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: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death, War, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Child death
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: Blood, Classism, Mental illness, Misogyny, Dementia, Medical content, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Colonisation, Death, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Infidelity, Bullying, Child abuse, Grief, Rape, Violence, and War
freckled_frog_boi's review
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? Yes
1.5
I will always point out where it all falls apart for me because romance novels are a tricky genre. They often perpetuate pretty harmful ideas of the boundaries of love and what it should look like; and enforces all sorts of gender stereotypes that truly shouldn't be normative.
The pregnancy trope, miscommunication, and overt jealousy had me cringing and honestly turned me off of the book toward the end. The patriarchal undertones declaring the man to be powerful and the woman to be weak-willed put me on edge; but there are moments that flip that idea on its head and were super fun, and I wish that were the vibe for the book instead of otherwise. I did love the premise and many of the scenes. Him stressing himself out at a ball just so she could get the job opportunity of a lifetime was cute and made me like him; which is good because, in the beginning, he was being an ass, taking advantage of a humiliated lady, and was super horny but not interesting. I like when I can tell the characters are in love and care about each other. And I love a fake boyfriend/enemies-to-lovers situation.
The pregnancy trope, miscommunication, and overt jealousy had me cringing and honestly turned me off of the book toward the end. The patriarchal undertones declaring the man to be powerful and the woman to be weak-willed put me on edge; but there are moments that flip that idea on its head and were super fun, and I wish that were the vibe for the book instead of otherwise. I did love the premise and many of the scenes. Him stressing himself out at a ball just so she could get the job opportunity of a lifetime was cute and made me like him; which is good because, in the beginning, he was being an ass, taking advantage of a humiliated lady, and was super horny but not interesting. I like when I can tell the characters are in love and care about each other. And I love a fake boyfriend/enemies-to-lovers situation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Sexism, War, Dementia, and Pregnancy
booksoflore's review
adventurous
funny
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
4.75
Tessa did it again!! She don’t really be missing!! Why did I begin to care about a lobster?!
But really, Tessa Dare is the writer who made me fall in love with the romance genre and it is always such a pleasure to revisit or pick up her work. Not only is the story hilarious and relatively unique in a genre that is built on trope after trope, the characters are interesting and lovable in their own ways. I genuinely enjoyed picking this book up every time k got home!
But really, Tessa Dare is the writer who made me fall in love with the romance genre and it is always such a pleasure to revisit or pick up her work. Not only is the story hilarious and relatively unique in a genre that is built on trope after trope, the characters are interesting and lovable in their own ways. I genuinely enjoyed picking this book up every time k got home!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Grief, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
kim03's review
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? Yes
4.25
Idk, I feel like Tessa Dare could've milked it out a little more (e.g. the marriage of convenience, the letters she wrote but also Logan's character / background...)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, War, and Abandonment
Minor: Blood and Death of parent
More...