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pugreads's review against another edition
funny
informative
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Violence
meganpbennett's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I was very disappointed in Portrait of a Scotsman: I feel it was a let down for the series. Hattie is tricked into marriage to Lucien Blackstone, and she soon realizes that she's completely at his mercy, thanks to the law that makes her (literally) her husband's property. Realizing this, she tries to run away, and he kidnaps her, dragging her to Scotland against her will. Portrait of a Scotsman also doesn't have a happy ending, though the ending is just shy of hopeful.
The story took what felt like forever to get going, and then wobbled around as it tried to figure out what it wanted to be. Was it a biting social commentary about women in the Victorian Era and how much work went into getting the act amended so that women were not property and how much work went into getting (white, middle and upper class) women the right to vote? Was it a biting social commentary about mine safety? Was it a romance novel, featuring enemies to lovers, with a asshole with a heart of gold who's really a softy deep down? Was it the story of how a young woman learns what she wants out of life?
The story took what felt like forever to get going, and then wobbled around as it tried to figure out what it wanted to be. Was it a biting social commentary about women in the Victorian Era and how much work went into getting the act amended so that women were not property and how much work went into getting (white, middle and upper class) women the right to vote? Was it a biting social commentary about mine safety? Was it a romance novel, featuring enemies to lovers, with a asshole with a heart of gold who's really a softy deep down? Was it the story of how a young woman learns what she wants out of life?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Death
samchase112's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I am so disappointed in this book and how it turned out. I have loved the first two in the trilogy, but I just could not get into this one. The chemistry was not there between Lucian and Hattie, and all the Hades/Persephone adaptation did was make the first 2/3rds of the book really uncomfortable. The mining plot was interesting, but it was taken over by the ten-million other sub-plots happening. Seriously, why there were so many little elements to this story that felt superfluous. Consequently, I was not invested in the story or characters at all, and really just found myself working through it with no enthusiasm. I still want to read Evie Dunmore's next books, but unfortunately was not a fan of this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Death, Death of parent, and Child death
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Grief, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia and Suicide
readwithde's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I spent a few hours processing after reading this book, and I have to say that most of my troubles with it stem from the ending.
For 80% of the book, l was completely hooked on the passion and emotion between Lucien and Hattie; they had a great will-they-won't-they slow burn build, which I adored. Lucien especially worked so hard to fix their marriage, to make it work and make Hattie happy.
Throughout the book, Hattie learns how much she is wrong about Lucien, how little she knows of the struggles of the working class, but she still holds on to her high expectations and romantic fantasies. Instead of deciding to make meaningful choices, she spends her time regretting her life and the choices of others that created it; she acts out in passive agressive ways, starts arguments, and constantly thinks the least of Lucien.
In the end, I had hoped she would wake up to reality, that she would see that Lucien kept wooing her and loving her, that he was romancing her in a different way than she thought.I hate that she leaves him, especially when all she really wants is for him to chase her. It seems so manipulative and petty.
The entire side plot with Mr. Matthews was wholly unnecessary. I much would have rather give those pages to the end of the book and get more information about Hattie leaving, give Lucien more of a chance to fight for her to stay. I'm glad they ended up together, but it felt dramatic without reason, and it needed more narrative to support it.
Overall, I really liked it until the ending. I wish Hattie would have grown or changed more, and I'm disappointed in her.
For 80% of the book, l was completely hooked on the passion and emotion between Lucien and Hattie; they had a great will-they-won't-they slow burn build, which I adored. Lucien especially worked so hard to fix their marriage, to make it work and make Hattie happy.
Throughout the book, Hattie learns how much she is wrong about Lucien, how little she knows of the struggles of the working class, but she still holds on to her high expectations and romantic fantasies. Instead of deciding to make meaningful choices, she spends her time regretting her life and the choices of others that created it; she acts out in passive agressive ways, starts arguments, and constantly thinks the least of Lucien.
In the end, I had hoped she would wake up to reality, that she would see that Lucien kept wooing her and loving her, that he was romancing her in a different way than she thought.
The entire side plot with Mr. Matthews was wholly unnecessary. I much would have rather give those pages to the end of the book and get more information about Hattie leaving, give Lucien more of a chance to fight for her to stay. I'm glad they ended up together, but it felt dramatic without reason, and it needed more narrative to support it.
Overall, I really liked it until the ending. I wish Hattie would have grown or changed more, and I'm disappointed in her.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Grief, and Gun violence
library_of_alexandra_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
aromarrie's review against another edition
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death
meliroo's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Grief, Suicide, and Violence
sarahholliday's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
This series is one of my absolute favorites! The combination of detailed, nuanced historical information with steamy, vulnerable love scenes makes for a compelling read. I really appreciate the multiple viewpoints Dunmore has offered through this series when it comes to Britain's women's suffrage movement.
The ending of this third installment felt a little disjointed from the rest of the story. Not so much in content, but the pacing seemed to go a bit off the rails in the last 10% of the book. Apart from that, I loved Hattie and Lucien and their opposites-attract romance. It was refreshing to see two people figuring out how to love one another in the face of very different backgrounds, ideals, and convictions. And huzzah for dyslexic representation! Especially in the context of a time period when it was woefully misunderstood.
The ending of this third installment felt a little disjointed from the rest of the story. Not so much in content, but the pacing seemed to go a bit off the rails in the last 10% of the book. Apart from that, I loved Hattie and Lucien and their opposites-attract romance. It was refreshing to see two people figuring out how to love one another in the face of very different backgrounds, ideals, and convictions. And huzzah for dyslexic representation! Especially in the context of a time period when it was woefully misunderstood.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail