rainelle_barrett's review against another edition
5.0
What’s that saying? What goes around comes around. Well Elinor, the good Lord was looking out for you. While reading Stephans and Elinor’s introduction after their tragic meeting, its like you could feel the anger and the suffering that they went through by the telling of their story. At points I questioned, would they be able to survive from the pure torture?
What would they be like if they did? Would they be bitter and hate the world? As I continue to read the romance story, I could see S.M.’s talent really shining through the telling of this heartbreaking love story. One moment in the story your like, yeah the hero will come and save the day and then the next moment your saying, what a prick he is. At the same time your yelling at Elinor to, “wake up”.
Stop sulking and woman up! I liked that Stephen had John at his back. For all what these two had endured, they needed each other as two brothers would need one another. Elinor had Beth. Beth being their for Elinor, was truly Elinor’s blessing.
If Beth wasn’t their to help light a fire under Elinors girdle, who knows how things would have turned out. Let’s discuss how Stephan and Elinor meet shall we. The romantic couple meet at a young age during a betrothal dinner. Young Elinor has set her site on the young Stephan whose minding his own business. Well someone just couldn’t help herself, and decides that she needs a little taste of the footman.
What’s this we have here?, said would be future groom. Before you know it two people are in the throws of fisticuffs. Blood is flying everywhere. Frantic screams and cursing slurs are just part of the horrific attack.
And when you thought that was the end of it, oh no you diehard readers. To save face and value from the ton, someone is accused of a heinous crime and thrown in jail. The betrothed wedding must go on, they say. Years of hate, torture, crimes, and the strong will to survive just to seek revenge, collides Stephen and Elinor together years later. Stephen had one mission, destroy the people who destroyed him.
Elinor, suffering instilled in her to become a doctor, to help the weak and helpless. Stephan is swept off his feet by Elinor. Elinor is a bit weary of Stephen, but she’s willing to give him a chance after Beth nearly had to forcibly push her over that self doubt cliff. Before you know it, Stephan and Elinor come together in the throws of passion. Then the challenges of being in love really happens.
I recommend this book book with two snaps and a, can everyone just choose one name and stick with it? Until next time my fellow readers... read on! I voluntary reviewed this ARC after receiving a free gifted copy.
christyjoreads's review
3.5
Spice🌶🌶
seaweedsalad's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Infidelity, Rape, and Pregnancy
Domestic abuse - mentioned: frequently, occasionally with detail - context: Spoiler
Elinor was abused by her husband during their marriage, and the book has several flashback scenes. There is never a graphic description, but enough to be implied.
Sexual violence - mentioned: semi-frequently, minor detail - context: Spoiler
It is heavily implied that Elinor's previous husband had to beat her in order to have sex.
Physical abuse - mentioned: semi-frequently, minor detail - context: Spoiler
Elinor's husband was physically abusive towards his wife, mistress(es), and child.
Injury/injury detail - mentioned: frequently, some detail - context: Spoiler
there are a lot of instances of injury due to several different circumstances. there is no graphic detail at any point.
Medical content - mentioned: frequently, very minor detail - context: Spoiler
Elinor is studying to become a doctor/midwife; her work is described briefly, but never very in-depth.
Miscarriage - mentioned: a few times, minor details - context: Spoiler
Elinor miscarried several times while married to her husband; this is only referenced in flashbacks and is not described in great detail.
Sexual content - mentioned: frequently; not graphic, but this book is not a "fade to black" situation - context: Spoiler
Minerva Spencer/S.M. LaViolette generally writes books with adult content; this book is one of her less "spicy" ones, but there is still some sexual content.
Violence - mentioned: frequently, some detail - context: Spoiler
there are a lot of instances of violence due to several different circumstances. there is no graphic detail at any point.
Infidelity - mentioned: a few times - context: Spoiler
Elinor's husband was known to have mistresses.
Pregnancy - mentioned: several times, some detail - context: Spoiler
Elinor was pregnant several times during her marriage, and becomes pregnant again later in the book.
Rape - mentioned: several times, NO detail - context: no rape actually occurs! Spoiler
Stephen is accused of raping Elinor by Elinor's fiancé and her father unfairly. Stephen mentions this several times.
Sexual assault - mentioned: once, !!very brief detail that may still be upsetting!! - context: Spoiler
Elinor is "examined" by a physician to confirm her virginity before her husband will marry her. There is a description of being internally examined by the physician, and bleeding.
Pedophilia - mentioned: once or twice, !!VERY briefly!! - context: Spoiler
Stephen learns of an aristocrat near Elinor's new home who is a predator. He displaces the man, threatens him, and banishes him to a ship. Stephen is very kind to, and takes care of, the man's victims.
iggyebab's review
3.0
This story is not an easy one. It starts with a mistake by a teenage girl that almost results in the death of a young foot man.
Many years later he returns seeking revenge. He will not be deterred. He will have revenge. Did I mention he wants revenge?
The overall story was good but the book is about 100
pages too long and his inability to let go became really tedious.
Honestly, I wanted him to go away and never return. Even after all the groveling, She deserved better.
sarm's review
- 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
3.5
carriejoduran's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bella1109's review
4.0