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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At Your Pleasure is a stand-alone historical romance by Meredith Duran set during the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. Ultimately, I had to read this historical romance like historical fiction, because the romance is so fraught with political tension that I spent a LOT of the book raging. And while I think of Meredith Duran and Sherry Thomas as the two angstiest historical romance authors I've read, I'm realizing after finishing my second Duran (and after like seven from Thomas...) that their approaches to high-angst relationships are radically different. With Thomas, we get messy characters who suffer largely from their own machinations. The drama is intensely personal. With Duran, we get otherwise typical characters thrown into such horrifically messy situations that they are forced to make extreme decisions. Nora and Adrian, in and of themselves, aren't wholly remarkable characters, but their circumstances? WOOF. The things they do for each other - and TO each other - will make you weep, shudder, rage, weep again, and then, finally, THANK GOD, burn.
What worked for me: This is a fascinating and deeply insightful exploration of a woman's role during the early 18th century and how that role shifts during political instability. Nora is robbed of agency at every turn, and Duran's laser-focus on how she navigates a life of impossible choices is remarkably done. Our MMC actually reflects ON PAGE on the unequal burdens of intimacy (hissy bonus points!), and Nora stands up for herself again, and again, and again. And, of course, the writing is absolutely faultless.
What didn't work for me: I wanted MORE time with Nora and Adrian in their early relationship. It was hard for me to really root for this second-chance romance because we never get on-page time with their original relationship. 🚨 Also, this is HEAVY with significant CWs that could be deal breakers for some readers. I spent a lot of this book doing moral GYMNASTICS to somehow root for this couple. 🚨
What worked for me: This is a fascinating and deeply insightful exploration of a woman's role during the early 18th century and how that role shifts during political instability. Nora is robbed of agency at every turn, and Duran's laser-focus on how she navigates a life of impossible choices is remarkably done. Our MMC actually reflects ON PAGE on the unequal burdens of intimacy (hissy bonus points!), and Nora stands up for herself again, and again, and again. And, of course, the writing is absolutely faultless.
What didn't work for me: I wanted MORE time with Nora and Adrian in their early relationship. It was hard for me to really root for this second-chance romance because we never get on-page time with their original relationship. 🚨 Also, this is HEAVY with significant CWs that could be deal breakers for some readers. I spent a lot of this book doing moral GYMNASTICS to somehow root for this couple. 🚨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Torture, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Miscarriage, Violence, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Sexual assault, War, and Fire/Fire injury
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