Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'
In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint by Alexandra Vasti
8 reviews
tostita's review
emotional
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault, Infidelity, and Death of parent
nitya's review
emotional
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I was expecting this to be, I dunno, more focused on BDSM but it was a bit tame? Then again this is a novella
Super hyped for Vasti's debut though 😌 and Spencer's book!!!
Super hyped for Vasti's debut though 😌 and Spencer's book!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
Minor: Sexual assault
dinipandareads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
I loved these twins and their beaus + Vasti's writing is just so enjoyable to read! More so than the first book, I wished that we got this novella as a full-length novel because there was so much that I wanted to know more about and I wanted closure with the loose ends. It didn't make me love this any less though because I really liked Matilda and Christian and their romance.
Their journey coming together involved quite a few tropes that I love, including forced proximity and just one bed, plus lots of other fun elements like loveable siblings, a scarily stoic but soft-hearted caretaker, and a lot of that good, good mutual pining. We love to see it! 😍
Still, my favourite thing about these novellas is how the MMCs fall into absolute simphood with the FMCs. It's top-tier histrom simping, my friends! I loved the transition in Christian's character from feeling absolutely murderous towards Matilda to loathing himself for how much he actually enjoys being in her presence to casually changing up the way his house runs to make her comfortable. I'm a big fan of seeing grouchy characters catch feelings and I so enjoyed watching Christian battle with his delight at being around her, constantly wanting to be near her and to make her happy. I also really enjoyed watching Matilda come to terms with her feelings about being a Halifax Hellion and what happened all those years ago that set them off on this path of being the unappreciated heroines for other young women in the ton. I hated that they suffered for it but I loved how they used their notorious reputations to protect other young women from suffering under the judgmental eyes of the ton and the gossip mill. She's a quirky, compassionate and loving FMC and I really liked her!
One last thing, although this can be read as a standalone, I would actually recommend reading the first book, In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation beforehand because the stories are closely intertwined. Certain elements from the first book (like Margo & Matilda's talk in the forest) are skimmed over here, while it's expanded upon in the first, and again, though it's not necessary to read the first book, I think it could help you enjoy the second more!
Their journey coming together involved quite a few tropes that I love, including forced proximity and just one bed, plus lots of other fun elements like loveable siblings, a scarily stoic but soft-hearted caretaker, and a lot of that good, good mutual pining. We love to see it! 😍
Still, my favourite thing about these novellas is how the MMCs fall into absolute simphood with the FMCs. It's top-tier histrom simping, my friends! I loved the transition in Christian's character from feeling absolutely murderous towards Matilda to loathing himself for how much he actually enjoys being in her presence to casually changing up the way his house runs to make her comfortable. I'm a big fan of seeing grouchy characters catch feelings and I so enjoyed watching Christian battle with his delight at being around her, constantly wanting to be near her and to make her happy. I also really enjoyed watching Matilda come to terms with her feelings about being a Halifax Hellion and what happened all those years ago that set them off on this path of being the unappreciated heroines for other young women in the ton. I hated that they suffered for it but I loved how they used their notorious reputations to protect other young women from suffering under the judgmental eyes of the ton and the gossip mill. She's a quirky, compassionate and loving FMC and I really liked her!
One last thing, although this can be read as a standalone, I would actually recommend reading the first book, In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation beforehand because the stories are closely intertwined. Certain elements from the first book (like Margo & Matilda's talk in the forest) are skimmed over here, while it's expanded upon in the first, and again, though it's not necessary to read the first book, I think it could help you enjoy the second more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
thoseoldcrows23's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
This wasn't nearly as good as book one, but it was still a really fun time. I find that, for me, romance novellas work better when the people know each other pre-page 1, and that not being the case here is most of the problem. The time constraints of the format left the romance feeling rushed, and made it harder for me to really get invested in any meaningful way. That said, I still had a good time, and I'm very excited to read more from Vasti in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Murder
Light BDSM elements (mostly spanking and bondage)wilybooklover's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
I enjoyed this, but not as much as Margo's book.
Surprisingly, it wasn't the age gap that bothered me like I thought it would, but rather the hero's hot-cold 'I am not worthy' routine that got a bit old. Buuut he was secretly very sweet to both Matilda and his sister, so... I liked him in the end. There wasn't as much BDSM activity as I expected based on the hints in the previous novella but it was still very hot.
I also wish the twins had had some sort of on-page reconciliation. I'm assuming that they did, at some point in the future, but the story ends quite abruptly and there is no epilogue.
Surprisingly, it wasn't the age gap that bothered me like I thought it would, but rather the hero's hot-cold 'I am not worthy' routine that got a bit old. Buuut he was secretly very sweet to both Matilda and his sister, so... I liked him in the end. There wasn't as much BDSM activity as I expected based on the hints in the previous novella but it was still very hot.
I also wish the twins had had some sort of on-page reconciliation. I'm assuming that they did, at some point in the future, but the story ends quite abruptly and there is no epilogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual assault
ameliabee33's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
🔥🔥🔥/5
An absolute SNACK of a book! A gem! I ate it tf up! The Halifax Hellions are girls that say "fuck you" to society and I am here for it. Earlier his year I read Margo's book, so I was very excited to read Matilda's companion novel. This gives us Matilda's pov and context as to why she ran away with Lord Ashford.
Matilda accidentally caused scandal for Lord Ashford and his family, and she is determined to help him. When she decides to be Ashford s sister's painting tutor, Matilda semi-forcibly convinces Ashford to take her to his estate and pose as a couple on the way there. Obviously, the logical cover to this scandalous decision is to tell everyone that they ran away to get married. Obviously.
Things I LOVED:
▪︎ "my/his wife" energy while they were on the road (I counted 5x and 1 "Good girl" which also belongs on this list because jfc why wouldn't it)
▪︎the emphasis on safety and control in the BDSM scenes
▪︎how Ashford will literally just do whatever Matilda asks of him because he is WHIPPED
▪︎ the depth of Matilda's character- a painter!!! Genuinely wants to do good!!! Has taken on the role of the protector, a god and victim complex at the same time (like the eldest daughter)
▪︎celestial attributes
▪︎how Ashford would literally do anything for his sister Bea 😭 he has a nickname for her "little bee"
Erotic drawings in pamphlets, forced proximity in carriage rides, only one bed, a pesky cat, family, emotionally stunted men, dramatic riding out into the rain to save someone from danger- this book is a delight! I enjoyed the other side of the story, as compared to the first book, and Matilda did not disappoint! The Halifax Hellions are a great historical romance read and I cannot reccomend them enough 💕
An absolute SNACK of a book! A gem! I ate it tf up! The Halifax Hellions are girls that say "fuck you" to society and I am here for it. Earlier his year I read Margo's book, so I was very excited to read Matilda's companion novel. This gives us Matilda's pov and context as to why she ran away with Lord Ashford.
Matilda accidentally caused scandal for Lord Ashford and his family, and she is determined to help him. When she decides to be Ashford s sister's painting tutor, Matilda semi-forcibly convinces Ashford to take her to his estate and pose as a couple on the way there. Obviously, the logical cover to this scandalous decision is to tell everyone that they ran away to get married. Obviously.
Things I LOVED:
▪︎ "my/his wife" energy while they were on the road (I counted 5x and 1 "Good girl" which also belongs on this list because jfc why wouldn't it)
▪︎the emphasis on safety and control in the BDSM scenes
▪︎how Ashford will literally just do whatever Matilda asks of him because he is WHIPPED
▪︎ the depth of Matilda's character- a painter!!! Genuinely wants to do good!!! Has taken on the role of the protector, a god and victim complex at the same time (like the eldest daughter)
▪︎celestial attributes
▪︎how Ashford would literally do anything for his sister Bea 😭 he has a nickname for her "little bee"
Erotic drawings in pamphlets, forced proximity in carriage rides, only one bed, a pesky cat, family, emotionally stunted men, dramatic riding out into the rain to save someone from danger- this book is a delight! I enjoyed the other side of the story, as compared to the first book, and Matilda did not disappoint! The Halifax Hellions are a great historical romance read and I cannot reccomend them enough 💕
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death
downtown_kb's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
Alright, after this one and her last novella…I will watch for Alexandra Vasti’s future regency romances. And this is not my favorite sub genre. This is great writing and pacing even for a novella. She writes hot steam and super romantic love declarations tied in with ridiculous shenanigans. I was very entertained.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
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