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smuttymcbookface's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I found, in the past, I've been uncomfortable with the way Lisa Kleypas writes men as being beyond reason when placed close to a woman they desire. Very much the epitome of "boys will be boys".
So, you can imagine how overjoyed I am to have Kleypas' intelligent and witty writing, a grouchy MMC, and a FMC who does most of the initiating.
I enjoyed reading about Tom, with his neurodivergent personality, and his black and white view of the world. I think Kleypas did a brilliant job of showing who he is, and why it wasn't callousness or cruelty that led his past actions. It's always enjoyable to read about critical and thought-out main characters suddenly losing their ability to reason, and I found this book no different.
Cassandra was sweet, but a little too Mary Sue for my liking. She was willing to be patient for Tom, overlooked so much cruelty in the other characters, and dealt with Tom's rejection in her stride.
I liked how they resolved their differences through the marital contract, and how it showed both characters understanding the trust required from a marriage by knowing it wasn't enforceable. I thought it was a brilliant way to voice Tom's understanding of what was expected, balancing his lack of understanding of his emotional state with his hope for Cassandra and himself.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book, and didn't find their time to be tedious or drawn out.
So, you can imagine how overjoyed I am to have Kleypas' intelligent and witty writing, a grouchy MMC, and a FMC who does most of the initiating.
I enjoyed reading about Tom, with his neurodivergent personality, and his black and white view of the world. I think Kleypas did a brilliant job of showing who he is, and why it wasn't callousness or cruelty that led his past actions. It's always enjoyable to read about critical and thought-out main characters suddenly losing their ability to reason, and I found this book no different.
Cassandra was sweet, but a little too Mary Sue for my liking. She was willing to be patient for Tom, overlooked so much cruelty in the other characters, and dealt with Tom's rejection in her stride.
Overall, I really did enjoy this book, and didn't find their time to be tedious or drawn out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Classism
livruther's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Abandonment and Child abuse
micahstudies's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
first of all there’s on-page sexual assault of the main character, not by the love interest, but that is definitely something to know about going into this book. the stuff about cassandra’s weight might also be triggering to some people. she receives fatphobic comments from another character and thinks and says fatphobic things about herself, including restricting her eating. tom challenges this, but it’s in more of a “it’s okay to be fat because you’re hot to me” way than an actual body positive message. overall though, this was a fluffy and simple romance, and the sex scenes were both very hot and silly at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Fatphobia
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? No
3.25
For the finale to the Ravenels, a series which has involved literal explosions and near death events, I'm surprised and somewhat disappointed with how take this was?? There's not really any conflict either in the plot or within Tom and Cassandra's relationship, making this installment kinda forgettable? As a couple, they play off each other really well, but don't have a dynamic arc apart from negotiating their relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual assault
Moderate: Abandonment and Child abuse
gracekitty's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child abuse
themeadowlibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
caelix's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Notes: p. 40-51-80-87-95-96-100-140-150-152-169
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
valeria_gzz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
5 stars IMMEDIATELY. This was great.
I loved Cassandra as a heroine, she not special like other heroines in books are she’s just herself she has hobbies she likes but isn’t amazing at and she’s just a normal girl with a sweet tooth. She is very beautiful and kind though. A very easy heroine to relate to. I liked reading about her love of books and how close she is with her family.
TOM. OH MY GOD TOM. Lots of what he said made me laugh because he is very direct and unapologetically himself. He knows he’s rich and he knows he has an above-average intellect. I think he might be on the autism spectrum from how he reacts to certain things, his dislikes, and his was of thinking. I loved knowing that any kind word or compliment he said to or about Cassandra was the truth because he doesn’t lie. I liked that where other people saw faults in Cassandra (her looks or way of thinking) he saw beauty and curiosity.
I enjoyed the way the characters were definitely attracted to each other but knew they wouldn’t be together because they respected their own way of thinking i.e. Cassandra wanting to marry for love and Tom didn’t because he doesn’t think he can love even though he can promise his future wife anything she could wish for or want and take good care of her. It took them a few times interacting with each other and then that problem with the douche Lord but they got married because they talked things out with each other (for a VERY long time). Also *very important* even though Tom didn’t say he loved her until the penultimate chapter actions speak much louder than words!!!
One of my favorite things about this book is that all the spicy scenes between Tom and Cassandra were consensual. It really bothers me when those types of scenes aren’t like that or very clear about it so it made me so happy that this book was all consensual and very clear about both characters liking, being attracted to, and comfortable with each other.
Also I didn’t realize until Tom thought about it that I don’t think I know the hidden or overall meaning of Persuasion even though it’s my favorite Jane Austen book.
I loved Cassandra as a heroine, she not special like other heroines in books are she’s just herself she has hobbies she likes but isn’t amazing at and she’s just a normal girl with a sweet tooth. She is very beautiful and kind though. A very easy heroine to relate to. I liked reading about her love of books and how close she is with her family.
TOM. OH MY GOD TOM. Lots of what he said made me laugh because he is very direct and unapologetically himself. He knows he’s rich and he knows he has an above-average intellect. I think he might be on the autism spectrum from how he reacts to certain things, his dislikes, and his was of thinking. I loved knowing that any kind word or compliment he said to or about Cassandra was the truth because he doesn’t lie. I liked that where other people saw faults in Cassandra (her looks or way of thinking) he saw beauty and curiosity.
One of my favorite things about this book is that all the spicy scenes between Tom and Cassandra were consensual. It really bothers me when those types of scenes aren’t like that or very clear about it so it made me so happy that this book was all consensual and very clear about both characters liking, being attracted to, and comfortable with each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Body shaming
Moderate: Abandonment and Fatphobia
cgn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I had such a fun time with this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Classism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Violence, Child abuse, and Body shaming
Minor: Domestic abuse
kad21's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Body shaming