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bookdragonkatie's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved that this was a sapphic historical romance that had the women fighting for progress and succeeding in small but significant ways. It genuinely felt like this could have been an accurate depiction of the time, not an embellishment or wishful thinking. I also loved the FMCs were so supportive of each other; honestly they felt like real women and not just characters.
My biggest complaint is that I just felt like the story went on too long and was pretty slow moving. It was hard for me to get through, but I do think it was more of a “me” issue and not the author. I’m not a big historical romance reader, which also could have been part of my issue.
Overall, not my favorite book, but it also hasn’t put me off of the author or historical romances in general.
My biggest complaint is that I just felt like the story went on too long and was pretty slow moving. It was hard for me to get through, but I do think it was more of a “me” issue and not the author. I’m not a big historical romance reader, which also could have been part of my issue.
Overall, not my favorite book, but it also hasn’t put me off of the author or historical romances in general.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Death of parent
rafacolog's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Grief
mishmoshroom's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Death and Racism
jackiepreston's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
analenegrace's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
5.0
I purchased this for a romance book club I'm a part of and wasn't expecting to particularly enjoy it because I don't usually love historicals, although it, especially LGBTQ+ historicals, has been growing on me. But instead, I loved this book so much. It has everything I have come to appreciate from a historical romance novel, a lot of romance but also a lot of another plot that is unique and allows the characters to grow. For example, some of Cat Sebastian's books that I have read this year had that in spades!
Both Catherine and Lucy were beautiful characters that developed so well, I loved seeing their romance develop, leading their confidences and, even, their feminism to grow. Catherine especially felt so earnest in her emotions as she realized her sexuality in comparison to Lucy's early childhood knowledge of her sexuality. Their relationship felt real and honest while being beautifully written; the prose in this novel is gorgeous!
The plot itself was so engaging that although the romance was fantastic, the plot made the book for me. I personally struggle in science, so I loved that Lucy wrote the expanded translation to be for the common woman, especially with the knowledge at the time that women would not have had access to certain levels of education. I loved the twist with Olrean being a woman and a black woman at that! I particularly enjoyed that the book did not stray from the classism, racism, and especially misogyny of the time, with Catherine somewhat acknowledging her privilege at times, and her husband's use of his privilege as a white man in the times. It felt both realistic in that she did not fully see the issue with the colonization etc but did see it somewhat.
The side characters also added to the book so much, with each feeling fleshed out and thoughtfully created. The diversity was well-written, and I especially enjoyed Mr. Frampton and his pushing and support of Lucy even when he could have had the fame himself. Catherine's "Aunt", who turned out to have been her mother's lover, was another character I greatly enjoyed because it showcased lesbian/queer women's history and constant existence.
I highly recommend this book and will definitely be checking out other books by this author!
Both Catherine and Lucy were beautiful characters that developed so well, I loved seeing their romance develop, leading their confidences and, even, their feminism to grow. Catherine especially felt so earnest in her emotions as she realized her sexuality in comparison to Lucy's early childhood knowledge of her sexuality. Their relationship felt real and honest while being beautifully written; the prose in this novel is gorgeous!
The plot itself was so engaging that although the romance was fantastic, the plot made the book for me. I personally struggle in science, so I loved that Lucy wrote the expanded translation to be for the common woman, especially with the knowledge at the time that women would not have had access to certain levels of education. I loved the twist with
The side characters also added to the book so much, with each feeling fleshed out and thoughtfully created. The diversity was well-written, and I especially enjoyed Mr. Frampton and his pushing and support of Lucy
I highly recommend this book and will definitely be checking out other books by this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Colonisation, and Classism
wilybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation
ember_eyes_are_for_tigers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
In comparison to the books that I’ve read in the genre since now this book was so much better. And, it wasn’t because it was a sapphic love story (although, that might have contributed to my overall enjoyment).
Of course, this isn’t without saying that the book has some pitfalls. Lucy, the main character, sometimes feels a bit bland and just a canvas for things to happen (whilst I enjoyed Catherine’s character much better and felt she was developed much more in depth), and there is a small issue with the pacing.
However, the writing is incredible. It’s lyrical and poetic in just the right points that makes the love story that much more romantic.
Of course, this isn’t without saying that the book has some pitfalls. Lucy, the main character, sometimes feels a bit bland and just a canvas for things to happen (whilst I enjoyed Catherine’s character much better and felt she was developed much more in depth), and there is a small issue with the pacing.
However, the writing is incredible. It’s lyrical and poetic in just the right points that makes the love story that much more romantic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Classism
littlewishling's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
What a beautiful romance! I loved all the characters and the nuance of woman in STEM in the time period. It was really wonderful and made me want to learn more about astronomy and learn to embroider.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, and Grief
bisexualwentworth's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved the way this book talked about art and science and the way that women’s contributions to both are constantly undervalued/ignored. I also appreciated the fact that the younger and less privileged character in the relationship was also more experienced with sapphic relationships. It helped offset the power dynamic for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Death, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
kylieqrada's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.0
I never would have picked this (or any historical romance) up if it wasn't for Beautifully Bookish Bethany's Patreon book club and I WAS MISSING OUT. This gave what needed to be gaveeeeee!!!!! Give me sapphic scientists in love or give me death. That is all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
Minor: Death, Grief, and Death of parent