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yuusasih's review
3.0
3,5 stars.
This book is pretty much the conclusion of Anthony and Sebastian drama romantic play act. The bad Uncle is being a total villain as far as accusing Lady Bronwyn (a.k.a Sebastian in dress) using witchcraft to seduce Lord Crofton, causing the couple got no other option left other than kill Bronwyn--no harm to the real Bronwyn, don't worry--and ended their public relationship as husband and wife. So how could Sebastian stay together with Anthony after his role as a devoted wife finally comes to an end?
Less drama here than the previous two, less angst, and less mystery, too. As I said before, this is merely a conclusion on how Sebastian and Anthony's lives post-Bronwyn. Still a nice story with this couple, or maybe I'm just bias toward the incorrigible Lord Crofton. lol.
I quite saddened at the epilouge, though. But still, a good story with a good couple. I rarely love any couple from M/Ms I read nowadays, but Anthony and Sebastian got my heart. OTP!
This book is pretty much the conclusion of Anthony and Sebastian drama romantic play act. The bad Uncle is being a total villain as far as accusing Lady Bronwyn (a.k.a Sebastian in dress) using witchcraft to seduce Lord Crofton, causing the couple got no other option left other than kill Bronwyn--no harm to the real Bronwyn, don't worry--and ended their public relationship as husband and wife. So how could Sebastian stay together with Anthony after his role as a devoted wife finally comes to an end?
Less drama here than the previous two, less angst, and less mystery, too. As I said before, this is merely a conclusion on how Sebastian and Anthony's lives post-Bronwyn. Still a nice story with this couple, or maybe I'm just bias toward the incorrigible Lord Crofton. lol.
I quite saddened at the epilouge, though.
Spoiler
When William told us about Sebastian's death which wrecked Anthony. I know it's a good thing that they're happy through the end--and for such a long time, too!--but dunno, I just prefer not knowing how one of them died before the other, I'm a goner for old lover's separation because of death.ellelainey's review
5.0
** This review is copied word-for-word from my review of The Crofton Chronicles bundle. **
Book 3: Forever Hold His Peace
Length: 46-70%
POV: 3rd person, one character (Sebastian), with an epilogue by another character
Star rating: ★★★★★
Oh. My. God. I swear, if this had been the last ever, I wouldn't have been disappointed. Not since I'm now going to go and buy the paperbacks of all these books so I can re-read them over and over and over again. But the fact that there is one more, even if it's contemporary, is just so, so exciting!
Once again, the drama was so perfectly plotted to keep the story moving along, without being overbearing or leaving the story without any happening.
I loved the idea of plotting a lesbian-aided quintuplet of convenience, for if they were able to survive the claims of Bronwyn being a witch. Amongst that, the storyline of Haven and Bronwyn making a rare visit, while Sebastian contemplated a potential return to the theatre, were all equally interesting plots and twists within the storyline. Each one held it's ground, did it's best to move the story forward while showing how Anthony and Sebastian dealt with each incident. And I loved that each of them related, even indirectly, to incidents and events that had taken place in previous books.
Again, the host of characters changed just enough to provide new, intriguing cast members, while retaining those who were important. The addition of William's tutor, Samuel, and the two plotters were great additions that showed us more of Anthony and Sebastian and how they came across to outsiders, while also providing relevant people to take care of relevant issues.
I cried. A lot. When Miriam and Sebastian said goodbye, Sebastian's difficulty in dealing with the loss of Lady Crofton, during the entire Epilogue and so many times it's unreal.
I can't say much more without giving too much away, but it was brilliant and the perfect end to the historical part of the story. I loved that the Epilogue showed up William as a grown man, trying to guide his grandson to the truth of just what Anthony and Sebastian had shared, but it killed me to hear about their end days and all that had happened. Killed me!
~
Favourite Quote
“Sometimes even the most wicked of tongues speak the truth.”
““Samuel Jenster is a villain and a thief, but there are few men 'd rather have on my side during a fight.”
“It sounds like there's a story in there,” said Sebastian.
“Didn't he tell you how we met? About how he came to my aid when someone pulled a knife on me in Southwark?”
Sebastian shook his head. “No. But he told me to let you know that if you need him to get you a body, it'll be no trouble.”
“As if I'd ask anyone else.””
~
Book 3: Forever Hold His Peace
Length: 46-70%
POV: 3rd person, one character (Sebastian), with an epilogue by another character
Star rating: ★★★★★
Oh. My. God. I swear, if this had been the last ever, I wouldn't have been disappointed. Not since I'm now going to go and buy the paperbacks of all these books so I can re-read them over and over and over again. But the fact that there is one more, even if it's contemporary, is just so, so exciting!
Once again, the drama was so perfectly plotted to keep the story moving along, without being overbearing or leaving the story without any happening.
I loved the idea of plotting a lesbian-aided quintuplet of convenience, for if they were able to survive the claims of Bronwyn being a witch. Amongst that, the storyline of Haven and Bronwyn making a rare visit, while Sebastian contemplated a potential return to the theatre, were all equally interesting plots and twists within the storyline. Each one held it's ground, did it's best to move the story forward while showing how Anthony and Sebastian dealt with each incident. And I loved that each of them related, even indirectly, to incidents and events that had taken place in previous books.
Again, the host of characters changed just enough to provide new, intriguing cast members, while retaining those who were important. The addition of William's tutor, Samuel, and the two plotters were great additions that showed us more of Anthony and Sebastian and how they came across to outsiders, while also providing relevant people to take care of relevant issues.
I cried. A lot. When Miriam and Sebastian said goodbye, Sebastian's difficulty in dealing with the loss of Lady Crofton, during the entire Epilogue and so many times it's unreal.
I can't say much more without giving too much away, but it was brilliant and the perfect end to the historical part of the story. I loved that the Epilogue showed up William as a grown man, trying to guide his grandson to the truth of just what Anthony and Sebastian had shared, but it killed me to hear about their end days and all that had happened. Killed me!
~
Favourite Quote
“Sometimes even the most wicked of tongues speak the truth.”
““Samuel Jenster is a villain and a thief, but there are few men 'd rather have on my side during a fight.”
“It sounds like there's a story in there,” said Sebastian.
“Didn't he tell you how we met? About how he came to my aid when someone pulled a knife on me in Southwark?”
Sebastian shook his head. “No. But he told me to let you know that if you need him to get you a body, it'll be no trouble.”
“As if I'd ask anyone else.””
~
galleytrot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
READ: Sep 2023
FORMAT: Digital
BRIEF SUMMARY:
In book three of this historical romance set in England around the turn of the seventeenth century, someone is out to frame the Lady Crofton for witchcraft, and they’ve done an excellent job of it by time Anthony and Sebastian catch on. With their power taken from them, the couple have to hurry to lay Bronwyn to rest, before the real Bronwyn can get caught up in the Sherriff’s inquiry and pay the price. No longer free to demonstrate their affections for one another in a public fashion, the men are inclined to see the slight against them paid in kind, before they can set up their futures to remain together while staying outwardly respectable to the nobility.
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 3.5 / 5⭐
This is the best of the three books in the series, doing a decent job of pulling together a plot that doesn’t squander quite as many opportunities while wrapping the series up in a satisfying enough way. Anthony’s character gets a bit more attention this go around, establishing a handful of friends who colour up his past and make him more than just some rich guy who likes to throw parties and tantrums in equal measure, and gets jealous a lot.
Crofton receives a suspicious letter from Sebastian’s uncle, ingratiating himself into Anthony’s good graces when not long before, he had been urging the death of Bronwyn to come sooner than later. This is the first strange event in a series of plotting maneuvers seemingly aiming to get the couple to end their charade, and when the threat grows too dire to ignore, they have no choice but to go through with it. An elaborate effort pulls off a convincing funeral, Bronwyn’s widower and twin brother go into mourning, but old connections and long-standing friendships mean that Crofton isn’t helpless – he will have his retribution against the man who stripped his power and autonomy away, and Sebastian’s acting skills are imperative to the cause.
TECHNICAL / PRODUCTION: 3.25 / 5⭐
I haven’t entirely been kind to this series so far, but book three gets credit where the others do not: there is one scene in this book that actually made me feel like Anthony and Sebastian have a loving bond for one another, worthy of their proclamations of affection, loyalty, and devotion. They had precisely one scene that made me glow and swoon. And then it all devolved right back into the extremely tired infidelity/jealousy schtick that the rest of the series was lousy with, and I got right back to saying, “Just break up already.” Alas!
I’m happy to say this book didn’t have nearly as many moments where I could see the plot taking a potential interesting turn that it never would. There was at least one noteworthy occasion I made note of, but it wasn’t nearly as big a problem as the last two books. Most of what happens in this book has clear purpose as being means to an end. All very predictable; the perpetrator is exactly who you expect it will be, and the counter-efforts at seeing them pay for their role all go off without any hiccup or hitch, because divine provenance is the name of the game when it comes to protecting our men from any true risk. So, too, do all their pieces fall into place as they settle up for their happily-ever-after.
FINAL THOUGHTS - OVERALL: 3.5 / 5⭐
It’s a satisfying conclusion to the series, although by no means will this one fall anywhere close to the vicinity of my favourites pile. What an absolute bummer of an epilogue, though. I understand that this book needs to set up its continuation in the Earls of Crofton series, but book one of that series returns to Anthony and Sebastian – I’m not sure why this story’s epilogue should be a recap of what we already knew happened plus a barely-there peek at how they lived, after the fact.
Also, Bronwyn’s bigamy was never addressed, and now she is dead on paper while still existing as Bronwyn with a child out in the world, and that’s a loose thread and a bureaucratic mess I’d hoped (but truly did not expect) would be addressed.
This book has representation for gays, bisexuals, and lesbians. There is otherwise little in the way of diversity.
The following elaborates on my content warnings. These may be interpreted as spoilers, but I do not go into deep detail.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Torture, Child death, Death of parent, Murder, and Suicide
dreamerfreak's review against another edition
4.0
Such delightful drama. This series has always held a slightly unrealist charm for me, and the conclusion continues that tradition. Sebastian and Anthony finally have to deal with laying "Bronwyn" to rest and figuring out what life will look like afterward, but don't worry. There's still a happy ending in the wings for these two. And the epilogue was a perfect snippet of just how wonderful that happy ending was.
lbcecil's review against another edition
3.0
Really sweet and touching. The perfect way to end a series and that epilogue almost made me cry <3
suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
The 'Sebwyn' era ends!
I did wonder how this would happen, and a truly gruesome end for Haven, but better him than Sebastian. Though it was rather a handy end.
Definitely one that benefits from the build up of the story over the previous two novels.
The writing really pulls me into Sebastian and Anthony's story and I enjoyed this final chapter in their escapades.
The most emotional part for me was actually the epilogue, with William all grown up!
Looking forward to reading the contemporary Crofton series now
The 'Sebwyn' era ends!
I did wonder how this would happen, and a truly gruesome end for Haven, but better him than Sebastian. Though it was rather a handy end.
Definitely one that benefits from the build up of the story over the previous two novels.
The writing really pulls me into Sebastian and Anthony's story and I enjoyed this final chapter in their escapades.
The most emotional part for me was actually the epilogue, with William all grown up!
Looking forward to reading the contemporary Crofton series now
with_drea's review
5.0
The drama! I loved it, and it was so good to see some proper familiar historical names in the mix of all of it. Of course, I can't say no to a good old fashioned Happily Ever After, too.
lillian_francis's review
5.0
4.5 stars
The persons setting Bronwyn up as a witch were obvious and the retribution a little too pat but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Would have been happier without the epilogue though.
The persons setting Bronwyn up as a witch were obvious and the retribution a little too pat but other than that I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Would have been happier without the epilogue though.