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tostita's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
apple_atcha_reading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
peachani's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Violence, Lesbophobia, and Colonisation
crystalisreading's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Moderate: Infidelity and Grief
Minor: Death and Death of parent
Mention of death by aneurysmkaitrates's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Aurora saved lives and Manuela made art and Luz Alana made rum, but each of them found joy and passion in their work. They' been reared to be ladies, but they found purpose beyond society's expectations. Manuela could no longer let her life be dictated by others. Not even by th ewoman who owned her heart.
Y'all I FINISHED A BOOK! MY FIRST BOOK IN NEARLY A MONTH! HUZZAH!
Ok this was my third time trying to read this. The beginning didn't hook me this time either; however, I was ✨determined✨ to finish b/c: I want out of this slump so badly!
I'm so glad I did because this one did grow on me eventually and left me very satisfied in the end. Manuela is my girl and I simply adore her and her effervescence and her determination to slut it up for a summer.
I really struggled to like Cora, sadly. I understood her motivations and why she made the decisions she did but I didn't agree with them and hated how she hardened herself. I was so glad that her aunt, stepson, and, eventually, Manu, reallllly let her have it straight (even though yes I felt ad that they kicked her while she was down).
Regardless, this is how you do a character arc! Both Manu and Cora's arcs were incredible and I loved watching them step into their own power and identify what and whose opinion really mattered to them.
This was a sensual feast, from the art descriptions to the parties to the sex scenes (in true Herrera fashion). I was disappointed we didn't get a "teach me" type moment from Cora—like I fully expected her high handedness to spill over into the bedroom—even though it did make sense for Manuela to dive right in. Pun intended.
Other things I loved: Tia Osiris (I legit want a generational saga with her story), Alfie (can we please get him his HEA?!), and seeing more of Apollo and Aurora who I just know are gonna wreck me when their book comes out next year. High key cannot wait to see them get wrecked for one another. 🤭
All in all, I'm so glad I read this one and that Herrera is writing historicals!
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
megansoetaert's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
this was a fun read!! I loved the tension!! more lesbian tension everywhere! Manuela & Cora were such a good match, bringing out the best in each other. I also loved seeing the Parisian lesbian scene of the era <3
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexism
readsandsuch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I do really love how this series highlights latina women in professional spaces.
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Lesbophobia
Minor: Infidelity
emfass's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Toxic relationship and Alcohol
blakeandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
bookish_afrolatina's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Cora Kempf Bristol, Duchess of Sundridge, is a known hardass who believes she only needs a few things in life: to be have the same (or more) power in business as her male peers and to protect her family and friends. That is, until she meets the bewildering and beautiful Manuela. The same woman who happens to stand between Cora and her pursuit of a strategic parcel of land. The "princess" promises to hand it over for a price: proper monetary compensation and a series of thrilling sapphic adventures while she's in Paris.
This story is full of lusty longing and tender devotion. These two have an immediate infatuation that is playful but also intense! I loved Manuela's constant curiosity and sense of style. Being the "fun" friend does often come with an assumption of foolishness and, while Manuela can sometimes be foolish, I'm glad she got a chance to push those around her to take her seriously. She has pain she hides behind her mischievous smiles. I also liked that Cora had to confront how she was playing into the patriarchy by trying so hard to "measure up" or outdo her male counterparts in business. It can be hard to straddle the line between fighting back against a sexist society and seeking to be as powerful as men.
Once again, Adriana Herrera created an addictive story with nuance, passion, and beautiful dialogue.
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Grief, and Lesbophobia