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gillyreads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
There were a lot of things I really enjoyed about this book. I think Evie Dunmore had obviously done extensive research, and is a skillful writer. It did feel like the book probably could have been cut down a little though.
The characters felt real and vibrantly individual. I loved how intense Lucy was about her politics, and really enjoyed the complexities of her and Tristian figuring each other (and themselves) out. It was a really great take on enemies to lovers. I think my favourite aspect was them navigating how they could make a relationship equal in a system that gave one party absolute power over the other.
There were a few points that threw me off a bit. Firstly, it feels ridiculous to read a recently written historical romance - especially set in a univeristy town - and have the only character of colour be a valet. The whole thing with Tristian's tatoo felt off, and while he was quite critical of the war it didn't really feel like it suffieciently grappled with the evilness of the British Empire. I also felt like it was a little lacking in class analysis, frustrating given how extensively political the story is. Finaly, for me the whole characterisation of Arthur was not well done, it gave very strong Georgette Heyer vibes in a not good way.
Hopefuly she improves on these kinds of points in future books.
The characters felt real and vibrantly individual. I loved how intense Lucy was about her politics, and really enjoyed the complexities of her and Tristian figuring each other (and themselves) out. It was a really great take on enemies to lovers. I think my favourite aspect was them navigating how they could make a relationship equal in a system that gave one party absolute power over the other.
There were a few points that threw me off a bit. Firstly, it feels ridiculous to read a recently written historical romance - especially set in a univeristy town - and have the only character of colour be a valet. The whole thing with Tristian's tatoo felt off, and while he was quite critical of the war it didn't really feel like it suffieciently grappled with the evilness of the British Empire. I also felt like it was a little lacking in class analysis, frustrating given how extensively political the story is. Finaly, for me the whole characterisation of Arthur was not well done, it gave very strong Georgette Heyer vibes in a not good way.
Hopefuly she improves on these kinds of points in future books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Colonisation, and War
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
medium-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
This was not my favorite of the series so far (the first one was fine!), but I will continue on and see if I like the third one. First of all, I found the inclusion of the Shiva tattoo to be ..... a choice. I don't know, I just felt it was unnecessary and if you're going to do something like this, as a white writer, you need to do your due diligence and you *need* to hire sensitivity readers. I appreciate whenever historical romance tries to add commentary on the racism, sexism, colonization, etc. of the time, but you still need to do it with immense care.
Tristan & Lucie were okay; I do enjoy a slow burn because I love the unraveling of each character and the final ultimate "okay fine you have broken down my walls and I want you!" That is always delicious. However, I just could not find the male love interest that redeemable. Was he charismatic and had his sweet moments? Yes, absolutely. I just didn't feel he redeemed himself, that's all!
Steam was a 2.5/5
content warnings are below!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racism, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, and War
btwnprintedpgs's review
funny
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Confinement and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, and War
Veiled cultural appropriation and fetishization of South Asian womenkaty_alice's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, and War
nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I loved Bringing Down the Duke so much, and coincidentally, I read it the day before A Rogue of One's Own came out. I was so excited to pick this one up, even though it took me a few months to get to it, and I'm so disappointed that I didn't love it!
The writing felt a little false and forced, and I really struggled to connect to the protagonists or the development of their love story. I didn't even feel impressed and invested in Lucie's feminist, suffragist efforts to overturn the Married Women's Property Act through purchasing a publishing house.
Lady Lucie Tedbury and Lord Tristan Ballentine grew up together, antagonizing each other throughout their childhood and every time they've reunited since growing up. When Lucie collaborates with her crew of suffragist ladies to purchase 50% of the shares in a publishing house, earning majority influence over the other two owners and granting them the opportunity to slyly spread their mission and message. Much to Lucie's surprise, though, Tristan has returned from war in India and purchased the other 50% of shares, foiling her plan entirely...unless she'll spend a night with him.
Along with the romance plot, Dunmore introduced so many subplots and characters in this novel that I really struggled to keep track, and I don't think it left enough space for the primary love story or for the conversations among the "League of Extraordinary Women" ladies. I would have loved to see the female friendships that were developed in the first novel returned and strengthened in this sequel. Nonetheless, I'm excited for Hattie's story in the third book in this series, and I will definitely be picking it up in September. Hopefully, that will be closer to Bringing Down the Duke than this was.
The writing felt a little false and forced, and I really struggled to connect to the protagonists or the development of their love story. I didn't even feel impressed and invested in Lucie's feminist, suffragist efforts to overturn the Married Women's Property Act through purchasing a publishing house.
Lady Lucie Tedbury and Lord Tristan Ballentine grew up together, antagonizing each other throughout their childhood and every time they've reunited since growing up. When Lucie collaborates with her crew of suffragist ladies to purchase 50% of the shares in a publishing house, earning majority influence over the other two owners and granting them the opportunity to slyly spread their mission and message. Much to Lucie's surprise, though, Tristan has returned from war in India and purchased the other 50% of shares, foiling her plan entirely...unless she'll spend a night with him.
Along with the romance plot, Dunmore introduced so many subplots and characters in this novel that I really struggled to keep track, and I don't think it left enough space for the primary love story or for the conversations among the "League of Extraordinary Women" ladies. I would have loved to see the female friendships that were developed in the first novel returned and strengthened in this sequel. Nonetheless, I'm excited for Hattie's story in the third book in this series, and I will definitely be picking it up in September. Hopefully, that will be closer to Bringing Down the Duke than this was.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
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