleo because she needed to ask him questions or at least hear his story of what and why. She finds he is dressed in worn clothes despite telling her he had an estate. Later we find out tha 1) he indeed lied about his estate; 2) he was a neighbor to Mrs Warrick; 3) he sold gossip to paper for a reward. None of which are a solid motive.

Scene 2. Smoking room with Mr Hookly. Again Cleo was just talking and hears a story from Mr Hookly that he just returned from Africa after selling his mine. She noticed he has no tan and was rather pale but thought he wore a hat *facepalm*. Later on she learns from the post that Mr Hookly receives a lot of parcels from different places. Very early on she also found that he orders from different places in bulks, without paying the bill, the only thing he has is a letter from some noble or smth.

It becomes obvious that he is a fraud. And they find out later that he is a fraud because real Mr Hookly died months ago. At least this is suspicious. I don't say the characters should have connected him to murder right away, would have been too much, but at least thought that guy is a fraud. Could have been connected to murder later. But no.

I don't deny that some of the suggestions by Cleo were solid. Because no poison was found in chocolate or in her items, meaning she somehow digested it. She found who ordered a portion enough for two. Even if it led to nothing, but it connected her and Mr Hookly who is not Mr Hookly. It also meant that someone from the staff was indeed responsible and the first to raise questions is of course - Edith, who found the body. Because the spare keys that could have been taken from senior staff were all locked and there was no sign of breaking, which means only maids could have done it. One who was also present when they discussed theories and what police found etc. Conveniently only later Cleo remembered the first meeting with Edith and Mrs Kethering. Connected it to the fact that fake Mr Hookly was living on the 5th floor where Edith was found. And when they all came to these conclusions Edith was nowhere to be seen.

If you put it together and put the pieces apart it's not a bad idea, but I just felt like the order to reveal things was odd.

Part 4. Conclusion.

Fake Mr Hookly was apprehended and his identity was out. He was a footman of real Mr Hookly and his idea was to get all the things and money and leave.

Edith was a woman madly in love (though honestly we don't care because it suddenly is revealed at the very end) and believed all those sweet nothings how they're going to be together. The reasoning of this fake Mr Hookly to involve Edith is a story that Mrs Warrick was his past lover who threatens his life and hers too, so she believed it's kills or be killed. We absolutely don't care as readers and it sounds ridiculous. Because Edith was a nobody among other staff so far.

Characters.

Honestly, I wish Cleo would give me more. She is quite basic to me. She is said to be intelligent, but one thing is to say rather than show. Same as when she mentions her parents and suddenly has tears in her eyes. Honestly, I couldn't care, there were no bits and pieces to showcase at least something that would make her emotions more vivid, like even if it's a jealousy of the warmth others have while she lost it and it'ss till raw as she says. Sometimes these moments were a miss, sometimes they hit.

She said she wanted to prove herself, well, she got ahead of herself too.

Mr Armitage who will be the main lead later is also not that interesting, sure described as handsome, but basically they have little interactions with Cleo and it's always different in her impression from good to bad. We had no idea he was investigating something just to make him suspicious. How do they manage to make a character present and so background at the same time.

The only thing that was nice to me is how united the staff were in the face of this incident, they wanted to solve it, they felt close, they were rather interesting.

Cleo's family is okay, instead of her worst nightmares they're pretty close to her, though I agree it feels weird that they were not present in her life for all these years, but now they're close and it might have been to do with her grandparents, but who knows, not explained, left for later..maybe.

Well, yeah, I don't regret just spoiling the whole thing, could have been better, but it is what it is.

I really need a smart female lead, but not someone who is too boastful.

RATE: 3/5.

[NOVEL] Manners and Monsters by Tilly Wallace

I was surprised to find it was such a fun read.

A lady never reveals the true extent of her decay...

Hannah Miles lives a quiet existence, helping her parents conduct research into a most terrible affliction - until a gruesome murder during her best friend's engagement party pulls her from the shadows. With her specialist's knowledge and demure disposition, Hannah is requested to aid the investigation.

Except Hannah discovers her role is to apologise in the wake of the rude and disgraced man tasked with finding the murderer. The obnoxious Viscount Wycliff thinks to employ Hannah purely as a front to satisfy Whitehall, but she'll have none of that.

The two must work together to find the murderer before the season is ruined. But the viscount is about to meet his greatest challenge, and it's not a member of the ton with a hankering for brains.

Manners and Monsters. Book 1

Alternative history where magic is present. Imagine timeline past 1812, war between England and France, Napoleon is defeated, but it all sprinkled with supernatural.

As a plan for England's demise from within a batch of snuff and facial powder was stopped from the spread among the ton, but part of it still foound its way to the vanities of aristocratic ladies, this is how few hundred people were cursed to die, but not be dead.

It took me a moment to realize that I'm reading about zombies while they're not called such in the book. Despite the cover being obvious haha It's just the angle this book takes on living dead is really interesting.

Back to the story. Since few years back all cursed were called Afflicted. New rules were made for them (like they can't legally marry since they can't produce a heir, they can't inherit etc. because they're practically dead), so there was a substantial shift in lives of many ladies who found themselves victims of such a vile curse. These are same women (and men) but their hearts don't beat, they live among others and some are obviously Afflicted, but others can be masked among others, it all depends on how well they're "fed". The point is, there is no full list of people who are Afflicted, the information can be acquired partially only through the supplier of "pickled cauliflower".

It's just to express few points in short, while the book to me was much more.

So Hannah's mother is one of the first Afflicted, since she is a mage (former, since her death), she partially siffered from the effects of this curse (decay), but her family works tirelessly to find how to reverse the process.

Hannah is the type of wallflower, her family is now nothing much, her mother is now in the past for others and her father stopped being a famous surgeon and concentrated on Afflicted and how to cure his wife. An exception among many men who either discarded their spouces or broke off engagements with loved ones who became Afflicted.

Then at the beginning of the book a murder happens and the victim was found with their brain missing, something only a deprived and very hungry Afflicted would do.

Viscount Wycliff is appointed to solve the case and also he was present at the scene. Hannah found herself tagging along because 1 - this topic concerns Afflicted and 2 - someone dared to spoil the engagement ball of her friend (honestly this is the worst part that was mentioned, because at the beginning it was said that they're great friends etc. although some of the details rubbed me the wrong way, but throughout the whole book no sign of her friend was present). Hannah found herself a mediator between those who were baffled by Wycliff's rudeness.

Having a list of people present at the ball the list of suspects is narrowed down. Some seem suspicious, but some feel as if they have no reason to commit anything.

You can read the Afflicted as an allegory to something else too. Because partially it does not directly comment on Afflicted, but while the two of our protagonists interview people we meet different women and listen to their different situation, like Mrs Albright, very much walking and talking but tossed aside by her husband for younger wife (I reeeaaally have a strong feeling that he might have found about the powder and used it to get rid of his wife, I have no proof, but the things he said). Like Lady Emma whose fiance ditched her, but her parents do everything for their child. Or mean Lady Gabriella whose outlook completely changed after losing the shackled of being preceived as a woman.

Although it felt like their stories won't mean much, but they still paint a full picture and an interesting take on how society treats those who may be walking and talking, but are partially cast aside.

It's not just a zombie apocalypse where zombies run the streets like mindless menace.

I found that the story is well-paced and well-balanced, it's not an info dump, we get to know about the curse and Afflicted step by step, our characters are not some all-powerful minds that got it all solved, because the study of Afflicted continues. A lot is laced through.

As for the relationship between the two main characters, I do not agree with peopel commenting that someone out of the two is in love with the other, totally don't agree. For the first half they almost loathed each other and later just found the company of each other agreeable enough, they have a long way to go. She finds him so because he may be the one to stir her mind. He is still broody like a heavy cloud, the fact that he finds more sides about her that are better among other women is a common trope. I would cut some of his parts to let him simmer a bit more and so they could develop more in later books, others did this too and  found it quite successful.

Overall was pleasantly surprised.

RATE: 5/5. 

[NOVEL] A Perilious Undertaking by Deanna Raybourn

Why is this novel titled like that is beyond me, they never did any undertaking.

London, 1887. At the Curiosity Club, a ladies-only establishment for daring and intrepid women, Victorian adventuress Veronica Speedwell meets the mysterious Lady Sundridge, who begs her to take on an impossible task--saving society art patron Miles Ramsforth from execution. Ramsforth, accused of the brutal murder of his mistress, Artemisia, will face the hangman's noose in a week's time if the real killer is not found.

But Lady Sundridge is not all that she seems, and unmasking her true identity is only the first of many secrets Veronica must uncover. Together with her natural-historian colleague, Stoker, Veronica races against time to find the true murderer. From a Bohemian artists' colony to a royal palace to a subterranean grotto with a decadent history, the investigation proves to be a very perilous undertaking indeed....

Veronica Speedwell Mystery. Book 2

I would call this an adventure rather than a mystery, even if the sleuthing does take part of it, but honestly, I always feel so detached when reading this.. I'm saying as if I've read ten books and not simply two.

I actually finished it few days ago, but forgot to pour all my frustration out I suppose. So here it is.

Before proceeding with my annual criticism of Veronica and her antics, I must admit, I like Stoker as a character, he is the logic of this team, he gives more sound ideas and when it comes to action he is truly a man to rely on.

Some may point out that he gives way to Veronica a ot, but it does not look good for her that he is basically - let her do whatever she wants, because that girl is stubborn af.

Veronica is the Victorian adventuress-lepidopterist. She is stuck in England with Stoker because their planned expedition was cut short because their patron (and also the man who provides them with shelter) had broken his leg, so instead they use their services of cataloging everything the generations of this family collected.

When suddenly Lady C. asks Veroica to visit the Curiosity club with her where she meets none other than Lady Sunbridge, but who is also Queen Victoria's daughter, Princess Louise.

She tasks Veronica to impossible, figure out the real murderer, because Princess Louise swears she knows the man did not kill his mistress.

I don't know how to feel about involving real people in novels and portraying them as you see fit, but basically Princess Louise is one insufferable ass, considering I think of Veronica the same, I guess it's a family trait then.

Veronica agrees for nothing else but the idea that she might meet her real bio dad, though she knows it's impossible. There are no real ties between Veronica and the man she tries to save, but they portray it as if she is going to do it, as if she suddenly has this just heart and she gives a damn about a man she never even saw in her life.

Soon things become apparent that there is something going on with the murder, because someone sends them a threatening letter not to dig into this matter, which sounded so stupid, the perpetrator could have as well proclaimed it at every corner. Of course this leads our duo to investigate the case with conviction that Ramsworth should be saved. My only matter with such books is that.. there is no feel of urgency, even if they had like a week for solving the case.

And again Veronica and Stoker are not pro sleuths, just both of them reading some detective stories they often mention is not enough. And it shows. They always have a great deal of suspects, but they fail to narrow it down.

The book doesn't make a secret of who did it because author can't help but mention several times that a certain character wore white so it removes them from the list of suspects. Which was the stupidest thing I've heard, because you can change. As it happened, I was right.

I have no idea how these two sleuths have read some books but forget one major point when it comes to solving the case - person of interest. We starts from closest people and those they were involved with. But it always baffled me how two protags just let it slide past them.

Anyway, we have a short but still a list of people we suspect. I found this part like other parts a bit forced, since the above-mentioned Louise did not think of being discreet and announced she gave the go to our main characters, and she said it among countless witnesses in the place which we'll shortly call Art House (which isn't its' real name of course), which lodges and connects people of the ton and artists.

So we have several people who act suspiciously or catch our attention, but was I disappointed with the outcome, surely I was.

The revelations that followed after we know the whodunnit moment were not impressive to me. Not impressed and don't really care.

As for the characters.

I already said that Princess Louise acted as insufferable b. She basically acted on emotions when they first met to make Veronica yield. Veronica called her bluff, which honestly is one great part about her character. Later she demanded things like report on progress and such, which honestly, you gave the task and gave nothing and thought it's going to be solved in two days or what? Lol might I add that she always said about friendship and loyalty and honor, but honestly, she wanted investigation more for herself imo, because her name was on the ledger, which was a prove that she visited the naughty grotto Ramsforth kept. And she knew he didn't do it because they were there when things happened, but no one could say a word about it.

Veronica doesn't change much from the first book, still stubborn to do her own thing, it's a bit wild how she basically was so THIRSTY in this book, but she was noticing everyone, not only Stoker. Honestly, the girl should have toned it down. It's like she notices every man, but still names them "male species". She is not giving them any respect, but is always ready to use their services. Maybe sometimes she had good moments, but often time I was simply so over with her antics. It always feels like she thinks she is above the rest. She talks so much about freedom, but I am mad at her for basically degrading other women, changes are not something that can be done in a day or two. And I will stand by my previous conviction that she is so freedom-loving for no one's sake. She helps no one. The fact that she is so free to do whatever she wants, how she flaunts her escapades and romantic relationships exists only for herself.

Also I always found it hypocritical how she "does not bed Englishmen", basically because she knows the consequences of that. She can be hush about it, but she basically confessed to multiple characters in this book that she is not a virgin and had multiple lovers.

Poor Stoker, he is stuck with this menace. He is a brooding man, but honestly he is gentlemanly in a good way, has some really good qualities and is always there for the rescue. I felt like I need more of him.

The rest of the cast is.. well, they're there, have no idea what was the point of some characters getting so much attention.

Now the mystery.

[ANIME] Saigo ni Hitotsu dake Onegai Shite mo Yoroshii Deshouka / 最後にひとつだけお願いしてもよろしいでしょうか (2025)

Or - May I Ask for One Final Thing?

Very light, easy on the eye, humorous take on villainess who actually beats everyone's ass. The story is pretty simple, but Scarlet as FMC of this anime is really refreshing. Let me elaborate.

SHE BEATS PEOPLE.

It's not ladylike, but SHE BEATS PEOPLE.

No one knows how frustrating it is to read about some annoying characters and the main character is always like - well, I can't do anything about it or not now. Or another set of female characters who are not keen on revenge through violence. But Scarlet is a different type of girl and this story allows her to drop those shackles that bind with basic development, instead she finds joy in hitting people because they're pieces of crap who deserve it.

The plot starts with the most basic scenes ever, where a second prince and Scarlet fiance declares that he breaks the engagement, after years upon years of Scarlet trying not to send this idiot and abusive scum into space, but he also dares to accuse her of things she never did. This was the last straw that finally unleashed what Scarlet wanted for all these years - give him a good beating.

The most refreshing moment of it all is how she also smashed the mistress, Terenezza, into her pretty face.

Delicious. PEAK OF CINEMA!! I can watch this forever.

Some may find Scarlet and her beatings quite fun at the beginning and might be bored by it, since it doesn't change. But hello?! Wouldn't it be weirder if she changed her ways suddenly, fistfight is her thing after all. And also every time she describes it differently, which adds to the humor of the scene. I mean the way she can delightfully laugh, while spinning someone around by their leg is worth some laughs. At least from me.

The story is simple, Terenezza is a person who can be considered a true villainess, with a power of goddess (where people can be blessed by gods in this universe) she strives to bring chaos to this world.

There are plenty of characters and it plays like a comical reverse harem, I think that was the aim, but I have no proof. Because most of the people are ridiculous.

I have no idea if Scarlet will ever get a second season, because the manga goes beyond that, but there is one thing I'd like to see as a trend in it.

Because the moment Scarlet admitted her feelings for the Prince Julius it felt more like plot needed it, it didn't look great or organic, it was more fun to watch her refusing his advances throughout the whole anime, because that guy is shifty af. At least if the girl ever falls for someone, she can acquaint the face of the person involved with her fists (as she demonstrated).

All in all, a very entertaining and refreshing watch. It gave me hope that there will be fun animes in this genre. 

[ANIME] Tamon-kun ima docchi? / 多聞くん今どっち!? (2026)

But isn't this anime quite dark? Also, first half, I might add more after I see the whole thing.

Tamon-kun tells a story of Kinoshita Utage who one day replaces another housekeeper at her part-time, but finds herself looking after her favorite idol sitting and rotting in a corner with lowest self-esteem and temperament polar opposite from what she had seen on the screen. Even Tamon-kun himself spirals the very first meeting, because he is disappointing her with the way he truly is. But Kinoshita is a die hard fan, so these things are not what is iportant to her, so while being his housekeeper she also tries to uplift him.

This anime indeed has a lot of comedy and it's hysterical, but it's also dark as fuck.

Let's start from very positive side, animation is done beautifully, it's bold and bright and beautiful, has a lot of humorous moments that are memable.

The music is amazing, considering this story has idol group they did not cut corners on making some good songs for the anime group F/ACE, performed by seiyuus. 

And yeah, the anime is about an idol group, but mainly its' member Tamon-kun and his housekeeper Kinoshita Utage while they both navigate his mood swings and personality. May not be for everyone, but I found it enjoyable, even when I see their personas on stage and spouting most cringe phrases imaginable (about it later).

As for the rest and what I mean by it's fucking dark, although it's all sparkles and sunshine on the screen. The anime makes light of it, by making it a comedy, but I see it as pitch black at times.

1. True face of idols. Me, watching 6 episodes of this anime I see that 3 out of 5 idols of F/ACE group have completely different personalities from what they show on the screen and some are to the point of being nasty. This is the part I always consider when I look at idol groups, because why can't it exist, it certainly can. And this is kinda scary in itself. Tamon-kun maybe the tamest of them all, but it's also dark if you dig deep. He's like the representative of all the idols who lose themselves in self-doubt and lose purpose, get so depressed they actually think about.. you know. When we find out about Ouri he also has a different personality, but partially it may be the result of his upbringing, although his temperament is nasty. So idols indeed are the idea, a fever dream and not a real person. To me it was always surprising that people eat this shit up. I mean it's obviously fake and sometimes it's obviously a fan-service, but fans will gobble it up. Same was shown here, like Tamon-kun and Ouri are teamed up for a bit of queer-baiting or how they act and what they say. Tamon-kun may be working hard on what to say, but in one of the episodes he clearly wrote a script, although heartfelt words he thought a lot about, but they're still a script. Interesting combo, right.

2. Parasocial relationships. This is also the cringe to me. When Tamon calls the fans "girlfriends" and fans eat it up, not leaving crumbs. To me this is beyond cringe. I was kinda surprised when I saw such behavior in real life, but this is how parasocial relationships are built. Idols act as if they're close to their fans through words, but fans take it so seriously that it's quite scary, like some honestly believe they can become something more than just a fan. They build this strong bond based on illusion and propel the group to success with support and sales. I know it's co-dependent relationship, but still. This is perfectly shown through Kinoshita, because outside of Tamon she has no life, at least we don't see it. Her room is full of Tamon-kun's cards and posters and all types of peripherals, while she also calls him god, prays to him and calls herself an 'otaku', meaning she's the crazier type (it is shown). To her Tamon-kun came as a savior (although we don't see much, they showed one incident of broken friendship, but maybe something to do with Kinoshita's temperament as well), but what she does is so obsessive, not only collecting everything related to him, but also having notes with everything he said in all of his shows.

Although we can laugh at it, because for others such behavior is crazy or silly, but another episode that is a good example is when Utage and her two schoolmates see news about idol seeing someone and they switch a mode dancing maniacally while we hear a word 'murder' on repeat, since they are ready to harm anyone who dares to be close to their idol. Because they consider the idol "THEIRS". meaning he belongs to everyone and no one in particular, he is not allowed to have a relationship, because otherwise they can't have a fantasy relationship with their favorite idol. Look this shit up, how many idols lost fans when they disclosed their relationships, some may even break up because of fans harassment.

3. Utage and Tamon. Now.. we know so far that Utage is an openly obsessive girl. To her all Tamon is good Tamon. She tries everything in her power to help him, but she also always remembers her place and does not cross teh line.

But Tamon becomes a different story. His obsession becomes darker. Borderline dark romance tbh. He spouts phrases like he wants her to continue to be his fan only, to never leave him, to never cheat on him. He also starts switching between his personas and he does this because he knows this will influence Utage, meaning him being manipulative. Like holy shit!

Honestly, this show may be fun, before you dig deeper. It makes fun of a lot of things, but claims to be comedy and romance, yeah right, I will believe if it's dark comedy and dark romance ahahaha

[MANHWA] The Divorcée's Dessert Cafe / 이혼한 악녀는 케이크를 굽는다

Well, this was a journey.

After nine miserable years of marriage, Erin de Brissia is thrilled when her husband, Duke Raymond Von Lebensberg, accuses her of infidelity as an excuse to be with his own lover. After signing the divorce papers, she uses the recipes from her late mother to open a dessert cafe and receives rave reviews. But when her ex-husband and his lover get wind of this, they’re set on sabotage. Will Erin ever be able to taste the sweetness of success, or is this divorcée doomed to disaster?

This was a basic story for one sitting.

Very cliche plotline, very cliche developing of some parts. Have some thoughts on the whole thing, especially the ending. Saw some comments I don't agree with (if you see the special chapters).

The very cliche part is that this is an arranged marriage to future heir of the throne, but who already has a mistress by his side. The Emperor did not allow this woman to be a future Empress, so this is the compromise. But who knew her husband Raymond would gallivate his mistress everywhere for nine years. After being framed by Serena (mistress) for another time Erin is forced to divorce her husband with nothing but leftovers of her dowry.

With the help of those money she opens a cafe in a more remote area, since she always liked baking and it was her dream. But more to me she liked the feeling of independence.

She thought she left it all behind but the vile mistress couldn't leave her alone and kept getting in her way.

Another cliche part is how Erin has a childhood friend, who was caught with her and what actually caused the scandal, but he was friendzoned quite early and disappeared. I think we don't see him as ML because when he had the chance to clear her name he didn't and we don't forgive mistakes (according to author), but honestly if you think about it, she was dirvorced on charges of infidelity and carried that infamy with her.

Another cliche part is how the ML is someone she knows, he belongs to Imperial family as adopted grandson, but his family is the branch of Imperial family so yeah.

He is an interesting fellow, he liked Erin for a long time and actually was sent away not to get too caught up in his feelings, so dude also paid his price for his feelings. Now hearing that she was forced to divorce he is back in the capital and is ready to get the girl. Not truly. He is very respectful of her wishes, even if he might seem a bit pushy at times.

Manhwa does not dwell or spend times on details, I forgot several times it had some fantasy element. Like Erin had the power to heal, even through her desserts.

Tbh this was a sudden turn, I wouldn't mind if she was just baking and it was a little cute story where she travels with a newfound love to his realm, but no, we have to add the basic stuff where the mistress Serena has to try and frame Erin more and more times before she finally gets caught up in her own shit.

Same for her former husband, so greedy for power that he was ready to do anything. Blind to the decisions of others, that he could have just laid back and waited for his throne to arrive, especially if he listened to what was said to him by the Emperor.

Serena and Raymond have such a cliche ending tbh, like she betrays him, because she didn't get what she wanted from him - throne. And he also got caught up in his struggles and is exiled.

Back to FMC. She spent 9 years of loveless marriage and opened a cafe. She has her strong opinions and can take care of herself. Calix happened to be there to uplift her in what she's been doing. He has his own conflicting stance where he wants her for himself, but also can't confine her.

Like some say her baking is her dream and she literally dropped it for a guy, but I do not agree. Baking is more like manifestation of doing what you want and Calix unlike previous Raymond is capable of giving her all the freedom and trust in their relationship, something she never received previously, even if her status changes from baking to the Empress. Also her cafe was still going on through other people, so the legacy was kept afloat. Not to mention their extra chapters show that it was quite significant they had a daughter with both powers from their parents and she is the sole heir, despite being a girl.

But in general because the story was so galloping it felt quite shallow. I even type here right now so I won't forget it in five minutes. And I am capable of that. It's quite sweet for a quick read, but honestly... I don't know what I should be waiting of it. From one side it's sweet and cute, but from another it felt like some parts were just glossed over. Like very background conflict, or poisonous demon venom etc. But we can't have that in a cooking manhwa. 

Also, I still don't like gourmet, I skipped all those parts about cooking and desserts. And ten times when someone says it brings you joy. For a change I wanted someone to cry.

Anyway, that's how this story went. I even included most of the spoilers here. But who cares.

But she always cooked with her hair down, it bothered me a lot! 

[MANHWA] Can't Get Enough of You / 못 잡아먹어서 안달

Can be found on Webtoons. Decided to post about it because it's one of those that started to get better, but took a nose dive.

The story follows Kim Taejun who tragically loses his parents in a car accident, the accident is blamed on Han SoEun's father who was their driver. By extention the family her father worked for couldn't forgive her either, even if she was but a little girl.

Kim Taejun felt hatred towards the person responsible for his loss of parents and thought he's going to hate Han SoEun too, but she became part of his good childhood memories.

Later Han SoEun is sent off behind Taejun's back and they are separated for 20 years.

20 years later Han SoEun starved for love and who was seeing her current boyfriend undergoes a dangerous organ donor operation to save the life of her future mother-in-law whom she already considers family, but by chance she realizes that they did all this just for her to donate part of her liver and they did not plan to proceed with marriage.

Meanwhile, her company ad her department welcomes a new CEO, Kim Taejun. She doesn't recognize him and certainly did not retain part of her memories. Kim Taejun at first came with more vindictive plans, but seeing what Han SoEun got herself into he couldn't help but start digging into it.

He hates her but he loves her.

It's a very cliche beginning, thankfully the deal with her not wanting to separate from the family was resolved quite quickly, otherwise I would have dropped it back at the beginning.

Although Kim Taejun is vindictive, but he's a more complex personality and is a great character.

They find themselves in a very cliche situation, she did not know what her father had done, she doesn't recognize him, he becomes her new love. But the past is between them.

He slowly let's go of his past and doesn't blame her and he truly loves and cherishes her.

It would have been better that way, but this love for cheap melodrama involves his family who come into picture and his grandfather who plans to send Han SoEun away and she agrees when she figures what her father had done.

So. this is the moment when you start kinda hating on her and this dumb trope.

Instead of talking it out and bringing it up she decides for them both that it's going to be better for her to leave. But later he spent months in trying to find her overseas, he eventually succeeded, but it's as if she changed her character and she started to annoy me a lot. Sis, your father was the only survivor, he doesn't blame you and truly shows how he loves you instead of your ex dog boyfriend, whom might I add she never dragged to court for what his family did. But with a man who is ready to go to such lengths for her she started to showcase her temper. And the story as well tried to portray him as the bad guy.. what? Sure they had not the best start with him doing things with ulterior motives, but eventually things changed, he worked on making everything better.

I couldn't understand her switch at all, it felt like it exists for cheap melodrama and to add theatrics. Before it gets resolved. Because once again she never dragged the family of her ex for what they did, she felt so MarySue in that moment. I could understand her decision, it was high-sounding. She only defended herself publicly with a post, but still did not take any actions, but never prevented others from doing so (sounds tiny bit hypocritical). But when it came to ML she is like - nope, I will make sure to hurt the man I love more with my words, while I know what my dad did and I know what Taejun did and said the words of forgiveness and the fact he searched for me high and low but does it matter, I have a temper now. Honestly, I got a bit tired of her and I just skipped that part entirely. So I have no idea how they resolved it. I was getting ennoyed how tropey this story was getting.

I dunno, the manhwa fails at portrayal and goes into melodrama effect too often.

Surely to resolve everything from their past it's going to be the most cliche plots of all - her father is not at fault and everyone will be able to forgive each other, I bet you it'll be shit like that.

So it becomes known Taejun's unkle is the responsible person, SoEun's dad blood test was forged because otherwise the residue of him being drugged will be seen.

When will these author learn that things aren't that simple. I wonder if in the future she's going to do another "escape" (ughhh) because she will realize she lived away from her father who moved to a different country because he was used like that. But Taejun's family will have reason to let go of the past and be at peace knowing her dad was not at fault.

Honestly, why can't they just do a story normally. All these dramatics that are so overused.

I honestly don't want to continue reading it, since it's predictable af. 

The only great characters to me were Taejun, who worked through his past and came to terms with it.

Another was Hyunjin, the girl who came for revenge. Her arc was interesting, I'm glad I stuck around, it was satisfying to see that she came out of it clean too. But she had no regrets in what she's done, even if she did not do it for herself. I dunno, it was more impactful than FMC's side.

Also FMC SoEun was also too stereotypical, although you could understand her partially with her longing for family, while being separated from her father and growing up like an orphan. But she did not know the details of the past, so that past was not part of her story. Yet, she's always typically self-conscious, with low self-esteem etc. Pretty basic stuff. Sometimes all these portrayals of being shy and shivering (I don't mention crying during sex, who fucking cries during sex?) just look bad, as if she can't change and will never change and it's weird to me. As if the person never grows close or comfortable with their loved one.