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one_more_chapter96's review against another edition
dark
funny
hopeful
fast-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
3.0
Quick and enjoyable romance with decent backstory and development for the characters. Writing could use some light editing as there was a bit of repetition. Enjoyable & emotional.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Medical content, and Abandonment
nikitanavalkar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
5.0
What happens when loud, exuberant, slightly deranged southern Belle Dallas Townsend crashes in like a wrecking ball into grumpy, also slightly deranged billionaire with control issues Romeo Costa’s ordered little life and smashes it into smithereens? Chaos ensues, that’s what. Hey it’s not her fault Mr Romeo decided to steal her away from her sheltered little life.
This isn’t your typical grumpy alphahole - angelic sunshine romance. I mean it is, but it is also two beautiful, complicated, flawed people hurting each other and lusting after each other and falling in love in spite of themselves. Dallas is the spoiled, sheltered, sassy southern debutante with a passion for food and books. The very definition of a bratty society Princess. She has hidden depths and a spine of steel Romeo neither expects nor prepares for, and is unapologetically terrible at times, as he is to her. They both lash out before they figure their shit out. But I loved the little chaos queen, because she’s ultimately good, just a girl finding and owning her power on her terms in the stuffy patriarchy she was raised in.
Romeo is a puzzle wrapped in an enigma in a bag of hangups, living up to his alphahole title. Until he doesn’t. And when he doesn’t he’s the ultimate book boyfriend with his protective instincts and caretaking abilities and his stupidly extravagant acts of service. He’s basically Tony Stark before he grew a conscience so don’t come at me clutching pearls about his character. He may have daddy issues but he’s also daddy af, with his disciplinarian streak and airtight control. And of course the sexy Duke like way of talking. He has several demons and the vulnerable boy underneath the man makes you ache for him. Watching him unravel for his Shortbread and slowly give in to her every single whim, even when she repeatedly fucks up, is sheer poetry. Their connection is as steamy as it’s reluctant, and the BANTER is absolutely god tier. The almost psychotic jealousy, the feral possessiveness, even the slight miscommunication? Romeo’s liberal and perfect use of “my wife”? It was like a shot of the elixir of life into my old lady veins. I love them milord.
As much as I am swooning over this slightly dark and definitely fucked up romance, let me tell you a secret, the Bromance between Romeo and his besties is probably my favorite thing about this book. Or at least one of them. The authors’ humor comes through everywhere, but the text messages between these men alone had me rolling in laughter. Looks like Oliver and Zach might (?) be getting their own books, and I am frothing for them, especially Zach who I am already halfway in love with.
Ms Huntington and Ms Shen writing a book together was the gift we didn’t even know we needed but I’m so thankful we are getting. And what a dynamite team they make. If you’re looking for salt of the earth blue collar folks falling in love, this world is not for you; this is pure escapist fantasy. The authors have created a decadent world of obscene wealth and excess, with fancy, jaded, filthy rich people, flaunting their mega mansions, and piles of designer brands. Straight out of a modern fairytale…or tragedy. There are fun little shoutouts to Beauty and the Beast and Romeo and Juliet, and a bit of The Duke and I vibe. They managed to totally redeem a specific trope I was prepared to loathe and I can only stand and applaud. I for one, am indecently in love with this book, and this world, and excited to see more of it.
TW: detailed link provided at the start of the book but some key ones to note - child abuse (past), parental neglect, mentions of pregnancy, infertility (past), cheating (not between main couple), MMC works in arms dealing
This isn’t your typical grumpy alphahole - angelic sunshine romance. I mean it is, but it is also two beautiful, complicated, flawed people hurting each other and lusting after each other and falling in love in spite of themselves. Dallas is the spoiled, sheltered, sassy southern debutante with a passion for food and books. The very definition of a bratty society Princess. She has hidden depths and a spine of steel Romeo neither expects nor prepares for, and is unapologetically terrible at times, as he is to her. They both lash out before they figure their shit out. But I loved the little chaos queen, because she’s ultimately good, just a girl finding and owning her power on her terms in the stuffy patriarchy she was raised in.
Romeo is a puzzle wrapped in an enigma in a bag of hangups, living up to his alphahole title. Until he doesn’t. And when he doesn’t he’s the ultimate book boyfriend with his protective instincts and caretaking abilities and his stupidly extravagant acts of service. He’s basically Tony Stark before he grew a conscience so don’t come at me clutching pearls about his character. He may have daddy issues but he’s also daddy af, with his disciplinarian streak and airtight control. And of course the sexy Duke like way of talking. He has several demons and the vulnerable boy underneath the man makes you ache for him. Watching him unravel for his Shortbread and slowly give in to her every single whim, even when she repeatedly fucks up, is sheer poetry. Their connection is as steamy as it’s reluctant, and the BANTER is absolutely god tier. The almost psychotic jealousy, the feral possessiveness, even the slight miscommunication? Romeo’s liberal and perfect use of “my wife”? It was like a shot of the elixir of life into my old lady veins. I love them milord.
As much as I am swooning over this slightly dark and definitely fucked up romance, let me tell you a secret, the Bromance between Romeo and his besties is probably my favorite thing about this book. Or at least one of them. The authors’ humor comes through everywhere, but the text messages between these men alone had me rolling in laughter. Looks like Oliver and Zach might (?) be getting their own books, and I am frothing for them, especially Zach who I am already halfway in love with.
Ms Huntington and Ms Shen writing a book together was the gift we didn’t even know we needed but I’m so thankful we are getting. And what a dynamite team they make. If you’re looking for salt of the earth blue collar folks falling in love, this world is not for you; this is pure escapist fantasy. The authors have created a decadent world of obscene wealth and excess, with fancy, jaded, filthy rich people, flaunting their mega mansions, and piles of designer brands. Straight out of a modern fairytale…or tragedy. There are fun little shoutouts to Beauty and the Beast and Romeo and Juliet, and a bit of The Duke and I vibe. They managed to totally redeem a specific trope I was prepared to loathe and I can only stand and applaud. I for one, am indecently in love with this book, and this world, and excited to see more of it.
TW: detailed link provided at the start of the book but some key ones to note - child abuse (past), parental neglect, mentions of pregnancy, infertility (past), cheating (not between main couple), MMC works in arms dealing
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Infertility, and Pregnancy