~Let's all give a standing ovation as we present to you...

✨ FIRST PLACE: 🥇 The Art Of Remembering

✨ SECOND PLACE: 🥈 Forbidden Fruit: A Regency Romance

✨ THIRD PLACE:🥉In A Silence That Speaks Volume

✨ Judge: @EmmeMoore86

OVERVIEW OF RESULTS

🥉THIRD: In a Silence that speaks Volume
@OmaPhinaPhire

🥈SECOND: Forbidden Fruit: A Regency Romance
@Lady__Whistleup

🥇FIRST: The Art Of Remembering
@Minimoxx

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🥉THIRD:

Participant: In a Silence that Speaks Volume

Work: @OmaPhinaPhire

Book Title: 7%

The title is intriguing and it plays on Simi's silence about why she is crying and keeping secrets. I could be wrong but I think it should be "In a Silence that Speaks Volumes." Instead of "volume."

Book Cover: 6%

The book cover definitely has a vibe, but it doesn't really go with the story. This book seems to have an emotional tone and that would be great to come through on the cover.

Book Description: 5%

The blurb tells a little bit about the type of story this is but it needs to be cleaned up. There are a lot of repetitive words and the preposition "when" doesn't flow with the title. I'm also not a fan of the repeating of your username, but this may be a style choice that I am not the audience for.

This is just a suggestion on how to reword it, feel free to disregard:

In a Silence that Speaks Volume(s)

a marriage becomes unstable and a shadow of what it used to be when a wife's painful revelation to her husband unexpectedly haunts her more than it does him.

Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation: 7%

I noticed a few mistakes and some of the sentences needed rewording to make it more clear.  I was still able to follow along and for the most part, it read well.

Book Setting: 8%

Plot Development: 7%

I really like the plot, it is definitely my kind of book. It has angst and intrigue and you have a way of making me want to read onto the next chapter.

This is perhaps a personal preference, but I think the chapters were too short. Not enough happens in each one, making the pacing seem off. 

The flashbacks could also be a little more seamless, but I did like having their backstory on how they met. Through Praise's POV, I could really feel how much he loved and doted on his wife, and when her confession happened, I really felt the anguish.

Character Development: 7%

I think Praise is a really loving husband and I like how you described how Simi's pleas reached his heart but him still denying it, it pulled at my angst-loving heart.

I didn't get to read Simi's point of view, but from what I read she seems to be very dramatic🤣. She's crying every night, holding her stomach in pain, latching onto Praise's legs... I am definitely interested in getting inside her head.

All in all I think the story is on the right track. This seems like a very emotional and character-driven story.

Writing Style: 4%

I really like your writing style. You wrote simply but with adequate character descriptions. I really enjoyed reading your writing.

Overall Enjoyment: 9%

This was an enjoyable read and a page-turner. Thanks so much for sharing it! Please keep writing!

Does the Participant Follow You: 5%

Did the participant complete the payment: 10%

Total: 75%

🥈SECOND:

Participant:  Forbidden Fruit: A Regency Romance

Work: @Lady__whistleup

Book Title: 10%

This title seems perfect for your story as both Emilia and the Earl want someone who they can't have.

Book Cover:10%

I really like the cover. The title and author are clear and the couple on the front indicates a regency romance.

Book Description: 7%

The blurb tells the setting and a little bit about your story. It may be on the too-vague side. Maybe add some descriptors to the characters, giving us a reason to care about what happens to them? Just a suggestion! With that said, I really enjoyed your first sentence.

Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation: 7%

I noticed a few minor errors in each chapter. The title "Lady" was sometimes capitalized and sometimes wasn't. Also saw "I" not capitalized several times and a few missing commas. None of the errors took away from my enjoyment of your story, however.

Book Setting: 8%

The time period is really clear, and I like some of the small details you give.

Plot Development: 7%

You have a nice plot. I like the idea of the two characters knowingly marrying for convenience, and both having other love interests that are "forbidden" in some way.

I do think the pacing is a little on the fast side. I suggest slowing down and building tension in a lot of the key scenes.

With that said, your story is far from boring. All the drama that is being set up makes for an entertaining read.

Character Development: 7%

You have a wonderful and intriguing set of characters. I enjoyed a lot of the dialogue and Lady Gibson's over-the- top focus on matchmaking was fun to read. She reminded me a lot of Mrs. Bennett from Pride & Prejudice.

There are some areas that I suggest developing a little more.  Emilia has to marry, it would be good to slow down and focus on that a little more. Could you add more details about the stakes? Is her financial situation occupying her thoughts? It is mentioned, but maybe she stresses on it and worries. A little more development there will allow readers to buy into her agreement to marry the earl. I might have missed it, but what is the earl's motivation to marry? What will he get out of it? Especially considering he is having an affair with someone else, and Emilia is having financial trouble.

I also suggest showing more of the earl's and Emilia's interactions, just so we get to know him better.

You do a good job showing Emilia's flaws. Her jealousy over Vanessa and the prince was relatable.

I really like how mysterious the prince is. I'm sure he is developed more as the story progresses. I like that you don't give up too much about him right away, as it really plays into her insta-infatuation with him.

Writing Style: 4%

I really like your writing style. Your writing is really clear and easy to read. Never once was I confused about what was going on, and the dialogue seemed natural for the time period. I would suggest trying to limit the amount of repeating words as it can take away from the flow. I think you are a talented writer!

Overall Enjoyment: 9%

I read a lot of Regency romance, and this story was fun to read. Thanks for sharing it!

Does the Participant Follow You: 5%

Did the participant complete the payment: 10%

Total: 84%

🥇FIRST:

Participant: The Art of Remembering

Work: @MiniMox

Book Title: 10%

I love this title and it is perfect for the story that you are telling.

Book Cover: 9%

It is a nice cover. The woman on the front depicts an emotional read.

Book Description: 10%

I thought the blurb was excellent, it made me want to read it. It gives just the right amount of details to understand what the story is about without giving too much away.

Grammar, Spelling & Punctuation: 10%

I didn't see any issues here.

Book Setting: 8%

Plot Development: 7%

The plot is really compelling. I was drawn to it right away as I love a heart-wrenching read. The prose is truly beautiful. I love all the metaphors with theater and her introspection with remembering and the referencing back to the title. With that said, I felt that we were in Addy's head a lot and it sometimes slowed down the pacing of the story. The almost poetic thoughts gave the story a calming and relaxing tone which seemed a little strange given the context of the situation. This is obviously just my opinion, but I think it's missing raw emotion. I only read the first 5 chapters, so maybe we will get there, but I felt her contemplation in a way took away from the tragedy. I personally think mixing in real in-your-face emotional response with the metaphors, would enhance the story.

I'm not normally one to insist on a prologue, but I think this story could benefit from one in order to set up the relationship between Ash and Addy. It was a little confusing in parts when she thought vaguely back to her relationship, and without the foundation, I was really baffled about how she could focus on Ash (who was basically a hurting child, when he wronged her) when her husband was going through a dementia diagnosis.

Character Development: 8%

The dialogue between the characters flowed really natural and I enjoyed it. Everett was depicted well as he tried to navigate the confusion of his memory loss.

I also liked how Ash was portrayed. He apologized to Addy and seemed genuinely remorseful, he also seems like a complex character who I am interested in getting to know better.

At the moment, I'm not a huge fan of Addy. Her grudge against Ash seemed a little over-the-top. It has been eleven years, and he was a grieving, troubled kid and it seemed callous of her to focus on that when her husband's life was being turned upside down. As she is now an adult and a teacher, I would expect her to have a little more perspective. I also didn't really feel her love for Everett. Her thoughts are very "me" centered and it comes across as Everett is a duty/responsibility/burden.

Because of that, I had a hard time relating to her. Of course, a good story doesn't have to have perfect characters. In fact, flawed characters can make a story interesting. But allowing the reader to buy into her hurt with Ash through either a prologue or flashbacks could help her to be more sympathetic.

Writing Style: 4%

I love your writing style! It is beautiful and enjoyable to read. A few paragraphs have some repeating words, but for the most part everything flowed really nicely.

Overall Enjoyment: 8%

I enjoyed this story so far and would be interested in reading further. Thanks for sharing it and allowing me to review it!

Does the Participant Follow You: 5%

Did the participant complete the payment: 10%

Total: 89%

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