intensej's review
3.0
3.5/5 stars
This was a really cute book with really charming characters. Sebastian Holloway is the eldest son of a rich iron magnate. He is an anthropologist and feels the most comfortable in a library. He is awkward around strangers and experiences social anxiety when he interacts with others. Lady Grace Wyatt loves to study amphibians and reptiles. She has a crush on a fellow naturalist named Mason. When Mason doesn't show her any attention, she asks her friend Sebastian to pretend to be interested in her in order for Mason to see her as a potential wife. Grace and Sebastian's friend, the Duke of Rotherby, help Sebastian transform into a rake. Grace begins to realize that she is interested in Sebastian--not Mason. I enjoyed the camaraderie between Sebastian and the Duke of Rotherby. Eva Leigh mentions the Union of the Rakes, but it was hard to understand how all of the men are connected. Hopefully it is explored in future books. There was chemistry between Sebastian and Grace. This was one of those books where the main obstacle was that the characters didn't talk about their feelings. I wanted to see scenes between Sebastian and his father; there wasn't enough closure with that relationship. Nonetheless, this was a fun historical romance featuring two introverted scientists. It was nice to see a shy Sebastian develop confidence in himself.
This was a really cute book with really charming characters. Sebastian Holloway is the eldest son of a rich iron magnate. He is an anthropologist and feels the most comfortable in a library. He is awkward around strangers and experiences social anxiety when he interacts with others. Lady Grace Wyatt loves to study amphibians and reptiles. She has a crush on a fellow naturalist named Mason. When Mason doesn't show her any attention, she asks her friend Sebastian to pretend to be interested in her in order for Mason to see her as a potential wife. Grace and Sebastian's friend, the Duke of Rotherby, help Sebastian transform into a rake. Grace begins to realize that she is interested in Sebastian--not Mason. I enjoyed the camaraderie between Sebastian and the Duke of Rotherby. Eva Leigh mentions the Union of the Rakes, but it was hard to understand how all of the men are connected. Hopefully it is explored in future books. There was chemistry between Sebastian and Grace. This was one of those books where the main obstacle was that the characters didn't talk about their feelings. I wanted to see scenes between Sebastian and his father; there wasn't enough closure with that relationship. Nonetheless, this was a fun historical romance featuring two introverted scientists. It was nice to see a shy Sebastian develop confidence in himself.
joanav's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally published at Romancing Romances
4.25*
I really liked this book. This is a book for nerds, with nerds. Our couple is formed by Grace, a herpetologist (studies reptiles and amphibians), and Sebastian, an anthropologist. They’ve been friends for years, and they enjoy each other’s company. Sebastian has a huge crush on Grace, and Grace is slightly attracted to him, but neither one does anything about it.
Enter Mason Fredericks. He has money (which Seb doesn’t have), society loves him (Seb doesn’t do well in society), and he’s a fellow scholar with a similar field to Grace’s. She’s had a small crush on him for some time, and when her dad makes a request she can’t refuse, Grace asks Seb to help her get Mason’s attention.
Seb can’t say no to Grace. Even if it hurts him, he just wants to see her happy. And this is how he got himself in a situation where he’s helping the woman he loves, get another man.
Beta heroes, anyone? I have to say, each day I love them more and more. They are my kind of people.
I really liked how their relationship evolved from friends to lovers, which is one of my favourite tropes. Their relationship is based on love, friendship, and mutual respect – respect for each other, and their respective fields of study. It made me *swoon*.
It was interesting to see how they each dealt with their feelings, and how Sebastian sometimes was completely blind to how Grace was feeling, and vice-versa. There’s a lot of miscommunication in this book, which I’m not the biggest fan of, as this was pretty much the only thing stopping our couple of getting together, but we can overlook that for all the good stuff.
I also really enjoyed the companionship between the male characters of the Union of Rakes, as they support each other, no matter the circumstances. It’s the kind of friendship we all look up to. Which also means, I’m super excited to read the rest of the series!!!!
4.25*
I really liked this book. This is a book for nerds, with nerds. Our couple is formed by Grace, a herpetologist (studies reptiles and amphibians), and Sebastian, an anthropologist. They’ve been friends for years, and they enjoy each other’s company. Sebastian has a huge crush on Grace, and Grace is slightly attracted to him, but neither one does anything about it.
Enter Mason Fredericks. He has money (which Seb doesn’t have), society loves him (Seb doesn’t do well in society), and he’s a fellow scholar with a similar field to Grace’s. She’s had a small crush on him for some time, and when her dad makes a request she can’t refuse, Grace asks Seb to help her get Mason’s attention.
Seb can’t say no to Grace. Even if it hurts him, he just wants to see her happy. And this is how he got himself in a situation where he’s helping the woman he loves, get another man.
Beta heroes, anyone? I have to say, each day I love them more and more. They are my kind of people.
I really liked how their relationship evolved from friends to lovers, which is one of my favourite tropes. Their relationship is based on love, friendship, and mutual respect – respect for each other, and their respective fields of study. It made me *swoon*.
It was interesting to see how they each dealt with their feelings, and how Sebastian sometimes was completely blind to how Grace was feeling, and vice-versa. There’s a lot of miscommunication in this book, which I’m not the biggest fan of, as this was pretty much the only thing stopping our couple of getting together, but we can overlook that for all the good stuff.
I also really enjoyed the companionship between the male characters of the Union of Rakes, as they support each other, no matter the circumstances. It’s the kind of friendship we all look up to. Which also means, I’m super excited to read the rest of the series!!!!
retiring2read's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jordan1978's review
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
nomefriegues's review
3.0
Truly and honestly picked this up almost exclusively for the name, but partially for the positive NPR review. This was fun, but it’s obviously an entry point for a whole series about these five friends and the women they woo. Which I don’t hate, but I won’t care about any of them nearly as much. This book was cute and had a fun twist on the makeover plot, but it never really got away from that. It was also a bit too involved in its conceit (lady scientist, friends become more, AMPHIBIANS) and the many many references to scientific terms and concepts took me out of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this, although I doubt I’ll continue the series. It was a fun quick read though!
Overall, I enjoyed this, although I doubt I’ll continue the series. It was a fun quick read though!
mrvm's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.75
celikkat's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
futurepotus's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25