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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-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:
No
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for this advance copy!
I started to get worried a few chapters into this that this was going to be the slowest of slow burns. Ash and Ellie meet, they hang out, they flirt, and then they hook up but NO NO NO they are not together and literally year pass before they meet again. And that's fine, but oh wow, the back and forth felt brutal at times. Of course there is a class problem and of course there is miscommunication and a title and a land issue. But at the heart of it are two people who are clearly meant to be and clearly need to run off and just do their own thing. I got frustrated with them at times, but really my frustration was with the pacing, which plodded at times, and even as I couldn't put the book down, I also wanted to throw it across the room due to the speed.
In the end, everything works out because of course there is an HEA, but it felt like some editing and pacing changes would have improved this dramatic story.
I started to get worried a few chapters into this that this was going to be the slowest of slow burns. Ash and Ellie meet, they hang out, they flirt, and then they hook up but NO NO NO they are not together and literally year pass before they meet again. And that's fine, but oh wow, the back and forth felt brutal at times. Of course there is a class problem and of course there is miscommunication and a title and a land issue. But at the heart of it are two people who are clearly meant to be and clearly need to run off and just do their own thing. I got frustrated with them at times, but really my frustration was with the pacing, which plodded at times, and even as I couldn't put the book down, I also wanted to throw it across the room due to the speed.
In the end, everything works out because of course there is an HEA, but it felt like some editing and pacing changes would have improved this dramatic story.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is officially one of my top 5 quickest DNFs. I made it four minutes in—FOUR—and had to tap out. The second I heard A Court of Thorns and Roses mentioned, I knew the vibe wasn’t for me. That one name-drop was enough to tell me this book was going to be annoying. I noped out immediately. No hard feelings, just not for me.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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
- second chance
- opposites attract
- workplace (she works as a gardener on his family's estate)
- past, present, and future
- 🌶️/5 (minor details)
- single pov
POV: At 21, you spend three days with a Welshman you meet while travelling in Portugal and fall hard. But when meeting up a week later doesn't go to plan, you try to forget him and move on with life. Six years later, you end up working on his family's estate.
This wasn't as emotionally devastating as I've come to expect from Paige 😅, but I still enjoyed Ash and Ellie's story. The emotional depth comes from both having lost their childhood best friends and navigating life without them. The character depth comes from them (eventually) walking their own paths away from family and societal expectations.
I love that the book is split into four parts, as it kept me captivated. We travel with them through Portugal and see them fall in love. We see the shock of their reunion six years later and how complicated their relationship is. Because in what world can a gardener be with a viscount? Then we see them reunite years later when things have changed.
I listened to the audiobook, and Annabel Acton did an excellent job with the different accents – English, Welsh, and Australian included.
- opposites attract
- workplace (she works as a gardener on his family's estate)
- past, present, and future
- 🌶️/5 (minor details)
- single pov
POV: At 21, you spend three days with a Welshman you meet while travelling in Portugal and fall hard. But when meeting up a week later doesn't go to plan, you try to forget him and move on with life. Six years later, you end up working on his family's estate.
This wasn't as emotionally devastating as I've come to expect from Paige 😅, but I still enjoyed Ash and Ellie's story. The emotional depth comes from both having lost their childhood best friends and navigating life without them. The character depth comes from them (eventually) walking their own paths away from family and societal expectations.
I love that the book is split into four parts, as it kept me captivated. We travel with them through Portugal and see them fall in love. We see the shock of their reunion six years later and how complicated their relationship is. Because in what world can a gardener be with a viscount? Then we see them reunite years later when things have changed.
I listened to the audiobook, and Annabel Acton did an excellent job with the different accents – English, Welsh, and Australian included.
If you love a second chance romance this is a must read! Ate this book up! Thank you NetGalley for the eARC of this. Highly recommend adding to your TBR.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Complicated