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kb33's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
I loved this, but it will lose half a point for calling them a “staff” and “her breeding parts.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Abandonment, War, and Classism
tak_everlasting's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
i was laughing all the way home.
although it did drag on a bit long towards the end (we get a few repeat issues and you're like hmmmm seems as though dare had a book written, but it wasn't long enough, so she added a few things but didn't flesh them out bc that would then make the book too long) , these characters were fun and interesting and i absolutely love that tessa dare is never afraid to play with the genre a bit, these books are so much better when the author knows and respects that they're writing a capital R Romance novel and are willing to let things get a little absurd, bc ofc this isn' t the real world and it's very nice to have that distinction.
but this didn't just make me laugh, these characters made me feel things and i just relate to maddie so much.also maddie has an "oh shit he's hot moment" after he puts his glasses on to read something//when it comes out that he's a big reader, and i think that's lovely, especially in a genre that often places more importance on physical attributes rather than shared hobbies and interests, the things that actually make people compatible.
if you don't know how sold i am on this book, there is a height difference which i, the six two woman in the room, usual abhorr, but i didn't find it relevant to my star rating.
although it did drag on a bit long towards the end (we get a few repeat issues and you're like hmmmm seems as though dare had a book written, but it wasn't long enough, so she added a few things but didn't flesh them out bc that would then make the book too long) , these characters were fun and interesting and i absolutely love that tessa dare is never afraid to play with the genre a bit, these books are so much better when the author knows and respects that they're writing a capital R Romance novel and are willing to let things get a little absurd, bc ofc this isn' t the real world and it's very nice to have that distinction.
but this didn't just make me laugh, these characters made me feel things and i just relate to maddie so much.
if you don't know how sold i am on this book, there is a height difference which i, the six two woman in the room, usual abhorr, but i didn't find it relevant to my star rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War and Classism
jessgj's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This has been on my radar for a while. I've loved the Tessa Dare books I've read thus far but didn't want to burn through them all quickly. That said, I just DNF'd a book that left me wanting and decided to get back into it. I was not disappointed.
I really appreciate how Dare's books properly start on page one. In another writer's hand, we could have spent more time world-building and spinning our wheels but Dare just launches into the story and asks us to keep up. Instead, the book starts on page one, immediately showing us Maddy and her worldview through the letters. Unknowingly, this also builds up the believability of the romance because we're drawn into her the same way Logan is. If we kept going with the book after a few of her letters, I can't imagine how he felt after 6 years of letters.
I love the cast of characters (Grant, my dear sweet man) and appreciated how while they're the comic relief, they help humanize Logan and really make you side with him, even when he makes poor choices. They're the proof that he's not as gruff and brutish as he wants you to think he is. And the tragic backstory? Amazing and truly heartbreaking.
(I don't have a place to mention this but dang, I love a thirsty MC who's like "This isn't just my lusty desire to see a naked person, I'm a SCIENTIST!" It always slaps.)
The ending was a little clunky to me, with extra drama and loose ends to tie up. That said, I didn't mind it too much as I needed to make sure all of my new imaginary friends were okay. I'll definitely be returning to this writer.
TW: Abandonment, sexual content, panic disorder, PTSD, brief violence and injury, blood, blackmail, off-page deaths, mentions of war and battles,
I really appreciate how Dare's books properly start on page one. In another writer's hand, we could have spent more time world-building and spinning our wheels but Dare just launches into the story and asks us to keep up. Instead, the book starts on page one, immediately showing us Maddy and her worldview through the letters. Unknowingly, this also builds up the believability of the romance because we're drawn into her the same way Logan is. If we kept going with the book after a few of her letters, I can't imagine how he felt after 6 years of letters.
I love the cast of characters (Grant, my dear sweet man) and appreciated how while they're the comic relief, they help humanize Logan and really make you side with him, even when he makes poor choices. They're the proof that he's not as gruff and brutish as he wants you to think he is. And the tragic backstory? Amazing and truly heartbreaking.
(I don't have a place to mention this but dang, I love a thirsty MC who's like "This isn't just my lusty desire to see a naked person, I'm a SCIENTIST!" It always slaps.)
The ending was a little clunky to me, with extra drama and loose ends to tie up. That said, I didn't mind it too much as I needed to make sure all of my new imaginary friends were okay. I'll definitely be returning to this writer.
TW: Abandonment, sexual content, panic disorder, PTSD, brief violence and injury, blood, blackmail, off-page deaths, mentions of war and battles,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and War
indieandajean's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
- 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
5.0
I tried very hard (veh-ry veh-ry hard) to find something I didn't like about this one, and honestly folks, I came up empty. "The cover art wasn't my favorite" was about the best I had because otherwise this is just all the tropes wrapped up with a neat little (tartan) bow.
If you like any of the following, this one is for you:
- Misunderstandings
-Marriage of convenience
-My heart can't take rejection so I am going to pretend I'm not in love even though I totally am.
-Kilts.
-Accents.
-Tragic backstories
-Lovable side characters
-Possessiveness
-Supporting each other's dreams
Need I say more?
I really think this might be one of my favorite books Dare has ever written, and I highly recommend reading it.
If you like any of the following, this one is for you:
- Misunderstandings
-Marriage of convenience
-My heart can't take rejection so I am going to pretend I'm not in love even though I totally am.
-Kilts.
-Accents.
-Tragic backstories
-Lovable side characters
-Possessiveness
-Supporting each other's dreams
Need I say more?
I really think this might be one of my favorite books Dare has ever written, and I highly recommend reading it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
uranaishi's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Abandonment, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and War
lunarxcross's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
cheye13's review
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.0
The writing in this was brilliant and I did read it in one sitting. Other than that, it wasn't particularly special imo. (Except the heroine had a version of my name which was a trip lol)
The characters had chemistry, and I liked the plot just fine. But there was a lot of... convenience? For lack of a better word. In a romance I do expect a level of genre-typical plot convenience (meetcutes, etc) but not in the emotional or character development. There were quite a few scenes where the big, intimidating war captain pushed some boundaries, and readers get his well-meaning inner monologue, but the heroine can't know his intentions, but she just happens to be fine with it?
I guess there was just. Too little communication for me, and it didn't even use the miscommunication trope lmao. A lot of "unsaid" things that just didn't make sense to me. The Scottish thing also felt a little gimmicky, but I did like the little exploration of a woman's career of the time.
The characters had chemistry, and I liked the plot just fine. But there was a lot of... convenience? For lack of a better word. In a romance I do expect a level of genre-typical plot convenience (meetcutes, etc) but not in the emotional or character development. There were quite a few scenes where the big, intimidating war captain pushed some boundaries, and readers get his well-meaning inner monologue, but the heroine can't know his intentions, but she just happens to be fine with it?
I guess there was just. Too little communication for me, and it didn't even use the miscommunication trope lmao. A lot of "unsaid" things that just didn't make sense to me. The Scottish thing also felt a little gimmicky, but I did like the little exploration of a woman's career of the time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Medical content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Ableism, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death of parent, and Alcohol
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