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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I was enjoying this pretty well until there was this odd . . . premonition-esque? wording. This is told in alternating first person present tense. So, when Freddie says "It was all about to go wrong," I'm like, "How do you know, tho?" It rankled, I guess.
It did (kind of) go awry, but not as much as I was expecting. I think we were sort of set up to think one catastrophe would happen, but instead a much more boring conflict played out instead. I don't know, it just didn't quite add up to something satisfying for me. I own several more books in this series, which I got on sale from Smashwords, so I might continue at some point, but this one was just . . . fine.
It did (kind of) go awry, but not as much as I was expecting. I think we were sort of set up to think one catastrophe would happen, but instead a much more boring conflict played out instead. I don't know, it just didn't quite add up to something satisfying for me. I own several more books in this series, which I got on sale from Smashwords, so I might continue at some point, but this one was just . . . fine.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
This was a beautiful book. Hurt/comfort abounds, but it's never TOO angsty. More of a... kind of quiet healing on both parts. It has sweet, swoony romantic moments, and some really funny ones as well. We get to see lots of the characters from the first book, too, still happily in love and getting married. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series!
Minor spoiler: I had a friend concerned that this book would deal with drug addiction, but there's no on-page use (or at all, once the book starts), and he really wasn't an addict, so that's basically a non-issue.
Minor spoiler: I had a friend concerned that this book would deal with drug addiction, but there's no on-page use (or at all, once the book starts), and he really wasn't an addict, so that's basically a non-issue.
This book was such a charming read drom atart to finish!
What I Loved...
1. Freddie, the snarky, lively male model taking refuge in Rossingley after a public scandal never thought he would find the love of his life in the gardens of Rossingley. #FeirceAndFabulous
2. Reuben, the french, shy, timid gardener with a riot of curls who never thought a Viscount could take an interest in him. #CuteAsAButton
3. The Romance between these men was very sweet, well paced and lovely. They bonded, became friends and let their feelings move naturally. #OnTrack
4. Steam-o-meter: Medium steam but very sweet and sensual. #TouchMe
5. Angst-o-meter: lowish angst. Some TWs about rape (not between the MCs and NOT on-page). #FeelGood
6. Snarky dialogue. #BritishHumor
7. Cameos: Jay and Lucian from THAHP. #FamilyAffair
8. HEA: Heartwarming
What I Loved...
1. Freddie, the snarky, lively male model taking refuge in Rossingley after a public scandal never thought he would find the love of his life in the gardens of Rossingley. #FeirceAndFabulous
2. Reuben, the french, shy, timid gardener with a riot of curls who never thought a Viscount could take an interest in him. #CuteAsAButton
3. The Romance between these men was very sweet, well paced and lovely. They bonded, became friends and let their feelings move naturally. #OnTrack
4. Steam-o-meter: Medium steam but very sweet and sensual. #TouchMe
5. Angst-o-meter: lowish angst. Some TWs about rape (not between the MCs and NOT on-page). #FeelGood
6. Snarky dialogue. #BritishHumor
7. Cameos: Jay and Lucian from THAHP. #FamilyAffair
8. HEA: Heartwarming
3.5 stars. Cute. While the sexual chemistry wasn't entirely there for me, the adorableness of these two made up for it. I also loved the atmosphere at Rossingley, catching up with Lucien and Jay and the found family of misfits among the gardening crew. I look forward to reading more.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is a lovely and sweet romance with some snark and sass added. Overall, it was a nice and easy listen with characters and a relationship that are relatable, even when they involve some of the antics of a high flying model.
I had a hard time getting into the story though and I think it might have been the pacing of the audiobook. It seemed a little slow so the book seemed a little drawn out. I did enjoy the accents that the narrator Richard Stranks is able to do and his voice is nice to listen to.
Overall a pleasant book to listen to and pass the time with.
I had a hard time getting into the story though and I think it might have been the pacing of the audiobook. It seemed a little slow so the book seemed a little drawn out. I did enjoy the accents that the narrator Richard Stranks is able to do and his voice is nice to listen to.
Overall a pleasant book to listen to and pass the time with.
It was okayish; three stars says "I like it" and I did. But while the plot was nice enough, the story had holes and the characters didn't develop, instead, they turned from one moment to the next or simply stayed flat.
I didn't like Freddie interacting with Reuben much. Whenever the reader got his perspective it was clear that he didn't really care about the other man's current emotions but rather about how to best get into his pants. And when he finally managed there was not much more to do for the both of them for several pages.
I didn't like the book's attempt at addressing Reuben's past (and trauma); it was mentioned often enough but not discussed. I am sure a past like his does something to you, you can't just re-lable the things you experienced and everything is fine. Sure, the author's focus was on a nice little romance, but then a topic such as this maybe shouldn't be part of it.
Also the character of Vincent was a bit over the top; it was merely a caricature of a person. Yes, he presented a nice contrast to Reuben, but he could have had some more depth - and dignity! Especially that. And then suddenly he was all adult and apologies? No, sorry!
What I liked was the gardening theme and thus the setting. I am a taker for old British estates and gardens and Viscounts and gardeners. And I really loved the one real conversation in the story which was between the gardening crew and Reuben in his cozy cottage; it felt so right and real and was really well-written and funny, that I wished for more of those conversations and less fumbling under poor old willow trees.
*I was given an ARC and this is my honest review.*
I didn't like Freddie interacting with Reuben much. Whenever the reader got his perspective it was clear that he didn't really care about the other man's current emotions but rather about how to best get into his pants. And when he finally managed there was not much more to do for the both of them for several pages.
I didn't like the book's attempt at addressing Reuben's past (and trauma); it was mentioned often enough but not discussed. I am sure a past like his does something to you, you can't just re-lable the things you experienced and everything is fine. Sure, the author's focus was on a nice little romance, but then a topic such as this maybe shouldn't be part of it.
Also the character of Vincent was a bit over the top; it was merely a caricature of a person. Yes, he presented a nice contrast to Reuben, but he could have had some more depth - and dignity! Especially that. And then suddenly he was all adult and apologies? No, sorry!
What I liked was the gardening theme and thus the setting. I am a taker for old British estates and gardens and Viscounts and gardeners. And I really loved the one real conversation in the story which was between the gardening crew and Reuben in his cozy cottage; it felt so right and real and was really well-written and funny, that I wished for more of those conversations and less fumbling under poor old willow trees.
*I was given an ARC and this is my honest review.*
This book was such a charming read drom atart to finish!
What I Loved...
1. Freddie, the snarky, lively male model taking refuge in Rossingley after a public scandal never thought he would find the love of his life in the gardens of Rossingley. #FeirceAndFabulous
2. Reuben, the french, shy, timid gardener with a riot of curls who never thought a Viscount could take an interest in him. #CuteAsAButton
3. The Romance between these men was very sweet, well paced and lovely. They bonded, became friends and let their feelings move naturally. #OnTrack
4. Steam-o-meter: Medium steam but very sweet and sensual. #TouchMe
5. Angst-o-meter: lowish angst. Some TWs about rape (not between the MCs and NOT on-page). #FeelGood
6. Snarky dialogue. #BritishHumor
7. Cameos: Jay and Lucian from THAHP. #FamilyAffair
8. HEA: Heartwarming
What I Loved...
1. Freddie, the snarky, lively male model taking refuge in Rossingley after a public scandal never thought he would find the love of his life in the gardens of Rossingley. #FeirceAndFabulous
2. Reuben, the french, shy, timid gardener with a riot of curls who never thought a Viscount could take an interest in him. #CuteAsAButton
3. The Romance between these men was very sweet, well paced and lovely. They bonded, became friends and let their feelings move naturally. #OnTrack
4. Steam-o-meter: Medium steam but very sweet and sensual. #TouchMe
5. Angst-o-meter: lowish angst. Some TWs about rape (not between the MCs and NOT on-page). #FeelGood
6. Snarky dialogue. #BritishHumor
7. Cameos: Jay and Lucian from THAHP. #FamilyAffair
8. HEA: Heartwarming
5 perfect stars for Freddie and Reuben, because they're both precious and deserve it.
This is the second in the Rossingley series, you could read it as a standalone if you really want, but it's much better if you read the first, To Hold A Hidden Pearl first not only because it will give you much needed background on Rossingley and the characters we meet there, but because Lucien is the most wonderful character and his and Jay's story deserves to be read by everyone.
This however is Reuben and Freddie's story. Both are introduced in the first book briefly, Freddie (Aloysius Frederick Duchamps-Avery, if you please!) is Lucien's cousin and closest relative. While I won't recap, (that's what the blurb is for ;) ) Freddie has got himself into a spot of bother and has gone to stay with his beloved cousin for a while to sort himself out. Lucien decides to put him to work where he meets the most precious Reuben, who has had a tough life up to now.
I was gone on this book from the moment Jay meets Freddie in Lucien's kitchen. I was so happy Lucien and Jay came back in this book and featured prominently because I love them. It's Freddie and Reuben's story though and it's a good one. Both lost in different ways, both need something that they give each other and their coming together is so wonderfully done and so slow and beautiful. I don't often get emotional at books, it has to be something special to crack my stone heart but this book did it. Happy tears, I hasten to add because the author made me feel everything.
I cannot rate this highly enough, while the first is still one of my favourite books of the year, this is also up there too and I can't wait for more. MORE LUCIEN, YOU HEAR ME????
Ahem.
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review.
This is the second in the Rossingley series, you could read it as a standalone if you really want, but it's much better if you read the first, To Hold A Hidden Pearl first not only because it will give you much needed background on Rossingley and the characters we meet there, but because Lucien is the most wonderful character and his and Jay's story deserves to be read by everyone.
This however is Reuben and Freddie's story. Both are introduced in the first book briefly, Freddie (Aloysius Frederick Duchamps-Avery, if you please!) is Lucien's cousin and closest relative. While I won't recap, (that's what the blurb is for ;) ) Freddie has got himself into a spot of bother and has gone to stay with his beloved cousin for a while to sort himself out. Lucien decides to put him to work where he meets the most precious Reuben, who has had a tough life up to now.
I was gone on this book from the moment Jay meets Freddie in Lucien's kitchen. I was so happy Lucien and Jay came back in this book and featured prominently because I love them. It's Freddie and Reuben's story though and it's a good one. Both lost in different ways, both need something that they give each other and their coming together is so wonderfully done and so slow and beautiful. I don't often get emotional at books, it has to be something special to crack my stone heart but this book did it. Happy tears, I hasten to add because the author made me feel everything.
I cannot rate this highly enough, while the first is still one of my favourite books of the year, this is also up there too and I can't wait for more. MORE LUCIEN, YOU HEAR ME????
Ahem.
I received an ARC from GRR and this is my honest review.