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acrosstheskyinstars's review
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
3.75/4 stars.
Things I liked:
-The main relationship in the book. I felt that the main couple had decent chemistry and I saw what they liked in each other.
-With the exception of the villain, the main and side characters were generally likeable people.
-While behavior could occasionally be exaggerated, most of the decisions the characters made didn't feel over the top. Their choices mostly felt understandable or relatable.
-The writing itself was very accessible.
Things I didn't like:
-The side relationship between the married couple. They didn't seem to have much chemistry and the conflict seemed very forced.
-The main female love interest was very cruel at certain points which made her hard to like at times.
-The main conflicts were resolved quite easily.
-Sexual assault as a plot point several times. Never graphic, but it was unanticipated.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes current historical romance. The writing was very modern in a positive way.
Things I liked:
-The main relationship in the book. I felt that the main couple had decent chemistry and I saw what they liked in each other.
-With the exception of the villain, the main and side characters were generally likeable people.
-While behavior could occasionally be exaggerated, most of the decisions the characters made didn't feel over the top. Their choices mostly felt understandable or relatable.
-The writing itself was very accessible.
Things I didn't like:
-The side relationship between the married couple. They didn't seem to have much chemistry and the conflict seemed very forced.
-The main female love interest was very cruel at certain points which made her hard to like at times.
-The main conflicts were resolved quite easily.
-Sexual assault as a plot point several times. Never graphic, but it was unanticipated.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who likes current historical romance. The writing was very modern in a positive way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Bullying, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Death of parent
eamily's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Body shaming
emac021's review
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Rape
its_a_rave's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
chels_ebooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
4.0
You know at the end of <i>Dangerous Liaisons</i> when everyone is booing Glenn Close at the opera house after she's outed as being a vile schemer?
Welcome to Celia Trent's reality. A former Diamond of the First Water, she lost everything when it was revealed that she was behind a cruel prank aimed at Richard Redvers, the brother of the man she hoped to marry. Unfortunately for her, she misfires, and the real victim is Lucian Redvers. She loses Lucian's love, society's approval, and any hope of marrying to escape poverty.
Ten years later, living as a lady's companion, Celia is forced to attend a houseparty hosted by the Redvers family, where she has to face the people she hurt and come to terms with the consequences of her actions. At this point, Celia is deeply remorseful, but society has a long memory, and little use for a servant's regret, no matter how beautiful that servant may be.
Richard Redvers, Celia's bookish former target, is still fascinated by Celia, and he finds himself gravitating towards her. He's held no grudge, but he's also pretty matter of fact about the decade old scandal. His growing attraction to Celia is complicated by the fact that his brother's life and marriage has been marred by her.
Interestingly, Celia, the former mean girl, was a much more sympathetic character to me than Richard. Richard is an entomologist who doesn't believe in love (because beetles don't need it... or something), and that point of view quickly wore out its welcome. Luckily, Celia carries the book, so it didn't matter too much.
I got this as an ARC from Kensington! Now, how do I get Kensington to send me the weird musty books (Zebra Historicals, obv) that my vivid imagination is <i>convinced</i> they have in their basement?
Welcome to Celia Trent's reality. A former Diamond of the First Water, she lost everything when it was revealed that she was behind a cruel prank aimed at Richard Redvers, the brother of the man she hoped to marry. Unfortunately for her, she misfires, and the real victim is Lucian Redvers. She loses Lucian's love, society's approval, and any hope of marrying to escape poverty.
Ten years later, living as a lady's companion, Celia is forced to attend a houseparty hosted by the Redvers family, where she has to face the people she hurt and come to terms with the consequences of her actions. At this point, Celia is deeply remorseful, but society has a long memory, and little use for a servant's regret, no matter how beautiful that servant may be.
Richard Redvers, Celia's bookish former target, is still fascinated by Celia, and he finds himself gravitating towards her. He's held no grudge, but he's also pretty matter of fact about the decade old scandal. His growing attraction to Celia is complicated by the fact that his brother's life and marriage has been marred by her.
Interestingly, Celia, the former mean girl, was a much more sympathetic character to me than Richard. Richard is an entomologist who doesn't believe in love (because beetles don't need it... or something), and that point of view quickly wore out its welcome. Luckily, Celia carries the book, so it didn't matter too much.
I got this as an ARC from Kensington! Now, how do I get Kensington to send me the weird musty books (Zebra Historicals, obv) that my vivid imagination is <i>convinced</i> they have in their basement?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
themoonphoenix's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This was an intricate romance about second chances romance.
The main couple is Celia and Richard, she is beautiful and popular but also mean and cruel. Richard had a scientific brain, he cares more about nature and beetles than follow social norms.
10 years ago, Celia made something that will change their future forever, Now in the present day, they will reunite again.
Celia ha cambiado y madurado, la vida no ha sido justa con ella y ella se ha arrepentido de su antiguo comportamiento, no solo hacia Richard, sino tambien hacia el hermano gemelo de Richard, Lucas y su esposa Phil
I like Lucas and Phil and wished that they have their own book, 10 years ago they married, but not under the best circumstances, but as a result of Celia's actions, they had a comfortable marriage, they care for each other but also have afraid of their feelings, both need to talk and leave Celia's ghost behind.
Richard is a total nerd and now, he knows what he wants; he wants Celia and doesn't care about her past, both have changed, especially her, she has a nice redemption, you can understand why she behaved like a brat, I always like Richard, he is a sweet, intelligent and understandable hero.
Infamous is a nice romance, between two couples who have a troubled past but a bright future, was a charming story with real characters
The main couple is Celia and Richard, she is beautiful and popular but also mean and cruel. Richard had a scientific brain, he cares more about nature and beetles than follow social norms.
10 years ago, Celia made something that will change their future forever, Now in the present day, they will reunite again.
Celia ha cambiado y madurado, la vida no ha sido justa con ella y ella se ha arrepentido de su antiguo comportamiento, no solo hacia Richard, sino tambien hacia el hermano gemelo de Richard, Lucas y su esposa Phil
I like Lucas and Phil and wished that they have their own book, 10 years ago they married, but not under the best circumstances, but as a result of Celia's actions, they had a comfortable marriage, they care for each other but also have afraid of their feelings, both need to talk and leave Celia's ghost behind.
Richard is a total nerd and now, he knows what he wants; he wants Celia and doesn't care about her past, both have changed, especially her, she has a nice redemption, you can understand why she behaved like a brat, I always like Richard, he is a sweet, intelligent and understandable hero.
Infamous is a nice romance, between two couples who have a troubled past but a bright future, was a charming story with real characters
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
troxelm's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
I wanted to love this book for the premise alone, and Minerva Spencer did NOT disappoint. While the "incomparable beauty come down in the world" is hardly a new trope, our heroine Celia wasn't known for her kindness, and more than one person celebrated her fall from grace. Ten years later, she has no choice but to attend the wedding of her former nemesis, and finds an unlikely hero in the man she once make a mockery of before the ton. Spencer does a marvelous job of flipping and twisting some of the best romance tropes for characters who have both depth and heart, and enough self-awareness to recognize their own shortcomings. A little bit Mean Girls, and a little bit Cinderella, this open-door romance has a lot to like for fans of heroines who rescue themselves and find love along the way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
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