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falulatonks's review
4.0
It's weird to say I "enjoyed" this, because it did often brush against sadness and trauma and Bad People in a way that does NOT make this a fun read, but Peckham does it with such a confident, kind touch, and is so good about acknowledging and separating the bad feelings from the good. I'm often also really wary of romance authors' handling of single women and children and wanting it vs not wanting it, and this book did a really good job of balancing all of that without feeling melodramatic. It's also absolutely the smartest take on Radical Women I've ever seen in a historical series - these women have a clear idea of what they're fighting for, and are very aware of all the forces they have against them and the work they have cut for them, and they're so publicly loathed it makes their fight more impressive!!
So I did actually enjoy it. I'm really excited about the rest of this series!
So I did actually enjoy it. I'm really excited about the rest of this series!
mauryneiberg18's review against another edition
4.0
This was well written, but I think I’ve lost my taste for period (or historical) romance
sirlancereads's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoy the sexiness in this authors novels. She writes historicals with bdsm, women who know what and aren’t afraid to ask for it, men open to experimentation and a lot of other things that do not usually show up.
However, this authors voice is difficult for me. We all have certain words that we don’t enjoy. This author uses 2 repeatedly and they take me right out iv the scene.
I know that many people will love her books but I am just not the right person.
However, this authors voice is difficult for me. We all have certain words that we don’t enjoy. This author uses 2 repeatedly and they take me right out iv the scene.
I know that many people will love her books but I am just not the right person.
sumedhaj's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
mindfullibrarian's review
5.0
Well DAMN. This story was such a feminist battle cry and I adored how it 1) looked straight at how women were treated in the late 1700s and 2) turned that into an insanely steamy manifesto for women’s rights. Oh, and also how smashed any argument that could ever be had for the double standard around sex between the genders. But the love story! I adored that too. This is a new author for me and I’m excited to dig into her other works!
There are lots of content warnings for this book, and the author thoughtfully included them in a preface to the book. A main one to consider is miscarriage.
There are lots of content warnings for this book, and the author thoughtfully included them in a preface to the book. A main one to consider is miscarriage.
thatsoneforthebooks's review
4.0
Love how this flips the rake stereotype and talks about gendered stereotypes! Laugh out loud funny in places...loved it!
marquel82's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.0
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
5.0
One of my most-anticipated releases of this spring, and sweet sassy molassy is it good. Scarlett Peckham is one of my top five favorite romance authors. She’s the total package: whip smart, a huge history nerd, and feminist to the core. The quality of her writing is among the best in the business. What impresses me most, though, is her ability to explore incredibly difficult, painful themes without sending me spiraling into depression. I truly don’t know how she manages to turn such heart-wrenching situations into a life- and love-affirming reading experience. That said, I suggest checking content warnings on this one if you have any topics you prefer not to read about because there’s a lot of tough stuff going on.
Seraphina, based on the real historical figure Mary Wollstonecraft, is a woman who challenges society’s norms in pretty much every way. She’s the first romance heroine I’ve ever read who has all the stereotypical alpha hero traits--she drinks too much, she’s emotionally closed off, and best of all, she’s filled with rage. Before this book, I hadn’t realized how rare it is to see a heroine in a romance be properly angry, and it electrified me. I’ve read plenty of books where the dark, brooding hero is borderline frightening to his partner, but I’d never read a scene in which the heroine’s lashing out actually scares the hero, and I was absolutely fascinated watching Sera and Adam navigate that moment together.
Anyway, I adored this, 10/10 will read anything Peckham writes forever, highly recommended.
Seraphina, based on the real historical figure Mary Wollstonecraft, is a woman who challenges society’s norms in pretty much every way. She’s the first romance heroine I’ve ever read who has all the stereotypical alpha hero traits--she drinks too much, she’s emotionally closed off, and best of all, she’s filled with rage. Before this book, I hadn’t realized how rare it is to see a heroine in a romance be properly angry, and it electrified me. I’ve read plenty of books where the dark, brooding hero is borderline frightening to his partner, but I’d never read a scene in which the heroine’s lashing out actually scares the hero, and I was absolutely fascinated watching Sera and Adam navigate that moment together.
Anyway, I adored this, 10/10 will read anything Peckham writes forever, highly recommended.