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blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was absolutely lovely! I had been wanting to read this book ever since I saw a youtube video by Bernadette Banner where she redesigned romance novel covers to be more historically accurate. I am so glad I did! I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator was excellent. I loved the protagonists, they were both interesting, passionate, and complex in their own ways. I loved the exploration of the often overlooked women's contributions to arts and sciences. There were some great steamy scenes, but plenty of substance in all the other areas of the story. There was one instance of a sort of miscommunication trope, which I typically dislike, but in this case it was more of a "these two people are having two different conversations." So, they were actually trying to communicate but just completely misinterpreting each other, which makes sense in context.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual violence and Misogyny
3frenchtoast's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Misogyny
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent
analenegrace's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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? Yes
5.0
I purchased this for a romance book club I'm a part of and wasn't expecting to particularly enjoy it because I don't usually love historicals, although it, especially LGBTQ+ historicals, has been growing on me. But instead, I loved this book so much. It has everything I have come to appreciate from a historical romance novel, a lot of romance but also a lot of another plot that is unique and allows the characters to grow. For example, some of Cat Sebastian's books that I have read this year had that in spades!
Both Catherine and Lucy were beautiful characters that developed so well, I loved seeing their romance develop, leading their confidences and, even, their feminism to grow. Catherine especially felt so earnest in her emotions as she realized her sexuality in comparison to Lucy's early childhood knowledge of her sexuality. Their relationship felt real and honest while being beautifully written; the prose in this novel is gorgeous!
The plot itself was so engaging that although the romance was fantastic, the plot made the book for me. I personally struggle in science, so I loved that Lucy wrote the expanded translation to be for the common woman, especially with the knowledge at the time that women would not have had access to certain levels of education. I loved the twist with Olrean being a woman and a black woman at that! I particularly enjoyed that the book did not stray from the classism, racism, and especially misogyny of the time, with Catherine somewhat acknowledging her privilege at times, and her husband's use of his privilege as a white man in the times. It felt both realistic in that she did not fully see the issue with the colonization etc but did see it somewhat.
The side characters also added to the book so much, with each feeling fleshed out and thoughtfully created. The diversity was well-written, and I especially enjoyed Mr. Frampton and his pushing and support of Lucy even when he could have had the fame himself. Catherine's "Aunt", who turned out to have been her mother's lover, was another character I greatly enjoyed because it showcased lesbian/queer women's history and constant existence.
I highly recommend this book and will definitely be checking out other books by this author!
Both Catherine and Lucy were beautiful characters that developed so well, I loved seeing their romance develop, leading their confidences and, even, their feminism to grow. Catherine especially felt so earnest in her emotions as she realized her sexuality in comparison to Lucy's early childhood knowledge of her sexuality. Their relationship felt real and honest while being beautifully written; the prose in this novel is gorgeous!
The plot itself was so engaging that although the romance was fantastic, the plot made the book for me. I personally struggle in science, so I loved that Lucy wrote the expanded translation to be for the common woman, especially with the knowledge at the time that women would not have had access to certain levels of education. I loved the twist with
The side characters also added to the book so much, with each feeling fleshed out and thoughtfully created. The diversity was well-written, and I especially enjoyed Mr. Frampton and his pushing and support of Lucy
I highly recommend this book and will definitely be checking out other books by this author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
Minor: Domestic abuse, Grief, Racism, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Classism, and Death
wilybooklover's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Colonisation
rtaire's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Moderate: Homophobia and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent
sofipitch's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
My main issue with this one was the B plot was not super interesting. It took up a good portion of the book, which yay feminism but I'm sorry I'm hear for uhhh not that 🙈
Otherwise good, sex scenes were hot but could have been longer, some had a fade to black that had me pouting
Otherwise good, sex scenes were hot but could have been longer, some had a fade to black that had me pouting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny
ember_eyes_are_for_tigers's review
emotional
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? No
4.25
In comparison to the books that I’ve read in the genre since now this book was so much better. And, it wasn’t because it was a sapphic love story (although, that might have contributed to my overall enjoyment).
Of course, this isn’t without saying that the book has some pitfalls. Lucy, the main character, sometimes feels a bit bland and just a canvas for things to happen (whilst I enjoyed Catherine’s character much better and felt she was developed much more in depth), and there is a small issue with the pacing.
However, the writing is incredible. It’s lyrical and poetic in just the right points that makes the love story that much more romantic.
Of course, this isn’t without saying that the book has some pitfalls. Lucy, the main character, sometimes feels a bit bland and just a canvas for things to happen (whilst I enjoyed Catherine’s character much better and felt she was developed much more in depth), and there is a small issue with the pacing.
However, the writing is incredible. It’s lyrical and poetic in just the right points that makes the love story that much more romantic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Misogyny
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, and Classism
saeruh's review
emotional
inspiring
4.5
I loved this novel! Such a sweet love story between Catherine and Lucy. I thought the story was so original and had a good built up to the end reveal of who Oléron actually is. I thought all of the characters were really fleshed out well and there was some really good writing bits.
My only real complaints was that the relationship was definitely insta-love, the beginning was a bit slow and hard to get into, and I kept getting a little (i think that may just be a me problem with historical romances).Also, Lucy went WAY too easy for doing that painting that made her look like a total novice while she already being doubted by all the old science dudes.
My only real complaints was that the relationship was definitely insta-love, the beginning was a bit slow and hard to get into, and I kept getting a little (i think that may just be a me problem with historical romances).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent
istiel's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Toxic relationship and Infidelity
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Waite handles society, science, and sex with an equally deft touch, never getting too frivolous or too preachy. And, yes, I deeply disliked the part where Our Lovers part ways because they will not use their words like actual grown-ups. But that lasts less than a day , and then I could get back to enjoying myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Racism