My Engagement Was Cancelled So I Will Stop Pretending To Be a Fool

My Thoughts on My Engagement Was Cancelled So I Will Stop Pretending To Be a Fool

After diving into My Engagement Was Cancelled So I Will Stop Pretending To Be a Fool, I have mixed feelings. The premise is certainly intriguing: a brilliant woman, Olivia, feigning foolishness due to a fiancé's offhand comment, only to have the engagement called off. The story explores what happens when she decides to stop the charade. However, the execution seems to fall short of its potential.

First Impressions

I was initially drawn to the idea of a female protagonist hiding her true abilities and then finally unleashing them. The broken engagement trope, set against a backdrop of European-inspired nobility, also piqued my interest. I was hopeful for a story filled with political intrigue and character development.

What Works Well

The concept of Olivia's brilliance is undeniably appealing. The idea of her navigating a world that underestimates her is inherently compelling. The dynamic between the royal family, with the king and queen seemingly treating the kingdom as a game of chess, adds a layer of quirky intrigue. I can see the appeal of Tiana as a somewhat pathetic antagonist, whose attempts to undermine Olivia are more comical than threatening. The story has a fun concept and the crown prince does experience character development.

Areas of Concern

Unfortunately, several aspects of the story left me wanting more. The characters, aside from perhaps the crown prince, felt somewhat flat and lacked depth. The world-building was minimal, with the story largely confined to the palace and Olivia's home. The plot progression felt slow and repetitive, relying heavily on internal monologues and dialogue rather than action.

I also struggled with the lack of emotional depth in the characters. Olivia, despite her intelligence, seems to have limited emotional intelligence, which, combined with her years of pretending to be foolish, makes her somewhat disconnected from the world around her. The king and queen's seemingly flippant attitude towards the kingdom's future was also a point of concern.

Final Verdict

My Engagement Was Cancelled So I Will Stop Pretending To Be a Fool has an interesting premise, but the execution needs improvement. While the concept of a brilliant woman overcoming adversity is appealing, the lack of character depth, slow pacing, and limited world-building ultimately detract from the overall experience. It's not a story I would enthusiastically recommend, but it might appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn romances with a focus on courtly intrigue and don't mind some underdeveloped characters.