The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
brucethegirl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I hadn't read any historicals in this time period before. There were a lot of world aspects I had no idea about- namely that a woman could be kidnapped and forced into marriage and it was just totally a thing you could do. Mind-boggling on a number of levels, even the "women are property" one they had back then. But I digress.Â
Lady Phoebe Batten has benefitted her entire life being the sister of a powerful duke, one that indulges her and cares about her. And is probably more overprotective than any other brother. Namely because Phoebe is blind, and through the course of the book her eye sight actually becomes progressively worse. Her brother has commanded that she be accompanied at all times by Captain James Trevillion. A brooding, mysterious sharpshooter with his own issues. He also is an auxiliary cane user and has a limp.Â
I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine romance, and the angst about their not being able to be together due to SOCIETY. It led to some really great internal dialogue and being it was dual POV, I ate that up. I especially loved having a disability rep in BOTH leads. That neither let it make them helpless, or needed to be cured or whatever else. It was life, it was their reality. Now let's fall in love.Â
I didn't really care for the big reveal at the end. Well the kidnapping one, that was just very whoomp whoomp boring and not exciting at all. It was just... not anything close to the build up. Not to mention the aspects that were clearly set into play just to build further books in the series. Don't call this a standalone when its clearly not. I did enjoy James's family reveal. That was really great and well handled.Â
Overall, a fun time in a time period not often explored.Â
Lady Phoebe Batten has benefitted her entire life being the sister of a powerful duke, one that indulges her and cares about her. And is probably more overprotective than any other brother. Namely because Phoebe is blind, and through the course of the book her eye sight actually becomes progressively worse. Her brother has commanded that she be accompanied at all times by Captain James Trevillion. A brooding, mysterious sharpshooter with his own issues. He also is an auxiliary cane user and has a limp.Â
I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine romance, and the angst about their not being able to be together due to SOCIETY. It led to some really great internal dialogue and being it was dual POV, I ate that up. I especially loved having a disability rep in BOTH leads. That neither let it make them helpless, or needed to be cured or whatever else. It was life, it was their reality. Now let's fall in love.Â
I didn't really care for the big reveal at the end. Well the kidnapping one, that was just very whoomp whoomp boring and not exciting at all. It was just... not anything close to the build up. Not to mention the aspects that were clearly set into play just to build further books in the series. Don't call this a standalone when its clearly not. I did enjoy James's family reveal. That was really great and well handled.Â
Overall, a fun time in a time period not often explored.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Confinement and Rape
trashbinfluencer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Death of parent, Classism, Chronic illness, Violence, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Ableism, Animal death, Blood, and Confinement
Minor: Outing, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Racism, Rape, Pregnancy, and Homophobia
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