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sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Reading an entire book in one day feels good when it feels like life is coming at me from all directions. Okay, let's start with the things I liked. What the author does really well is allow you to see the characters through each other's eyes, which I feel is the best way to make their relationship believable and also for me to fall for them. I loved the dynamic between our MCs, and Ophelia is up there with my favorite historical romance heroines. Due to the way she's lived her adult life, she crosses this interesting line between genders and often holds herself in a dominant position alongside Cal. However, this gets into my issue with the book, which is mainly that I wished we could have sacrificed all the different external conflicts and allowed the story to dive into Ophelia's gender and furthermore, Cal's sexuality. Having a bisexual hero and a gender non conforming heroine would have been SO. COOL. and it was sacrificed for messy issues that were frustrating and didn't really add to character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Grief, and Pregnancy
sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Absolutely love a hidden/secret identity trope. Phee has been masquerading as her dead twin brother for the last 10-11 years, and for the last two, she's been working for Cal, as a steward/secretary. Phee's been attracted to him for most of the time that's she's been in his employ. Cal doesn't even realize Adam is a woman until Phee admits to this masquerade.
I like how the reveal is done. It's fine early enough, and reasonably enough that it works for me.
Also, I need Violet to have her own book/novella/something to see that she gets her HEA. Excited for Emma's book next year.
Thank you to the publisher, Forever, for a gifted copy in exchange for a review. All opinions my own
CW: attempt at child marriage (when Phee is 13 her uncle tried to arrange a marriage to a man of 70(?)); Blackmail
I like how the reveal is done. It's fine early enough, and reasonably enough that it works for me.
Also, I need Violet to have her own book/novella/something to see that she gets her HEA. Excited for Emma's book next year.
Thank you to the publisher, Forever, for a gifted copy in exchange for a review. All opinions my own
CW: attempt at child marriage (when Phee is 13 her uncle tried to arrange a marriage to a man of 70(?)); Blackmail
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Child death, Blood, and Pregnancy
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