cemetery_eyes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I absolutely adored this story. It was fantastic to read about a properly adult heroine who had already lived through some challenges. Beatrice had a delightful outlook on life, and wasn’t afraid to stay true to her beliefs. Likewise, Duncan felt like a rather unique hero - he was competent and strong, but unabashedly full of emotion and vulnerability. Their relationship wasn’t lacking in humour or sexual tension, but it was the honesty, trust, and respect which really stood out to me - and allowed them to build each other’s confidence. Talk about swoon-worthy!
The book also acknowledges some of the harsh realities of the Regency period, from what marriage actually meant for women (i.e. giving up control over every aspect of their lives) to slavery and colonialism. As well as this, it takes a look at mental health in relation to both women and men - particularly the tolls of pregnancy and the anxiety caused by leaving the army. The comments on womanhood were wonderful: “… the fact that women’s lives were defined by their relationships to others. Daughter, wife, mother. But now Beatrice was herself, as free as any woman could be. Even at this midpoint in her existence, there was still more to do, more to feel”.
Unequivocally a five star read!
🖤 Reverse age gap
🖤 Road trip
🖤 Scottish, soldier, starchy hero
🖤 Widow heroine
🖤 Only one bed
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
The book also acknowledges some of the harsh realities of the Regency period, from what marriage actually meant for women (i.e. giving up control over every aspect of their lives) to slavery and colonialism. As well as this, it takes a look at mental health in relation to both women and men - particularly the tolls of pregnancy and the anxiety caused by leaving the army. The comments on womanhood were wonderful: “… the fact that women’s lives were defined by their relationships to others. Daughter, wife, mother. But now Beatrice was herself, as free as any woman could be. Even at this midpoint in her existence, there was still more to do, more to feel”.
Unequivocally a five star read!
🖤 Reverse age gap
🖤 Road trip
🖤 Scottish, soldier, starchy hero
🖤 Widow heroine
🖤 Only one bed
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️.5 / 5
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness
bookswithbeccs's review
4.0
This was my first book by Eva Leigh and she did not disappoint. This book was so fun and steamy. To quickly summarize, it was a road trip to an orgy.
I do not typically like the older women/younger man trope, but this one worked really well. I think it was because the age difference was never an issue at all. After a loveless marriage, Beatrice works hard to find her voice, confidence, and freedom. She is unwilling to give that up for anybody. I appreciate how authentic and consistent Beatrice is throughout the story. To me, the story felt really centered on Duncan's development. He is a regimented and rule-following man, almost to a fault. He felt purposeless and adrift. As he interacts with Beatrice, he opens up and begins to view the world with more color and joy. It was so beautiful to see him grow. I have never read a story in which the male main character is so developed. It felt like more of his love story, than Beatrice's. 10/10 recommend if you love forced proximity and with only one bed in the inn.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I do not typically like the older women/younger man trope, but this one worked really well. I think it was because the age difference was never an issue at all. After a loveless marriage, Beatrice works hard to find her voice, confidence, and freedom. She is unwilling to give that up for anybody. I appreciate how authentic and consistent Beatrice is throughout the story. To me, the story felt really centered on Duncan's development. He is a regimented and rule-following man, almost to a fault. He felt purposeless and adrift. As he interacts with Beatrice, he opens up and begins to view the world with more color and joy. It was so beautiful to see him grow. I have never read a story in which the male main character is so developed. It felt like more of his love story, than Beatrice's. 10/10 recommend if you love forced proximity and with only one bed in the inn.
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
breadedbookpages's review against another edition
5.0
ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
I fell apart by the time I read the last scene in this book because I have read all three books and fallen entirely for the cast.
Duncan and Beatrice, however, have to be my favorite pair because of their adventures. Their book truly felt like a roller coaster of fun and emotions. I loved every little scene where they'd experience something new together whether it's Beatrice's charm or Duncan's practicality paving the way for them.
Truly a marvelous book.
I look forward to everything Leigh is planning to write and I can't wait to dig my teeth into her backlist.
I fell apart by the time I read the last scene in this book because I have read all three books and fallen entirely for the cast.
Duncan and Beatrice, however, have to be my favorite pair because of their adventures. Their book truly felt like a roller coaster of fun and emotions. I loved every little scene where they'd experience something new together whether it's Beatrice's charm or Duncan's practicality paving the way for them.
Truly a marvelous book.
I look forward to everything Leigh is planning to write and I can't wait to dig my teeth into her backlist.
jcmbank's review
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
rhodesee's review
5.0
What a delight!! This is hands down the best in the series. I am really loving the trend in romance lately where authors avoid easy drama moments that are just drama for drama's sake and Eva Leigh does that so well here. There are no looming secrets or villainesque outside forces, the obstacles our protagonists face feel real and true to their characters. This book continues the Union of the Rakes series and again we begin with the same Breakfast Club-esque prologue scene that starts the previous two. I really like that feature of this series. It is so fun to get that scene from a new perspective each time. This time we are following Duncan MacCameron as he is tasked with escorting Lady Farris, who we have previously met, to a house party in the north. Neither of them were particularly enamored with the other when they first met and they soon discover that they may have been too quick to judge. Again, this is a delightful book. That is the best word to describe it. There is a moment where I literally gasped and put my Kindle down when I figured out what was about to happen. And when you get to that moment, yes, it is what you are thinking! So many wonderful details, great characters and swoon-worthy romance make this an incredibly satisfying wrap-up to a really great series.
mandi_richards's review
4.0
Super fun road trip romp
I was delighted by this book. Never read Eva Leigh before but if was so fun... And the steamy scenes were much more than I expected. There's a bit of kink and a lot of vulgar talk. Make sure you're prepared going in.
I was delighted by this book. Never read Eva Leigh before but if was so fun... And the steamy scenes were much more than I expected. There's a bit of kink and a lot of vulgar talk. Make sure you're prepared going in.
hm08's review
2.0
Amazing steam but disappointingly lacklustre plot. If you're a fan of a roadtrip romance full of hijinks without an obvious plot, this one's good. Duncan and Beatrice's characters were also rather flat -- I didn't sense an obvious emotional chemistry between them.