dieslaughing's review against another edition
So I liked this more than Beguiling the Beauty (the second Thomas I’ve read that hinges on a lady somehow keeping their face from being seen in the most absurd circumstances—not a fan!), and I thought the narrative structure of this was particularly lovely for a marriage in “crisis” plot (I feel like 8 years puts it beyond the realm of marriage of convenience). But as the narrative unfolds, particularly in the flashbacks, it becomes more and more ridiculous that Fitz just instantly decides to not only jump when Isabelle says to, but that he instantly agrees to engage in a lifetime domestic arrangement with her??? There is literally nothinggggggg she offers that is better than what he currently has with Millie, even pre-sex. I wanted to March into his study and toss poor little Alice’s taxidermied body out the window in frustration.
chirson's review against another edition
3.0
Technically, this is one of Thomas's better books, perhaps - the progression of the relationship is slow and believable - but I found it very difficult to actually like either protagonist, which seems far from a desirable state in a romance novel. Millie does precious little to exercise her agency - things happen to her, from the marriage she is pushed into, to the love she falls into, to the company she takes over due to her mother's urgings and which she basically gives to her husband whom she merely advises, to the resolution (she does start a garden and give her semi-ungrateful husband lots of gifts, and plots how to take over the company at one point, and advise on ads - that's pretty much it. Oh, she also has a mouse taxidermied [is that a word / is that how it's spelled? it is now]).
I felt like Fitz was way too entitled (she says it's okay to sleep around so I totally will take my mistress travelling with us, no matter how that actually makes her feel or even simply look in the society) and Millie way too doormat-like (we went on a trip to Italy and he slept around the whole time but I'll only remember the good stuff and never hold him responsible for any of the shit he did to me, it's all my fault anyway for not telling him how I feel about him).
I felt like Fitz was way too entitled (she says it's okay to sleep around so I totally will take my mistress travelling with us, no matter how that actually makes her feel or even simply look in the society) and Millie way too doormat-like (we went on a trip to Italy and he slept around the whole time but I'll only remember the good stuff and never hold him responsible for any of the shit he did to me, it's all my fault anyway for not telling him how I feel about him).
sri_savita's review against another edition
5.0
But the love of his life was the one with whom he'd built his life.
Sherry Thomas broke my heart with Not Quite a Husband and put it back together with Ravishing the Heiress . The same amazing writing and a friends-to-lovers tale? SOLD. So many wonderful moments of pining and bonding.
I talked about the arranged marriage trope in Indian American diaspora contemporary romance on the Shelf Love podcast recently, and this book brings up a lot of the beautiful quiet moments that I appreciate and adore about such stories, and it works so well in historical romances.
Quotes:
"All we've done here is take things down and prevent further deterioration," he said. "Let's grow something--something new, something that is ours."
You don't know what you ask. You don't know the terrible hopes this will ignite in me.
"Thank you," she said. "It will be beautiful."
But when they worked toward a common purpose, when they conspired to keep the secret of the house's "repairs" from the rest of the world, and when he sat across from the table from her and laughed, it was nearly impossible to believe that they were not building something together.
They were: a better house.
And nothing else.
"You cannot re-create a past that never happened."
"Love without friendship is like a kite, aloft only when the winds are favorable. Friendship is what gives love its wings."
Sherry Thomas broke my heart with Not Quite a Husband and put it back together with Ravishing the Heiress . The same amazing writing and a friends-to-lovers tale? SOLD. So many wonderful moments of pining and bonding.
I talked about the arranged marriage trope in Indian American diaspora contemporary romance on the Shelf Love podcast recently, and this book brings up a lot of the beautiful quiet moments that I appreciate and adore about such stories, and it works so well in historical romances.
Quotes:
"All we've done here is take things down and prevent further deterioration," he said. "Let's grow something--something new, something that is ours."
You don't know what you ask. You don't know the terrible hopes this will ignite in me.
"Thank you," she said. "It will be beautiful."
But when they worked toward a common purpose, when they conspired to keep the secret of the house's "repairs" from the rest of the world, and when he sat across from the table from her and laughed, it was nearly impossible to believe that they were not building something together.
They were: a better house.
And nothing else.
"You cannot re-create a past that never happened."
"Love without friendship is like a kite, aloft only when the winds are favorable. Friendship is what gives love its wings."
annestef1a's review against another edition
3.0
Damn, I should not like this...
But Alas–even with the cheating with permission, the stupid puppy love of the hero, and the too much of a saint for her own good heroine–I still did.
I cried for all the unrequited shit they've been putting all over themselves and each other. I find this kind of plot realistic in these eras and seeing Millie as a businesswoman was a treat. I am still looking for books like this but with the ending of severing the romance completely and just finding self-worth. This book certainly didn't focus on that.
But Alas–even with the cheating with permission, the stupid puppy love of the hero, and the too much of a saint for her own good heroine–I still did.
I cried for all the unrequited shit they've been putting all over themselves and each other. I find this kind of plot realistic in these eras and seeing Millie as a businesswoman was a treat. I am still looking for books like this but with the ending of severing the romance completely and just finding self-worth. This book certainly didn't focus on that.
jrabz's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
scarr77's review against another edition
5.0
I cried multiple times. I clutched my chest at least thrice. Sherry Thomas, you are tearing me apart!
The secondary love story was a waste of my time (the couple have their own book next so their story did not deserve so much space here) and our arrival at the conclusion was a bit rushed but oh my god I don't even care because this was magnificent.
The secondary love story was a waste of my time (the couple have their own book next so their story did not deserve so much space here) and our arrival at the conclusion was a bit rushed but oh my god I don't even care because this was magnificent.
itmustbemiriam's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
This was a lovely historical romance (not my usual read that had a really well executed emotional arc for both MCs. Marriage of convenience meets pining for your best friend with a lot of coming of age. It's a little hard to believe that society would have been QUITE so open minded, but I really enjoyed the journey so I didn't let that bother me all that much. This is a sweet slow burn with a happily ever after that is as memorable as it is well-deserved.
gabireads13's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
fyreburde's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0