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heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had mixed feelings about Lex Croucher's first book, but I am a sucker for Regency historical fiction, so I entered this book with a little bit of trepidation. I actually liked this one better! Eddie is a completely unlikeable main character and yet Croucher lets you feel close to her and care about her welfare - an incredible feat! The bacchanalia felt well-balanced by (mostly) sober daytime adventures, too, and the racial and sexual/gender diversity felt truer to Regency culture and still ring true to modern society. The brief references to real historical figures, like William Wilberforce and Mary Shelley and characters very much modeled on Anne Lister or who were probably influenced by Rousseau and Wollstonecraft kept me grounded in the period. The villain was a believable scoundrel (even if his last appearance was a bit melodramatic), and the heroine got to go on a very Austen-esque journey of self-discovery. A very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to more, if there will be more from this world.
Graphic: Infidelity, Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Murder
cami_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug use
capybooks's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Drug use, Toxic friendship, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
Minor: Blood, Cursing, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
vrhayes08's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Drug use
Moderate: Gun violence, Murder, Death, Infidelity, and Violence
Minor: Slavery, Colonisation, Racism, and Classism
kirstyjanemc98's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Drug use, and Alcohol
amy2113's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol and Drug use
ellenigrace's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Drug use
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Sexual assault
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
This was a re-read because it was one of my favourite books of last year. I loved it just as much this time. There's something about Lex Croucher's writing which works perfectly for me. I love their sense of humour and their characters. I already want to re-read their 2023 releases Trouble and Gwen & Art but I'll wait until next year.
July 2022
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it didn't disappoint. I think I enjoyed it just as much as Reputation and I wish I'd had the time to finish it in a couple of sittings because I never wanted to put it down. It has so many elements that I love - great side characters, a crumbling old house, a sapphic romance - and they all come together so well. The combination of the historical setting with contemporary jokes works brilliantly and it's exactly my sense of humour. Lex's next book also sounds fantastic and it'll probably be my most anticipated release of next year.
Graphic: Alcohol, Infidelity, and Drug use
Moderate: Sexism and Sexual assault
samvansam's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death
megbarrett's review against another edition
- 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
While Croucher's sophomore novel is just as witty and heartwarming as their first, the dark elements are even darker (check content warnings!). I genuinely can't wait to force this book upon everybody I've ever met and all of their friends.
Graphic: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Racism and Death of parent