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onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation
Minor: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
queenpebbles's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Excellent narration – clear and precise. Impressive range of voices.
Physics, embroidery, *and* F/F smut? Was this book written with me in mind?
A still relevant topic about women and minorities in science and the constant fight to be treated equally.
I now want to read all of Lucy's translations and/or learn French to read the marquise's works. Short of that, I might actually grab the original physics texts mentioned because of this book.
Physics, embroidery, *and* F/F smut? Was this book written with me in mind?
A still relevant topic about women and minorities in science and the constant fight to be treated equally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Racism, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Lesbophobia
loverrbboy's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
this would be 5 stars if i had trans mentions at all but like. it’s a period piece it is what it is. ANYWAY ITS CUTEEE and it made me wanna embroider (even tho i know i could never handle all the changing of colours… zzzz). these two are cute and the ending is so nicely tied up and i hope they live long happy lives staring up at the stars together❤️ i love lesbians
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Lesbophobia and Sexual violence
broccoli_j's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
„We cannot stand up in a church and make vows. But we can stand up publicly and declare that we are important together.“
This book is a love story.
A love story between two women.
A love story between women and womanhood.
A story about love between artists and their art, scientists and their science and about appreciation for the joy and connection that you can feel in the middle of these two!
The publishing of the book „The Lady‘s guide to celestial mechanics“ leads to a beautiful love between two very unlike women. But only in this relationship do they discover exactly what, except for Lucy’s book, connects the two of them. And even further, which of these things connect them to other women.
If you are looking for a heartwarming book with a young scientist and a strongheaded artist, who had to find herself aber her husbands death, you will absolutely love this book. It has well written spicy scenes but also covers the mundane realities of (forbidden) relationships. It connects friendship and allyship and community in a grander aspect than just in what is written on the page!
Especially the second half of this book will have you crying, laughing, hoping and swearing. Happy reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Misogyny
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
I loved this. Angsty with well-developed characters that felt so authentic. My ONLY gripe is with the plot/time jumps that always caught me off guard, and the way time would be "summarized" in a sentence or two (vs just jumping forward, which would actually have felt less awkward?). I ONLY note this because it pulled me, personally, out of the story a few times. This is an absolute beautiful love story that gave me all of my favorite chest-achey feelings. I can't wait to read more by Olivia Waite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Toxic relationship
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
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
martamae77's review against another edition
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Lesbophobia