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unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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
4.0
I liked a lot about this book and really LOVED the first 75%, but the conflict at the end dragged a little bit for me. I really wanted the MMC to STOP RUNNING AWAY after about the fourth time. I LOVED the FMC but she has far more patience than I ever would with this man who ran so very hot and cold with her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and War
cluckieduck's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Sometimes a girl doesn’t need a hero to save her. Sometimes she needs the opposite.
I so wanted to like this one - a Beauty & the Beast retelling with a tortured, scarred hero falling for a shunned, take-charge heroine with trust issues - but overall it felt like a whole lot of...nothing. The same conflict between the two, recycled over & over & over. I also felt the tone was decidedly modern. Granted, I don't have much experience reading HR, but this lent to it just feeling a bit off.
Overall, dull & forgettable.
I so wanted to like this one - a Beauty & the Beast retelling with a tortured, scarred hero falling for a shunned, take-charge heroine with trust issues - but overall it felt like a whole lot of...nothing. The same conflict between the two, recycled over & over & over. I also felt the tone was decidedly modern. Granted, I don't have much experience reading HR, but this lent to it just feeling a bit off.
Overall, dull & forgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, War, and Classism
lovinglyread's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
There was something so fresh about this book, which may seem contradictory since it’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I think it was mostly because of Astrid’s character, how she balanced being a “gently bred lady” with being a fierce feminist and stubborn as heck. She acknowledges that she’s fit to be a duchess, with her upbringing and general disposition, but also shows herself to capable of handling herself in a variety of situations and challenges. Often in HRs we get one or the other. I thought the duke’s character was a little one-sided - we get it, he’s beastly and scarred - but I did like his growth throughout the novel. The steam was a little higher than I typically expect from historical romances but in the best way, it was really well done. The ending was corny, but that’s easily forgiven after all the characters went through to get to their HEA.
Amalie Howard has a new fan in me after this novel. I plan to start the sequel ASAP! It was set up well in this novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Death of parent
kim03's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death of parent, and War