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andra_mihaela_s's review
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 stars!
After listening to one of Jenn's recommendation videos (from the youtube channel "The Book Refuge"), I decided to read Alyson Chase's first book in the "Lords of Discipline" series.
I was intrigued about the espionage premise and really wanted to know if I liked some "discipline" in my romances...turns out..I'm not a big fan of that (it's easily losing my interest)
We follow Liz Wilcox undercover as a maid in the Duke of Montague estate for a top secret mission..steal a particular letter to save her sister's life!
I really enjoyed the first half of the book...where both Liz and Marcus (the Duke) needed time to figure out what they want and what they are to each other, as well as the intrigue given by Liz's mission and Marcus real job. Maybe because I LOVE a slow burn romance, or because all my emotions are captured and manipulated mostly by characters being in distress over feelings,etc, but the second half bored me a little bit. I also felt a little cheated into believing I will get a solid slow burn...that ship sailed after their first real moment, so...yeah >..>..not a strong book from beginning to end in my opinion.
Good versus bad for quick assessment!
+ we see espionage from our MC, how the life of a maid is (not a whole lot, after all this is a historical romance), and discrepancy between classes
+ we have characters that mostly stay consistent with their personalities (Liz takes a turn in the second half for me)
+we have an example of unfair justice system to women in historical times (Amanda -Liz's sister)
+we have state level secrets (the noblemen in this book are a little bit more involved than initially presented)
+good writing - easy to read and great in terms of pacing
+great repr of a light BDSM relationship for beginners (I think?)
+the male interest is not healed by our heroine due to love! (they are accepting of each other)
+loved Peggy and Mr. Todd sidestory and I wish we saw more of them
- Liz is changing her personality (from a quiet woman that always considered things to a more carnal and vocal woman, a bolder version that needed time in my opinion to be organic, especially when she still keeps other things to herself as dictated by the initial profile)
- our Duke takes quite a while to make some connections even after having a lead on the bad guy
- not truly satisfied with the bad guy's ending...although it seems plausible and I'm sure it really happened in real life too
- the servants faded to the background and straight up dissapeared after a promising start where we had a complete picture of this mansion...also, Liz gets away with a lot of things as both a maid..and as a spy...
- speaking of spies...her plans are not well though out! (she's suppossed to have experience as a spy..well...i don't really see it; we have convenient moments at the end in which she gets the job done, her plan to safe her sister is quite incredulous and I'm surprised she got out from the earl's house alive for her to meet Marcus at the end....wtf???? what happended? in the beginning she was more capable)
- Molly, Liz's roommate, is awfully blind to some things
Content warnings: child abuse, sexual harassment
Overall, this book was good for what it tried to be, but not amazing. If you want to read an espionage romance with light BDSM elements but with more emphasis on the will-they-won't-they aspect of the story and the sexual side of things, then this is a great choice for you!
Enjoy
After listening to one of Jenn's recommendation videos (from the youtube channel "The Book Refuge"), I decided to read Alyson Chase's first book in the "Lords of Discipline" series.
I was intrigued about the espionage premise and really wanted to know if I liked some "discipline" in my romances...turns out..I'm not a big fan of that (it's easily losing my interest)
We follow Liz Wilcox undercover as a maid in the Duke of Montague estate for a top secret mission..steal a particular letter to save her sister's life!
I really enjoyed the first half of the book...where both Liz and Marcus (the Duke) needed time to figure out what they want and what they are to each other, as well as the intrigue given by Liz's mission and Marcus real job. Maybe because I LOVE a slow burn romance, or because all my emotions are captured and manipulated mostly by characters being in distress over feelings,etc, but the second half bored me a little bit. I also felt a little cheated into believing I will get a solid slow burn...that ship sailed after their first real moment, so...yeah >..>..not a strong book from beginning to end in my opinion.
Good versus bad for quick assessment!
+ we see espionage from our MC, how the life of a maid is (not a whole lot, after all this is a historical romance), and discrepancy between classes
+ we have characters that mostly stay consistent with their personalities (Liz takes a turn in the second half for me)
+we have an example of unfair justice system to women in historical times (Amanda -Liz's sister)
+we have state level secrets (the noblemen in this book are a little bit more involved than initially presented)
+good writing - easy to read and great in terms of pacing
+great repr of a light BDSM relationship for beginners (I think?)
+the male interest is not healed by our heroine due to love! (they are accepting of each other)
+loved Peggy and Mr. Todd sidestory and I wish we saw more of them
- Liz is changing her personality (from a quiet woman that always considered things to a more carnal and vocal woman, a bolder version that needed time in my opinion to be organic, especially when she still keeps other things to herself as dictated by the initial profile)
- our Duke takes quite a while to make some connections even after having a lead on the bad guy
- not truly satisfied with the bad guy's ending...although it seems plausible and I'm sure it really happened in real life too
- the servants faded to the background and straight up dissapeared after a promising start where we had a complete picture of this mansion...also, Liz gets away with a lot of things as both a maid..and as a spy...
- speaking of spies...her plans are not well though out! (she's suppossed to have experience as a spy..well...i don't really see it; we have convenient moments at the end in which she gets the job done, her plan to safe her sister is quite incredulous and I'm surprised she got out from the earl's house alive for her to meet Marcus at the end....wtf???? what happended? in the beginning she was more capable)
- Molly, Liz's roommate, is awfully blind to some things
Content warnings: child abuse, sexual harassment
Overall, this book was good for what it tried to be, but not amazing. If you want to read an espionage romance with light BDSM elements but with more emphasis on the will-they-won't-they aspect of the story and the sexual side of things, then this is a great choice for you!
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
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