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vstaleytx's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this trilogy, but this book was by far my favorite! Second favorite was the first one with the second book being my least favorite, but I don't regret reading any of them. Great fun, head-strong ladies and brooding men = escape from the real world!
reeyabeegale's review
3.0
3.5 stars
When I first read Juliana from the first book in the series, I was so drawn to her and wanted her to have her own book. I was so excited to read this and somehow, it didn't entirely disappoint.
I couldn't place or name my overall feelings for almost 70% of this book. I wasn't blown away, I had parts that I hated and didn't care for -- so I'd probably say it was meh.
I don't like my historical romances to be so sad and I don't have the best track record with Sarah MacLean. I just find her books way too sad and upsetting for me; it's not dramatic, but the sad emotions is just pouring out of the pages that stops me from enjoying the book. Though this one had a few times that made me think it will go down that route, I'm glad that wasn't exactly the case.
I enjoyed the longingness in the main characters and I loved the last 30% so much. I must say though that the idea of having a character as stiff and serious as Leighton wasn't sold on me. He came off bland and just too confused most of the time, but good thing I still found myself rooting for his HEA.
Anyway, this is officially the second book of Sarah MacLean that I can say I truly enjoyed. Hoping to discover other good books from her backlist.
When I first read Juliana from the first book in the series, I was so drawn to her and wanted her to have her own book. I was so excited to read this and somehow, it didn't entirely disappoint.
I couldn't place or name my overall feelings for almost 70% of this book. I wasn't blown away, I had parts that I hated and didn't care for -- so I'd probably say it was meh.
I don't like my historical romances to be so sad and I don't have the best track record with Sarah MacLean. I just find her books way too sad and upsetting for me; it's not dramatic, but the sad emotions is just pouring out of the pages that stops me from enjoying the book. Though this one had a few times that made me think it will go down that route, I'm glad that wasn't exactly the case.
I enjoyed the longingness in the main characters and I loved the last 30% so much. I must say though that the idea of having a character as stiff and serious as Leighton wasn't sold on me. He came off bland and just too confused most of the time, but good thing I still found myself rooting for his HEA.
Anyway, this is officially the second book of Sarah MacLean that I can say I truly enjoyed. Hoping to discover other good books from her backlist.
jordannahst's review against another edition
4.0
Sarah MacLean writes exceptionally great angst! There were two specific chapters that were just perfection - and what bumped this book up from a 3.5 to a 4 stars!
aes49162536's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
aoife98's review
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
A disappointing end to an otherwise enjoyable series.
We meet both characters in the first book (Nine Rules) and they have a brief flirtation which is referenced several times in this story. I have to admit that I didn’t remember Leighton was the man from these scenes until Maclean included the flashbacks. He plays a much bigger role in the second book, although Juliana is not present.
Julianna, the Italian half sister of the Marquess of Ralston, is certainly no English rose. She is loud, confident and does not subscribe to the rules of English society — often resulting in a scandal or two. Her reputation is far from perfect and the Ton do not welcome her.
Simon, Duke of Leighton, is cold, judgmental and utterly dislikable. He is concerned about one thing and one thing alone: reputation. His sister Georgiana was involved in a scandal in the previous book (Ten Ways) and when Leighton discovered the truth he was furious. The scandal has not yet broken and Leighton is preemptively ensuring that the Dukedom suffers as little damage as possible. He ensures that the Lords sits during the autumn to delay the return to country estates (which would increase the chance Georgiana’s secret being exposed) and selects a bride from a old, noble family with no scandal attached to them.
Juliana and Leighton have been attracted to each other since their first meeting. Juliana embraces with Leighton refuses to act or acknowledge it because he deems her unsuitable. This is the recurring issue throughout the story. Leighton doesn’t believe that love or passion has a place in marriage or life in general. Julianna says she can prove passion is important in two weeks. From there, I expected we’d get a lot more push and pull between them and a lot more meetings however Leighton goes out of his way to avoid her. He leads her on, he knows he’s engaged or about to be engaged and seduces her anyway. In my opinion, they didn’t suit and he wasn’t nearly good enough for her. His only redeeming (and brief) moment was saving Juliana from drowning.
One of the few highlights of the book was Juliana’s friendship with Mari. I also found Benedick sweet and while he and Juliana didn’t suit I was glad we saw more of him. One person this story didn’t need was the dowager Marchioness.
plottrysts's review
2.0
We did it! We finished reading all of Sarah MacLean's adult historical romances! (We aren't reading her YA, sorry not sorry, we are not YA romance people.) Here's the truth: this was actually a reread for us. We had both read this book more than 5 years ago, but since it was one of only 2 we hadn't covered for the podcast, we knew we needed to revisit it.
But. We didn't want to. Because we really don't like this book. Sadly, it did not improve upon second read the way some books do.
We feel like you can see the bones of Sarah MacLean's books here, and indeed, the discrete scenes of the book are fun enough. We just don't think the book as a whole works... like, at all. We've got order+chaos in Starchy McStick-Up-His-Ass Simon and Juliana. He's a duke. He's better than everyone else and he makes sure everyone else knows it. She's the semi-scandalous half-sister of the rakish marquess (hero of 9 Rules). Since she won't be accepted by Society anyway, she has fun breaking the rules.
Apparently they had some kind of relationship prior to the book's events - it's referred to several times - but we aren't ever told what exactly happened. And that's a problem, because their attraction to each other seems to be based on this previous connection, which we readers aren't privy to. What we get on-page made both of us really confused about why either of them would be so irresistibly attracted to each other that it makes them miserable.
Anyhow, now that we've finished our reread of the Love by Numbers series, we recommend reading 9 Rules and then just skipping to the Rules of Scoundrels series. Godspeed.
12-Word Summaries:
Laine: Truly insufferable duke is dicknotized by an idiot. No one learns anything.
Meg: I honestly don’t know what these two characters see in each other.
But. We didn't want to. Because we really don't like this book. Sadly, it did not improve upon second read the way some books do.
We feel like you can see the bones of Sarah MacLean's books here, and indeed, the discrete scenes of the book are fun enough. We just don't think the book as a whole works... like, at all. We've got order+chaos in Starchy McStick-Up-His-Ass Simon and Juliana. He's a duke. He's better than everyone else and he makes sure everyone else knows it. She's the semi-scandalous half-sister of the rakish marquess (hero of 9 Rules). Since she won't be accepted by Society anyway, she has fun breaking the rules.
Apparently they had some kind of relationship prior to the book's events - it's referred to several times - but we aren't ever told what exactly happened. And that's a problem, because their attraction to each other seems to be based on this previous connection, which we readers aren't privy to. What we get on-page made both of us really confused about why either of them would be so irresistibly attracted to each other that it makes them miserable.
Anyhow, now that we've finished our reread of the Love by Numbers series, we recommend reading 9 Rules and then just skipping to the Rules of Scoundrels series. Godspeed.
12-Word Summaries:
Laine: Truly insufferable duke is dicknotized by an idiot. No one learns anything.
Meg: I honestly don’t know what these two characters see in each other.
jessicaletaw's review
2.0
Good writing, warm intimate scenes. But relies on fatphobic tropes that keep me from enjoying the story.
brianne_k's review
4.0
*4/5*
Oh how I loved Juliana and Simon.
This was my favourite in the trilogy.
Oh how I loved Juliana and Simon.
This was my favourite in the trilogy.
arezoudeetoo'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
4.0