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reading_historical_romance's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sherry Thomas did me dirty.
I really, really should have DNF’d at 25% when it became crystal clear that this book is essentially Georgette Heyer’s A Civil Contract, but worse. MMC Fitz makes Heyer’s Adam look like a prince in comparison; and FMC Millicent’s life of martyrdom is only missing a burning at the stake. But because Sherry is a brilliant writer, here I am, bitter, betrayed, and writing this review.
There is no doubt that Sherry can craft a singularly angsty novel that is also a page turner. Readers who enjoy bathing in their own tears will not be disappointed in this one, and will love it. While my finger itches to 1-star the hell out of this travesty, I have to give this book 3-stars because, SHERRY THOMAS. There is nothing to criticize here in terms of execution. The pacing, the use of flashbacks, the intense characterizations, the prose, the pathos – this novel is well-written, and has surprising layers of complexity. Personally, do I want emotional complexity in my romance novels? No. Personally, do I care about any of these characters? Also no.
Ravishing the Heiress is the story of two literal teenagers (Fitz is 18 and Millie is 16) who are forced to grow up in an arranged marriage. Their immaturity and naiveté are apparent from the moment they meet, as Millie “falls in love” with Fitz at first sight, while Fitz has his head in the clouds over some pretty cheerleader-esque chick named Isabelle that he met when he was 15, and with whom he wants to live happily ever after. Millie is crushed that Fitz is “in love” with someone else, and Fitz just wants out of this situation, so they make a pact not to consummate their marriage for 8 years.
I really try not to negatively review books based on storyline, because my opinion is personal and subjective. So, personally, I did not enjoy this book because of the storyline. On the one hand, Fitz truly believes that Millie has no interest in a romantic (or even sexual) relationship with him. On the other, he is one of the most narcissistic, self-absorbed assholes I’ve ever read, and he has no awareness (or interest) in anything or anyone around him. He thinks and behaves like the same 18 year old entitled, punk ass kid at the end of the novel as he was at the beginning.
Millie is equally self-absorbed but in a different way. She is so caught up in her own dreams of "what might have been" that she can’t or won’t just grow the hell up and get over her teenage crush. It would be easier to understand her quiet, steadfast devotion to Fitz over 8 interminable years if he did anything whatsoever to merit it. (Other than be handsome, of course). He’s a serial adulterer throughout their marriage and he doesn’t give a second thought to what Millie thinks or does. Ever. He literally runs around destroying things and never notices that she’s cleaned up the mess behind him.
But then, in the last 30 pages, Fitz sees the light like Saul in Damascus, stops debating who he “loves more” (Millie or Isabelle), and decides to commit himself fully to his marriage. (Which they finally consummated for all the wrong and full-on infuriating reasons.) He never apologizes for having his head perpetually stuck so far up his ass he hasn't seen the sun in a decade, but why should he given that Millie has never once called him out on how hurtful and selfish he is?
tl;dr: This is the worst romance storyline I’ve read in a long time; Fitz and Millie deserve to have a long and nasty divorce; and they should never be allowed to marry anyone else because not a single human should have to endure either one of them. And Sherry Thomas is a heckin’ queen, and I will love her forever and ever.
I really, really should have DNF’d at 25% when it became crystal clear that this book is essentially Georgette Heyer’s A Civil Contract, but worse. MMC Fitz makes Heyer’s Adam look like a prince in comparison; and FMC Millicent’s life of martyrdom is only missing a burning at the stake. But because Sherry is a brilliant writer, here I am, bitter, betrayed, and writing this review.
There is no doubt that Sherry can craft a singularly angsty novel that is also a page turner. Readers who enjoy bathing in their own tears will not be disappointed in this one, and will love it. While my finger itches to 1-star the hell out of this travesty, I have to give this book 3-stars because, SHERRY THOMAS. There is nothing to criticize here in terms of execution. The pacing, the use of flashbacks, the intense characterizations, the prose, the pathos – this novel is well-written, and has surprising layers of complexity. Personally, do I want emotional complexity in my romance novels? No. Personally, do I care about any of these characters? Also no.
Ravishing the Heiress is the story of two literal teenagers (Fitz is 18 and Millie is 16) who are forced to grow up in an arranged marriage. Their immaturity and naiveté are apparent from the moment they meet, as Millie “falls in love” with Fitz at first sight, while Fitz has his head in the clouds over some pretty cheerleader-esque chick named Isabelle that he met when he was 15, and with whom he wants to live happily ever after. Millie is crushed that Fitz is “in love” with someone else, and Fitz just wants out of this situation, so they make a pact not to consummate their marriage for 8 years.
I really try not to negatively review books based on storyline, because my opinion is personal and subjective. So, personally, I did not enjoy this book because of the storyline. On the one hand, Fitz truly believes that Millie has no interest in a romantic (or even sexual) relationship with him. On the other, he is one of the most narcissistic, self-absorbed assholes I’ve ever read, and he has no awareness (or interest) in anything or anyone around him. He thinks and behaves like the same 18 year old entitled, punk ass kid at the end of the novel as he was at the beginning.
Millie is equally self-absorbed but in a different way. She is so caught up in her own dreams of "what might have been" that she can’t or won’t just grow the hell up and get over her teenage crush. It would be easier to understand her quiet, steadfast devotion to Fitz over 8 interminable years if he did anything whatsoever to merit it. (Other than be handsome, of course). He’s a serial adulterer throughout their marriage and he doesn’t give a second thought to what Millie thinks or does. Ever. He literally runs around destroying things and never notices that she’s cleaned up the mess behind him.
But then, in the last 30 pages, Fitz sees the light like Saul in Damascus, stops debating who he “loves more” (Millie or Isabelle), and decides to commit himself fully to his marriage. (Which they finally consummated for all the wrong and full-on infuriating reasons.) He never apologizes for having his head perpetually stuck so far up his ass he hasn't seen the sun in a decade, but why should he given that Millie has never once called him out on how hurtful and selfish he is?
tl;dr: This is the worst romance storyline I’ve read in a long time; Fitz and Millie deserve to have a long and nasty divorce; and they should never be allowed to marry anyone else because not a single human should have to endure either one of them. And Sherry Thomas is a heckin’ queen, and I will love her forever and ever.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent
lesslinette's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Xenophobia and Death of parent
Minor: Suicide attempt
yourbookishbff's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
Ravishing the Heiress gave me that chest-constricting feeling that only high levels of angst and pining can achieve. This is a marriage of convenience, but between literal (figurative) babies of just 19 and 16. It's not at all what you expect, though. Our MMC, the now-Lord Fitzhugh, is determined to marry his teenage sweetheart, but through a series of unfortunate deaths, becomes the inheritor of an earldom and its crumbling estate and must marry the tinned-sardine-heiress, Millie, to save it from ruin. Our girl Millie falls for "Fitz" the moment they meet, but quickly realizes he is hopelessly in love with someone else and is only marrying her to save his family from debt. Millie refuses to let him see that she is pining, though, and insists on a pact - they agree they will not consummate their marriage for eight years and will each live free and unencumbered.
BUT THIS IS PERFECT. Because what we get is an incredible non-linear story of present-day Fitz and Millie (27 and 24, respectively) nearing the end of their pact, interspersed with flashbacks to their developing friendship as they grow up together. Millie adores him secretly. Fitz grows to admire her openly. They finally, FINALLY discover their love for each other. It. Is. Glorious. Slow. (SLOW). Burn.
If you loved the heart-wrenching tenderness and iron-clad respect between Harry and Thomas in Convergence of Desire, and if you are *trash-for-angst* and couldn't get enough of the friends-to-lovers-but-one-fell-first-and-waited-literal-years of Poppy and Alex in People We Meet on Vacation, this is your book.
If Thomas had given us another Fitz POV and 50 more pages to round out the 3rd act, this would be 5 stars for me.
BUT THIS IS PERFECT. Because what we get is an incredible non-linear story of present-day Fitz and Millie (27 and 24, respectively) nearing the end of their pact, interspersed with flashbacks to their developing friendship as they grow up together. Millie adores him secretly. Fitz grows to admire her openly. They finally, FINALLY discover their love for each other. It. Is. Glorious. Slow. (SLOW). Burn.
If you loved the heart-wrenching tenderness and iron-clad respect between Harry and Thomas in Convergence of Desire, and if you are *trash-for-angst* and couldn't get enough of the friends-to-lovers-but-one-fell-first-and-waited-literal-years of Poppy and Alex in People We Meet on Vacation, this is your book.
If Thomas had given us another Fitz POV and 50 more pages to round out the 3rd act, this would be 5 stars for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? No
4.0
Another historical I read in practically one sitting ,mostly because it was so deliciously angsty I never wanted to leave. The YEARNING in here, my god. I also loved the establishment of Fitz and Millie's relationship over the years as rooted firmly in friendship, trust and connection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
emfass's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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
Wow wow wow. My first Sherry Thomas. This book is SO tight and well-written, so economical and portrays SO much pining and pain in such efficient, piercing ways. More than once while reading this, I thought: "If I didn't know for sure we were heading toward an HEA, I would be absolutely beside myself." I was brought close to tears a few times (which is fairly rare for me while reading).
I think friends-to-lovers is my favorite trope and this was a very interesting and emotional twist on it. I loved watching the way Millie and Fitz's friendship and marriage grew through eight years' worth of flashbacks, contrasted with events in their story's present day. So many beautiful touches that became well-woven metaphors: Alice the pet dormouse, rebuilding the house they inherited, making changes at the tinned goods company Millie inherits from her father.
There was also so much interwoven of the other Fitzhugh siblings' stories, and I definitely want to go read those. You can read this one out of order, but I found myself wishing I'd read Beguiling the Beauty first to have had a bit more context for some of the other relationships. I actually found it a bit distracting at times, the amount of direct attention given to the other siblings' stories when this was Fitz's book. And I think if you read the third book without this one (and possibly the first?) you'd be missing out on some of that relationship's build-up.
I will say, I don't think the title "Ravishing the Heiress" fits the story very well. It implies a little more scandal and heat than I thought the story contained. I also think that in the last 20%, from the climax to the ending, things happened too quickly, and I wish we could have spent more time with Fitz and Millie as they finally find happiness together.I also wish we'd had a bit more groveling from Fitz after he realizes both his and Millie's true feelings. That makes this closer to 4.5 stars, but...otherwise a nearly perfect book to me.
I think friends-to-lovers is my favorite trope and this was a very interesting and emotional twist on it. I loved watching the way Millie and Fitz's friendship and marriage grew through eight years' worth of flashbacks, contrasted with events in their story's present day. So many beautiful touches that became well-woven metaphors: Alice the pet dormouse, rebuilding the house they inherited, making changes at the tinned goods company Millie inherits from her father.
There was also so much interwoven of the other Fitzhugh siblings' stories, and I definitely want to go read those. You can read this one out of order, but I found myself wishing I'd read Beguiling the Beauty first to have had a bit more context for some of the other relationships. I actually found it a bit distracting at times, the amount of direct attention given to the other siblings' stories when this was Fitz's book. And I think if you read the third book without this one (and possibly the first?) you'd be missing out on some of that relationship's build-up.
I will say, I don't think the title "Ravishing the Heiress" fits the story very well. It implies a little more scandal and heat than I thought the story contained. I also think that in the last 20%, from the climax to the ending, things happened too quickly, and I wish we could have spent more time with Fitz and Millie as they finally find happiness together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Animal death
Minor: Ableism, Sexism, and Suicide attempt
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