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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
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