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kayteslibrary's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you’re a regular reader of historical romance, you already know broadly what you’re getting into. But did you know you ALSO get custody hearings and a sex library with this one?
The first half of the book is an absolute delight that regularly had me laughing out loud. The version of the ton Vasti created is made up of some wonderful young ladies, including Lydia (whose response to social pressures is vomiting in planters), Georgiana (who declares salad to be her first passion), and of course Selina, the secret proprietress of the aforementioned sex library.
We also have (human) Peter, who never expected to be Duke, and (cat) Peter, who did not get nearly enough screen (page?) time. Both are understandably attached to the duke’s newfound half-siblings, Freddie and Lu.
(Lu is not as salacious as Vasti’s Halifax Hellions but is nonetheless a hellion in the more traditional sense, especially when given a rapier unsupervised.)
The second half, while spicier, did have some issues with pacing and didn’t quite manage to maintain the humour of the first, but remained an enjoyable read nonetheless.
ARC provided via NetGalley
The first half of the book is an absolute delight that regularly had me laughing out loud. The version of the ton Vasti created is made up of some wonderful young ladies, including Lydia (whose response to social pressures is vomiting in planters), Georgiana (who declares salad to be her first passion), and of course Selina, the secret proprietress of the aforementioned sex library.
We also have (human) Peter, who never expected to be Duke, and (cat) Peter, who did not get nearly enough screen (page?) time. Both are understandably attached to the duke’s newfound half-siblings, Freddie and Lu.
(Lu is not as salacious as Vasti’s Halifax Hellions but is nonetheless a hellion in the more traditional sense, especially when given a rapier unsupervised.)
The second half, while spicier, did have some issues with pacing and didn’t quite manage to maintain the humour of the first, but remained an enjoyable read nonetheless.
ARC provided via NetGalley
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
Minor: Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, and Sexism
carolineann's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Child death
Minor: Medical content, Death, Pregnancy, Vomit, and Domestic abuse
I absolutely loved this book. I have only a handful of historical romance authors that are on my I-will-read-anything-they-write list, but Vasti has been on it since I read her Halifax Hellions novellas, and I was so lucky to win an ARC of this book in a giveaway. I purposely waited to read this book until I had a free evening, because I knew that once I started reading I would not want to put it down. It did not disappoint, and I read it in one sitting. Although this book dealt with themes of grief and healing, I loved what a hopeful and uplifting book it was. Peter, Selena, and so many of the other characters were so desperately trying to do what they felt was best for others, even at their own detriment, and made me think about how I want to live in a world where people are, at there core, good. I loved the found family aspects of the story, and I am a sucker for the inclusion of some animals— this book has a dog and a cat.
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