kathleenmcg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really wanted to love this book. Having a woman of color as the heroine was very promising. I had to go back and check the time period the story is set in. The late 1700s is the late 18th century, just to be clear.
I love the idea of these modern women, for the times, bucking the system. If the book was set in the Victorian era, the 19th century, or the turn of the 20th century, or even the 1920’s, I would not be so critical. I know and am willing to suspend disbelief for most romance novels, especially historical. I just have a hard time believing that the main character would be as free as she is, and protesting about her freedom, to have sex, even group sex, travel between countries, and make art during that time.
She keeps going on about her freedom, even institutes a incredibly creative resolution to the story. I am sure things like this did happen, but I’d expect them later in English history.
The hero was a cinnamon roll. He was just so loving, yet radical in his politics. He was treated as a good time, but not worth a relationship. My heart sort of broke for him, and I, as an admittedly queer woman, would have taken him in an instant. Yes, the reader wants to be or do, and root, for main characters.
The reader should not, however, want to rescue the hero. As a 21st century woman, “I’d be his Duchess. I’d help him try to abolish the class system.” Yet, so, too, was the heroine, really a creature of the 21st century.
I love the idea of these modern women, for the times, bucking the system. If the book was set in the Victorian era, the 19th century, or the turn of the 20th century, or even the 1920’s, I would not be so critical. I know and am willing to suspend disbelief for most romance novels, especially historical. I just have a hard time believing that the main character would be as free as she is, and protesting about her freedom, to have sex, even group sex, travel between countries, and make art during that time.
She keeps going on about her freedom, even institutes a incredibly creative resolution to the story. I am sure things like this did happen, but I’d expect them later in English history.
The hero was a cinnamon roll. He was just so loving, yet radical in his politics. He was treated as a good time, but not worth a relationship. My heart sort of broke for him, and I, as an admittedly queer woman, would have taken him in an instant. Yes, the reader wants to be or do, and root, for main characters.
The reader should not, however, want to rescue the hero. As a 21st century woman, “I’d be his Duchess. I’d help him try to abolish the class system.” Yet, so, too, was the heroine, really a creature of the 21st century.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Colonisation and Emotional abuse
nicolesa's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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
4.0
sincerelymendacious's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
3.75
moodreader81's review
3.0
This was fine. I liked Rafe as a character and Cornelia is definitely an interesting take on a historical fmc. I just don't think the "activism " presented in this book added anything. The stakes of the book never matched the reality of what was happening in the world.
jmarchi's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cjsma's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alisonb's review
2.0
This book and I are not a match. I am all for independent women, but when that independence-or "freedom"-comes at the cost of being kind, compassionate, and willing to compromise in a loving way, then I am going to struggle to understand the character unless I see growth and change. While Cornelia did make an about face, there really was no growth; her and Rafe both seemed to not have evolved much-as shown in the present day and flashback scenes from decades before.
I will not spoil some of the relationship aspects of the novel, but I wish I had had a heads up. There was an element to the story that bordered more on something I would find in erotica, and it didn't fit the tone that was being set up for this book and subgenre. I just want to know what I am getting into before it pops up since it makes a big difference in how I view the romantic arc-which felt non-existent in this book.
I don't like to give a book such a low rating because I can appreciate that someone created this from their own heart and labored to bring it into the world. When giving such a rating I do so not out of a lack of appreciation for the author but as an honest communication of how I experienced the book from my unique perspective. This book may be highly enjoyable for another person, and I always recommend that you take a low-or high-rating with a grain of salt.
1.5 ✨'s
I read and reviewed an advanced copy of this eARC thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I will not spoil some of the relationship aspects of the novel, but I wish I had had a heads up. There was an element to the story that bordered more on something I would find in erotica, and it didn't fit the tone that was being set up for this book and subgenre. I just want to know what I am getting into before it pops up since it makes a big difference in how I view the romantic arc-which felt non-existent in this book.
I don't like to give a book such a low rating because I can appreciate that someone created this from their own heart and labored to bring it into the world. When giving such a rating I do so not out of a lack of appreciation for the author but as an honest communication of how I experienced the book from my unique perspective. This book may be highly enjoyable for another person, and I always recommend that you take a low-or high-rating with a grain of salt.
1.5 ✨'s
I read and reviewed an advanced copy of this eARC thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
jaxofspades's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really diverse, with a nod to open relationships in a historical fantasy which is really rare. Wasn’t like, tops for me but fun!