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instalovewithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This was a very good read too to the point where near 75% of the book I had to switch to ebook format because the audiobook was just taking too long 🤣.
I am so glad I gave Evie Dunmore a chance rather than DNF the series because it's quite brilliant.
Hattie and Lucien growing with each other and against each other was so good. I really loved everything about this book. Ugh. So good. I can't wait to have my own physical copy for my shelves 100%.
Highly recommend. Read the series.
I am so glad I gave Evie Dunmore a chance rather than DNF the series because it's quite brilliant.
Hattie and Lucien growing with each other and against each other was so good. I really loved everything about this book. Ugh. So good. I can't wait to have my own physical copy for my shelves 100%.
Highly recommend. Read the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Sexism
Minor: Murder and Gun violence
jelkebooks's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
You know, at the start of this book I was quite liking this book. I honestly thought the set up was really interesting, and the whole situation made me really sad for Hattie. I think the start of this book really makes you sympathize with both main characters, but especially her because she's way less in control of the situation. I just thought it was very different from most historical romances I've read, and I just thought it was really well executed as well.
However, then we go to Scotland, we actually have these two characters fall for each other, and this book just completely lost me. I don't know, Hattie became kind of whiny. She also felt extremely out of touch with reality, even if she was trying to do the right thing. She kind of gave me the ick. Contrary to popular opinion though I also did not like Lucian, like at all. He was so close to being a massive red flag for me. He was just such an ass, and his tragic backstory really did not excuse his behaviour, in my opinion. I also feel like at no point throughout this book did he ever respect Hattie. It just made me feel a bit disgusted. I can't buy a romance when it feels like the male main character does not respect the female main character in the slightest.
So yeah, needless to say I didn't get into the romance either. I just didn't think they had any chemistry. I barely understand what they even saw in each other. I guess that opposites attract but these two had absolutely nothing in common with each other, and I truly don't see them ever actually working out together. Like mentioned before I also feel like there was an extreme lack of respect coming from his side, and that just never fares well for a relationship.
The ending of this book was also just terrible. It get really intense out of nowhere, for no real reason. It felt extremely out of place. I didn't get it. On top of that we also got a third act breakup that was almost immediately resolved, making the timing feel so extremely off. It just really wasn't well written in the end.
However, then we go to Scotland, we actually have these two characters fall for each other, and this book just completely lost me. I don't know, Hattie became kind of whiny. She also felt extremely out of touch with reality, even if she was trying to do the right thing. She kind of gave me the ick. Contrary to popular opinion though I also did not like Lucian, like at all. He was so close to being a massive red flag for me. He was just such an ass, and his tragic backstory really did not excuse his behaviour, in my opinion. I also feel like at no point throughout this book did he ever respect Hattie. It just made me feel a bit disgusted. I can't buy a romance when it feels like the male main character does not respect the female main character in the slightest.
So yeah, needless to say I didn't get into the romance either. I just didn't think they had any chemistry. I barely understand what they even saw in each other. I guess that opposites attract but these two had absolutely nothing in common with each other, and I truly don't see them ever actually working out together. Like mentioned before I also feel like there was an extreme lack of respect coming from his side, and that just never fares well for a relationship.
The ending of this book was also just terrible. It get really intense out of nowhere, for no real reason. It felt extremely out of place. I didn't get it. On top of that we also got a third act breakup that was almost immediately resolved, making the timing feel so extremely off. It just really wasn't well written in the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Grief, Physical abuse, and Ableism
Minor: Suicide and Sexual assault
connerme's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Confinement, Infidelity, Grief, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
cath_collette's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexism
annick's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
🤯😌🙌🏻. This exceeded expectation. I rarely give 5.0. And I already gave 4.75 for the previous two books in this series.
This book trumps my feelings and favour for the other books of the series. I can’t think of anything I’d want to edit in this book that detracts from the delight I had in reading it.
I love the nonlinear progression of intimacy on cognitive, sensual, sexual and emotional levels
🔎the multiple layers of discussion on social justice really felt nuanced and Considered. The authors note at the end gives further information on how they grounded the plot in real experiences 1880s England and Scotland.
🗺️diversity rep is rather good by the standards of this subgenre of period romances. The FMC shows neurodivergent traits similar to dyslexia and adhd. The MMC shows signs of ptsd. Secondary character is in a stable lesbian relationship, and none of the characters indicate judgment or negative views on this.
⛏️ the Scottish sections has really improved on the London sections earlier on. I sense the writer hesitate to write about classist stuff in London society. And instead prefer to move the plot to Scotland and the main pairing. Good choice to break the mold and not include a fashion episode for the fmc. (Instead it is only passingly mentioned in the epilogue)
🫦The awakening of her desire to a mix of erotic, endearing, and woven into the plot. It was tasteful and sweet to enjoy as character development as well as spice.
🎞️The plot and ending were not as cliched as most contemporary romances. I particularly liked the effort to not tie up loose ends. It just needs more time for it to be less rushed . The third act separation in two parts makes sense.
This book trumps my feelings and favour for the other books of the series. I can’t think of anything I’d want to edit in this book that detracts from the delight I had in reading it.
I love the nonlinear progression of intimacy on cognitive, sensual, sexual and emotional levels
🔎the multiple layers of discussion on social justice really felt nuanced and Considered. The authors note at the end gives further information on how they grounded the plot in real experiences 1880s England and Scotland.
🗺️diversity rep is rather good by the standards of this subgenre of period romances. The FMC shows neurodivergent traits similar to dyslexia and adhd. The MMC shows signs of ptsd. Secondary character is in a stable lesbian relationship, and none of the characters indicate judgment or negative views on this.
⛏️ the Scottish sections has really improved on the London sections earlier on. I sense the writer hesitate to write about classist stuff in London society. And instead prefer to move the plot to Scotland and the main pairing. Good choice to break the mold and not include a fashion episode for the fmc. (Instead it is only passingly mentioned in the epilogue)
🫦The awakening of her desire to a mix of erotic, endearing, and woven into the plot. It was tasteful and sweet to enjoy as character development as well as spice.
🎞️The plot and ending were not as cliched as most contemporary romances. I particularly liked the effort to not tie up loose ends. It just needs more time for it to be less rushed . The third act separation in two parts makes sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gun violence, and Classism
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Misogyny, and Alcohol
caelfind's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, and Sexism
cepbreed's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
First read of 2024! I read 90% of this on the plane to London but have been so busy I only had time to read the last couple pages 5 days later. I was right when I thought that reading a good histrom would put me in the perfect mood for the beginning of my study abroad experience. It’s so lovely to know exactly where the areas of London they mention are in real life. Obviously everything looks so different but it’s still fun. Though this book had a really weak start and end the middle was quite good. If it weren’t for being stuck on a plane with no service and only this book downloaded I probably would’ve stopped reading and picked up something else. Both characters annoyed me a lot and though I appreciate the sentiment this book managed to lean too heavily into the social justice aspect. Like be self aware this is a histrom. A lot of the social justice parts were actually what made Harriet so annoying. Like she was so naive and so shy-washy, yet felt so much better than everyone for being a suffragette? Condescension at its finest. Lucien was no better. His whole character was an over exaggerated caricature of the dark-and-brooding male lead trope. His whole thing is aggression and violence and I’m meant to find that compelling? Though I’m venting my complaints I seriously did enjoy this but that’s because I read histroms for the steamy romance not the literally technicalities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Sexism, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol, Addiction, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
unsuccessfulbookclub'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Suicide
author2223's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Classism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Child death
amelianotthepilot's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
refreshingly contemporary and political 1800s romance novel set in the uk between a dark broody handsome new money bastard scotsman and a privileged rich art student middle daughter
surprising ending
has a bunch of spelling mistakes tho
surprising ending
has a bunch of spelling mistakes tho
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Sexism, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Classism, and Blood