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asha_m's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
carturnright's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? No
2.0
mdexter's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
hilsaa's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Fun and entertaining enough at the beginning to suspend my disbelief at the unrealistic depiction of the time period. Story became unbelievable and needlessly dramatic after they got married, it read almost like two different stories. All the intrigue and fun was rooted in the build up.
upturnedroots's review against another edition
5.0
"The first year I knew you, perhaps two--I thought you were put on this earth simply to vex me."
His eyebrows lifted. "And after two years?"
"Oh, then I figured out the truth," she said as they walked out of the room. "I was put on this earth to vex you."
I did like the comedic house party setup of this, and when the wedding happened I wasn't expecting that to just be 60% through the book! Interesting plot development, but I do like all the ways the characters were twisted together with their friends in their romantic entanglements and what was real and what wasn't.
It began to drag a bit after the marriage when more of Lucy and Jeremy's real flaws came out and there was more angst. I KNOW, me, complaining about angst?! No way. Well, yes, I didn't mind it per se, but it just seemed like an abrupt change in character for Jeremy to be even more cold.
I can understand the toll of grief, and the loss of a sibling. I have experienced it. My younger sister died from cancer on February 12, 2020. Perhaps, the fact that I did not like how angry Jeremy was and his "I can't be gentle" vibe, is indicative more so of my own evolving journey with grief and opening my heart back up to kindness within myself and others, than the story itself. And I thank this book and Tessa's, as always, excellent writing for helping me see that.
His eyebrows lifted. "And after two years?"
"Oh, then I figured out the truth," she said as they walked out of the room. "I was put on this earth to vex you."
I did like the comedic house party setup of this, and when the wedding happened I wasn't expecting that to just be 60% through the book! Interesting plot development, but I do like all the ways the characters were twisted together with their friends in their romantic entanglements and what was real and what wasn't.
It began to drag a bit after the marriage when more of Lucy and Jeremy's real flaws came out and there was more angst. I KNOW, me, complaining about angst?! No way. Well, yes, I didn't mind it per se, but it just seemed like an abrupt change in character for Jeremy to be even more cold.
I can understand the toll of grief, and the loss of a sibling. I have experienced it. My younger sister died from cancer on February 12, 2020. Perhaps, the fact that I did not like how angry Jeremy was and his "I can't be gentle" vibe, is indicative more so of my own evolving journey with grief and opening my heart back up to kindness within myself and others, than the story itself. And I thank this book and Tessa's, as always, excellent writing for helping me see that.
jessicalouise25's review against another edition
4.0
Tessa Dare is an amazing writer. So many books finish leaving me unsatisfied with he whole ending. I find myself loving a book and then it just ends when the story has barely come together. It is equally as annoying when a book drags on and could have been condensed into half the number of pages. This however is one author who always seems to get it right. There is a point in the middle of the book when I expect it to end and leave me disappointed. But it doesn't, it continues. The second half of this book felt like a sequel which just demonstrates how rich the story was.
The characters in this one were excellent, character development was really nicely done and the story was just a really wonderful (really satisfying) read.
The characters in this one were excellent, character development was really nicely done and the story was just a really wonderful (really satisfying) read.
unsweetener's review against another edition
4.25
This felt like a classic romance in the best way. Lucy is the little sister to a friend group and wants to get her girlhood crush's attention by making him jealous (fake dating type but everyone is in on it separately, basically). She's irreverent, a little petty, and her judgement is appropriately questionable for a 19-year-old; I thought she was great. Jeremy is your regular Type A aristocrat with Daddy issues; again, nothing groundbreaking here, but his tendency for self-torture never felt tedious, which is a testament to the characterization! It was really easy to understand how and why he made the mistakes he did.
Beyond that, the story is set in not one, but two, country estates. The end-of-book drama was appropriately low stakes (no 95% mark surprise kidnappings, thankfully), and I really liked how hunting and poaching tied into the story; it made for a really solid theme! There was a good bit of angst toward the end, which I always like when I'm really rooting for the couple. The side characters were also great; Toby is a Colin from Spindle Cove prototype, and Sophia was a treat; the development of her friendship with Lucy was a really nice touch. Henry was an imperfect brother, but his conversation with Jeremy and Lucy when they were preparing to leave won me over and set up the next phase of the book perfectly. All in all, 'Lovely,' as Aunt Matilda would say.
I had never heard of this early entry by Tessa Dare, but I consistently really enjoy her work. This was less quirky than a lot of her books (exception: Lucy herself is very quirky), but she tells a great story without it. The audiobook narrator was also solid.
Beyond that, the story is set in not one, but two, country estates. The end-of-book drama was appropriately low stakes (no 95% mark surprise kidnappings, thankfully), and I really liked how hunting and poaching tied into the story; it made for a really solid theme! There was a good bit of angst toward the end, which I always like when I'm really rooting for the couple. The side characters were also great; Toby is a Colin from Spindle Cove prototype, and Sophia was a treat; the development of her friendship with Lucy was a really nice touch. Henry was an imperfect brother, but his conversation with Jeremy and Lucy when they were preparing to leave won me over and set up the next phase of the book perfectly. All in all, 'Lovely,' as Aunt Matilda would say.
I had never heard of this early entry by Tessa Dare, but I consistently really enjoy her work. This was less quirky than a lot of her books (exception: Lucy herself is very quirky), but she tells a great story without it. The audiobook narrator was also solid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
There is some rough sex that's consensual but ambiguous.