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decklededgess's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
trigger warnings: sexual content, homophobia, labour exploitation, imprisonment and forced labour mention, death of family, financial ruin, emotional abuse
This book was so sweet! I loved Sophie and Maddie so so so much. Their dynamic of sly and sweet was so perfectly complimentary and the development of their relationship as they rub off on each other and adopt each other's mannerisms was just so pure.
I love and am obsessed with Olivia Waite's books being set during massive political movements/labour movements during the industrial revolution. It lends so much life to the early 1800s that high society regency books sorely lack.
This book was so sweet! I loved Sophie and Maddie so so so much. Their dynamic of sly and sweet was so perfectly complimentary and the development of their relationship as they rub off on each other and adopt each other's mannerisms was just so pure.
I love and am obsessed with Olivia Waite's books being set during massive political movements/labour movements during the industrial revolution. It lends so much life to the early 1800s that high society regency books sorely lack.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Forced institutionalization, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
biblio_gabriella's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
4.5 stars. After a year of waiting for the next book in the Feminine Pursuits series, The Hellion’s Waltz didn’t disappoint! As expected, this is a wholesome sapphic romance between two badass, intelligent women, featuring a glorious cast of diverse side characters. I will say I liked the other two books better, since this one sacrifices some of the romantic development for the heist sub-plot, but I still enjoyed it a great deal! As always with Waite’s books, I was constantly googling historical terminology (this time, I went down a rabbit hole of looking at 18th-century automata).
Sophie Roseingrave (bi) is a talented pianist and piano tuner who works for her dad’s company. She’s avoided playing the piano for a few years because of a traumatic experience, but her love of the instrument remains. Madeline Crewe (also bi!) is a shrewd, charismatic silk weaver intent on taking down a con man harming the silk weaving industry. Maddie and Sophie don’t exactly like each other upon first meet: Sophie thinks Maddie is up to no good, while Maddie thinks Sophie is nothing more than a wallflower. However, as the two passionate women begin to work together for Maddie’s cause, they get to know each other and start to find each other irresistible.
Olivia Waite is sooo good at writing romance. Maddie has such a way with words: some of the things Maddie says to Sophie are knee-weakening. And the passion that Sophie hides underneath her unassuming facade — and the way she expresses herself through music — is beautiful. Though the romantic scenes in this book are WONDERFUL, I would have been happier with more romantic content and development. I was a bit caught off guard when the pair fell in love so fast, and didn’t find their relationship very believable at first.
I particularly loved Sophie’s journey toward playing the piano again. Even though I haven’t been through what Sophie has, her arc hit close to home as someone who’s had her own heartache over instrument performance. I also loved nerding out over the musical terminology and descriptions!
The heist aspect of the book is fun, but as I think back on this book, it’s not what stands out to me. I’m definitely someone who’s here for the romance and historical details in a Waite book, but if you’re in the mood for a fun sapphic heist book, this might be the perfect one for you!
Even though this is my least favorite book from Olivia Waite so far, it’s still wonderful and I can’t wait to see what she does next!
other content warnings: manipulation (past)
[sometime in 2020: the title alone has me REELING! I hope there's some saucy sapphic waltzing in this book!
edit: that synopsis, hell yeah]
Sophie Roseingrave (bi) is a talented pianist and piano tuner who works for her dad’s company. She’s avoided playing the piano for a few years because of a traumatic experience, but her love of the instrument remains. Madeline Crewe (also bi!) is a shrewd, charismatic silk weaver intent on taking down a con man harming the silk weaving industry. Maddie and Sophie don’t exactly like each other upon first meet: Sophie thinks Maddie is up to no good, while Maddie thinks Sophie is nothing more than a wallflower. However, as the two passionate women begin to work together for Maddie’s cause, they get to know each other and start to find each other irresistible.
Olivia Waite is sooo good at writing romance. Maddie has such a way with words: some of the things Maddie says to Sophie are knee-weakening. And the passion that Sophie hides underneath her unassuming facade — and the way she expresses herself through music — is beautiful. Though the romantic scenes in this book are WONDERFUL, I would have been happier with more romantic content and development. I was a bit caught off guard when the pair fell in love so fast, and didn’t find their relationship very believable at first.
I particularly loved Sophie’s journey toward playing the piano again. Even though I haven’t been through what Sophie has, her arc hit close to home as someone who’s had her own heartache over instrument performance. I also loved nerding out over the musical terminology and descriptions!
The heist aspect of the book is fun, but as I think back on this book, it’s not what stands out to me. I’m definitely someone who’s here for the romance and historical details in a Waite book, but if you’re in the mood for a fun sapphic heist book, this might be the perfect one for you!
Even though this is my least favorite book from Olivia Waite so far, it’s still wonderful and I can’t wait to see what she does next!
other content warnings: manipulation (past)
[sometime in 2020: the title alone has me REELING! I hope there's some saucy sapphic waltzing in this book!
edit: that synopsis, hell yeah]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Torture
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