givemaribooks'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? No
2.0
This was not great. I found the pacing to be slow, and it took forever for the story to get going. It also felt like the side characters took up too much time, and took away from the focus on the MCs. And since the couple do not meet until like 30% this means that it felt a bit too insta-love for me, which I usually do not mind but I don't think it worked in this story. Christian was crushing on Aurelie just from a picture and then fell for her right away, which made me wonder if it was in part due to his obvious PTSD from his time in prison. And Aurelie falling so fast and trusting him so much came off as naive. She had literally just learned that not all people can't be trusted and she has been very sheltered, but trusts this man right away. And do not even get me started with this author's continuous disregard for the pregnancy. I had the same issues with the previous books because it makes me dislike the men for not trying to prevent pregnancies considering they are the more experienced ones and the ones with less to lose if the women become pregnant.
*small spoilers* I know not everyone reacts the same to sexual assault, but the author chose to make rape a plot point and then did not have follow through. She had Aurelie not acting with the caution someone who had been recently raped would likely act. Aurelie even mentions that she trusted the wrong man because of her naiveté and need to be loved, but then jumps into the relationship with Christian with very little thought or fear. I get that the author likely did not want to make the story darker by actually exploring Aurelie's feelings about the rape, but then she should not have used rape as a plot point and come up with a different reason for her to have run away. *end spoiler*
I also do not like that the author did not include a content warning.
CW: rape of fmc off page, possible PSTD from time in prison.
*small spoilers* I know not everyone reacts the same to sexual assault, but the author chose to make rape a plot point and then did not have follow through. She had Aurelie not acting with the caution someone who had been recently raped would likely act. Aurelie even mentions that she trusted the wrong man because of her naiveté and need to be loved, but then jumps into the relationship with Christian with very little thought or fear. I get that the author likely did not want to make the story darker by actually exploring Aurelie's feelings about the rape, but then she should not have used rape as a plot point and come up with a different reason for her to have run away. *end spoiler*
I also do not like that the author did not include a content warning.
CW: rape of fmc off page, possible PSTD from time in prison.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
Minor: War
solacelight's review
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
So close to a 5, I just wished there was more romantic buildup.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Grief, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Blood, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Violence, Cursing, and Rape
Moderate: Stalking, Death of parent, Death, Toxic relationship, War, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol and Pregnancy
kathleenmcg's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
I’m no longer giving 5 stars to books without diversity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Rape, and War
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
skudiklier's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
I haven't read the others in this series, but I have read many of Julie Anne Long's other books--specifically, her Pennyroyal Green series. This book absolutely works as a standalone, but given the context of her other books, I'm sure it references many of the earlier ones in the series, and I'm definitely intrigued enough that I'll be reading the first few to catch up.
This is also my first time reading one of her books in print, because all the others were audiobooks. I enjoyed it just as much, which was honestly a bit of a surprise to me.
My only critiques of this book would be things that are forgivable and an understandable part of a lot of romances; it's basically, and some of the explanations of the characterizations were a bit on-the-nose. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book, as I do all of Long's period romances. I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes the genre.
Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the chance to read and review this ARC.
This is also my first time reading one of her books in print, because all the others were audiobooks. I enjoyed it just as much, which was honestly a bit of a surprise to me.
My only critiques of this book would be things that are forgivable and an understandable part of a lot of romances; it's basically
Spoiler
love at first sightSpoiler
I also think she handled the sexual assault plot line well, and that it hopefully shouldn't be too triggering to anyone who's worried about it. It mostly deals with the aftermath of it, without having a very graphic scene.Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Murder, Blood, and Physical abuse
Minor: Ableism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Pregnancy, and War
Moderate: incarceration and PTSD
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