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emfass's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This one did not capture me as much as A Caribbean Heiress in Paris for whatever reason, but YES PLEASE to Adriana Herrera writing historicals and just anything, really. LOVED reading about a sapphic historical romance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
An Island Princess Starts a Scandal is a fun sapphic romp. While I don’t think everything in this book was for me, I appreciate it for what it was. Sapphic books (especially with non-white protagonists) aren’t as popular, and this book explores so many important themes of female desire, pleasure, and the queer community that it’s definitely worth a read. Manuela was a really engaging main character. I liked how she constantly subverted the expectation that she was this naive silly girl, but she was so smart and talented. Her passion and excitement for art was so cute, and I loved that part of her character. I also really enjoyed the exploration of art, trade and women’s financial independence throughout the story. I really liked Manuela’s development and she learned to live for herself.
I enjoyed Manuela and Cora’s relationship, I thought they had excellent chemistry and the tension in the beginning was 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. The smut scenes were fine, I thought they were well-written I’m just too asexual to really enjoy that kind of content 😂. But if you like spicy books you’ll like this. I don’t think this specific type of romance is for me, I definitely like more plot-focused books with a romance subplot. I found myself wishing we got more out of the side characters (although I didn’t read this series in order so that might be my fault). But I did enjoy this book for what it was, and I really liked Manuela and Cora’s relationship.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Lesbophobia
triple_m's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Manuela and Cora are very cute and had excellent banter and chemistry. I also loved how they each had such supportive friends and sweet moments with their respective chosen families. I love seeing positive female friendships in media.
I’m not gonna lie though, I did get a little secondhand embarrassment at the climax but it’s okay we love her even when she’s messy lol.
I’m not gonna lie though, I did get a little secondhand embarrassment at the climax but it’s okay we love her even when she’s messy lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
hailstorm3812's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
This was delightful. This is the kind of romance novel where it borders on litfic because it is so much about learning from each other and growing into who you need to be in addition to the fun tropey romance aspects. I love both the protagonists and so many of the side characters. I really had fun with this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship and Colonisation
sarahyjackson's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Really enjoyed the first 75% — the third act breakup and resolution felt clunky to me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
lealovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol
hannahmichele5's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A little too heavy on the back stories of various side characters for my taste but you can tell how well researched the history is so I respected it. But, in true Adriana Herrera fashion, the steam was hot hot hot so it was worth it. Manuela can step on me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
slow-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
3.75
Though I struggled with the pacing in this (it's somehow both sluggish and haphazard), it's really such a well constructed characterization of Manuela and Cora. In particular, I love Manuela's growth from materialistic and sheltered to boldly choosing herself and her art over comforts. Herrera does such an amazing job of weaving in the lesser known history of Paris at this time, which imbue her characters with so much more depth. I really love this series and can't wait for Aurora's book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death
this_momma_is_booked's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
Historical romance is really tricky for me and the first half of this book was definitely a struggle. I'm glad I kept going because I was rooting for Manuela and Cora by the end of it! I loved how they both gave as good as they got and never let the others just rest on their laurels. They pushed each other and expected the best in each other, a true partnership from the start.
I absolutely LOVED that Manuela didn't immediately go to Cora at the end of the book after Cora paid off her debt to Manuela's parents. I was so surprised because it undid the historical romance trope a bit, but I'm glad Manuela realized that Cora was essentially buying her just as Felix had.
Another win by Adriana Herrara!
Another win by Adriana Herrara!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship
daryn's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Alcohol