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fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
A little boring and pretty absurd. Closed-door.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Infertility
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Child abuse and Deportation
lizbeth12's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
CW- assumed infertility, glossing over adoption issues
Fmc has invented 2 children to keep the home she lives due to a convoluted inheritance contract her family has. Mmc is in love with his wife, knows both about fictional children, because he has let her friend zone him in their marriage.
Hugely problematic issues with how they deal with the emotions and stability of the fake kids they ‘borrow’ to keep their lie alive.
I’m glad I finished it because it helped me remember that when all these issues started the mcs were very sheltered 20 yos. That said, I honestly would have felt better if they had to deal with more personal consequences. The fallout affecting the staff and the kids is used as a reason to not let this happen.
I didn’t finish the book liking the mcs, but that’s ok. I did feel like they grew some.
Fmc has invented 2 children to keep the home she lives due to a convoluted inheritance contract her family has. Mmc is in love with his wife, knows both about fictional children, because he has let her friend zone him in their marriage.
Hugely problematic issues with how they deal with the emotions and stability of the fake kids they ‘borrow’ to keep their lie alive.
I’m glad I finished it because it helped me remember that when all these issues started the mcs were very sheltered 20 yos. That said, I honestly would have felt better if they had to deal with more personal consequences. The fallout affecting the staff and the kids is used as a reason to not let this happen.
I didn’t finish the book liking the mcs, but that’s ok. I did feel like they grew some.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Classism, and Child abuse
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am growing to love historical romances. I have learned that they don't have to be trite or substance-less. This, however, is a trite and fairly substance-less novel. The premise is based on the most toxic relationships for everyone: Emmie, Will, and the two children they take in. I realize that the novel is working with the 'marriage of convenience' trope, but when Enoch described their wedding night as "the way he'd unbalanced their agreement and made their partnership about an intimacy she certainly hadn't been ready for", I cringed. If that doesn't merit some examination for consent issues, I don't know what does. In addition, while Enoch's use of nineteenth-century slang is extensive and admirable, her use of the phrase "gifted me" is not historically accurate or necessary. The phrase "gave me" is surely sufficient. Secondly, the ending is wrapped up in less than ten pages with little to no satisfying detail as to how such arrangements came to be. We understand that Emmie and Will become reconciled, but again, the exact nature of that reconciliation is also hidden from the readers. Both of these details make the plot very unbelievable and unsatisfying. I will continue to read historical romances, but I will not be recommending this novel.
I am growing to love historical romances. I have learned that they don't have to be trite or substance-less. This, however, is a trite and fairly substance-less novel. The premise is based on the most toxic relationships for everyone: Emmie, Will, and the two children they take in. I realize that the novel is working with the 'marriage of convenience' trope, but when Enoch described their wedding night as "the way he'd unbalanced their agreement and made their partnership about an intimacy she certainly hadn't been ready for", I cringed. If that doesn't merit some examination for consent issues, I don't know what does. In addition, while Enoch's use of nineteenth-century slang is extensive and admirable, her use of the phrase "gifted me" is not historically accurate or necessary. The phrase "gave me" is surely sufficient. Secondly, the ending is wrapped up in less than ten pages with little to no satisfying detail as to how such arrangements came to be. We understand that Emmie and Will become reconciled, but again, the exact nature of that reconciliation is also hidden from the readers. Both of these details make the plot very unbelievable and unsatisfying. I will continue to read historical romances, but I will not be recommending this novel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Vomit, Bullying, and Sexual assault
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
4.5
I received a copy of this ARC through a Goodreads Giveaway
Content Warnings: Infertility discussed, classism, toxic family relationships, poverty, loss of parents, violence, and abuse.
Emmeline’s love of her childhood home, now her and her husband’s home, lead her down a very twisty road in an attempt to keep it. In order to keep the house, they were supposed to have a child within the first 5 years of their marriage. As they’ve been married 8 years now, and still reside in the house, Will never thought to question why they haven’t been asked to vacate. When Emmeline frantically informs him of the party they need to attempt, with their two children, he’s in shock as they have no children.
Knowing how much Emmeline has always loved their home Will is determined to help figure out how they can keep it. After attempting to think of friends’ children they could potentially borrow they land on the idea of borrowing orphans. How hard could it be to borrow a couple orphans and train them in how to act like a gentleman and lady in roughly 6 weeks?
Based on the summary I’d thought this was going to be a historical romance with the second chance trope as well as shenanigans due to the storyline. I was pleasantly surprised that this book is so much more. This book felt less like a romance between husband and wife and more a love story of found family and the steps you’ll take to keep it.
I absolutely adored that we bounce between the POVs of so many characters in this story. Getting to hear everyone’s inner thoughts, as the pretend family starts to feel more and more real, was so touching. This book gave me such warm and fuzzy feelings as Emmie and Will grow closer to the children and experience parenthood at a fast pace. And then seeing George and Rose start letting down their walls and learn to trust Emmie and Will. 🥰
If you’re looking for a historical fiction book full of love, found family, shenanigans, and trying to pull the wool over a grumpy old man’s eyes…I highly recommend getting ahold of this book after its September 20th release!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Classism, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Violence, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse
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