eliginorski's review
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
khaleesimod93's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Every part of this series is amazing so far. And I think I truly love this one more than the others. When I first started the book, I was so worried about this secret that Helena had. I was afraid of what it was. After she told Max what it was, my heart broke for her. During that time period, not being able to have kids is devastating! I'm so glad that Max didn't care, but it frustrated me that she still didn't believe she was worthy of being loved. Yes, Max wanted kids, and so did his father, but he loved her! While the take on infertility was done with care, I appreciated that her fertility wasn't magically fixed by the end of the book like so many authors do. While I do hold out hope that someday they'll have children, I won't be disappointed if they don't. I'm also happy to see their parents come around. Max's dad and mom really pissed me off, and I'm happy they realized what assholes they were.
elforest's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars rounded up. I do not know why this was such a struggle for me. I liked all the story beats and the discussion about reproductive choice and the emotional and social repercussions of being unable to bear children was really good. But I guess the characters just didn’t grab me. Had to push myself to finish it.
fairview's review
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
maddyrempel's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nd2712's review against another edition
4.0
Only Harper St George could write the most gut-wrenchingly, heartbreakingly emotional breakup scene in recent history - and then follow it up with the scene that had me, OUT LOUD, repeating hysterical 'oh my gods'. The scene had to happen to set up the fourth book in the series, but it was so out of the blue after this intense moment that my brain took five minutes to catch up.
Of all three couples so far, Helena and Max had the best chemistry. I think it helped that the previous book had begun to set up their relationship, rather than starting from scratch, so this book could get straight into the action. It didn't, which is why I knocked off a star (it took me about 100 pages to really get into things and the chapters dedicated to discussion about ironworks was...tough to read), but once they actually got going, it was great.
AND SO SEXY. I honestly think this was the sexiest book because it wasn't the big man / virgin vibe. Helena had enough experience that they could actually be on the same page - and I really enjoyed that the sex wasn't totally vanilla because of that. Yes, it took them a while to actually admit they liked each other, but when they got there, the scenes were perfection. And inventive!
I think the third act of the book did struggle - Helena has an issue that prevents her from doing something (no spoilers) and despite the reader knowing what's happening, it takes her a solid 20 pages to actually tell Max. Even though it doesn't bare a huge influence over the final conclusion, I kept sitting there waiting for it to happen while filler kept the pages in-between. It didn't need to be there and the pages could have been used for something far more interesting.
Nevertheless, another fantastic instalment in this series. Bring on book four!
Of all three couples so far, Helena and Max had the best chemistry. I think it helped that the previous book had begun to set up their relationship, rather than starting from scratch, so this book could get straight into the action. It didn't, which is why I knocked off a star (it took me about 100 pages to really get into things and the chapters dedicated to discussion about ironworks was...tough to read), but once they actually got going, it was great.
AND SO SEXY. I honestly think this was the sexiest book because it wasn't the big man / virgin vibe. Helena had enough experience that they could actually be on the same page - and I really enjoyed that the sex wasn't totally vanilla because of that. Yes, it took them a while to actually admit they liked each other, but when they got there, the scenes were perfection. And inventive!
I think the third act of the book did struggle - Helena has an issue that prevents her from doing something (no spoilers) and despite the reader knowing what's happening, it takes her a solid 20 pages to actually tell Max. Even though it doesn't bare a huge influence over the final conclusion, I kept sitting there waiting for it to happen while filler kept the pages in-between. It didn't need to be there and the pages could have been used for something far more interesting.
Nevertheless, another fantastic instalment in this series. Bring on book four!
mzdeb's review
4.0
I received a digital ARC from NetGalley.
HAHAHAHA, so Maxwell can't escape his father's machinations, either!
The series has grown on me now that we've gotten past August's annoying defiance of marriage for the sake of defying. Not that Violet and now lady Helena didn't chafe at the idea of holy matrimony, either. Helena here is forced to use her singlehood as a bargaining chip, despite the mostly unspoken rule that widows can do whatever they want. When it comes to getting society donors for her charity, thanks to Dear Ol' Daddy that rule doesn't appear to apply.
Helena's struggle with self-worth based on her society judging her because of infertility was touching, and I liked how the book handled it.
AND CAMILLE IS GETTING A BOOK! YAAAAYYYYY!!!
HAHAHAHA, so Maxwell can't escape his father's machinations, either!
The series has grown on me now that we've gotten past August's annoying defiance of marriage for the sake of defying. Not that Violet and now lady Helena didn't chafe at the idea of holy matrimony, either. Helena here is forced to use her singlehood as a bargaining chip, despite the mostly unspoken rule that widows can do whatever they want. When it comes to getting society donors for her charity, thanks to Dear Ol' Daddy that rule doesn't appear to apply.
Helena's struggle with self-worth based on her society judging her because of infertility was touching, and I liked how the book handled it.
Spoiler
she is still unable to have children and is not all of a sudden pregnant or already had a child in the two year epilogue. I know readers who've had the same struggle feel bad when books pull something like that at the end and they no longer see themselves on the page.AND CAMILLE IS GETTING A BOOK! YAAAAYYYYY!!!
bookshelf1792's review
emotional
slow-paced
3.75
I have enjoyed this series and really liked the characters of Helena and Max. It felt a little heavy on the politics and the epilogue was this neat bow that felt a little contrived. I was so happy there was