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extracelestial's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.5
I’m loving this series! A HR that includes queer AND BIPOC?! Who knew it was possible.
In terms of the story itself, this story was really adventurous and fun to follow, though witnessing the gaslighting and psychological abuse was rough. Milan did such a lovely job really helping us understand the characters’ traumas and growth to live life in abundance in spite of it. Like the first book of the series, this wasn’t as steamy as I would have liked but I still loved this.
In terms of the story itself, this story was really adventurous and fun to follow, though witnessing the gaslighting and psychological abuse was rough. Milan did such a lovely job really helping us understand the characters’ traumas and growth to live life in abundance in spite of it. Like the first book of the series, this wasn’t as steamy as I would have liked but I still loved this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Racism, and Gaslighting
jjyee's review against another edition
5.0
OBLIGATORY COURTNEY MILAN IS PERFECT COMMENT!!! Camilla is truly wonderful and made my heart ache. I have a really great feeling about this series, especially the upcoming Worth family stuff. Normally when I'm reading a romance book, I'm always going to be about the main couple, but Milan makes the supporting characters around the main couple and their relations with them so engaging that I'm constantly looking forward to any of those scenes.
But it's especially in this series that I love, love the relationships between the Worth sisters. I love that it's a little bit different in the sense that they don't necessarily *like* each other a lot of the times but of course they still love each other. I'm super excited for any snippits of Camilla and Adrian in the future series!! This is already shaping up to be my favorite series from Milan!!!!
But it's especially in this series that I love, love the relationships between the Worth sisters. I love that it's a little bit different in the sense that they don't necessarily *like* each other a lot of the times but of course they still love each other. I'm super excited for any snippits of Camilla and Adrian in the future series!! This is already shaping up to be my favorite series from Milan!!!!
amlibera's review against another edition
4.0
I started this a while ago but the beginning didn't grab me and I left it just started on my Kindle. I should have known that Courtney Milan would not disappoint. Great characters and relationships, complicated plotting and some excellent emotional porn.
jackiehorne's review against another edition
4.0
See full review at: http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-promise-and-limitations-of-hope.html
noapo88's review
3.0
Fun light reading
I like the Worth family, all the siblings are alike and different. This book follows Camila the sister that disappeared.
This book felt a little repetitive and even boring at some points. I did enjoy it, but not as much as I liked the first book. For some reason, Camila and everything that happened to her didn't feel realistic.
I read good reviews on the third book, hope it will be better
I like the Worth family, all the siblings are alike and different. This book follows Camila the sister that disappeared.
This book felt a little repetitive and even boring at some points. I did enjoy it, but not as much as I liked the first book. For some reason, Camila and everything that happened to her didn't feel realistic.
I read good reviews on the third book, hope it will be better
zephyr42's review against another edition
4.0
I've been reading through Courtney Milan's work for several years now, and I am always bolstered by her stories. I rarely wait until I'm in a specific mood to reach for them. They're always what I need.
Her books have consistently told stories of people who have been silenced, dismissed, or marginalized, crafting narratives to provide justice and compassion. This one takes a step further, demonstrating how people who grow to care for each other should lift the other up and use their respective privilege for the other's benefit. This isn't what you might expect from a forced marriage story, beginning with ambivalence or outright hostility. There's a fierce loyalty in both of them for people who are used as pawns, and rather than it coming out in anger at each other, they give each other what the world (specifically, the people who have power over them) has denied them: confidence, trust, and agency.
I loved reading this book. It was a welcome transportation from daily stress, but it was more than an escape. It was an edification and an encouragement to do better, not just for my own benefit but for others'.
Thank you, Courtney Milan, for the ARC of your excellent book. I've already pre-ordered it and recommended the hell out of it to everyone I wasn't already furiously texting about it over the weekend.
Her books have consistently told stories of people who have been silenced, dismissed, or marginalized, crafting narratives to provide justice and compassion. This one takes a step further, demonstrating how people who grow to care for each other should lift the other up and use their respective privilege for the other's benefit. This isn't what you might expect from a forced marriage story, beginning with ambivalence or outright hostility. There's a fierce loyalty in both of them for people who are used as pawns, and rather than it coming out in anger at each other, they give each other what the world (specifically, the people who have power over them) has denied them: confidence, trust, and agency.
I loved reading this book. It was a welcome transportation from daily stress, but it was more than an escape. It was an edification and an encouragement to do better, not just for my own benefit but for others'.
Thank you, Courtney Milan, for the ARC of your excellent book. I've already pre-ordered it and recommended the hell out of it to everyone I wasn't already furiously texting about it over the weekend.
danielles_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
After that explosive and intriguing ending of Once a Marquess, I was a little disappointed in this one. What happens in that ending doesn’t occur in this book until over 75% in, so I kept waiting and waiting for that scene to happen, which removed some of the tension and made this drag.
This audiobook is 2 and a half hours longer than book 1, and I don’t think there’s really any reason for it to be. There was a LOT of repetition, especially in the first half. I know Camilla struggles with insecurity and doubt, and while it was heartbreaking, I don’t need to hear about it 20+ times.
Adrian and Camilla had a cute friendship, and I was interested in both of their separate pasts, but I didn’t find their romantic relationship all that compelling. It got to the point for me where Camilla was SO insecure that it felt like her and Adrian’s relationship was built out of desperation more than anything. I can believe Adrian loves her (because man those tiger plates were cute af ), but I felt like Camilla loved the idea of being chosen more than the man who actually chose her. Even in their sex scene she kept saying “I’ll make you happy” over and over instead of talking about HER happiness.
I didn’t find the main non-romance plot as interesting as the first book. I just really don’t care about these random bishops, and I’m still a little confused on what exactly happened with them!
What made this book enjoyable for me was the side characters. I LOVED all of Theresa’s scenes, and I loved seeing little snippets of Judith and Christian’s married life. Plus, Theresa and Benedict’s scenes were even more hilarious than the first book, with him calling her general lmao. I loved Mrs. Martin, even though she was a bit ridiculous and probably anachronistic but every story needs a confident old lady. I’m intrigued by Grayson too. I also loved the stories of past annulment cases, and how Camilla wanted to make things right in honor of them.
I’m also dyingggg at the ending.The reveal with Priya had me shocked!! I can’t WAIT to read Theresa’s book, but I know based on past books’ release dates I’ll need to wait a while 🥲
I lost a bit of steam in the series now but I do plan to read book 3 relatively soon, especially since it has the best reviews of the books released so far.
This audiobook is 2 and a half hours longer than book 1, and I don’t think there’s really any reason for it to be. There was a LOT of repetition, especially in the first half. I know Camilla struggles with insecurity and doubt, and while it was heartbreaking, I don’t need to hear about it 20+ times.
Adrian and Camilla had a cute friendship, and I was interested in both of their separate pasts, but I didn’t find their romantic relationship all that compelling. It got to the point for me where Camilla was SO insecure that it felt like her and Adrian’s relationship was built out of desperation more than anything. I can believe Adrian loves her (
I didn’t find the main non-romance plot as interesting as the first book. I just really don’t care about these random bishops, and I’m still a little confused on what exactly happened with them!
What made this book enjoyable for me was the side characters. I LOVED all of Theresa’s scenes, and I loved seeing little snippets of Judith and Christian’s married life. Plus, Theresa and Benedict’s scenes were even more hilarious than the first book, with him calling her general lmao. I loved Mrs. Martin, even though she was a bit ridiculous and probably anachronistic but every story needs a confident old lady. I’m intrigued by Grayson too. I also loved the stories of past annulment cases, and how Camilla wanted to make things right in honor of them.
I’m also dyingggg at the ending.
I lost a bit of steam in the series now but I do plan to read book 3 relatively soon, especially since it has the best reviews of the books released so far.
earthboundcutie's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Rounding it up to a 4 because I really do love Courtney Milan. However I didn't completely love the progression of the love story. The pacing just felt off, fairly slow for the whole book and then rushed at the end. I didn't fully believe all the emotions.
That being said it was really fun and I wasn't disappointed after waiting so long for this one to come out.
Rounding it up to a 4 because I really do love Courtney Milan. However I didn't completely love the progression of the love story. The pacing just felt off, fairly slow for the whole book and then rushed at the end. I didn't fully believe all the emotions.
That being said it was really fun and I wasn't disappointed after waiting so long for this one to come out.
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.5
Once again, the social and political commentary in this is so expertly done and so nuanced. Our biracial and Black male main character navigates (and even explains) code switching on page, and provides a unique contrast to the code switching of our female main character, who is white and formerly of the nobility, but now must navigate life in the servant/working class. The intersections of race, class difference and gender are explicitly examined through the story.
I struggled with the third-act conflict and wished for a bit more apology/grovel in one scene, but ultimately these two characters navigate a rocky path to a truly beautiful happily ever after. And the resolution of the family separation was heart wrenching in the best way.
I loved the audio production, but will note that Milan's author note is not included in narration and well worth reading, as she reflects on her lived experiences that informed key plot points. It is available on her website to read in full.
I struggled with the third-act conflict and wished for a bit more apology/grovel in one scene, but ultimately these two characters navigate a rocky path to a truly beautiful happily ever after. And the resolution of the family separation was heart wrenching in the best way.
I loved the audio production, but will note that Milan's author note is not included in narration and well worth reading, as she reflects on her lived experiences that informed key plot points. It is available on her website to read in full.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Gun violence, and Confinement
Minor: Sexual assault