littlewishling's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
A bit dark for my usual romance tastes but Hoyts still had me wrapped up the whole way through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Animal death, Suicide, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
allingoodtime's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
I put this book off until the day before it was due back at the library. Not because I didn’t want to read it, but because I enjoyed the first story so much, I was just sure this one would be a disappointment. Seeing as I read this in one day I think it’s safe to say I was in no way disappointed.
There are so many layers to this story. Lady Georgina (George) is a smart and independent woman, especially for the times she is living. Harry is her land steward, therefore her employee. Any sort of personal relationship between these two would be highly inappropriate. But once you get to know George, you know that she’s never cared much for what is proper according to the snobs.
Harry and George have such an amazing relationship. He tries so hard to stay away from her, but she’ll have none of that. Since she’s his employer there is only so much he can push back. No matter the difficult situations they seem to find themselves in over an over. There is a great deal of mutual respect between these two, especially once Harry comes to really know the real George.
I’m not going to go into the layers of this book that I spoke of before because I don’t want to give anything away. It’s a bit of a suspense story as there is someone killing the sheep on George’s rival’s lands and Harry is the prime suspect. As Harry (and George since she won’t let him do it on his own) did deeper into how the animals are dying and who can be behind the killings, much is revealed.
As is often the case, much could have possibly been resolved or avoided with a bit more communication between the main characters. Yet, it makes so much sense in this story because of their different stations in society. Even once they give into their feelings, there is still that invisible wall between them. That question of how they can even think of having anything other than a secret affair hangs over them constantly.
There is only a brief connection in this story to the first story in the series so both can easily be read as standalone books. I know I said this in my review of the first book, but I’m saying it again…I’m really enjoying my foray back into the historical romance genre lately.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Rape, and Murder
ka_it_lyn's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death, Suicide, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
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