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pagesfromhome's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This has officially become my favorite Tessa Dare! I loved Penny and Gabriel and the growth of their relationship. I loved the agency that Penny had and how equal their relationship felt. Definitely some more difficult parts when dealing with each of their pasts, but Tessa Dare handles it with care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Pedophilia
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-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? No
3.75
Aaaand I'm up to date with the series.
This is another Regency romance in Tessa Dare's Girl Meets Duke series that hinges on the premise of the two main characters being at odds before gradually falling in love. And we have ourselves a classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic, which I am ALL FOR. I liked Penny's happy-go-lucky attitude and how much she cared for the animals round her, though at times I think her character was a little less compelling than Alexandra (in book two) or Emma (in book one). Similarly, I didn't mind Gabe, but sometimes he strayed too much towards the stereotypical stoic, perma-annoyed love interest that we often find in historical romance.
There were some serious themes that were discussed and challenged fully in this book and the overall ending was satisfying, but the progression of Penny and Gabe's romance felt a little unbelievable at times for me (would he really have ended up liking her if her penchant for taking in animals annoyed him that much? And, in that era, [redacted] against an alley wall like that fees like it wouldn't happen?). On the whole though, I did enjoy this and I sped through it in a day.
Content warnings for pedophilia and sexual abuse of a minor (past), grooming, violence, sexual content.
This is another Regency romance in Tessa Dare's Girl Meets Duke series that hinges on the premise of the two main characters being at odds before gradually falling in love. And we have ourselves a classic grumpy/sunshine dynamic, which I am ALL FOR. I liked Penny's happy-go-lucky attitude and how much she cared for the animals round her, though at times I think her character was a little less compelling than Alexandra (in book two) or Emma (in book one). Similarly, I didn't mind Gabe, but sometimes he strayed too much towards the stereotypical stoic, perma-annoyed love interest that we often find in historical romance.
There were some serious themes that were discussed and challenged fully in this book and the overall ending was satisfying, but the progression of Penny and Gabe's romance felt a little unbelievable at times for me (would he really have ended up liking her if her penchant for taking in animals annoyed him that much? And, in that era, [redacted] against an alley wall like that fees like it wouldn't happen?). On the whole though, I did enjoy this and I sped through it in a day.
Content warnings for pedophilia and sexual abuse of a minor (past), grooming, violence, sexual content.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Pedophilia
Minor: Violence and Sexism
fireside_reads's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Pedophilia
romie_chat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
most definitely the epitome of the grumpy x sunshine trope and it was simply delightful! Tessa Dare knows how to write loveable and interesting characters, and so I fell for Penny and Gabe. special mention to George the baby goat:)
Content Warnings
Minor: Pedophilia
mightyola's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Child abuse
joyceca's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is my least favorite of the three in the series, but it is still a great read. Gabriel was a great grumpy character and Penelope was so gentle and sweet. I didn't relate to the MC as much, but the wit and fun was still there. I really enjoy Tessa Dare overall and will continue to read her back-catalog while I wait for the fourth book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Pedophilia
emfass's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I laughed out loud so many times listening to this book. Tessa Dare HOW ARE YOU SO DELIGHTFUL. That last line especially had me cackling.
I just love this series. I love the way these couples all fall in love with each other, the ways they show up for each other, the way they are so damn hot for each other.
I loved how this story talked about the historical romance trope of being "ruined" and rejected it; all the animals shenanigans that roped in all three men from the series (Gabriel, Ash from The Duchess Deal, and Chase from The Governess Game--seriously, the scenes with the three of them were some of the best); the care Penny gives to everyone around her, human and animal, so of course she would be able to love someone as "beastly" as Gabe.
CW:big content warning for child sexual abuse, grooming, molestation
I just love this series. I love the way these couples all fall in love with each other, the ways they show up for each other, the way they are so damn hot for each other.
I loved how this story talked about the historical romance trope of being "ruined" and rejected it; all the animals shenanigans that roped in all three men from the series (Gabriel, Ash from The Duchess Deal, and Chase from The Governess Game--seriously, the scenes with the three of them were some of the best); the care Penny gives to everyone around her, human and animal, so of course she would be able to love someone as "beastly" as Gabe.
CW:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Abandonment and Violence
Fairly forward descriptions of grooming and molestation of the main character in the past when she was a child.anoveldestination's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really struggled to connect with the characters in this. For me, Penny was the stronger character of the two. Her backstory and love for animals gave her a lot more depth than Gabe, whose rake with a dark past storyline felt trite. Usually, Tessa Dare gives her heroes dark pasts, but each of the characters usually still has something unique in their story. Gabe's backstory and motivation didn't feel as fleshed out as Tessa Dare's characters usually are. Also, while Penny was a more believable character, the animal lover trait did seem like it was a little absurd and taken too far.
Perhaps, it was my struggle to believe the characters that also made me doubt their romance, but I didn't feel a lot of tension in their relationship and I never felt invested in their future as a couple. I didn't dislike their story and the progression of their relationship made sense, but I didn't care about their story either. It was a very "meh" romance for me.
In terms of style, I thought this book lacked some of Tessa Dare's usual humor. I didn't really find myself laughing or smiling in many parts, only in the scenes with characters from the previous books in the Girl Meets Duke series. The one redeeming quality of this story for me was the ending and Penny's character growth.
Perhaps, it was my struggle to believe the characters that also made me doubt their romance, but I didn't feel a lot of tension in their relationship and I never felt invested in their future as a couple. I didn't dislike their story and the progression of their relationship made sense, but I didn't care about their story either. It was a very "meh" romance for me.
In terms of style, I thought this book lacked some of Tessa Dare's usual humor. I didn't really find myself laughing or smiling in many parts, only in the scenes with characters from the previous books in the Girl Meets Duke series. The one redeeming quality of this story for me was the ending and Penny's character growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Bullying and Child abuse
jla's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wonderful story. Surprisingly funny. I didn't expect to like Penny, but I liked both characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault