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beccaand's review against another edition
dark
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
4.25
this cover is luscious, and the book matches - thoroughly wowed by Scarlett Peckham's writing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death, Infidelity, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
ceridwyn's review against another edition
3.0
I really liked the characters, the set up and the dialogue. For once I even coped with the fact that if they just talked to each other everything would be fine. Or I did the for the first three misunderstandings... after that I started taking off stars.
givemaribooks's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I was a bit disappointed by this book. I had certain expectations going in based on the synopsis and the plot, and those expectations were not met. I went in thinking this would be very steamy, perhaps there would be some kink since it involves a sex club, but instead I got some steam, a little kink, and LOTS of angst. There was soooo much angst for no reason. These two kept moving one step forward and two steps back. Every time I felt the relationship was moving forward, they would fight again or something would go wrong, and most of it involved miscommunications or just not talking to each other honestly. It's a shame because I liked the characters and the premise, but the push and pull just took away from me being able to really see them together as a couple.
MINOR SPOILERS
One of the main issues in their relationship was the mmc hiding his kink, and I don't like that she found out by following him and discovered him at the club. I wish she had found out because he told her. It makes me think that when other issues arise he won't tell her again. There seemed to be no lesson learned about showing your partners who you are. Would he had kept it to himself for years or forever if she had not found out on her own? There's also the fact that for most people what he did at the club would be considered cheating. I am on the fence about it, and I think within this context I do not think it is truly cheating but it almost is. And even if it's not fully cheating, there never is a conversation about it, the fact that he did it behind her back with another domme is crossing a boundary. If the fmc does not think it is cheating, then I would have liked to see her say that/think it. Just some acknowledgment that a boundary was crossed. Instead she forgives him for messing up their relationship and hiding things very quickly, and just moves on to becoming a domme herself. I just felt that it was done too quickly and without any real groveling.
MINOR SPOILERS
One of the main issues in their relationship was the mmc hiding his kink, and I don't like that she found out by following him and discovered him at the club. I wish she had found out because he told her. It makes me think that when other issues arise he won't tell her again. There seemed to be no lesson learned about showing your partners who you are. Would he had kept it to himself for years or forever if she had not found out on her own? There's also the fact that for most people what he did at the club would be considered cheating. I am on the fence about it, and I think within this context I do not think it is truly cheating but it almost is. And even if it's not fully cheating, there never is a conversation about it, the fact that he did it behind her back with another domme is crossing a boundary. If the fmc does not think it is cheating, then I would have liked to see her say that/think it. Just some acknowledgment that a boundary was crossed. Instead she forgives him for messing up their relationship and hiding things very quickly, and just moves on to becoming a domme herself. I just felt that it was done too quickly and without any real groveling.
prynne31's review against another edition
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
3.75
littlewishling's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This started off really good and I really enjoyed the characters but quickly lost the love for the story as the drama just seemed to get more and entangled.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity and Violence
Minor: Child abuse
kisullivan's review against another edition
4.0
Not read a historical romance since my early teenage years but saw a good review of this one, so thought I'd give it a try and really enjoyed it. A good mix of the standard tropes (perhaps a few too many misunderstanding - resolved - misunderstandings in a row) but also a great independent female character and well written.
annamwinter's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
cdb393's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I can't help but compare this book to the last historical romance I read before this one, Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale. They hit on similar themes, but take place in different times and places. This book is darker and hotter than Duchess by Design, but they both deal with independent, business-owning heroines who have no desire to wed and surrender some of their independence to a husband.
Both the heroine, Poppy, and hero, Archer, are well-developed and interesting characters. I was invested in them finding their happily-ever-after together right from the beginning. The story had some dark themes, but I never felt that it was too angsty. I really liked the way the story handled Poppy and Archer figuring out their compatibility in the bedroom. I had a few problems with the pacing. I think it could have been more tightly written, but it didn't take much away from my enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend this one.
I can't help but compare this book to the last historical romance I read before this one, Duchess by Design by Maya Rodale. They hit on similar themes, but take place in different times and places. This book is darker and hotter than Duchess by Design, but they both deal with independent, business-owning heroines who have no desire to wed and surrender some of their independence to a husband.
Both the heroine, Poppy, and hero, Archer, are well-developed and interesting characters. I was invested in them finding their happily-ever-after together right from the beginning. The story had some dark themes, but I never felt that it was too angsty. I really liked the way the story handled Poppy and Archer figuring out their compatibility in the bedroom. I had a few problems with the pacing. I think it could have been more tightly written, but it didn't take much away from my enjoyment of the book. I highly recommend this one.
rachelnevada's review against another edition
I picked up this book because a) I am a sucker for the marriage-of-convenience trope and b) a woman who gardens and wants to run her own business? Sign me up! The latter is the one thing Peckham truly, solidly delivers on. She is excellent at lush, verdant descriptions of foliage and (I'm assuming) did a lot of research as to plant trade between the American colonies and England. There's also a lot of descriptions of cozy rooms overflowing with plants, which I love. The marriage of convenience trope was executed...okay. I kind of love it when the marriage is closer to friends to lovers (which honestly, describing the marriage as a business transaction had me believing) and this marriage of convenience is a lot closer to Daphne and Simon's in the Bridgerton series (caught in a compromising position with not much other choice)
I also did not love that the central conflict between our two characters boils down to an unwillingness to be vulnerable with one another. This is ordinarily fine, but in The Duke I Tempted it means we live out the same plot point (an unwillingness to be vulnerable wounds the other person, who puts walls up, rinse and repeat). It also means that our characters don't really reflect any growth (I mean they are making the same! mistakes!) until the end of the book. I also ordinarily don't mind a third act conflict, but I hate when that conflict centers around miscommunication and trust.
Despite this, the book was still an enjoyable, quick read. If you're looking for a historical romance, but aren't too picky, this book could be great for you!
veronian's review against another edition
4.0
Two nice open-minded people do business together, get married, have sex, learn communication skills, grow together, have more sex, take care of each other, and are happy together. What more can you ask for?