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bedtimesandbooks's review
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Classism, Ableism, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexism, Murder, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual content
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
4/5 stars
1/5 spice
Secret societies, murder, a fake betrothal, and of course romance made up this fun historical romance.
Tropes:
Frenemies to lovers
Fake betrothal
Close proximity
Murder mystery
Reformed rake
Working heroine
Dual POV
I greatly enjoyed Poppy's personality and how out spoken she was. She was unapologetically herself in every scene. Her banter and wit made me laugh several times. She was a spinster and a bluestocking but didn't care what the aristocrats thought of her as long as she had her independence.
Joshua, the Duke of Langham, being the reformed rake spent a lot of time fighting his attraction to Poppy but throughly enjoyed her ability to speak her mind and stand up for herself. It was because he admired this about her that he grew to care about her and see her as a true prospect as his future Duchess.
The whole time they spend together they are trying to solve a murder mystery that affects Poppy's sister. They work together and are in close proximity to each other for an entire week. But of course they start to become more attracted to each other and eventually need to do something about it.
The spice is low in this one with one full scene that isn't very long and a few scenes of tension and kissing. I think the spice worked well in the storyline and wasn't overdone.
Overall a quick, fun read. Highly recommend for fans of fake betrothals and romantic suspense.
I was given an ARC by Netgalley and Forever Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
1/5 spice
Secret societies, murder, a fake betrothal, and of course romance made up this fun historical romance.
Tropes:
Frenemies to lovers
Fake betrothal
Close proximity
Murder mystery
Reformed rake
Working heroine
Dual POV
I greatly enjoyed Poppy's personality and how out spoken she was. She was unapologetically herself in every scene. Her banter and wit made me laugh several times. She was a spinster and a bluestocking but didn't care what the aristocrats thought of her as long as she had her independence.
Joshua, the Duke of Langham, being the reformed rake spent a lot of time fighting his attraction to Poppy but throughly enjoyed her ability to speak her mind and stand up for herself. It was because he admired this about her that he grew to care about her and see her as a true prospect as his future Duchess.
The whole time they spend together they are trying to solve a murder mystery that affects Poppy's sister. They work together and are in close proximity to each other for an entire week. But of course they start to become more attracted to each other and eventually need to do something about it.
The spice is low in this one with one full scene that isn't very long and a few scenes of tension and kissing. I think the spice worked well in the storyline and wasn't overdone.
Overall a quick, fun read. Highly recommend for fans of fake betrothals and romantic suspense.
I was given an ARC by Netgalley and Forever Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered freely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Sexism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Blood and Gore
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