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kfmcf's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I struggle with historicals, but this one was just good fun. I enjoyed their chemistry and the archetypes of both characters. There was just enough plot with Philippa's investigation, but I wish we got a bit more plot with Tommy, tbh, and I normally don't care about plot. Maybe that plot was implied from the first book, but oh well.
There is a facet to this book being mass market size that I think hurt some of its character development (by just having less time). But that's not to say that Erica Ridley didn't succeed with the time she had. Honestly, she's earned my trust as a pretty non-historical minded person.
This is definitely one of the better sapphic books I've read in the last year or so.
Oh also - why are the people on the cover just...wrong? Tommy isn't supposed to have long hair? Can publishers s t o p with people on the cover not matching descriptions omg
There is a facet to this book being mass market size that I think hurt some of its character development (by just having less time). But that's not to say that Erica Ridley didn't succeed with the time she had. Honestly, she's earned my trust as a pretty non-historical minded person.
This is definitely one of the better sapphic books I've read in the last year or so.
Oh also - why are the people on the cover just...wrong? Tommy isn't supposed to have long hair? Can publishers s t o p with people on the cover not matching descriptions omg
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
maddramaqueen's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Confinement, Homophobia, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Abandonment, and Alcohol
daryn's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Death of parent
arlaubscher's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
the_vegan_bookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
What a cute and adorable queer Regency read! It's a very fun imagining of the genre in a fresh and unique way. The core plot is very similar to the first book, The Duke Heist, but the book still reads as fresh and interesting. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Lesbophobia
jmcordero's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, and Lesbophobia
allisonwonderlandreads's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
My heart grew two sizes reading this historical romance. Sure, there's still room for self-improvement, but honestly, what a feat. This sapphic love story originates in a reading circle presided over by one Miss Philippa York, bluestocking and illuminated manuscript enthusiast. Tommy first attends in one of her many disguises, the role of Great-Aunt Wynchester, an old woman who runs on inappropriate remarks and gin. Tommy pines for Philippa in secret for a year before her meddling siblings dare her to strike up a conversation. Wearing a different persona as Baron Vanderbean, she rakishly approaches Philippa in public. Once Tommy reveals her ruse, they strike a bargain, beginning a fake courtship to help Philippa attract a "real" suitor who will meet with her parents' approval and further their goals for the family. Unfortunately for the plan, but fortunately for Tommy and Philippa, there is a spark between them that can't be ignored.
There's some really exciting queer rep in this one. The sapphic goodness radiates from the cover, but there's more to it than that. The way Tommy talks about her gender, I think she would identify as gender-fluid and/or non-binary if that vocabulary was on the table for her. She and Philippa have several conversations about it as Philippa learns Tommy's preferences and gets to see the real her. In terms of Philippa, I think she's a lacy goddess of a curvy demi-sexual. Beyond the way social oppression kept her from coming to terms with her sexuality (Philippa is decidedly uninterested in men and what they have on offer), she also expresses that she never felt attraction before Tommy because she needed that feeling of safety and intimacy first. In the first part of the book, she assumes that experience isn't possible for her even though she wishes for it (see me get punched in the ace feels over here).
This series continues to be sweet, non-toxic (harder to come by than I would like), and witty in a combination that completely charms me. Expect more hijinks from the Wynchesters to boost your spirits and some pure-hearted goodness that make me want to hug every character. Thanks to Forever for the opportunity to read and review this book!
There's some really exciting queer rep in this one. The sapphic goodness radiates from the cover, but there's more to it than that. The way Tommy talks about her gender, I think she would identify as gender-fluid and/or non-binary if that vocabulary was on the table for her. She and Philippa have several conversations about it as Philippa learns Tommy's preferences and gets to see the real her. In terms of Philippa, I think she's a lacy goddess of a curvy demi-sexual. Beyond the way social oppression kept her from coming to terms with her sexuality (Philippa is decidedly uninterested in men and what they have on offer), she also expresses that she never felt attraction before Tommy because she needed that feeling of safety and intimacy first. In the first part of the book, she assumes that experience isn't possible for her even though she wishes for it (see me get punched in the ace feels over here).
This series continues to be sweet, non-toxic (harder to come by than I would like), and witty in a combination that completely charms me. Expect more hijinks from the Wynchesters to boost your spirits and some pure-hearted goodness that make me want to hug every character. Thanks to Forever for the opportunity to read and review this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment