Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

A Caribbean Heiress in Paris by Adriana Herrera

29 reviews

overthinkereading's review

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4.0

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onegalonelife27's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

 
There’s something beautiful about visiting the past in a story, especially in a way that isn’t common. Female business owners are not often talked about in historical novels, let alone women of color in a male dominated business. So that enough is catch a reader’s eye. After her father’s death, Luz and her friends sail first to Paris so she can compete in the World Exhibition with her family’s rum. Yet, she gets snubbed time and time again due to her being a woman. Yet one man inspired more than just the usual anger in her: James Evanston Sinclair, Earl of Darnick. 

Despite being an Earl, Evan would rather spend his days at his distillery and far away from his family’s legacy. His father claims that Evan’s mother left no will and thus the distiller belongs to him.Thanks in part to a scheme and collaboration that will lead to his father’s downfall, Evan is able to find the will. Yet, there’s a clause, a marriage clause. 

Luz also finds herself in need of a husband, if only to be able to access her inheritance that her guarantor refuses to give. So thus, we get a good marriage of convenience with plenty of sexual delight between these two, plus Luz gets plenty of respect from Evan who does not look down on her in the slightest. He often gets mad on her behalf, wanting to thrash any man that stands in her way. Yet Luz can stand on her own two feet, time and time again she does get the last word against those who look down on her. 

I also really enjoyed the side characters, such as Luz’s friendships with her fellow Leonas, and also a few hints here and there about their own lovelives. So thus I’m eager to read te rest of the series!

I did have one problem with the book, it was a matter of transitions. Rather than noting the date, it notes the different places the main characters are now in and then saying later how much time has passed. Which to me felt odd since it didn’t feel like much time passed between one place or another. I also like it when historical novels often start chapters with the month and year of the setting, to show time passing and it helps me keep straight how long the story has been going on. 

Over all, if you want a rich Victorian era that shows a diverse cast, a great romance with emotion and sexual tension, as well as some good revenge sprinkled in, I highly recommend this book!
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rickireadss's review against another edition

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4.25

umm, so i may be a historical romance girlie now??!??! this was such a great audiobook - like the narrator was the perfect fit. the banter between luz alana and evan was TOP TIER. i was eating up every interaction between them because they made me so giddy. and omfg they were SOOOO hot. like foaming at the mouth, clutching my pearls, they were hot af. all around, this was a great read, and i can't wait to read the next one!!

representation: Latine FMC (Dominican)

content warnings:
racism, misogyny, sexism, classism, death of parent, colonization, slavery, forced institutionalization, fire/fire injury, gun violence, emotional abuse
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emfass's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

FUCK YES to Adriana Herrera's first (I'm pretty sure??) full length historical romance, she knocked it out of the park. I am in love with Luz and Evan and the whole crew. I really didn't like the violence-adjacent climax, it felt unnecessary to me, but otherwise I loved a whole lot about this book. 
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takarakei's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

  • She's a Caribbean heiress to a rum distillery
  • He's a Scottish lord who owns a whiskey distillery
  • They can't take over these businesses unless they are married ;)
    • Marriage of convenience


This was a cute historical romance!
🌶️ 3.5/5
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lafillesversion's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Read this for HEA Book Club and overall I enjoyed it! It was a breezy read, but I still wanted just a little more character development. Our FMC and MMC don’t go on a big development journey throughout the book. They seem largely the same at the end - just married.

Some scenes also moved a little too quickly. Of a book with Paris in the title, we’re certainly not in the City of Love for very long. (Though the 🌶️ on the Eiffel Tower is probably one of my favorite parts.) 

Again, this just left me wanting a little bit more. The next in the series is sapphic so I may still check it out. 
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cassielaj's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional lighthearted tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I enjoyed Luz and her friends as characters and probably would’ve preferred to read a story focused on them. The way this book discusses colonialism and women’s rights was quite fascinating. However, I found the romance bits somewhat repetitive and the sexual content excessive. But that’s my fault for not doing my research — if you like spice, I’m sure you’d enjoy it. 
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fromjuliereads's review

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! I liked the characters and the premise of the story. I liked that there was Spanish and Gaelic easily added in and you could pick up the meanings from context. And there was a mix of representation which is lovely to see! I'm very excited to read the spinoff sequel since I saw it is sapphic.

My only criticism is that this heavily relied on the two characters just not talking to each other which is something I struggle with... it makes me very frustrated as the reader. BUT I still thoroughly enjoyed the fake marriage trope.
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citymouse's review against another edition

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4.0

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discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This was so delightful! Adriana Herrera’s talent for writing just leaps from the page. The flow and pacing are effortlessly propulsive, the characters are so charming, and the romance had me GIGGLING.

What a treat to read, can’t recommend this enough!
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