Scan barcode
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
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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? Yes
4.5
I have a lot of emotions about this book: respect for the writing, frustration, a smidgeon of swoon, a lot of annoyance, also PAIN. Meredith really put me through something with this.
Meredith F***ing Duran (MFD), as Kelsey says. #DuranDuress, as I say.
In this stand-alone we have teenage lovers who were forced apart and then are enemies and then lovers again. The content is so realistic and by realistic I mean horrifying and often sad, but also very beautiful on occasion. We have a 1715 English setting, so the first Jacobite rebellion (sadly not JAMMF times, Outlander girlies). Wartime. Women have no agency whatsoever and that is repeatedly made CLEAR by MFD. 🫠
I just… the writing is spectacular but these scenarios were hard for me to enjoy. The FMC, Nora, is forced to marry the MMC, Adrian (under extreme duress 😅). This couple is one that likes to yell and fight and then make out… and for me, that is a really tough dynamic to get behind. There were moments of absolutely soul-crushing tenderness followed by hair-raising violence and vice versa. The sex scenes were incredible, and maybe the sweetest moments in the book. But my god, the mess you have to endure to get them. Is it worth it? … maybe? Nora also has maybe the shittiest brother of all time, David. So horrible, in fact, that he gets two whole memes to himself!
😅 What I have learned is that this book pushes some boundaries that are just Not My Thing™️ and that’s ok! If this book sounds interesting, please check the CW - it covers a variety of topics intensely on page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Abortion, Violence, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Toxic relationship, War, and Torture
Moderate: Alcohol, Infertility, and Pregnancy
More...