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lolovesbooks3's review against another edition
4.0
A nice beauty and the beast-esque book that I read straight through. My only complaint is that I wish the relationship had progressed a bit quicker because the book was relatively short and there was so much misunderstanding and miscommunication that they didn’t figure anything out until the very end. An epilogue would have been nice!
Mimi Matthews did a good job of slowly pealing back layers of their story, and I thought Sylvia and Sebastian were interesting characters, albeit not the most emotionally intelligent. The angst was top notch.
Mimi Matthews did a good job of slowly pealing back layers of their story, and I thought Sylvia and Sebastian were interesting characters, albeit not the most emotionally intelligent. The angst was top notch.
sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
4.0
If you love Persuasion, you will love this.
nuriamm's review
medium-paced
5.0
Cue “The Lament of the TBR Procrastinator.”
Three years. Three years of separation, unanswered questions and anguish for Sebastian and Sylvia.
One year. One year since Sebastian has been back, wounded and reclusive.
Seven years. Seven years this devastatingly good book has been out, and I hadn’t read it. Walking around calling my self an angsty second chance fan when I had yet to get out of my own way and have this story in my life.
But then it’s days. Days it takes Sebastian to completely lash out.
Days it takes for feelings thought long-dead to resurface in full force for both.
Days it takes for Sylvia to not only tame the snarling beast but have him *gasp* apologizing.
Days (ok, more like nights) for me to inhale this story because, man, can Mimi write a tense, atmospheric tale, a scarred, growling brute of an endearing hero and a heroine with such practical, long-suffering, quiet strength. I’m not surprised, just in perpetual awe. The reversal of fortunes second chance had my Persuasion-fan self cheering, and, as always, every character is distinctive. Special shout out to MVP Lady Harker, every brooding shut-in needs an unapologetically meddling sister.
I love many books, but I very rarely have the “Don’t want it to end, Can’t help but inhale” struggle, and here it was so much so. How two people can hash out so much baggage while figuring out the root of their misconceptions and still manage to overthink themselves into knots and misunderstand each other is so delicious to me. I’m not an outwardly emotional reader at all, but the heart-squeezing tragedy of time wasted and characters spent in such despair able to find relief and home in each other seems really to yank on my little heartstrings and get a watery pout to come forth (basically the equivalent of ugly cry wailing sobs). The chest-pang-o-meter was off the charts with the achy tenderness and the blazing longing. I felt it all. I loved it all.
Content notes: Kissing Only. Mention of suicide. Mention of war violence. Very vague allusion to hero’s past premarital intimacy and a brothel visit. Some biblical swearing.
Three years. Three years of separation, unanswered questions and anguish for Sebastian and Sylvia.
One year. One year since Sebastian has been back, wounded and reclusive.
Seven years. Seven years this devastatingly good book has been out, and I hadn’t read it. Walking around calling my self an angsty second chance fan when I had yet to get out of my own way and have this story in my life.
But then it’s days. Days it takes Sebastian to completely lash out.
Days it takes for feelings thought long-dead to resurface in full force for both.
Days it takes for Sylvia to not only tame the snarling beast but have him *gasp* apologizing.
Days (ok, more like nights) for me to inhale this story because, man, can Mimi write a tense, atmospheric tale, a scarred, growling brute of an endearing hero and a heroine with such practical, long-suffering, quiet strength. I’m not surprised, just in perpetual awe. The reversal of fortunes second chance had my Persuasion-fan self cheering, and, as always, every character is distinctive. Special shout out to MVP Lady Harker, every brooding shut-in needs an unapologetically meddling sister.
I love many books, but I very rarely have the “Don’t want it to end, Can’t help but inhale” struggle, and here it was so much so. How two people can hash out so much baggage while figuring out the root of their misconceptions and still manage to overthink themselves into knots and misunderstand each other is so delicious to me. I’m not an outwardly emotional reader at all, but the heart-squeezing tragedy of time wasted and characters spent in such despair able to find relief and home in each other seems really to yank on my little heartstrings and get a watery pout to come forth (basically the equivalent of ugly cry wailing sobs). The chest-pang-o-meter was off the charts with the achy tenderness and the blazing longing. I felt it all. I loved it all.
Content notes: Kissing Only. Mention of suicide. Mention of war violence. Very vague allusion to hero’s past premarital intimacy and a brothel visit. Some biblical swearing.
sakeenah'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? No
3.0
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, a slight novella but with Matthews's sweetness and attention to people who are dealing with real pain and disability.
diandra_s's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sarah_moynihan's review against another edition
5.0
Dec 2022 reread- honestly such a good story for how short this book is. Not a page wasted and nothing rushed
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Nov 2019 reread- just as lovely a second time through
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A very beauty-and-the-beast-style story, which I will never say no to. I liked Sylvia and I sympthized with her and her story. She was proud and hard working and was willing to try to make a life for herself instead of relying on others fo her every need. The fact that she was willing to humble herself from a baron's daughter to a working-class family's governess. And even though life hadn't been kind to her she was still kind and caring, instead of wallowing in self pity and taking it out on others. Very respectable character.
Sebastian on the other hand, was very prone to wallowing and taking his resentment out on others. As well as projecting his feelings and opinions of himself onto others. But it didn't make him an unlikable character. His abrasive personality is completely fitting. It makes sense for what he has been through and he gradually grows and improves throughout the story.
He was willing to go outside his comfort zone for her and in the end, I was really happy how things turned out.
_____
Nov 2019 reread- just as lovely a second time through
_____
A very beauty-and-the-beast-style story, which I will never say no to. I liked Sylvia and I sympthized with her and her story. She was proud and hard working and was willing to try to make a life for herself instead of relying on others fo her every need. The fact that she was willing to humble herself from a baron's daughter to a working-class family's governess. And even though life hadn't been kind to her she was still kind and caring, instead of wallowing in self pity and taking it out on others. Very respectable character.
Sebastian on the other hand, was very prone to wallowing and taking his resentment out on others. As well as projecting his feelings and opinions of himself onto others. But it didn't make him an unlikable character. His abrasive personality is completely fitting. It makes sense for what he has been through and he gradually grows and improves throughout the story.
He was willing to go outside his comfort zone for her and in the end, I was really happy how things turned out.
ilaurin's review
3.0
3.5 stars. This was a short story with not so much meat to it. I normally really enjoy this author but this was not one of her best book. It could have also done with more of an epilogue.