Reviews

It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian

jg1987's review against another edition

4.0

4 Stars

[b:It Takes Two to Tumble|49771719|It Takes Two to Tumble (Seducing the Sedgwicks #1)|Cat Sebastian|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1563546440l/49771719._SX50_SY75_.jpg|56577047] is the first book in the Seducing the Sedgwicks series by [a:Cat Sebastian|15171247|Cat Sebastian|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1487439203p2/15171247.jpg]. I read and quite enjoyed this author’s Turner Family series, so I was hoping for more of the same here. I was certainly not disappointed and after only a few chapters I knew the author nailed it. I love a good historical and it seems to be something this author does especially well. Even though there were some elements here that usually make me cringe (religion, engagement to another person, child characters) they all worked so well in this story I didn’t mind it one bit. The children in particular were delightful. They were individuals who had their own distinct characters and were not just used as background fluff. Then we have our two MCs Ben and Phillip, who gave us a low angst love story that was unexpectedly sweet, but not cheesy. I loved these two together; they just made my insides melt. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this book and am just as enthusiastic about the rests of the series.

llamallamacallurmama's review against another edition

4.25

**Most of my reviews contain detailed Content Notes (including CW/TW) sections, which may include spoilers and general tags.  I have tried to mark them appropriately, but please use caution.** 

4.25/5

Audio (Joel Leslie) 

* Summary:  After many years mostly at sea, Captain Dacre returns home to his estranged children - run wild after the death of his wife several years ago.  Somewhat unhappily surprised to find the local vicar (though rather an irreligious one) taking charge of the gremlins, Dacre struggles with parenting, grief for his lost lover, and the attraction and bond growing between himself and the bright, charming and cheerful Ben Sedgwick - who in return struggles with his obligation to his affianced best friend, and deep desire for home and family.

* Stats: HR (Regency), M/M, open door, part of a series but could stand alone.

* Notes:  This was really the first Cat Sebasian that I can remember feeling satisfied with the ending - and not feeling like the sense of the story got a bit abandoned in the third act.  I really enjoyed both MMCs as well as the entertaining and charming side cast - though considering the MMC has three children, they themselves didn’t have as much of a presence as I thought they would.  I enjoyed the balanced angst, the tenderness, and the fact that both MCs are actually angry over their situation and grieve the lift they want, but can’t quite have (or at least have to be very creative in finding).  I did feel like Ben’s religious perspective didn’t quite square with his occupation - though he has a good justification for why he became a clergyman, and there was really very little religious messaging (which worked for me).

OTT and Spoilery Content Notes:

Death of previous spouse, single parent mc, death of previous partner/lover, death of parent (mentioned), mc is engaged to someone else, ill friend/fiance, religious figure mc (vicar), ableism against side character by her family, parentified mc, abusive parent (implied), parent/child estrangement (between mc and his children), general manhandling, military mmc (navy), alcohol, grief, tobacco, masturbation, family estrangement, dyslexic or functionally illiterate mc, mentions of religion/religious homophobia, anal play/anal sex, lube use, age gap (about 9 years), teen sex work (involving side character), consenty, gentle touch, 26M/35M

gmc16's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

5.0

___tamara___'s review against another edition

4.0

I generally love Cat Sebastian's writing and Joel Leslie did it justice with the narration. Even though they went from lust to love in a very short time (two weeks at the most) and I don't usually like insta-love, it didn't feel wrong or forced - just the way this particular couple found love. I loved the kids and Phillip's relationship with them. And I loved Ben - I think he would have been a good therapist if he were born in a different time. :)

covert_knits's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

4.0

3lissanicol3's review against another edition

• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.0

brooke_reads98's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

hannanotbanana's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

annah623's review against another edition

4.0

It's a Sound of Music-inspired 19th century queer romance written by Cat Sebastian, so of course I enjoyed it. I just thought that the romance felt a tad rushed. 

anmarta's review against another edition

4.0

4,5