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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
I LOVE a reformed rake and Chase's character arc absolutely delivers! From The Cave of Carnality and the "inconvenience" of our emotionally scarred (and hilariously macabre) young wards, to a happily-ever-after deserving of our stubborn survivor, Alex, this is alternately silly and gentle. I love seeing a man terrified of love slowly cracked open and refilled with affection, trust and security, and I particularly love when a woman is celebrated for her career achievements on page. This was a winning combo. I felt minor annoyance in how the third act finally resolved but it's a little quibble.
Also, the scenes between Ash and Chase were worth any annoyance I could possibly feel. Perfect, no notes, besties forever please.
ALSO ALSO, this contains elite sickbed/caretaking content and one of the best tiny nods to medical accuracy (that's also a wicked setdown).
ALSO ALSO ALSO, the doll funerals. I only regret that I will never be in attendance.
Also, the scenes between Ash and Chase were worth any annoyance I could possibly feel. Perfect, no notes, besties forever please.
ALSO ALSO, this contains elite sickbed/caretaking content and one of the best tiny nods to medical accuracy (that's also a wicked setdown).
ALSO ALSO ALSO, the doll funerals. I only regret that I will never be in attendance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
soniajoy98's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Racism, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
emfass's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
I honestly loved so much about this story. Very mild spoilers below.
The two wards, Rosamund and Daisy, and the havoc they wreaked. (Especially the doll, Millicent, that Daisy pretends is sick with some new horrible disease every morning and they have to hold a doll funeral. This was such a fun character-revealing touch.) The relationship between Alex and Chase, and they way they worked together to care for Rosamund and Daisy even in the mist of figuring out their feelings for each other. The way Chase's backstory affected him. Alex's love of astronomy, and Chase's support of her pursuing her passion.
The one thing that bothered me: while I loved Alex's resilience in the face of Chase's insecurities, he ends up saying some awful and hurtful things to her, and she just...takes it, somehow knowing not to believe him. Part of me is like, good for you! You absolutely see through his bullshit! And most of me is like, under no circumstances should you allow this man to talk to you this way, especially after sharing such intimate moments with him, even if you can tell he's lying to himself.
Mary Jane Wells is, once again, just spectacular. I want to listen to her read historical romances for the rest of my life.
And Tessa Dare writes the most delightful banter.
The two wards, Rosamund and Daisy, and the havoc they wreaked. (Especially the doll, Millicent, that Daisy pretends is sick with some new horrible disease every morning and they have to hold a doll funeral. This was such a fun character-revealing touch.) The relationship between Alex and Chase, and they way they worked together to care for Rosamund and Daisy even in the mist of figuring out their feelings for each other. The way Chase's backstory affected him. Alex's love of astronomy, and Chase's support of her pursuing her passion.
The one thing that bothered me: while I loved Alex's resilience in the face of Chase's insecurities, he ends up saying some awful and hurtful things to her, and she just...takes it, somehow knowing not to believe him. Part of me is like, good for you! You absolutely see through his bullshit! And most of me is like, under no circumstances should you allow this man to talk to you this way, especially after sharing such intimate moments with him, even if you can tell he's lying to himself.
Mary Jane Wells is, once again, just spectacular. I want to listen to her read historical romances for the rest of my life.
And Tessa Dare writes the most delightful banter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying, Violence, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
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