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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
tense
slow-paced
I enjoyed this story so so much and this was the perfect addition to this incredible series!
Ryot and Aurelia's first encounter was by coincidence while Aurelia is trying to get a night free from her royal duties but their attraction was instant. Their second encounter was when Ryot was appointed Aurelia's body guard because her safety is at risk and from there they have to adapt to be in closed proximity while also keeping their growing attraction under control.
Ryot has been feeling guilty and undeserving of happiness since the death of his late wife while on a mission. But from the very first moment he mets Aurelia there is a spark he has never felt before and instantly he has the need to protect her. The more he tries resisting her the more impossible this becomes and when Aurelia's kingdom it's at risk he will jump into the opportunity to marry her in order to help her with his family's fortune. What starts as a marriage of convenience becomes so much more.
I love the chemistry between Ryot and Aurelia. Their journey had a few bumps along the way but I really enjoyed how perfect they were for each other.
✦Forced proximity
✦heroine in danger
✦Grumpy/Sunshine
✦Curvy Princess
✦Marriage of convenience
✦Protective hero
I struggled with this book, granted, I started it without having read the other books in the series. There was something very basic about the dialogue, and the storyline gave me so much whiplash I should be in a body brace.
I really looked forward to this book but I think I was let down because it felt too long and unnecessary additional scenes, confusing and somewhat overall disappointing. I trudged through he last 50% hoping it would get better but I just didn't enjoy it like I expected and felt more like it would take one step forward and two steps backs in the arch/relationship between the characters. The story was good in theory and there were some compelling and interesting scenes but it just fell short for me in the end unfortunately.
The grammar was awful from the beginning, and I tried SO hard to push through it, but I couldn't do it. It sounded so stilted a majority of the time, which really pulls you out of the flow of the story.
This one... wasn't my favorite. It had all the elements I loved- mafia, bodyguard romance, forced proximity, etc. But the dead wife thing was just ruining the mood all the time.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
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:
No
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This started off reasonably strong, but definitely didn't stick the landing for me. The characters ultimately seemed very one note and idealistic for my taste and it got a bit too sappy for me at the end. I think L. Steele's writing style is just not to my taste.
Spice: Rated TV-MA. Not suitable for readers who would prefer to avoid explicit smut. And if I never read the descriptor "alpha male" again, that would be amazing, thanks.
Spice: Rated TV-MA. Not suitable for readers who would prefer to avoid explicit smut. And if I never read the descriptor "alpha male" again, that would be amazing, thanks.
Feel the fire that stirs the senses and awakens the heart. Ryot and Aurelia plow through the boundaries that life throws at them to find a place to truly belong. Steele aims for the heart and captures the soul. From unpredictable to irresistible, The Reluctant Wife holds nothing back. With every twist and turn, you lose a little bit more of your heart to these haunting characters.