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zoldpanna's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
wonder_in's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
topy_loving_books's review against another edition
4.0
Good first installment to a new series. I'm definitely curious to discover the books about the other Ravenels (West, Pandora and Cassandra). But most importantly Helen & her Mr. Winterborne, especially after this last chapter. I LOVED to see them learning to know each other. And even if Kathleen thought she's not interested, we can definitely see that she is shy, but definitely attracted by this self-made man full of confidence, charm and arrogance.
LK didn't disappoint with a crazy cinematic cliffhanger (like the foundry fire in Secrets of a Summer Night)with the train derailment . But what surprised me was that it happened at only 50% of the story. What a way to introduce Winterborne and make a hero of Devon. And then give us great sick bed scenes where we can see the beginning of the spark between Helen & Rhys.
The hero's brother, West, definitely stole the show countless times, for me. So much that I had to remind myself that he wasn't the hero of this book but that his time will come way later in the series. Definitely had to have a look at who will be his +1. Every scene he appeared, he was funny and entertaining. I love his relationship with their cousins, Cassandra & Pandora, instantly. It was adorable to see him and Devon caring for them, and treating them like family way more than their own dad & brother ever did.
But overall, the part less interesting about this story was actually the main couple. Compare to all the other colorful characters, they fall short. I appreciate the talk about Kathleen's first husband behaviors toward her on their wedding night, because sadly it must have been so common back then for the young wives. They have to be all virginal and innocent, kept in the dark about anything sex related, and then expected to act like a mistress on their wedding night. Patriarchy in all its glory. I'm just disappointed that LK didn't take the opportunity to go deeper into this discussion, but sadly it'll be a complain I'll have often with this series. Great ideas, but most of the time it doesn't translate in the long run. Kleypas just stay on the surface of things.
LK didn't disappoint with a crazy cinematic cliffhanger (like the foundry fire in Secrets of a Summer Night)
The hero's brother, West, definitely stole the show countless times, for me. So much that I had to remind myself that he wasn't the hero of this book but that his time will come way later in the series. Definitely had to have a look at who will be his +1. Every scene he appeared, he was funny and entertaining. I love his relationship with their cousins, Cassandra & Pandora, instantly. It was adorable to see him and Devon caring for them, and treating them like family way more than their own dad & brother ever did.
But overall, the part less interesting about this story was actually the main couple. Compare to all the other colorful characters, they fall short. I appreciate the talk about Kathleen's first husband behaviors toward her on their wedding night, because sadly it must have been so common back then for the young wives. They have to be all virginal and innocent, kept in the dark about anything sex related, and then expected to act like a mistress on their wedding night. Patriarchy in all its glory. I'm just disappointed that LK didn't take the opportunity to go deeper into this discussion, but sadly it'll be a complain I'll have often with this series. Great ideas, but most of the time it doesn't translate in the long run. Kleypas just stay on the surface of things.
bribliography's review against another edition
3.0
[3.5 stars] kinda jumped around a lot and devon put his foot in his mouth every other chapter but his proposal made me cry so
leontyna's review against another edition
emotional
3.0
The main couple relationship was too volatile for my liking
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
This was ok historical romance, but they didn't spend much time together for romance to work plus it's insta-love.
But I liked West, Kathleen and twins, overall ok and I will continue reading series.
But I liked West, Kathleen and twins, overall ok and I will continue reading series.
awortiz's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
zaza_bdp's review against another edition
3.0
Ce sera un avis mitigé pour moi aussi !
Si dans l'ensemble, j'ai plutôt apprécié le livre et les chamailleries entre les principaux protagonistes, je n'ai en revanche pas été sensible à leur romance.
J'ai plutôt été intéressée par les personnages secondaires, notamment l'évolution de Weston (sur qui on ne parierait pas un kopeck au début !), le côté fantasque des jumelles, mais aussi l'ébauche de l'histoire entre Rhys & Helen ...
Kathleen & Devon eux ... Eh bien je ne les trouve pas terrible tous les deux, je trouve qu'à de nombreuses reprises ils font en clin d'oeil des choses qui ne collent pas du tout à leur personnalité. Et j'avoue que sur la dernière partie, Kathleen m'a tellement insupportée avec son côté mère la morale qui se mêle de tout que j'ai fini par survoler les derniers 20% du livre ...
Une lecture très moyenne donc, mais les personnages secondaires valent le coup !
Si dans l'ensemble, j'ai plutôt apprécié le livre et les chamailleries entre les principaux protagonistes, je n'ai en revanche pas été sensible à leur romance.
J'ai plutôt été intéressée par les personnages secondaires, notamment l'évolution de Weston (sur qui on ne parierait pas un kopeck au début !), le côté fantasque des jumelles, mais aussi l'ébauche de l'histoire entre Rhys & Helen ...
Kathleen & Devon eux ... Eh bien je ne les trouve pas terrible tous les deux, je trouve qu'à de nombreuses reprises ils font en clin d'oeil des choses qui ne collent pas du tout à leur personnalité. Et j'avoue que sur la dernière partie, Kathleen m'a tellement insupportée avec son côté mère la morale qui se mêle de tout que j'ai fini par survoler les derniers 20% du livre ...
Une lecture très moyenne donc, mais les personnages secondaires valent le coup !
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Medical content, and Abandonment
lahroberts111's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.75
I didn’t really connect with either of the main characters. I also didn’t really understand their connection and the MMC spent so much time only wanting to bed her, that it was off-putting. He went from “I’ll never get married or have kids” for 95% of the book, to then in the last hour changing his mind and being fully onboard. FMC clearly stated her boundaries multiple times, and he kept pressuring her. Bit of a turn off. The side characters had more personality
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy