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historical_drama_queen's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Death, Racism, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Minor: Alcohol
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I don’t know how else to say READ THIS, so I’ll leave it at that.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Homophobia
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
What ultimately makes the romance work is the unique twist on epistolary, as our main characters develop a way to send coded telegrams while he's at sea. I loved the use of these codes to develop their confidence in each other, and then eventually to deepen their physical and emotional intimacy.
I would consider this workplace romance - kind of - and friends to lovers - kind of. Ultimately, it's the bridging of two people who have a LOT of personal reflection and growth they need to accomplish before they can truly commit to each other. I was so satisfied with each of their storylines, as they navigate their own traumatic pasts and uncertain futures.
As we saw in book two, we again see both characters navigating complex code switching, and we get an excoriating examination of transracial "adoption" during this time - a commentary that has a lot of relevance today, too.
This is a slow-paced story in every respect, with around a year elapsing in the storyline, frequent time jumps, and significant distance - geographically and emotionally - between MCs. The writing is stunning (no surprise for Milan readers) and I cried messily through the last 10%. I will also note that for a book where the romance was largely secondary for the first 75% this HEATS UP at the end, and I loved it!
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Kidnapping, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Abandonment, and War
crownoflaurel's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Racism and Colonisation
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: War
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting
Minor: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Colonisation
relin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Kidnapping
Minor: Abandonment
kathleenmcg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Colonisation