mamagriff's review
4.0
Badass female MC- never underestimate her. A very charming but supportive male MC. Throw in historical fiction, some steam, family loyalty. On the downside you have some racism, chauvinism, an arrogant father.
I did this on audio and the story is told from a dual POV. I liked the history of the Paris World Expo as well as the history of the liquor industry as well.
I did this on audio and the story is told from a dual POV. I liked the history of the Paris World Expo as well as the history of the liquor industry as well.
fringebookreviews's review
4.0
✨Aggressively virile and with the biggest co—✨
I think this is a great book for someone newer to the genre, especially someone who’s looking for a historical romance with a contemporary feel. It’s got a good amount of heat, although the Eiffel Tower scene wasn’t all that I thought it could’ve been. We did get a “good girl” and hands and knees from behind later on so the book was hot, just maybe not as hot as I was expecting. The scenes were short but the language was just right.
The audiobook narrator was great and I’m glad I switched halfway through. (Scottish brogues are always best in audio.) The beginning was a bit of a slog for me, though I’m not quite sure what didn’t work. I enjoyed it, but it took me a while to get through. I suppose the plot wasn’t that intriguing to me, and I wanted more of the relationship… Which feels not 100% correct, because we did get a lot of time with the two of them together…but I still wasn’t that emotionally invested.
I absolutely adored Adriana’s novella (My Duke Makes Me Feel) (set at the same Parisian World Fair) in the Duke I’d Like to F… anthology. I think the length of the story was advantageous to the plot development, while keeping the relationship centralized. I’ll definitely be reading more of her historical content when she publishes it, as I think she’ll only continue to grow more into the genre.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
I think this is a great book for someone newer to the genre, especially someone who’s looking for a historical romance with a contemporary feel. It’s got a good amount of heat, although the Eiffel Tower scene wasn’t all that I thought it could’ve been. We did get a “good girl” and hands and knees from behind later on so the book was hot, just maybe not as hot as I was expecting. The scenes were short but the language was just right.
The audiobook narrator was great and I’m glad I switched halfway through. (Scottish brogues are always best in audio.) The beginning was a bit of a slog for me, though I’m not quite sure what didn’t work. I enjoyed it, but it took me a while to get through. I suppose the plot wasn’t that intriguing to me, and I wanted more of the relationship… Which feels not 100% correct, because we did get a lot of time with the two of them together…but I still wasn’t that emotionally invested.
I absolutely adored Adriana’s novella (My Duke Makes Me Feel) (set at the same Parisian World Fair) in the Duke I’d Like to F… anthology. I think the length of the story was advantageous to the plot development, while keeping the relationship centralized. I’ll definitely be reading more of her historical content when she publishes it, as I think she’ll only continue to grow more into the genre.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
tenderbrushes's review
3.0
I think this one was just too hyped for me, by the time I actually read it I had some sky high expectations. If you don't like anachronistic historical, this might not work for you. The dialogue and a lot of the plot points were modern (uhhh the girls just decide to go watch a live sex show at a brothel? In the 1890s? Okay???) That, combined with the whole "I'm building an empire" liquor subplot made it feel like a slog. I want to be swept into a whole different world with historicals, not have to think about careers and industry. I had to force myself to come back to this over and over just to get through it. It felt like a kernel of romance nestled into a bigger, more boring book.
I LOVED the Scotsman hero, he was pretty much a goner from the first moments he saw her, but had enough self-worth to be a cute and sassy cinnamon roll (extra spice).
The audiobook narration was beautifully done, albeit a little "modern" like I said earlier. Luz sounds like the barista around the corner. The sex scenes were steamy but I really didn't feel any chemistry between these two, oddly enough, and they didn't hit me on a physical level.
I LOVED the Scotsman hero, he was pretty much a goner from the first moments he saw her, but had enough self-worth to be a cute and sassy cinnamon roll (extra spice).
The audiobook narration was beautifully done, albeit a little "modern" like I said earlier. Luz sounds like the barista around the corner. The sex scenes were steamy but I really didn't feel any chemistry between these two, oddly enough, and they didn't hit me on a physical level.
christi_trevi's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
anne_razz's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
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
4.75
rhart1812's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
kstep1805's review
4.0
Loved this book! Wonderful characters and excellent tension between them made for a delightful read.
jenni415's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book! The marriage of convenience trope is not one of my favorites but Adriana Herrera crafted this one so well. I loved the representation of a strong, independent Caribbean woman in a regency romance. Luz Alana is an amazing heroine. She is no-nonsense, smart, witty, and fierce. Evan comes off as an arrogant Scottish earl but we find out he is carrying a lot of family baggage. The details about the rum and whiskey production and collaboration for new products was well written and very interesting. I also really enjoy the concepts introduced with both the hero and heroine taking care of their employees and ensuring they get a share of the success of their enterprises. The climax of the story had me thinking it would be predictable before it went in a surprise direction. I absolutely adored every page and can't wait for the next in the series!
abbys_book_corner's review
I could not connect to the characters and while the plot idea was nice, it just wasn’t executed well.
kshertz's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Oh this book was perfect! I could not put it down. I loved the independence of the main character. I love a man that loves that about her and helps her with her business. I love the smut! I love his descriptions of her and how she moves him and changes his heart. I love that it’s not wrapped up in a neat bow but they work through every misunderstanding. It’s just a super great romance, basically the ideal romance book in my eyes. And that’s saying a lot because all I do is read romance. You have to read this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, Racism, Classism, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Colonisation, Misogyny, and Xenophobia