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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
This was my favorite in the series and I was so invested love with the characters by this point. I loved the depth of both characters and how the author shows the times. This in particular when it came to female doctors and female patients and the types of care they sought a doctor for. I loved the authors note explaining the elements grounded in history.
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:
Yes
Didn’t seem like it was going to be for me- a little technical . Also, mentioned assault
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
I think it’s fitting that I’m writing this review on a day I hear about traditional publishing not renewing contracts for historical romance authors. And I am absolutely flummoxed because I want so many people to hear voices like Adriana Herrera’s. She has written a story that does so many things for the historical romance genre and makes it intellectually stimulating and relative to what romance readers desire. Let’s tick off those items, shall we?
-Afro-Latine hero and heroine deserving of a love story
-A setting in the Belle Epoque era in Paris
-A female physician running a secret clinic for women
-A do-gooder hero who only has eyes for his “Fiera”
-The hottest, steamiest sex scenes a romance reader could ask for (one right off the bat)
-Accepted queer characters
-Historically interesting medicine (don’t check my Google search history)
-Realistic conflict and emotional tension between the mains
-Beautiful swoony writing
I fell so hard for Apollo and Aurora. Their story can easily be read as a standalone, but I would encourage you to read the full Las Leonas trilogy. I loved how Apollo worked to get through Aurora’s hard exterior shell—he sees her vulnerability and tends to her with patience and persistence and it made me love him so much for it. I loved how strong Aurora was, partially because she had no choice but to be, but also because she was in a position to be strong for others that could not. I loved the setting and unique place in history that permitted for this story of Bipoc characters to exist. And holy cow did I love the intimate scenes between Apollo and Aurora. If any of this sounds remotely interesting to you as a reader, take a chance on the beauty that is this story. I hope Aurora and Apollo work their way into your heart the way they did mine. I would also definitely suggest you listen to this one. Frankie Corzo kills it with her narration and has a wonderful voice that can switch between brooding masculine to high pitched feminine effortlessly. I will definitely search for more audiobooks narrated by her. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: 🪭🪭🪭
Historical interest: 📜📜📜
Emotional swooniness (yes, that’s a word. I made it up): 🥹🥹
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
I’m going to miss Las Leonas! I’ve enjoyed all three books in this trilogy so much, but I’ve been waaaaaaaaaaaitiny for Aurora and Apollo’s story since the first book when the groundwork was laid for them.
First of all, I lovely a prickly female character and Aurora is that in spades but this books really explains where that prickliness comes from and it makes seeing her vulnerable side even better. It was great to see a softer side of Apollo was well seeing as most of what is know about his character has been his very understandable thirst for revenge against his brother.
The discussions of what it means to be black and Latina were also wonderful - especially as a black Latina myself. All three Leonas found ways to exist and thrive in a world that didn’t love blackness, Latinidad, or queerness. Such a great ending to the series.
First of all, I lovely a prickly female character and Aurora is that in spades but this books really explains where that prickliness comes from and it makes seeing her vulnerable side even better. It was great to see a softer side of Apollo was well seeing as most of what is know about his character has been his very understandable thirst for revenge against his brother.
The discussions of what it means to be black and Latina were also wonderful - especially as a black Latina myself. All three Leonas found ways to exist and thrive in a world that didn’t love blackness, Latinidad, or queerness. Such a great ending to the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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:
Complicated