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ranjanireviewsreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
This book seems like it should have an illustrated cover. I LOVED IT SO MUCH HOLY SHIT??!!
I've never, ever picked up historical romances. Historical fiction in general is not my cup of tea. HOWEVER. If you drop a novel with two gorgeous leads with hearts of gold and ANIMALS??? I have been won over.
The fact that Penny is the definition of a strong, independent woman while also representing her "times" is so amazing.
The only thing I didn't quite like is how quickly the romance bloomed in Gabriel's point of view. One chapter, he was thirsting over her physically (valid) and the next, he was head over heels. It honestly gave me whiplash and took away a little of the magic from the development of their relationship
Nevertheless, I loved it and enjoyed it and I am definitely picking up more of Tessa Dare's novels.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
SO GOOD. Classic sex scenes, a mirror scene *wiggles eyebrows* and a loooooot of slow burn.
P.S.: my spice ratings are a new thing and I am mainly rating off of ✨vibes✨ and don't have an actual scale.
I've never, ever picked up historical romances. Historical fiction in general is not my cup of tea. HOWEVER. If you drop a novel with two gorgeous leads with hearts of gold and ANIMALS??? I have been won over.
The fact that Penny is the definition of a strong, independent woman while also representing her "times" is so amazing.
The only thing I didn't quite like is how quickly the romance bloomed in Gabriel's point of view. One chapter, he was thirsting over her physically (valid) and the next, he was head over heels. It honestly gave me whiplash and took away a little of the magic from the development of their relationship
Nevertheless, I loved it and enjoyed it and I am definitely picking up more of Tessa Dare's novels.
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
SO GOOD. Classic sex scenes, a mirror scene *wiggles eyebrows* and a loooooot of slow burn.
P.S.: my spice ratings are a new thing and I am mainly rating off of ✨vibes✨ and don't have an actual scale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Cursing, Gaslighting, Classism, Abandonment, and Pedophilia
TW/CW: - sexual assault (moderate description; occurs off-page) -pedophilia (moderate description; occurs off-page) - sexual content (graphic) - cursing (moderate) - slavery (minor; allusion) - selling of child (minor; mention)nebraskanwriter's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Blood
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
tgbdscrapbook's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
iamsammie27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Sexual assault
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
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
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
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content