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hannahmichele5's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A little too heavy on the back stories of various side characters for my taste but you can tell how well researched the history is so I respected it. But, in true Adriana Herrera fashion, the steam was hot hot hot so it was worth it. Manuela can step on me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
kbairbooks's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
Adriana Herrera’s books are top tier. This is a brilliant queer historical romance and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to hear about Manuela’s story. The latine culture and history within these books are absolutely gorgeous, and truly they have been a wonderful addition to my library. Brava! Absolutely incredible. I’m pretty much speechless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Trafficking, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Classism
Moderate: Alcohol
daryn's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Alcohol
sdupont's review
emotional
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
I’m not much of a historical romance girlie (I usually find them clunky and hard to dive into) but I do enjoy Adriana Herrera’s Las Leonas series. I feel like this series could make for a cool adaptation. I liked Manuela and Cora, while very different they both were women you rooted for. You wanted them to find themselves and choose the life that actually would make them happy (as individuals and together!). Honorable mention to the fun interesting historical tidbits like the labor organizing of artists! I think this book is a solid romance and would recommend it for those wanting to branch out into historical romances. I am excited for book 3 because we love a historical enemies to lovers vibe!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Lesbophobia
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
emotional
inspiring
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Violence and Abandonment
Minor: Toxic relationship
what_karla_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
4/5 stars
2.5/5 spice
A sapphic historical romance that delivers in tension and banter but also rich with historical gems.
Tropes:
Forced proximity
Businesswoman & Artist
Opposites attract
Grumpy/sunshine
Latinx representation
Dual POV
Manuela is passionate and bursting with curious wonder at the beginning of the story, and I loved how she was able to grow and learn to love her life independently from the constraints of her family. Especially since she was raised as a pawn in her parents' schemes. Cora, aka The Duchess, proved to be Manuela's opposite in personality but couldn't deny being drawn to her light. She tried to avoid getting close, but Manuela slowly wore down her walls. They both had to grow and learn from past mistakes, and they hey both had to allow themselves to be happy.
Above all, I enjoyed learning about the sapphic community during these times. These are the things that we are denied learning in school. I am so happy these stories exist for the LGBTQIA community to enjoy and share and relate to. The found family aspect of this story was so incredibly heartwarming. Both the MCs needed these people to truly feel safe to be open about their love.
Overall, I loved this story and how it tackled the bigotry of those times but also brought a sense of hope for the future. I highly recommend for fans of sapphic romance, latinx representation, and historical romance.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Bigotry, sexism, explicit sexual content, mild violence
2.5/5 spice
A sapphic historical romance that delivers in tension and banter but also rich with historical gems.
Tropes:
Forced proximity
Businesswoman & Artist
Opposites attract
Grumpy/sunshine
Latinx representation
Dual POV
Manuela is passionate and bursting with curious wonder at the beginning of the story, and I loved how she was able to grow and learn to love her life independently from the constraints of her family. Especially since she was raised as a pawn in her parents' schemes. Cora, aka The Duchess, proved to be Manuela's opposite in personality but couldn't deny being drawn to her light. She tried to avoid getting close, but Manuela slowly wore down her walls. They both had to grow and learn from past mistakes, and they hey both had to allow themselves to be happy.
Above all, I enjoyed learning about the sapphic community during these times. These are the things that we are denied learning in school. I am so happy these stories exist for the LGBTQIA community to enjoy and share and relate to. The found family aspect of this story was so incredibly heartwarming. Both the MCs needed these people to truly feel safe to be open about their love.
Overall, I loved this story and how it tackled the bigotry of those times but also brought a sense of hope for the future. I highly recommend for fans of sapphic romance, latinx representation, and historical romance.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Bigotry, sexism, explicit sexual content, mild violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Violence
sarrie's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An Island Princess Starts a Scandal is yet another fantastic entry into my list of ‘sapphic historical romances’ I can happily recommend. Manuela, invited to show her paintings at an exhibition in Paris, arrives for a summer of freedom before her marriage - sure to be loveless. She meets Cora, a duchess determined to buy land that Manuela owns and the sparks fly.
The characters and setting in this felt true to many a historical romance novel, but that is a strength in it’s favor. It’s familiar beats make it a comforting read, with the sapphic twist that I really wanted out of these and this setting. The characters outside our main two are fun and appealing and I cannot wait to get more of the stories in this world. It felt like every time another character was presented I went ‘Oh a book on them please?’.
I especially love the setting and the time period. Adriana Herrera takes time to illustrate the contributions Latin and South American peoples made in this time period to the history of it. From the art references to the mentions of on going political climates it felt steeped in history in a way that worked wonderfully. The art especially was fantastic for me as I love Art History, something I went to school for. It was well structured and felt very well researched.
This is a fantastic new historical, further cementing my suspicion that Herrera is going to be a favorite author of mine. The romance, characters, and setting were all incredibly fun and I highly recommend it for fans of the genre.
4 out of 5 pink ballgowns
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Racism
sarahsbookstacks's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Lesbophobia
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