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onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Child death
tak_everlasting's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
there was a lot going on in this book, much of it laudable, but the things that weren't weren't.
there was great character work, clearly a lot of research went into specific period details, the mystery was intense, there was a genuine grasp that the author was writing a book and not just directly telling us things (which i shouldn't have to say, but lack of editing plagues the romance genre as a whole) and the romance, minus the smut scenes, was solid. that being said, the consent was nowhere to be found.
also there's these 2 side characters that get povs so we can keep up with there romance. i could not have cared less about them. the farce should've gotten thrown away sooner, and the ending was not a proper conclusion, where we establish that he actually did some self improvement instead of just saying that he would.
also the fade to black smut scene is the only one where both parties are sober and consenting. do with that what you will.
there was great character work, clearly a lot of research went into specific period details, the mystery was intense, there was a genuine grasp that the author was writing a book and not just directly telling us things (which i shouldn't have to say, but lack of editing plagues the romance genre as a whole) and the romance, minus the smut scenes, was solid. that being said, the consent was nowhere to be found.
also there's these 2 side characters that get povs so we can keep up with there romance. i could not have cared less about them. the farce should've gotten thrown away sooner, and the ending was not a proper conclusion, where we establish that he actually did some self improvement instead of just saying that he would.
also the fade to black smut scene is the only one where both parties are sober and consenting. do with that what you will.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Rape and Murder
Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, and Murder
happily_after_heas's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book captivated me. I couldn't put the book down. Thomas ripped my heart out at one point but then gently put it back together for a lovely, well deserved HEA. There's a mystery/spy element to the book (which I normally don't care for) but it never (rarely) detracted from the romance. Please note the content warnings though. Not as dark as other popular romance writers but the book does have some moments.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Murder
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Started off promising. Then it fell apart around Chapter 12, and kept getting weird.
Mystery/convert operations element was basically what kept me going. Was not really feeling the romance.
Luckily this is not the first time I've read Sherry Thomas, but the book definitely shows it's age in terms of romance books
Mystery/convert operations element was basically what kept me going. Was not really feeling the romance.
Luckily this is not the first time I've read Sherry Thomas, but the book definitely shows it's age in terms of romance books
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual violence
Minor: Child death, Self harm, Suicide, and Kidnapping
Why it starts to fall aparts_brina's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Physical abuse