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jcmbank's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nicolesa's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
3.0
virginiaduan's review against another edition
3.0
Who knew I would actually learn some history in a Regency romance? Hunter deftly weaves in the historical backdrop within the scope of this story. I enjoyed it and the characters. :)
ladysadiereads's review against another edition
4.0
So this was a reread - but from like a decade ago. (Like the first time I was a romance reader and had stopped.) I went into it with one scene vivid in my mind (there really is a monkey, window escape from a fire, an ocelot...) but real concerns that this wouldn't age well being nearly 20 years old.
Honestly - I think I liked it more this time through and I think part of that is I am older now and understand more of the nuances that are alluded to - specifically around the fact that Adrian is half Turkish in a very white society and is a bastard - but one that is obvious. It talked a lot about his being "exotic" for women to experiment with but also English enough that it was safe. It was really interesting. I also genuinely enjoyed Sophia - who so seemed like she was passive to me last time - I realized much more of her characterization is abject terror and fear of rejection as well as emotional trauma from her absolute monster of a father. This is definitely on the darker side of things - closer to Kerrigan Byrne than say Julia Quinn but definitely not as explicit or intense.
The slow burn in this and the absolute no chill pining of the hero really makes the story though.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (would be higher - but no epilogue makes me sad)
Steam:
Honestly - I think I liked it more this time through and I think part of that is I am older now and understand more of the nuances that are alluded to - specifically around the fact that Adrian is half Turkish in a very white society and is a bastard - but one that is obvious. It talked a lot about his being "exotic" for women to experiment with but also English enough that it was safe. It was really interesting. I also genuinely enjoyed Sophia - who so seemed like she was passive to me last time - I realized much more of her characterization is abject terror and fear of rejection as well as emotional trauma from her absolute monster of a father. This is definitely on the darker side of things - closer to Kerrigan Byrne than say Julia Quinn but definitely not as explicit or intense.
The slow burn in this and the absolute no chill pining of the hero really makes the story though.
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (would be higher - but no epilogue makes me sad)
Steam:
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