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haley49's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A cute fun romance that was a worthy introduction to Tessa Dare! I had high expectations but it hit most of them. Had a fair share of both fluff and spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment and Classism
Minor: War
jackbifrost's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: War and Classism
Minor: Drug abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical trauma, and Abandonment
Moderate: War
arielp87'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? Yes
3.5
Really enjoyed the witty dialogue and banter between characters. I laughed out loud several times while reading! It does get quite explicit at times, but overall an entertaining and fun read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
kenziewol's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Sexual content
Minor: Misogyny, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.5
I just really cannot get enough of Tessa Dare’s soft hearted curmudgeonly heroes, brave, stubborn, smart heroines and ultimate silliness in service of love. The banter in Dare’s books always delivers, and the spice is spicy! I laugh at least once while reading every Tessa Dare and the swoon factor is *high.*
In this book, we have another grumpy recluse of a hero in the Duke of Ashbury. Physically injured in the Napoleonic Wars and emotionally injured upon his return, he is in desperate need of a wife so that he can make and heir to pass his substantial fortune on to. He is sarcastic and mean, but ultimately more wounded than anything. Fun moment: similar to our favorite contemporary hero, Ren Bergman, all of his swears are Shakespearean. He’s a walking “who hurt you?” with a big gooey cinnamon roll middle.
Our heroine is Emma Gladstone, a talented seamstress who appears at the Duke’s residence in time of both of their greatest needs. She is strong and witty, and gives everyone the benefit of the doubt - maybe too much benefit.
The two embark upon a marriage of convenience that ends up being so much more. Tessa can write a grump like no other and the Duke of Ashbury is no exception.
👍🏻Recommended! This was exactly what I needed to bust up my reading slump. If you are considering historical romance but don’t know where to start, I cannot recommend Tessa Dare enough. There are many tongue-in-cheek references and a very modern point of view in these although they are set in the early 1800s. If you like Downton Abbey? You will like Tessa Dare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Pregnancy
mochoa037's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and War
le3713's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
This was my first Tessa Dare romance and it did not disappoint. This book is FUNNY. The scene where Emma and Ash first meet is amazing and their dialogue throughout the book is very entertaining. The supporting characters in the form of Breeches the cat, the household staff, and Emma's newfound friends added much to my enjoyment as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
coacklebee's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Another silly and light romance novel that I quite enjoyed, even if it reads more like a contemporary than a historical romance. Having already read the third in this series (oops), I knew more about what to expect from Tessa Dare's style and was more willing to put aside my complaints about the characters very un-Regency actions. If you're looking for a true historical romance, this is definitely not it. But I did enjoy my time reading it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, War, and Classism
liz_reads514's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
3.75
There was a lot of miscommunication between the love interest and I don’t enjoy the trope. Also, it took me too long to like the hero. I understand he is obviously uncomfortable with is the deformity but, it took way too long and the miscommunication got old quickly. This book could have been 100 pages shorter. I enjoyed the banter and the cute moments though. I am always a sucker to regency romance novels. This can be read as a standalone but their former books in the series with side characters. I will probably take a break from this series with another before I read another from the series if I even do.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content