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elmead's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Wow wow wow. This is one of the best historical romances I’ve ever read. The premise is so unique and so heartachingly good. I’m a sucker for a best friends to lovers trope, but the added twist of one friend thinking the other is dead, but in reality still lives, but is now living as their true self really enthralled me.
The narrator did an incredible job bringing this story to life. Little touches like gasps, talking through laughter, and a small slurp when a character takes a sip of tea really added a theatrical touch and enhanced the storytelling
The narrator did an incredible job bringing this story to life. Little touches like gasps, talking through laughter, and a small slurp when a character takes a sip of tea really added a theatrical touch and enhanced the storytelling
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Suicide attempt, Transphobia, and Suicidal thoughts
jamie_cruz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: War and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, and Deadnaming
ramakn22's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Transphobia
gogglor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Loved it loved it loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Drug abuse, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: War, Deadnaming, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, and Vomit
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
The FMC being trans is handled with phenomenal aplomb, but from the nature of the story there is some non-cruelly-intended deadnaming. There’s a CW at the start of the book that discusses it. MMC does react with hurt when he finds out FMC is his trans former friend, but it’s to do with the lack of trust, not with her living as a woman. MMC has war-induced PTSD and has a flashback in the story. All in all there is a LOT of recovering from trauma and grief in this book, but it ends happily and everything seems to be handled well. I know it’s a lot of trigger warnings but I think it’s still a worthwhile read even if some of your triggers are listed.kato_goldacker's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Friends to lovers slow-burn with good Trans Representation.
Recommend for Bridgerton Fans
(go to end for conclusion)
(go to end for conclusion)
Loved it. When I found this one I knew I had to read it simply because it is exactly what I wanted.
Alexis Hall has some really beautiful writing and ways of describing things, as well as the ability to spark inspiration or thought with the way he puts things. This had a lot of inspiring, beautiful lines and romantic, soft, yearning moments that I really enjoyed, I marked a lot of parts in this book. Hall did a great job with writing a relatable trans character, too.
I did feel that, overall in its execution it’s not a masterpiece of a book, as I still felt like some things were perhaps missing or too simple. I also wasn’t always entirely sure about the pace of the book, I would call it a slow-burn romance, which I liked, but it did change pace a bit later. I don’t think it’s extraordinary story-writing or anything -generally I felt like there were things missing for me to make it a GREAT book, but I couldn’t exactly pinpoint what it was. Depth, the feeling of a more detailedly thought-through plot / story, most likely.
Still, I loved it, and I’m so happy there’s a book with this story.
The characters were lovely and the playful, intimate and teasing interactions and the yearning and pining between Gracewood and Viola were really fun to read.
I’m also really happy we got a bit of spicy/intimate scenes, which I think is great seeing trans characters nicely represented in.
I don’t think you always need an absolutely great story with a unique plot that wasn’t ever written before. Popular tropes can still be enjoyable, and I don’t think it’s necessary to have an entirely period-accurate representation in every LGBTQIA+ novel, especially since -some people argue- it can be nice for us to have something simple, cheesy and stereotypical for once too, just like there’s tons of (non-LGBTQIA+) straight fiction like that.
Conclusion
So I’d say, if you’re not looking for a terribly original storyline but for a happy, hopelessly romantic, historical friends to lovers slow-burn, featuring good and positive trans representation, you will really like this.
About Triggers
I put all from this list I think are (briefly) in the book,
Of course it is for yourself to know but I just need to say I didn’t find this much triggering, even though I am quite sensitive to a lot of those. If drug use is really triggering for you it might be a different thing, for me it is mainly violence related as well as any sexual abuse or transphobia related ones, but I was mostly fine reading this and, despite containing all of those listed triggers, I found this was book that still felt light.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Violence, Drug abuse, Ableism, Addiction, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Outing, War, Gun violence, Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Grief
Minor: Deadnaming, Physical abuse, Transphobia, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Lesbophobia
kelisabeth's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Addiction, Alcohol, Homophobia, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Infertility, Classism, Violence, Biphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Transphobia, Vomit, War, Grief, Gun violence, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
netflixismyroommate's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, Transphobia, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Kidnapping, War, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Deadnaming, Ableism, Homophobia, Grief, and Dysphoria
novella42's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
This book was a delight and a joy, easily one of my top reads of 2022. As a queer cis person with PTSD and a disability, married to a genderfluid partner, I have often wondered what our lives might have been like in a different time. This story was a refreshing alternative to many of the "gritty" interpretations of queer history. The truth is that we don't know a lot about the queer or trans experience prior to the Twentieth Century—because it was hidden from view—and because we don't know, there is also space to speculate for happiness and acceptance just as there is for the usual tropes that assume all will encounter darkness and hate.
I felt such a connection to the characters. The struggle with internalized ableism was believable and handled with more nuance than I expected. And just... The identity work in this book, not just about gender but on so many levels. It felt wonderful to witness. To see them work through their fears, their demons, to navigate all the uncertainties (without language for their identities or traumas), and all the ways they connected to heal. I was crying with pure joy at multiple points throughout the book!
I felt such a connection to the characters. The struggle with internalized ableism was believable and handled with more nuance than I expected. And just... The identity work in this book, not just about gender but on so many levels. It felt wonderful to witness. To see them work through their fears, their demons, to navigate all the uncertainties (without language for their identities or traumas), and all the ways they connected to heal. I was crying with pure joy at multiple points throughout the book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Sexism, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Mental illness, War, Deadnaming, Blood, Drug use, Dysphoria, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Ableism
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Classism, Outing, and Suicidal thoughts
mikhaela_reid's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Sexual content
unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Alexis Hall set out to write a historical romance with a trans heroine and have her gender not be the key point of conflict in the novel. Not only did he succeed on this point, he also managed to build a novel around lies of omission and half truths that I totally believed in and felt good reading. Often when characters in romance novels hide the truth from one another I get angry about it and extremely stressed.
With Viola, her reasons for not sharing her entire history with Gracewood are completely sympathetic. I was as twisted up about whether she should reveal who she was to him as she was. I also loved the fantasy world that Hall built in which Viola is accepted as who she is almost immediately by everyone she encounters. Conflicts happen but they have nothing to do with her trans-ness, and everything to do with the characters trying to navigate their love for each other in a world that isn’t built for them or a relationship like theirs.
Gracewood is one of the softest, sweetest MMCs I have read for a long time, and he’s also got an extremely dark history. He is injured from the war and uses a cane. He is also battling an opium addiction. He is also a wealthy and powerful duke. Him growing into his power and understand and falling in love with Viola was one of the swooniest things I have read in a lonnnnng time.
I feel the need to mention the superb open door sex scene in this. It felt so necessary and tender, and to be able to see Viola experience the care and joy inherent in physical pleasure as well as Gracewood’s beautiful open-mindedness was a privilege. They both deserved to experience the joy of their bodies, just as they are. It’s just a sex scene but it goes a long way towards normalizing all kinds of physical pleasure for all kinds of bodies and I am so glad it is there.
I feel the need to mention the superb open door sex scene in this. It felt so necessary and tender, and to be able to see Viola experience the care and joy inherent in physical pleasure as well as Gracewood’s beautiful open-mindedness was a privilege. They both deserved to experience the joy of their bodies, just as they are. It’s just a sex scene but it goes a long way towards normalizing all kinds of physical pleasure for all kinds of bodies and I am so glad it is there.
So, we have a high angst novel dealing with strict gender norms, addiction, PTSD and disability…and yet I laughed out loud almost every chapter? What magic is this?
The only gripe I have is the last plot point in this long book felt a little tacked on. I would have been satisfied with more focus on Viola and Gracewood. Nonetheless, a wonder of a book.
The only gripe I have is the last plot point in this long book felt a little tacked on. I would have been satisfied with more focus on Viola and Gracewood. Nonetheless, a wonder of a book.
👍🏻RECOMMENDED. I could write and write and write about this book but ultimately you should read it. If you’re interested in historical romance but worried about strict gender norms, heteronormativity, misogyny and oppressive social structures? This is the book for you. If you’ve read a ton of Hissy RoNos and you’re looking for an angsty, emotional, hilarious, soft love story? This is the book for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual content, Gun violence, War, Death, Drug use, Murder, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Classism, Drug abuse, Grief, Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt