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jencolumb0's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I wanted to like this book. I am usually all in on historical romances centered on flippant, reluctant dukes with hearts of gold who fall for self-sufficient bluestockings.
However, the writing on this one was tough to handle. I couldn’t really pin down the era despite having clear years to go by. The first time Giles called Diana a minx, it was jarring (because who actually has ever said that outside Hollywood when black & white was still the default medium) . . . and it didn’t get better the next 400 times he did it. It was also distracting that a bunch of Brits were purportedly wishing each other Merry (not Happy) Christmas. What put me over the edge was the exceptionally unromantic discussion of the sexual assault Diana narrowly avoided . . . just after she and Giles finally slept together. Ugh.
Anyway, I’m glad I got this in electronic format and no trees sacrificed themselves for this experience. It’s not terrible; there are just so many better things out there.
However, the writing on this one was tough to handle. I couldn’t really pin down the era despite having clear years to go by. The first time Giles called Diana a minx, it was jarring (because who actually has ever said that outside Hollywood when black & white was still the default medium) . . . and it didn’t get better the next 400 times he did it. It was also distracting that a bunch of Brits were purportedly wishing each other Merry (not Happy) Christmas. What put me over the edge was the exceptionally unromantic discussion of the sexual assault Diana narrowly avoided . . . just after she and Giles finally slept together. Ugh.
Anyway, I’m glad I got this in electronic format and no trees sacrificed themselves for this experience. It’s not terrible; there are just so many better things out there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Pregnancy and War
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.25
📝 This was a fun and easy little regency romp. Plenty of humor (everyone) and pining (both of them) and brooding (him). The book went by super fast.
🕵️The end goal/mystery to be solved was kind of predictable once we get the main components of it, and the FMC is supposed to be really good at sniffing out the truth, so it was a bit disappointing that she didn't catch on to it sooner.
🎧 This was dual POV but only one narrator (female). The actor did a very good job with all the different voices, good and varied accents, and it was always clear who was talking.
🌶️ 2.5/5 There was tension and a couple kisses, then one (fairly lengthy) explicit scene.
🕵️The end goal/mystery to be solved was kind of predictable once we get the main components of it, and the FMC is supposed to be really good at sniffing out the truth, so it was a bit disappointing that she didn't catch on to it sooner.
🎧 This was dual POV but only one narrator (female). The actor did a very good job with all the different voices, good and varied accents, and it was always clear who was talking.
🌶️ 2.5/5 There was tension and a couple kisses, then one (fairly lengthy) explicit scene.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Classism
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexism, and Abandonment
Minor: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Deportation
mrsalexisrjones's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A stubborn girl who would rather do journalistic work and live as a spinster and a man who is determined to never marry find themselves entangled in a mystery. Will they find the answers? And can they resist temptation to fall in love?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
prettylightsandcitynights's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
fast-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
This book was delightful! Since the first book, I could feel the spark between Diana and Giles, and the pay off was amazing! While this book was not as funny as the first, as it dealt with more serious subjects, it was still witty, entertaining, and romantic, just like the first.
I loved the mysteries surrounding the book. It was really fun to watch Giles and Diana bicker as they solved his family mystery and she went on her semi-wild goose chases. It was also a great catalyst for them to fall in love, with all of their adorable moments hiding in the bushes and riding in long carriage rides. This led to some of the best love confessions I’ve ever read.
Once again, the side characters were great additions! Olivia is still an icon and I’m now so excited for the romance between the characters with the “stupid names,” (their words, not mine), because Vee and Galahad are definitely made for each other, just like Minerva and Hugh and Diana and Hugh.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Virginia Heath for providing me access to this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Gun violence
kaydeedickins's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
sohma4uesugi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
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 of parent
katiemack's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This worked better for me than Minerva and Hugh's story, mostly because Diana and Giles are both more competent and have better chemistry (and are less annoying). There are still some frustrating moments of miscommunication between the couple, but the underlying mystery of Giles' parentage (fueled by Diana's dogged determination to uncover the truth) buoys the story and keeps it compelling. Plus, the butler-cum-Watson character, Dalton, is a hilarious supporting character.
I appreciate that Virginia Heath foreshadows the next book in her series, so I look forward to reading about Vee and Galahad.
This worked better for me than Minerva and Hugh's story, mostly because Diana and Giles are both more competent and have better chemistry (and are less annoying). There are still some frustrating moments of miscommunication between the couple, but the underlying mystery of Giles' parentage (fueled by Diana's dogged determination to uncover the truth) buoys the story and keeps it compelling. Plus, the butler-cum-Watson character, Dalton, is a hilarious supporting character.
I appreciate that Virginia Heath foreshadows the next book in her series, so I look forward to reading about Vee and Galahad.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Death of parent
decklededgess's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
trigger warnings: alcohol, sexual content, sexual assault, emotional abuse, negligent and abusive parent, infidelity (sort of), death of parent, grief, gun violence
Never Rescue a Rogue is a fun, lighthearted, myster-esque romance between Giles and Diana who are both fiercely independent and averse to marriage but somehow end up pining for each other. Giles and Diana have some immaculate banter that gives the story its pizzaz. The tension and chemistry between the two jumps off the page and really does the leg work for establishing a strong foundation for their romance. It's not an enemies to lovers in the traditional sense. It's a petty banter to lovers but that butting heads tension is a significant part of their relationship.
The will they won't they and OH GOD WHEN WILL THEY GET TO IT of the book was so thoroughly enjoyable. I was screaming at all their almost touches and pining horniness in the best way. I loved how through the book both Giles and Diana learn to respect each other's independence while also understanding that they can provide support and accept support without being a burden.
One downside, which didn't really affect my enjoyment of the book, is the use of gendered/binary language. Yes this is a regency so I understand that to accurately portray the language of the 1800s the use of contemporary lingo is anachronistic. But since this is fiction, I do think some concessions can be made in the form of not talking about genitals as manhood and womanhood. I don't think the book will lose its charm if Diana doesn't explicitly say that she feels "feminine" when she's in the throes of passion. There are certainly more gender neutral ways of expressing that without making the book sound like it's from the 21st century. I there's a middle ground of sexual euphemisms that doesn't alienate the entire genderqueer and trans community.
Aside from that, this book rules. Can't wait for Vee's book!
Never Rescue a Rogue is a fun, lighthearted, myster-esque romance between Giles and Diana who are both fiercely independent and averse to marriage but somehow end up pining for each other. Giles and Diana have some immaculate banter that gives the story its pizzaz. The tension and chemistry between the two jumps off the page and really does the leg work for establishing a strong foundation for their romance. It's not an enemies to lovers in the traditional sense. It's a petty banter to lovers but that butting heads tension is a significant part of their relationship.
The will they won't they and OH GOD WHEN WILL THEY GET TO IT of the book was so thoroughly enjoyable. I was screaming at all their almost touches and pining horniness in the best way. I loved how through the book both Giles and Diana learn to respect each other's independence while also understanding that they can provide support and accept support without being a burden.
One downside, which didn't really affect my enjoyment of the book, is the use of gendered/binary language. Yes this is a regency so I understand that to accurately portray the language of the 1800s the use of contemporary lingo is anachronistic. But since this is fiction, I do think some concessions can be made in the form of not talking about genitals as manhood and womanhood. I don't think the book will lose its charm if Diana doesn't explicitly say that she feels "feminine" when she's in the throes of passion. There are certainly more gender neutral ways of expressing that without making the book sound like it's from the 21st century. I there's a middle ground of sexual euphemisms that doesn't alienate the entire genderqueer and trans community.
Aside from that, this book rules. Can't wait for Vee's book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
themeadowlibrary's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A fun wild ride through some hijinks, with a unique couple at the helm but a lot of run on sentences.
By the last chapter of Virginia Heath’s last book (Never Fall for Your Fiancé) I was in love with Diana and Giles. When I saw this book available to request on Netgalley I knew I needed to read it right away. And I’m so glad! They immediately fell into an abundance of adorable alliterations (sorry I couldn’t help myself).
The set of support characters from the previous book are all still here and still keeping me in stitches. We really expanded on Vee’s character; I cannot wait for her book! As far as our couple goes, Diana as a character especially felt very real to me. She had trepidations based on her past and her father, and they felt grounded. It was understandable. Giles has been eating cookies by the dozens since the first book. When that paid off it actually made me cry! I was not expecting that. To put emotion behind such a tiny character trait was a great touch.
Diana and Gile’s relationship is sweet while maintaining their bantering sarcasm. I’m not sure that I ever was fully invested in them as a couple though. Perhaps that was because it was such a slow burn, but it didn’t quite have the usual tension of one. However, I absolutely love the humor between them. At times it had me laughing out loud for several pages. The grammatical humor was exceptional.
A few things I didn’t like. The twists were a little bit predictable at first. By the third act however that fell away and I was genuinely surprised, to the point that a couple resolutions don’t completely make sense to me. Miss Heath’s writing style is at times clunky. I did read an ARC of this so with editing that might improve. Also, some aspects of the story never really panned out which disappointed me.
However overall this was a refreshing addition to this series.
Tropes: frenemies to lovers, found family, slow burn
This review and all opinions within are my own
This review and all opinions within are my own
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual harassment