alissa_peck's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sbarolo's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
rankkaapina's review against another edition
4.0
Entertaining if not truly historical. I liked, but I think some writers should probably still stick to contemporary novels. I liked the way sexual abuse was dealt with the book. Except the end results. I get why it ended the way it did, but that feels a bit too much like a modern agenda. I did read earlier the contemporary "version" and I felt some ways this was better, although I think in the contemporary version the problem was the length of the story. It was too short to really go through such things. I mean there was a bit of magical healing here too, but at least it wasn't all so sudden like sometimes these "magically healing penises". The writing is good, the characters too, I just really have issues with the historical parts.
kthrine's review
3.0
I liked the plot, I liked the characters, but it switched perspectives constantly and it felt absolutely all over the place. It was constantly doing flashbacks and overlapping stories and inserting random future parts. It took away from the overall enjoyment of me reading it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
caitlin1599's review
3.0
TW: rape, abuse
3.5 /5
This was somewhat difficult to read but when I got into it I really enjoyed it.
3.5 /5
This was somewhat difficult to read but when I got into it I really enjoyed it.
julia_myendlesslibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
3.5
gemmalaszlo's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this. Spoilers throughout.
*trigger warning*
There is a flashback scene of sexual assault that could be triggering for some.
I thought the author did an excellent job of showing what PTSD is like, especially in a time when it wasn't well understood. I also liked how she showed how the rules of society that were intended to keep women "safe" actually put the heroine in danger. For instance, the heroine immediately gets a bad feeling about the villain, yet when he asks her to waltz, she feels she can't say no, because ladies do not refuse offers to dance. When he drags her off the dance floor, she doesn't yell or wrench away because ladies do not cause a scene. After he assaults her, she tells no one (not even her two best friends) because a lady's value is in her virginity, and if anyone finds out she's been raped, society will consider her ruined and worthless. It was heartbreaking to read this. I cried a few times.
I also loved how the heroine didn't immediately "get over" the trauma of her attack when she meets the hero. The way he helped her discover herself again was one of the most powerful scenes I've ever read.
I was listening to an old podcast by Smart Bitch Trashy Books recently where they talked about this novel. I immediately thought, "I have to read this!" and then discovered I'd already bought it! Sweet!
*trigger warning*
There is a flashback scene of sexual assault that could be triggering for some.
I thought the author did an excellent job of showing what PTSD is like, especially in a time when it wasn't well understood. I also liked how she showed how the rules of society that were intended to keep women "safe" actually put the heroine in danger. For instance, the heroine immediately gets a bad feeling about the villain, yet when he asks her to waltz, she feels she can't say no, because ladies do not refuse offers to dance. When he drags her off the dance floor, she doesn't yell or wrench away because ladies do not cause a scene. After he assaults her, she tells no one (not even her two best friends) because a lady's value is in her virginity, and if anyone finds out she's been raped, society will consider her ruined and worthless. It was heartbreaking to read this. I cried a few times.
I also loved how the heroine didn't immediately "get over" the trauma of her attack when she meets the hero. The way he helped her discover herself again was one of the most powerful scenes I've ever read.
I was listening to an old podcast by Smart Bitch Trashy Books recently where they talked about this novel. I immediately thought, "I have to read this!" and then discovered I'd already bought it! Sweet!