readbookswithbecca's review
3.0
I liked it, but I had really high expectations after hearing a podcast talk this up. I won't continue the series, but would recommend it to someone who likes historical fiction open door romance.
bluesleepy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
woollybookworm's review
5.0
I've scoffed at romance novels since...middle school? But this book was excellent. It was very well-written, intersectionally feminist, unapologetically smart about issues of race, condemning of the male gaze in a very intelligent way...and hottt. I don't object to any of this.
Can't wait to read the sequel.
Can't wait to read the sequel.
kellycoburn37's review
5.0
This book was the perfect combination of suspense, spies, romance, and history. I absolutely adored it and I cannot wait to continue with the series and read more from Alyssa Cole.
lindacbugg's review
3.0
3.5
I liked this but didn't love it (though it might be me--I have never had a harder year with books than this year. Politics are sucking the life out of everything)
I will say I loved the conflict in the feelings between the two main characters & the discussion of how an interracial relationship during civil war times was handled. It felt honest because things are never cut & dried. Life is filled with all sorts of grey areas.
I liked this but didn't love it (though it might be me--I have never had a harder year with books than this year. Politics are sucking the life out of everything)
I will say I loved the conflict in the feelings between the two main characters & the discussion of how an interracial relationship during civil war times was handled. It felt honest because things are never cut & dried. Life is filled with all sorts of grey areas.
amypruski's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
susanatwestofmars's review
2.0
I was totally underwhelmed by this. These spies all but forgot about spying and focused on their insta-lust. The societal issues weren't really discussed or developed. There was head hopping, purple prose, and I hated the ending; it was too convenient.
I'd had really high hopes, really loved the description, but the execution didn't match up to the promise.
I'd had really high hopes, really loved the description, but the execution didn't match up to the promise.
futurememory's review
3.0
Down to the wire! Last book of 2020.
I really enjoyed how unusual this historical romance was, in setting and couple. And Alyssa Cole definitely has a great command of language.
Considering that the series deals with the Civil War and slavery, this romance is definitely a bit heavier and with higher stakes than a lot of other novels in the genre. With that comes a bit less happiness, and far more threatening complications. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, but I found that I unfortunately just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to end the year with this. It’s very much not the book, but me.
One last little thing that nagged me - I really liked our heroine and hero, but I did feel like they fell for each other a bit quicker than I would have liked. It’s not a particularly slow burn, which again, is my preference.
All that being said, I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the trilogy!
I really enjoyed how unusual this historical romance was, in setting and couple. And Alyssa Cole definitely has a great command of language.
Considering that the series deals with the Civil War and slavery, this romance is definitely a bit heavier and with higher stakes than a lot of other novels in the genre. With that comes a bit less happiness, and far more threatening complications. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this, but I found that I unfortunately just wasn’t in the right frame of mind to end the year with this. It’s very much not the book, but me.
One last little thing that nagged me - I really liked our heroine and hero, but I did feel like they fell for each other a bit quicker than I would have liked. It’s not a particularly slow burn, which again, is my preference.
All that being said, I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the trilogy!