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tatlihiyanet's review
adventurous
emotional
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
I really liked this book, I liked Dominic and Fallon - especially Dominic's development. The book didn't really have a based plot except for Fallon's background and her acting like a male for the first 50% of the book, and that is the part I adored so much - her as Francis and her actually bonding with Dominic during that time... What I loved even more is the relationship they had afterwards.. I loved how, in the end, Dominic's grandfather actually apologised for his unfortunate part in creating the coldhearted Dominic that was there at the start of the book. A definite recommend! 🤍
julsmarshall's review
2.0
This one was okay, a little too predictable for me, even for a romance. I did really like the heroine-Fallon was a great character. Her love interest was super meh for me though-
crazyyummy1209's review
3.0
3.5 ⭐⭐⭐✨
I love this story but I think it's better to have a much deeper development between these two characters. I found something lacking about this book. If the author pushed deeper and give a longer storyline, then this story deserves a five stars.
I love this story but I think it's better to have a much deeper development between these two characters. I found something lacking about this book. If the author pushed deeper and give a longer storyline, then this story deserves a five stars.
thenia's review
4.0
A fun story of a woman pretending to be a man, a rake, intense attraction between the two, bitterness, numbness and an extra dose of the dramatic.
Fallon is having trouble holding a job when the only thing she really wants is a home of her own and security. Desperate, she disguises herself as a man and takes a job that brings her close to a renowned rake who had propositioned her once. He has no idea who she is and she gets to see firsthand how scandalous his life is.
Dominic desperately needs something to get him out of the restless state he's been in for years and does all sorts of scandalous things to achieve that goal, mostly in vain. His childhood traumas haunt him and taint his relationship with his only living relative, his grandfather.
The pair find what they need in each other, although it takes a long time for them both to realize it. They both need to forgive, forget and re-evaluate what is important in their lives.
An interesting story that introduced us briefly to the heroine of the next book and Fallon's childhood friend, Evelyn. Looking forward to reading her story.
Fallon is having trouble holding a job when the only thing she really wants is a home of her own and security. Desperate, she disguises herself as a man and takes a job that brings her close to a renowned rake who had propositioned her once. He has no idea who she is and she gets to see firsthand how scandalous his life is.
Dominic desperately needs something to get him out of the restless state he's been in for years and does all sorts of scandalous things to achieve that goal, mostly in vain. His childhood traumas haunt him and taint his relationship with his only living relative, his grandfather.
The pair find what they need in each other, although it takes a long time for them both to realize it. They both need to forgive, forget and re-evaluate what is important in their lives.
An interesting story that introduced us briefly to the heroine of the next book and Fallon's childhood friend, Evelyn. Looking forward to reading her story.
mamapitter's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
mad4oj's review
2.0
2.5 stars. The plot was 5 stars (I love the girl-disguised-as-a-boy trope) but big points taken off for lack of main character development and most especially dubious consent in many of the scenes, not to mention the ongoing blatant slut-shaming. Such a shame as with a few key changes this could have been 5 stars, there were aspects of this story that I loved. I really hope not all this author's male leads are like this one because she definitely imagines great narratives.
prgchrqltma's review
4.0
Characters: orphan with abuse in past, aristo with abuse in past
World Building: standard, male/female servant's work
Plot: disguised female, redemption
Sex: medium
Read another: Yes
World Building: standard, male/female servant's work
Plot: disguised female, redemption
Sex: medium
Read another: Yes
kerite's review
2.0
I'm a fan of "heroine disguised as a man" stories, but unfortunately this one didn't do much for me. I feel like this book could've expanded more on some interesting themes - the hero's strict religious upbringing, class differences, experiences of working-class women - but the plot is pretty shallow and the hero is very unlikable.
Anyway. Meet Dominic. He goes well past rake territory and into the realm of gross, skeezy prick. His introduction has him idly fondling a boob in his carriage and pondering how he always forgets women's names. Charming. Then he passes Fallon, the heroine, fighting off an attacker on the street and stops to help. He gives her a ride and gets pouty at her "priggishness" for not wanting to have sex then and there. He wants to shock her, so he starts sucking his companion's boobs while she gropes him through his trousers. Just imagine this happening to you, and try telling me you wouldn't be disturbed! But I guess it's okay because he's oh-so gorgeous, right? And even though he loves corrupting and "plowing" innocent young ladies, he's a painter! So sensitive! And he takes care of street urchins! And he had a hard childhood! Poor tortured soul! Unfortunately none of this makes up for him being an obnoxious sleaze. The interactions between him and Fallon only cement his grossness - he doesn't listen when she says no and stop during their first sexual encounter, and says it's her fault for getting unwanted advances from men because she's supposedly deliberately "provocative." He refuses to give her a letter of reference so she can seek other employment, flat out telling her "you're not leaving." He corners her, makes vague threats, and acts like she "owes" him. When he finally takes her virginity on a kitchen table the consent is dubious, and when she tries to pull back from the pain he forces himself in anyway.
Fallon was okay, but felt like wasted potential. There was nothing major I disliked - in fact, I liked having a heroine who's had some genuine struggles - she just didn't spark a lot of sympathy or interest. I feel like she was set up to be a strong character, but she became wishy-washy when she was revealed as a woman and the duke got pushy and aggressive. She doesn't seem to have many defining personality traits, and although she's supposedly not beautiful, every nobleman she's met in the past couldn't keep his hands off her. Thus, the crossdressing.
The vast differences between the hero and heroine are barely touched on, and the very real issues that would arise between a servant and a duke marrying are magically hand-waved away. I liked the interactions between them when she was a man, but in my opinion her disguise was revealed too soon. It would've been interesting to see them develop a closeness before he realized she was a woman. After that, it's all lust, and their love feels rushed and based on sheer physical attraction.
Also, another thing that bugged me is how the book takes dim view of any woman who isn't Fallon or her friends, describing them in very petty, unflattering terms. Yeah, we get it, the heroine is just so special and different from all those other cheap simpering sluts. Considering the duke's promiscuity, it's quite the double-standard to refer to the women as "tarts" every other page.
Anyway. Meet Dominic. He goes well past rake territory and into the realm of gross, skeezy prick. His introduction has him idly fondling a boob in his carriage and pondering how he always forgets women's names. Charming. Then he passes Fallon, the heroine, fighting off an attacker on the street and stops to help. He gives her a ride and gets pouty at her "priggishness" for not wanting to have sex then and there. He wants to shock her, so he starts sucking his companion's boobs while she gropes him through his trousers. Just imagine this happening to you, and try telling me you wouldn't be disturbed! But I guess it's okay because he's oh-so gorgeous, right? And even though he loves corrupting and "plowing" innocent young ladies, he's a painter! So sensitive! And he takes care of street urchins! And he had a hard childhood! Poor tortured soul! Unfortunately none of this makes up for him being an obnoxious sleaze. The interactions between him and Fallon only cement his grossness - he doesn't listen when she says no and stop during their first sexual encounter, and says it's her fault for getting unwanted advances from men because she's supposedly deliberately "provocative." He refuses to give her a letter of reference so she can seek other employment, flat out telling her "you're not leaving." He corners her, makes vague threats, and acts like she "owes" him. When he finally takes her virginity on a kitchen table the consent is dubious, and when she tries to pull back from the pain he forces himself in anyway.
Fallon was okay, but felt like wasted potential. There was nothing major I disliked - in fact, I liked having a heroine who's had some genuine struggles - she just didn't spark a lot of sympathy or interest. I feel like she was set up to be a strong character, but she became wishy-washy when she was revealed as a woman and the duke got pushy and aggressive. She doesn't seem to have many defining personality traits, and although she's supposedly not beautiful, every nobleman she's met in the past couldn't keep his hands off her. Thus, the crossdressing.
The vast differences between the hero and heroine are barely touched on, and the very real issues that would arise between a servant and a duke marrying are magically hand-waved away. I liked the interactions between them when she was a man, but in my opinion her disguise was revealed too soon. It would've been interesting to see them develop a closeness before he realized she was a woman. After that, it's all lust, and their love feels rushed and based on sheer physical attraction.
Also, another thing that bugged me is how the book takes dim view of any woman who isn't Fallon or her friends, describing them in very petty, unflattering terms. Yeah, we get it, the heroine is just so special and different from all those other cheap simpering sluts. Considering the duke's promiscuity, it's quite the double-standard to refer to the women as "tarts" every other page.
malissac's review
3.0
So it’s a good read/listen. Nothing extraordinary, but a nice way to pass some time. I never truly came to like the Hero, he was a a odd mix of a good person with low morals...really low morals and he flaunted them wildly. While he curbed his bawdy ways, obviously, I never felt like he redeemed himself from them, he just stopped doing it and the heroine just went on like it was nothing. Honestly that was just my biggest challenge, otherwise I enjoyed the read.
bibliophiliadk's review
3.0
Didn't really offer anything as far as originality goes. I'm getting a little tired of the jaded, hurt rouge that suffered hell through his childhood. But Fallon was a nice change - she was truly feisty and not afraid to speak her mind. So that was a plus. But other than that I didn't really see anything inventive in this.