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bookishevy's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
When Luz Alana sailed from Santo Domingo to Paris with 300 casks of rum and her two best friends, her only rule was to not fall in love. Her goal is to expand her family's rum business, but she is shunned by buyers and shippers who refuse to do business with a woman, especially one of color. On top of this, Luz can't gain access to her inheritance unless she marries.
James Evan Sinclair, Earl of Darnick, seeks purpose outside of his father's dirty money. He's ignored his title, resigned himself to a life of solitude, and built a whiskey brand he's proud of. He didn't think he'd be passionate about anything else until he meets Luz. Sparks fly, and he yearns for more than a marriage of convenience that could better their circumstances.
Luz is a feisty Latina who's determined not to let the rejections get her down, but Evan sees through her mask and is determined to be her guide. Evan is this big, brooding Scot who's adored by his family and workers and used to calling the shots, but Luz has him wrapped around her finger. It's so hot how protective he is of the ones he loves. Luz low-key loves the fuss he makes over her because she does things with him she's never done before. I mean, the spice is spicing.
I also enjoyed the historical factor of this read. The Exposition Universelle of 1889 was the first time the DR showcased what their country has to offer. It was exciting to experience Luz and her friends' awe of the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower, and I loved reading about the history of Luz's family business and how passionate she is about carrying on their legacy and getting more women involved in rum-making. The impact women had on the Scottish whiskey industry is mentioned, and with Evan being a Scot and Luz having Scottish roots, the role Scotland played in the colonization of the Caribbean is also discussed.
I knew I would love this read, but I didn't expect to fall for Evan. He's a sexy leftist feminist and has been added to my book bae roster.
James Evan Sinclair, Earl of Darnick, seeks purpose outside of his father's dirty money. He's ignored his title, resigned himself to a life of solitude, and built a whiskey brand he's proud of. He didn't think he'd be passionate about anything else until he meets Luz. Sparks fly, and he yearns for more than a marriage of convenience that could better their circumstances.
Luz is a feisty Latina who's determined not to let the rejections get her down, but Evan sees through her mask and is determined to be her guide. Evan is this big, brooding Scot who's adored by his family and workers and used to calling the shots, but Luz has him wrapped around her finger. It's so hot how protective he is of the ones he loves. Luz low-key loves the fuss he makes over her because she does things with him she's never done before. I mean, the spice is spicing.
I also enjoyed the historical factor of this read. The Exposition Universelle of 1889 was the first time the DR showcased what their country has to offer. It was exciting to experience Luz and her friends' awe of the unveiling of the Eiffel Tower, and I loved reading about the history of Luz's family business and how passionate she is about carrying on their legacy and getting more women involved in rum-making. The impact women had on the Scottish whiskey industry is mentioned, and with Evan being a Scot and Luz having Scottish roots, the role Scotland played in the colonization of the Caribbean is also discussed.
I knew I would love this read, but I didn't expect to fall for Evan. He's a sexy leftist feminist and has been added to my book bae roster.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Xenophobia
peachani's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Colonisation
apple_atcha_reading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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
4.0
I loved this spicy romance. I enjoyed that Herrera balanced plot and explicit scenes, so the novel was more balanced instead of wholly relying on sexual encounters between the two protagonists. I'm now officially a marriage of convenience fan, especially in cases like in this novel, where it began as business arrangement benefitting both sides fairly equally, but became something more.
Besides a well balanced novel in terms of explicit content and plot, I loved the conversations our FMC was able to have with her partner about classism, racism, and misogyny. He was never going to experience those as a rich, cis, white man, and she needed him to understand why her business was always going to be more difficult than his (although her product was superior).
Novel also features: LGBTQIA+ characters (side), marriage of convenience, "get away from my wife", Latinx characters (main and side), Scottish MMC, historical setting (late 1800s)
Besides a well balanced novel in terms of explicit content and plot, I loved the conversations our FMC was able to have with her partner about classism, racism, and misogyny. He was never going to experience those as a rich, cis, white man, and she needed him to understand why her business was always going to be more difficult than his (although her product was superior).
Novel also features: LGBTQIA+ characters (side), marriage of convenience, "get away from my wife", Latinx characters (main and side), Scottish MMC, historical setting (late 1800s)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Gun violence, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, and Colonisation
taliaalongi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Violence
jess_polishedcomma's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
So amazing. Great banter between the MCs, great spice, even believable non-communication. Evan had a 150-level understanding of colonialism and privilege, and listened respectfully when Luz educated him further. I loved how crazy they were about each other!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Alcohol, and Colonisation
andreaaaoid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
thirdeyeangel23's review
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
4.5
If you want historical romance with a diverse cast of characters, this was a fun one. While on business our Dominican rum heiress, Luz Alana, catches the affections of a broody Scotsman. Heated banter eventually turns into a marriage of convenience, with many twists and turns. This was a well paced and incredibly spicy nuisances to lovers story between two incredibly stubborn, yet lovable characters. I can’t wait for book two!
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, and Colonisation
kbairbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
I loved this! The characters, the romance, the spice, the Latina representation, the hot Scottish man, the badass feminine power, saucy comebacks. Everything was delicious and delightful and I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcohol, and Classism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
toffishay's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Such a fun read and I am so looking forward to other installments in the Leonas series. Evan is so sexy and the chemistry with him and Luz is off the charts. The sex scenes are awesome and it takes a little while to get there. Their relationship has an interesting slow build feel despite the fact that they get together very quickly. It also does something that I love in Beverly Jenkins and other diverse historical romance that it recenters non-white narratives of the past. Luz's Dominican identity is central to who she is and she is not watered down for the sake of her Scottish love interest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Alcohol
Minor: Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Classism
kimalah's review
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? Yes
5.0
A historical romance that is not only sexy and trope-y and fun but looks at the effects of colonialism and how all those rich dukes got to be rich makes for a great read. I love Luz Alana and las Leonas and can’t wait for the next book. I love learning history while reading a historical.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. My opinion is solely my own.
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. My opinion is solely my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Colonisation
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