lindsayb09's review against another edition
4.0
I will admt, I did not expect much from this book. It sounded like some pretty standard PWP with a thin veneer of fantasy, but it was free on Kindle unlimited so I gave it a shot. And for the first half or so it was pretty much exactly what I expected. There's a spoiled Prince and a naive, sheltered virgin, and some delightful deflowering and debauching. I always enjoy this kind of dynamic, where opposite personalities are forced together and find common ground (with an extra side of compulsory smut, in this case). I enjoyed watching Laurel blossom from cynical and cold into a lovely, open young man. And while their professed feelings felt somewhat shallow and premature, I was rooting for them.
After they're separated I almost gave up the book, assuming it would get boring, but in fact I think the second half is where this book really shines. There's genuine character growth, and learning and development, and growing as separate people. I actually came to care about the world building and the fate of Tuatha and the reform of the church. It was interesting and moving and of course I was rooting for a happy ending. The ending was super cheesy, of course, but it felt earned after getting through the heartbreak and redemption.
By the end I felt a genuine connection to the characters (and not just Laurel and Paurick). It was a lovely little story and I'm glad I stuck with it to the end.
After they're separated I almost gave up the book, assuming it would get boring, but in fact I think the second half is where this book really shines. There's genuine character growth, and learning and development, and growing as separate people. I actually came to care about the world building and the fate of Tuatha and the reform of the church. It was interesting and moving and of course I was rooting for a happy ending. The ending was super cheesy, of course, but it felt earned after getting through the heartbreak and redemption.
By the end I felt a genuine connection to the characters (and not just Laurel and Paurick). It was a lovely little story and I'm glad I stuck with it to the end.
cleo_reads's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Regency ish mm fantasy. I enjoyed the forced proximity romance between the hedonistic prince and pious acolyte but found the world building distracting.
It’s set in a fantasy country named Alland that is very similar to regency England but with an earth goddess religion and non homophobic culture. The capital city is Dolon. Which is sort of London with the letters scrambled. The names really distracted me.
It’s set in a fantasy country named Alland that is very similar to regency England but with an earth goddess religion and non homophobic culture. The capital city is Dolon. Which is sort of London with the letters scrambled. The names really distracted me.
poplora's review against another edition
2.0
What the fuck was this? Also fuck Lyam and Rion. Lyam for being a shittastic father/husband/person in general. Rion for being a bitter douche who can't let people make their own decisions. I don't know why they're friends.
So much wtf with the plot going everywhere.
Fuck my life.
So much wtf with the plot going everywhere.
Fuck my life.
___tamara___'s review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars
I have mixed feelings about this one. It's a Sera Trevor book and I love her writing and I so wanted to love it. But it didn't do it for me at all.
I loved the magical aspect of the world. I would have loved to read more about Laurel's connection to the Goddess and what he could do with the powers he had.
But, most of the book I spent being frustrated with prince Paurick and his obliviousness and selfishness. Because of that I also couldn't really enjoy his and Laurel's falling in love either - I just couldn't see what was there for Laurel to fall in love with. I liked Laurel and didn't think Paurick deserved him at all. When Paurick finally "changed" I couldn't really bring myself to care - it was too little too late.
I have mixed feelings about this one. It's a Sera Trevor book and I love her writing and I so wanted to love it. But it didn't do it for me at all.
I loved the magical aspect of the world. I would have loved to read more about Laurel's connection to the Goddess and what he could do with the powers he had.
But, most of the book I spent being frustrated with prince Paurick and his obliviousness and selfishness. Because of that I also couldn't really enjoy his and Laurel's falling in love either - I just couldn't see what was there for Laurel to fall in love with. I liked Laurel and didn't think Paurick deserved him at all.
Spoiler
I was actually cheering when Laurel chose the temple and his faith instead of the prince!pam_h's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars (maybe even 3.75 stars, for the low-key examination of organized religion :)
This was a nice palate-cleanser after a frustrating reading experience. A very easy-breezy, undemanding read. The first half is mostly just the steam and the buildup to the steam, but then it takes a pretty interesting turn in the second half.
We jump right into the plot that brings the two MCs together, and after getting off to a horrible start, Paurick is determined to make things right. His sincere attempts to make the most out of a bad situation make it easy to see why Laurel would be charmed so quickly. And it is pretty quick -- like, two days. And then we get the next three days of them together before jumping to the point where Paurick decides he needs to figure out a way to convince Laurel to stay with him after their required time together is over. And then another jump -- and they're declaring their love. So that's why I can't quite commit to four stars, BUT...
I loved them together. Their honesty with each other was refreshing and key to forming their deep connection, and it was very easy to see what they each brought to the relationship and why they would want to stay together. But I would have liked to actually witness those moments where their lust and affection/humor/friendliness became something deeper. That's always my favorite part, and we jumped right over it.
I still completely bought in to the sincerity of their emotions, and I think my favorite part was the point where I would usually get annoyed -- the dreaded Big Conflict
This was where things got interesting, and that's something rare for me. But here, it was necessary in order for each of them to grow into the people they were supposed to become. And not overly angsty. It was a very low-grade sadness. Because Laurel 100% made the right decision!!! This WAS a whirlwind relationship, and he would have been crazy to jump from a deep, sincere commitment to a goddess he was truly connected to and risk everything in order to be completely dependent on Paurick. They ended up in a much better place as equals, and it was lovely to see.
The whole conversation around Laurel's piousness and organized religion was also very interesting while still maintaining a light touch. Subjects I have spent countless hours contemplating, and as low-key as this whole story was, it still gave me a new perspective. Impressive. Definitely checking out more from this author.
This was a nice palate-cleanser after a frustrating reading experience. A very easy-breezy, undemanding read. The first half is mostly just the steam and the buildup to the steam, but then it takes a pretty interesting turn in the second half.
We jump right into the plot that brings the two MCs together, and after getting off to a horrible start, Paurick is determined to make things right. His sincere attempts to make the most out of a bad situation make it easy to see why Laurel would be charmed so quickly. And it is pretty quick -- like, two days. And then we get the next three days of them together before jumping to the point where Paurick decides he needs to figure out a way to convince Laurel to stay with him after their required time together is over. And then another jump -- and they're declaring their love. So that's why I can't quite commit to four stars, BUT...
I loved them together. Their honesty with each other was refreshing and key to forming their deep connection, and it was very easy to see what they each brought to the relationship and why they would want to stay together. But I would have liked to actually witness those moments where their lust and affection/humor/friendliness became something deeper. That's always my favorite part, and we jumped right over it.
I still completely bought in to the sincerity of their emotions, and I think my favorite part was the point where I would usually get annoyed -- the dreaded Big Conflict
Spoiler
, which led to them being separated for a full quarter of the book.This was where things got interesting, and that's something rare for me.
Spoiler
The characters' separation is a very important part of their story and did not feel forced or false in any way. And I actually enjoyed reading about it, when oftentimes this is where I will skim ahead to find out how quickly they're back together before deciding if I'm gonna slog back through it. I have no tolerance for the forced separation trope if it doesn't ring 100% true.The whole conversation around Laurel's piousness and organized religion was also very interesting while still maintaining a light touch. Subjects I have spent countless hours contemplating, and as low-key as this whole story was, it still gave me a new perspective. Impressive. Definitely checking out more from this author.
fleurette's review
3.0
This is a pretty good story with two nice characters that are easy to like. The whole thing is set in an interesting world with some magic. This is not a story to which I will come back, but quite a good and solid work that I enjoyed reading. But also with which I had a great problem to write a review, because I do not have too many thoughts about this story.
atheresa's review
1.0
Weak characters. Insipid romance. Meh sex. Other Man drama. Weird conflicting worldbuilding. Plotholes.
suukasi's review
5.0
I am a sucker for opposites attract. I even MORE of a sucker for forced arrangements and seeing what happens. Paurick is pretty charming and upbeat, and honestly, he's a romantic. He's stupid and optimistic under varied circumstances. He's a really likeable character despite how spoiled he is. Laurel is a perfect foil-- he's everything Paurick isn't. Despite that, I enjoyed seeing their relationship change and grow.
georgiewhoissarahdrew's review
3.0
3.25 stars
Sweet little fairy tale - opposites attract. Playboy prince (Paurick) & ascetic acolyte (Laurel) are forced - forced, I tell you - to have sex for the good of the kingdom, and (naturally) fall in love along the way. Sera Trevor writes fluently, and with a certain degree of humour, so "Earthly Pleasures" is a pleasant, if undemanding, couple of hours' read.
If I have a criticism, it's that the emotions are dialled down just a little too much. A little more raw emotion would add some welcome contrast and depth to an otherwise slightly bland story.
But well-written pleasantness is not altogether a bad thing, and I'll certainly read more Sera Trevor.
Note - I received a free ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my unbiased review.
Sweet little fairy tale - opposites attract. Playboy prince (Paurick) & ascetic acolyte (Laurel) are forced - forced, I tell you - to have sex for the good of the kingdom, and (naturally) fall in love along the way. Sera Trevor writes fluently, and with a certain degree of humour, so "Earthly Pleasures" is a pleasant, if undemanding, couple of hours' read.
If I have a criticism, it's that the emotions are dialled down just a little too much.
Spoiler
We get to hear only a little of Laurel's difficult childhood before it's glossed over; we don't see anything of his years in the temple which provide the counter-balance to Paurick's seduction; we get barely a paragraph on how Paurick feels confronted by Fergus with the appalling effects of his earlier laziness.But well-written pleasantness is not altogether a bad thing, and I'll certainly read more Sera Trevor.
Note - I received a free ARC of this book from the author in exchange for my unbiased review.
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