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liketheainapple's review against another edition
3.5
Somehow it really tracks that Kleypas would low-key fetishize the Russian character but then do nothing with Lord Hook-for-a-Hand.
Having a hook for a hand is a wild character choice!! And this man has a major disability! So I felt like it should have been embodied in the character more.The hook seemed to come out when it was convenient for the plot but then hide away without mention for much of the novel. Even during sexy times! Which didn't really make sense to me, because other scenes demonstrate that it's sharp . I just wish we saw more disability on page.
Having a hook for a hand is a wild character choice!! And this man has a major disability! So I felt like it should have been embodied in the character more.
emmylyy's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately, there were many things I didn’t like about this book.
The most problematic of these was the gender dynamics and sexual consent. The heroes of Kleypas’s novels often tend to be sexually aggressive, but there were too many instances of sex initiated by the male love interest after the female protagonist objects. Sexual assault is not sexy. Many of these sex scenes were also driven by situations that did not logically make sense to have sex during.
It was nice to see a heavy dose of religion and Russian culture in this book, but those things were countered by the protagonist’s ability to have premonitions. These premonitions did nothing but act as a deus ex machina for making difficult plot points get tied up with a bow.
Overall, I felt that the plot and characterization were lazy and one note. Hoping that the next installment in the series clears up some of these issues.
The most problematic of these was the gender dynamics and sexual consent. The heroes of Kleypas’s novels often tend to be sexually aggressive, but there were too many instances of sex initiated by the male love interest after the female protagonist objects. Sexual assault is not sexy. Many of these sex scenes were also driven by situations that did not logically make sense to have sex during.
It was nice to see a heavy dose of religion and Russian culture in this book, but those things were countered by the protagonist’s ability to have premonitions. These premonitions did nothing but act as a deus ex machina for making difficult plot points get tied up with a bow.
Overall, I felt that the plot and characterization were lazy and one note. Hoping that the next installment in the series clears up some of these issues.
difficultwomanreads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.75
caro__b's review against another edition
2.0
One of the characters in this book is gay. The way it is described that he "became" gay is horrible. Couldn't he just be born that way? Did he have to have a traumatic past that "made" him gay? It is fitting to the story that this man has a trauma in his past, but it didn't have to have been that.
Also, the way the MMC acted toward the FMC was often domineering and callous. Even towards the end, he sometimes scares her. He's constantly kissing and touching her when she asks him not to. He keeps very important information from her to have sex first. All in all, not really a catch if you ask me.
There were also nice parts about the story. I enjoyed the daughter.I liked the FMC and the way she stood her ground. Seeing what life was like in Russia was also interesting.
But all thing considered, I would not recommend reading this.
I feel like all the heroes from this author's older works are assholes to be honest. On the other hand, the audiobooknarrator is very good.
Also, the way the MMC acted toward the FMC was often domineering and callous. Even towards the end, he sometimes scares her. He's constantly kissing and touching her when she asks him not to. He keeps very important information from her to have sex first. All in all, not really a catch if you ask me.
There were also nice parts about the story. I enjoyed the daughter.I liked the FMC and the way she stood her ground. Seeing what life was like in Russia was also interesting.
But all thing considered, I would not recommend reading this.
I feel like all the heroes from this author's older works are assholes to be honest. On the other hand, the audiobooknarrator is very good.
whiskeysour's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
desertlover's review against another edition
3.0
Not an LK favorite, but I wanted to read some of her earlier work.
Spoiler
One of my pet peeves is the hero having a relationship with another woman. While it didn't last the entire book, I found it annoying. Luke was a bit of a turd too.amxgomex0624's review against another edition
3.0
Not the best, Lisa, not your best. The problem is though, I don't know why. The characters were all great, nothing wrong there. There was just something about the book that's made me forget half of it and not even want to go back and read it again. Not too sure really.
jrathkey's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.5
The hero was unlikeable, the story moved abruptly, and the heroine was not believable.