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jg1987's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
Entry #29 on my quarantine reading list.
[b:Enlightened|37910887|Enlightened (Enlightenment #3)|Joanna Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515679983l/37910887._SY75_.jpg|28144402] is the third in the Enlightenment series by [a:Joanna Chambers|3080608|Joanna Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1584127768p2/3080608.jpg]. This book is also the final one in the David & Murdo story arc. I enjoyed all three books and this finale neatly tied up all the loose ends and resulted in a HEA for our two MCs. I really liked how far both of them came since we first met them in book 1. They were both so stubborn and set in their ways but after so much time in isolation together, they really grew and learned to compromise for the sake of their relationship. This series was well written, entertaining, and just overall a solid historical romance.
Entry #29 on my quarantine reading list.
[b:Enlightened|37910887|Enlightened (Enlightenment #3)|Joanna Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515679983l/37910887._SY75_.jpg|28144402] is the third in the Enlightenment series by [a:Joanna Chambers|3080608|Joanna Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1584127768p2/3080608.jpg]. This book is also the final one in the David & Murdo story arc. I enjoyed all three books and this finale neatly tied up all the loose ends and resulted in a HEA for our two MCs. I really liked how far both of them came since we first met them in book 1. They were both so stubborn and set in their ways but after so much time in isolation together, they really grew and learned to compromise for the sake of their relationship. This series was well written, entertaining, and just overall a solid historical romance.
indiekay's review against another edition
3.0
I was disappointed by this one - only because it's one of those series where the couple spends a great amount of time together off-page between book 2 and 3, having a honeymoon stage, and we miss all of that. We go from them bickering at the end of book 2 to them bickering at the beginning of book 3, and we're told they were happy in between that time, but I didn't get to see it. It's just disappointing when books do this.
Other than that, in this book we see more of Murdo's past and David getting more comfortable with himself as a gay man and struggling with his recovery from his injury and having to use a cane. The book ends on a happy note.
Other than that, in this book we see more of Murdo's past and David getting more comfortable with himself as a gay man and struggling with his recovery from his injury and having to use a cane. The book ends on a happy note.
elyxyz's review
5.0
Dato che questo terzo volume è quello conclusivo, a malincuore mi appresto a salutare questa bellissima serie m/m storica – una delle più appassionanti che ho avuto modo di leggere – e devo fare i complimenti all’autrice perché questo libro è il finale perfetto che desideravo e ogni cosa trova compimento e lo fa al meglio.
All’inizio della trama ritroviamo i nostri protagonisti cinque mesi dopo i tragici eventi che hanno concluso il precedente e David è sopravvissuto all’incidente che gli è quasi costato la vita e sta trascorrendo la convalescenza nella casa di campagna di Murdo.
Questa parentesi agreste è un piccolo paradiso per loro, possono amarsi in pace – benché sempre con discrezione – senza la costante ansia di venir scoperti per colpa del loro amore considerato innaturale ed esecrabile.
Le ferite fisiche di David stanno guarendo, anche se le fratture alla gamba richiedono ancora pazienza e premura. Per non destare particolari sospetti a causa della sua ospitalità, Murdo offre al giovane avvocato un lavoro temporaneo per farsi aiutare nell’amministrare la sua proprietà in via di espansione e David accoglie di buon grado la possibilità di distrarsi dall’inedia e di sdebitarsi col suo amato.
Purtroppo, entrambi sanno che la loro felicità in quell’oasi di pace non durerà per sempre e grandi decisioni vanno prese.
Ad accelerare il loro ritorno in città ci pensa un’improvvisa notizia: il mentore e buon amico di David è in fin di vita e desidera vederlo con urgenza. Non vi nascondo che in tutta questa parte mi sono commossa più volte, perché la narrazione è toccante, e sia l’autrice sia la traduzione sono da applaudire.
Le richieste di un uomo morente portano David e Murdo fino a Londra, dove una girandola di imprevisti e colpi di scena li conducono verso scelte difficili e definitive, ma vi lascio il piacere di scoprire da voi questi eventi.
Dal mio punto di vista, non posso che complimentarmi per quest’ottima conclusione di una bellissima saga. Tutti i nodi vengono al pettine e trovano uno scioglimento sia per i protagonisti sia per i secondari. I personaggi sono cresciuti e maturati lungo il corso della storia e ora sono all’apice della loro bellezza, dopo aver combattuto i rispettivi tormenti e aver capito quali siano le vere priorità nella vita.
Ho amato particolarmente Murdo e il suo cambiamento da uomo cinico e intoccabile, eternamente nascosto dietro una facciata di altera superiorità, a essere umano che ama, soffre, si dimostra generoso e vulnerabile. Anche David fa finalmente la pace con se stesso e i propri demoni interiori.
La storia, come ogni romance che si rispetti, ha un finale positivo, che riesce a essere verosimile nel contesto storico in cui la trama è inserita.
Concludo consigliandone la lettura per completezza e suggerendo di partire dal primo libro se vi fosse sfuggito quest’emozionante viaggio nel mondo m/m storico.
All’inizio della trama ritroviamo i nostri protagonisti cinque mesi dopo i tragici eventi che hanno concluso il precedente e David è sopravvissuto all’incidente che gli è quasi costato la vita e sta trascorrendo la convalescenza nella casa di campagna di Murdo.
Questa parentesi agreste è un piccolo paradiso per loro, possono amarsi in pace – benché sempre con discrezione – senza la costante ansia di venir scoperti per colpa del loro amore considerato innaturale ed esecrabile.
Le ferite fisiche di David stanno guarendo, anche se le fratture alla gamba richiedono ancora pazienza e premura. Per non destare particolari sospetti a causa della sua ospitalità, Murdo offre al giovane avvocato un lavoro temporaneo per farsi aiutare nell’amministrare la sua proprietà in via di espansione e David accoglie di buon grado la possibilità di distrarsi dall’inedia e di sdebitarsi col suo amato.
Purtroppo, entrambi sanno che la loro felicità in quell’oasi di pace non durerà per sempre e grandi decisioni vanno prese.
Ad accelerare il loro ritorno in città ci pensa un’improvvisa notizia: il mentore e buon amico di David è in fin di vita e desidera vederlo con urgenza. Non vi nascondo che in tutta questa parte mi sono commossa più volte, perché la narrazione è toccante, e sia l’autrice sia la traduzione sono da applaudire.
Le richieste di un uomo morente portano David e Murdo fino a Londra, dove una girandola di imprevisti e colpi di scena li conducono verso scelte difficili e definitive, ma vi lascio il piacere di scoprire da voi questi eventi.
Dal mio punto di vista, non posso che complimentarmi per quest’ottima conclusione di una bellissima saga. Tutti i nodi vengono al pettine e trovano uno scioglimento sia per i protagonisti sia per i secondari. I personaggi sono cresciuti e maturati lungo il corso della storia e ora sono all’apice della loro bellezza, dopo aver combattuto i rispettivi tormenti e aver capito quali siano le vere priorità nella vita.
Ho amato particolarmente Murdo e il suo cambiamento da uomo cinico e intoccabile, eternamente nascosto dietro una facciata di altera superiorità, a essere umano che ama, soffre, si dimostra generoso e vulnerabile. Anche David fa finalmente la pace con se stesso e i propri demoni interiori.
La storia, come ogni romance che si rispetti, ha un finale positivo, che riesce a essere verosimile nel contesto storico in cui la trama è inserita.
Concludo consigliandone la lettura per completezza e suggerendo di partire dal primo libro se vi fosse sfuggito quest’emozionante viaggio nel mondo m/m storico.
perksofbeinglila's review against another edition
4.0
“I didn’t know I wasn’t happy before,” he murmured.
“Before what?”
Murdo gave a lopsided smile. “Before you. Not that I was actively unhappy. I had plans. Objectives. Things to acquire or achieve. But—” He paused, then said simply, “You make me happy, David.”
David stared at him, his throat clogged with emotion. “The feeling’s mutual,” he managed at last, his voice little more than a whisper. Then he pulled Murdo down, pressing their lips together in a fierce kiss.
angry/shouting love confessions never fail to own my heart. <3
this entire series was so bingeable to me and i will probably revisit it sometime because for a historical romance, this delivered. gosh did it deliver. and i’m saying that after not having read many HRs because i’m not into that genre generally. but david and murdo were something else and are so special to my heart rn, i love them
“Before what?”
Murdo gave a lopsided smile. “Before you. Not that I was actively unhappy. I had plans. Objectives. Things to acquire or achieve. But—” He paused, then said simply, “You make me happy, David.”
David stared at him, his throat clogged with emotion. “The feeling’s mutual,” he managed at last, his voice little more than a whisper. Then he pulled Murdo down, pressing their lips together in a fierce kiss.
angry/shouting love confessions never fail to own my heart. <3
this entire series was so bingeable to me and i will probably revisit it sometime because for a historical romance, this delivered. gosh did it deliver. and i’m saying that after not having read many HRs because i’m not into that genre generally. but david and murdo were something else and are so special to my heart rn, i love them
bexterrr's review against another edition
5.0
I finished at exactly midnight. The very end of a very moody day and it has healed all ills.
What an incredible journey these books have been. And I really do mean it. I expected half trashy, simple, smutty nonsense that, let's face it, we all enjoy. But what I got was incredible writing and characterisation and plot and such an authentic feeling world and time.
Spread the series, spread the love. And tell Netflix to adapt it into a three season masterpiece that is true to the books and has voices as soothing as Hamish McKinley, the narrator.
What an incredible journey these books have been. And I really do mean it. I expected half trashy, simple, smutty nonsense that, let's face it, we all enjoy. But what I got was incredible writing and characterisation and plot and such an authentic feeling world and time.
Spread the series, spread the love. And tell Netflix to adapt it into a three season masterpiece that is true to the books and has voices as soothing as Hamish McKinley, the narrator.
gillianw's review against another edition
5.0
Why did I wait so long to read this series??
Murdo and David were so lovely together. Watching their relationship progress from a tentative friendship with benefits to finally acknowledging their love for each other was amazing. I'm so happy that David was finally able to overcome his fears and Murdo was able to overcome his societal obligations (obliterated them in the best way, really) in order to truly be who they wanted to be with each other. This last book was just perfection. 5 stars
Murdo and David were so lovely together. Watching their relationship progress from a tentative friendship with benefits to finally acknowledging their love for each other was amazing. I'm so happy that David was finally able to overcome his fears and Murdo was able to overcome his societal obligations (obliterated them in the best way, really) in order to truly be who they wanted to be with each other. This last book was just perfection. 5 stars
kynikoskyon's review against another edition
3.0
Lo que más amé:
- Murdo cuidando a David y comportándose como una mamá gallina con él xd
- Cuando David no regresa a dormir a la mansión de Murdo luego de discutir con él y al otro día cuando David vuelve a casa se da cuenta que Murdo no pudo dormir de lo preocupado que estaba de que le hubiese pasado algo. AAAAA EL ANGST Y EL COMFORT WEONA
- Murdo cuidando a David y comportándose como una mamá gallina con él xd
- Cuando David no regresa a dormir a la mansión de Murdo luego de discutir con él y al otro día cuando David vuelve a casa se da cuenta que Murdo no pudo dormir de lo preocupado que estaba de que le hubiese pasado algo. AAAAA EL ANGST Y EL COMFORT WEONA
waxenapple's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
bitchie's review against another edition
5.0
This is more of a review for the whole series, than just this one book. I loved the series, although book 1 was a bit slow going for me. Do NOT stop with book 1, or you'll miss out on a beautiful love story.
I always hesitate on historical M/M. Not because I dislike historical romance, I actually love them, but because it's just much harder in M/M. In historical romance, there is always that added shame and fear of discovery, always having to hide, that just makes a HEA much harder to come by, and to believe.
I thought this series did very well with all those issues- the reality of the fear and the shame, that David, especially felt in the beginning, and how David and Murdo slowly started to fall for each other, and finally accept that they had to find a way to be together.
I also liked how all the little plot points continued throughout the series. For instance, the Chalmers family, especially Elizabeth, I love how it was never dropped for forgotten, and how things got resolved.
All in all, this was a fabulous series, and I should really learn to trust my GR friends, and stop waiting so long to read them.
I always hesitate on historical M/M. Not because I dislike historical romance, I actually love them, but because it's just much harder in M/M. In historical romance, there is always that added shame and fear of discovery, always having to hide, that just makes a HEA much harder to come by, and to believe.
I thought this series did very well with all those issues- the reality of the fear and the shame, that David, especially felt in the beginning, and how David and Murdo slowly started to fall for each other, and finally accept that they had to find a way to be together.
I also liked how all the little plot points continued throughout the series. For instance, the Chalmers family, especially Elizabeth, I love how it was never dropped for forgotten, and how things got resolved.
All in all, this was a fabulous series, and I should really learn to trust my GR friends, and stop waiting so long to read them.
moondom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5