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garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Nothing terribly original in the plot lines, but I appreciated the diverse FMC, her story, and her independence. The MMC was a bit flat. Medium spice level.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, and Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Cursing
Minor: Infertility, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Financial abusesadhbhprice's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Racism, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, and Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty
auteaandtales's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Considering they got together in the second chapter, I was wondering what events would unfold to carry this for a whole book. It ended up being a fun read, I really liked the chemistry between the main characters, and Leela especially is such a kickass woman who knows what she wants and what she deserves and isn’t afraid to demand that.
I also enjoyed the side characters, and how Leela defended and supported other women, even when she was jealous of them. I feel like we don’t get enough of that in books, women do not need to and should not tear down other women especially over a man, which I’m glad did not happen here!
I didn’t enjoy it as much as Quincy’s other book, The Duke Gets Desperate, though. I felt like that one was a lot more ‘padded out’ and we got to see the love interests spend some time with each other to really connect. I wish we got to see that between these two characters, as well. It was there, just not quite as much as I would have liked.
But it was a fun, mostly lighthearted story with some serious themes of racism and misogyny. I will be continuing with the series.
SPOILERS
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I also wasn’t a fan of the way it ended. Leela spoke on how she couldn’t have children and, although I felt like it was unclear as to whether or not she wanted children or if she was disappointed in herself for not ‘fulfilling her duties’, I liked that she was loved anyway.
Although I was happy for her when we find out she had a child with him, it felt wrong? Part of me is glad they got to experience what I assume Leela wanted for herself, but it felt like it was saying their ending wouldn’t have truly been happy if she remained unable to have children. Something about that just didn’t feel right.
But, again, I’m glad that this wish of theirs got fulfilled.
I also enjoyed the side characters, and how Leela defended and supported other women, even when she was jealous of them. I feel like we don’t get enough of that in books, women do not need to and should not tear down other women especially over a man, which I’m glad did not happen here!
I didn’t enjoy it as much as Quincy’s other book, The Duke Gets Desperate, though. I felt like that one was a lot more ‘padded out’ and we got to see the love interests spend some time with each other to really connect. I wish we got to see that between these two characters, as well. It was there, just not quite as much as I would have liked.
But it was a fun, mostly lighthearted story with some serious themes of racism and misogyny. I will be continuing with the series.
SPOILERS
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I also wasn’t a fan of the way it ended. Leela spoke on how she couldn’t have children and, although I felt like it was unclear as to whether or not she wanted children or if she was disappointed in herself for not ‘fulfilling her duties’, I liked that she was loved anyway.
Although I was happy for her when we find out she had a child with him, it felt wrong? Part of me is glad they got to experience what I assume Leela wanted for herself, but it felt like it was saying their ending wouldn’t have truly been happy if she remained unable to have children. Something about that just didn’t feel right.
But, again, I’m glad that this wish of theirs got fulfilled.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Infertility, Misogyny, Racism, and Classism
apple_atcha_reading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I have some complicated feelings about this book, so I hope I don't ramble too terribly much, but also this is my review and no one can stop me.
TL;DR: Leela is a QUEEN and Hunt doesn't deserve her. A man should respect you AND make you orgasm, the two are not mutually exclusive.
I've seen a few others review this novel and they have such high praise for our female lead, Leela, and Hunt is "just there". I get it now. 100%.
The premise of the novel is our love interests, Lady Delilah Chambers (Leela) and the Duke of Huntington Elliot Townsend (Hunt), share a passionate, anonymous night together, promising to never meet again. But as fate would have it, their lives are about to be forever entangled.
I loved, loved, LOVED Leela. She was strong, independent, and refused to take any crap from anyone, but specifically from men who believed themselves superior than her. On paper, Leela should have been granted status and benefits from society due to her title as a lady dowager, but her "unsavory" heritage. Her father was a nobleman, who "lowered" himself to marry her mother, the daughter of a Palestinian merchant. Leela's father never recovered his status in the eyes of elite society; everyone labeled him the "Mad Marquess". When Leela came of age, she married an older nobleman who had children from his previous marriage. When her husband died, Leela ran away to be with her family and did not return, since the heir made it very clear Leela was not a part of the family or welcome in the manor.
Elliot Townsend, "Hunt", is attempting to salvage his family's reputation, run his duchy, and live as respectable and scandal free as possible. There is a rumored curse on the Townsend family, every other generation is doomed to ruin through self-indulgence and reckless behavior. Which is why he simultaneously regrets his unforgettable one night stand with a mysterious lone woman, and wants to meet her again. Until, he realizes who the mysterious woman he shared an evening with is: the stepmother of the young woman he intends to marry.
In my household this was referred to as the MILF book (affirmative). Leela is a MILF, but she is an independent woman who doesn't need Hunt, but enjoys him. However. I did not enjoy Hunt. I found him to be shallow and superficial. I found myself wanting to get back to Leela's perspective or their shared chapters. At first I was like "ok, he falls hard, insta-lust, etc" which I would have been fine with, BUT whenHunt decides to propose marriage to Leela and meets her extended family and says he'll learn to tolerate them??? Leela RUN. In the back half of this novel when he started thinking about the future he desired with Leela, and especially the mentions of his "tolerance" of her family and her future travel plans , he gave me the ick. A real and true partner would have supported her dreams and goals (unless of course they were detrimental to herself or others), but Hunt really came off as wanting to tame Leela and have her act more traditional or in line with English standards WHICH HE SPENT SO MUCH TIME SAYING HE DIDN'T WANT? Throw the whole man away.
TL;DR: Leela is a QUEEN and Hunt doesn't deserve her. A man should respect you AND make you orgasm, the two are not mutually exclusive.
I've seen a few others review this novel and they have such high praise for our female lead, Leela, and Hunt is "just there". I get it now. 100%.
The premise of the novel is our love interests, Lady Delilah Chambers (Leela) and the Duke of Huntington Elliot Townsend (Hunt), share a passionate, anonymous night together, promising to never meet again. But as fate would have it, their lives are about to be forever entangled.
I loved, loved, LOVED Leela. She was strong, independent, and refused to take any crap from anyone, but specifically from men who believed themselves superior than her. On paper, Leela should have been granted status and benefits from society due to her title as a lady dowager, but her "unsavory" heritage. Her father was a nobleman, who "lowered" himself to marry her mother, the daughter of a Palestinian merchant. Leela's father never recovered his status in the eyes of elite society; everyone labeled him the "Mad Marquess". When Leela came of age, she married an older nobleman who had children from his previous marriage. When her husband died, Leela ran away to be with her family and did not return, since the heir made it very clear Leela was not a part of the family or welcome in the manor.
Elliot Townsend, "Hunt", is attempting to salvage his family's reputation, run his duchy, and live as respectable and scandal free as possible. There is a rumored curse on the Townsend family, every other generation is doomed to ruin through self-indulgence and reckless behavior. Which is why he simultaneously regrets his unforgettable one night stand with a mysterious lone woman, and wants to meet her again. Until, he realizes who the mysterious woman he shared an evening with is: the stepmother of the young woman he intends to marry.
In my household this was referred to as the MILF book (affirmative). Leela is a MILF, but she is an independent woman who doesn't need Hunt, but enjoys him. However. I did not enjoy Hunt. I found him to be shallow and superficial. I found myself wanting to get back to Leela's perspective or their shared chapters. At first I was like "ok, he falls hard, insta-lust, etc" which I would have been fine with, BUT when
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility, Misogyny, Sexual assault, and Classism
yourbookishbff's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, and Islamophobia
Moderate: Infertility and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy
kearstenkeepsreading's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was definitely insta-love and I didn’t really feel a big connection between the two love interests, mostly just a night of hot sex and moving on with our lives. Then you find out that Elliot or Hunt is the intended husband for, Leela or Lady Devon’s stepdaughter, Tori.
The entire book it’s a will they won’t they plot where the characters love each other and tell each other so but they can’t be married for one reason or another. I felt that there was too much going on between the step daughter, the stepson being a creep, the book, Hunt’s brother, Leela’s “infertility”, Leela’s family and travels and everyone’s refusal to have an adult conversation.
First it’s Leela who refuses to acknowledge Hunt and his feelings and then gets mad when he won’t talk to her. It’s back and forth the entire book of will they or won’t they. And it got boring. Seriously the only one who acts like a damn adult is Tori and she’s seventeen!
And then there is the “infertility” plot, where we are told MANY times that she is barren or infertile and most likely can’t have kids and it’s a big reason why she won’t marry Hunt. Then it’s like jk, she’s not barren/infertile here’s their baby girl and now we are making more!
There were some great parts I loved Tori’s storyline and was more interested in her than Leela or Hunt. I also loved the look into life as a widow and how that differs from a debutant. I do want to read the rest of the series this one just wasn’t for me.
The entire book it’s a will they won’t they plot where the characters love each other and tell each other so but they can’t be married for one reason or another. I felt that there was too much going on between the step daughter, the stepson being a creep, the book, Hunt’s brother, Leela’s “infertility”, Leela’s family and travels and everyone’s refusal to have an adult conversation.
First it’s Leela who refuses to acknowledge Hunt and his feelings and then gets mad when he won’t talk to her. It’s back and forth the entire book of will they or won’t they. And it got boring. Seriously the only one who acts like a damn adult is Tori and she’s seventeen!
And then there is the “infertility” plot, where we are told MANY times that she is barren or infertile and most likely can’t have kids and it’s a big reason why she won’t marry Hunt. Then it’s like jk, she’s not barren/infertile here’s their baby girl and now we are making more!
There were some great parts I loved Tori’s storyline and was more interested in her than Leela or Hunt. I also loved the look into life as a widow and how that differs from a debutant. I do want to read the rest of the series this one just wasn’t for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infertility and Gaslighting
bedtimesandbooks's review
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Classism
allisonwonderlandreads's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
In this regency romance, instant chemistry and some dagger-waving (literally) lead to a one-night stand that's going to become inconvenient fast. Hunt is shocked when he shows up at the house of the girl he intends to court and discovers the mysterious woman from last night is Tori's stepmother, Leela. The forbidden/off-limits nature of Hunt and Leela's attraction could have resulted in a slow burn, but it was all-out pining with no sparks of escalation to keep the game afoot. I found their instalove perplexing (as usual) since the only basis is their mutual attraction and one night together. Not much conversation or shared experiences pass between them. It's mostly fights where they push each other away for various reasons.
Leela as a person? Love her. Leela desperately trying to convince Hunt and her stepdaughter, Tori, to be together? Annoying as hell. Leela's a travelogue writer, using her relative freedom as a widow to see the world and get to know her mother's Levantine homeland better. As someone with both Arab and English parents, she feels pulled in different directions and wants to connect with the roots her mother kept from her when she was alive. I ALWAYS get excited to see Arabic on the page, and I learned some excellent curse words that I shall endeavor to remember always. I should have taken notes. The book calls out racist, xenophobic, and sexist experiences Leela has, and she dares to carve out the space she wants in the world despite them. The frustrating part was her role in the romance. She's so deep in her self-inflicted suffering in pushing Hunt and Tori together that she doesn't notice her stepdaughter's affections engaged elsewhere. Leela's weirdly confident that Hunt would make Tori happy as if it's a universal skill he possesses. And while he has basic human decency, he doesn't have any characteristic so transcendent that I would buy into that level of hype about him.
As soon as the (dubious) social obstacles are removed re:Tori's engagement elsewhere, Leela and Hunt alternate who is angry and who is attempting to reconcile to keep the drama alive. May I suggest conversation rather than throwing a golf ball at someone's head? There are many scenes where someone storms off to pine in solitude.
So basically, I like Leela as a person. Hunt's meh but fundamentally ok. I was just so completely bewildered and/or frustrated by their romance almost from the start that this wasn't a good read for me. I know some people like this style of back and forth romantic temper, and I think they will appreciate the drama.
Leela as a person? Love her. Leela desperately trying to convince Hunt and her stepdaughter, Tori, to be together? Annoying as hell. Leela's a travelogue writer, using her relative freedom as a widow to see the world and get to know her mother's Levantine homeland better. As someone with both Arab and English parents, she feels pulled in different directions and wants to connect with the roots her mother kept from her when she was alive. I ALWAYS get excited to see Arabic on the page, and I learned some excellent curse words that I shall endeavor to remember always. I should have taken notes. The book calls out racist, xenophobic, and sexist experiences Leela has, and she dares to carve out the space she wants in the world despite them. The frustrating part was her role in the romance. She's so deep in her self-inflicted suffering in pushing Hunt and Tori together that she doesn't notice her stepdaughter's affections engaged elsewhere. Leela's weirdly confident that Hunt would make Tori happy as if it's a universal skill he possesses. And while he has basic human decency, he doesn't have any characteristic so transcendent that I would buy into that level of hype about him.
As soon as the (dubious) social obstacles are removed re:Tori's engagement elsewhere, Leela and Hunt alternate who is angry and who is attempting to reconcile to keep the drama alive. May I suggest conversation rather than throwing a golf ball at someone's head? There are many scenes where someone storms off to pine in solitude.
So basically, I like Leela as a person. Hunt's meh but fundamentally ok. I was just so completely bewildered and/or frustrated by their romance almost from the start that this wasn't a good read for me. I know some people like this style of back and forth romantic temper, and I think they will appreciate the drama.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Infertility, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Xenophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Racial slurs, Death of parent, and Murder