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alexsaslibrary's review
5.0
“He would try and protect her from anything.
Of course, he was currently a threat himself. He felt her heart beating beneath his hand, his careless hand. Did she know she was in love with him?
He was painfully aware that he was.”
- slowest fucking burn
- the House of Lords-rizz was INSANE I WAS SOBBING
- evie dunmore's men keep getting better and better
- I am absolutely in love with Lord Ballentine
- no fr i actually cried hshshsh this was beautiful
Of course, he was currently a threat himself. He felt her heart beating beneath his hand, his careless hand. Did she know she was in love with him?
He was painfully aware that he was.”
- slowest fucking burn
- the House of Lords-rizz was INSANE I WAS SOBBING
- evie dunmore's men keep getting better and better
- I am absolutely in love with Lord Ballentine
- no fr i actually cried hshshsh this was beautiful
ceviche4breakfast's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
emmydoil's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
slow-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
3.75
princ_a_listicka's review against another edition
5.0
Z prvního dílu téhle historické romantické série jsem byla naprosto unešená, ústřední dvojici jsem si absolutně zamilovala. Když jsem pak zjistila, že druhý díl nebude o mé oblíbené Annabelle, ale o její kamarádce Lucii, trochu jsem znejistěla. Bude i druhý díl tak skvělý? Co když mi Lucie jako hlavní hrdinka nebude sympatická? Nicméně již po pár stránkách bylo jisté, že takové zklamání se nekoná. Lady Lucie si mě totiž svou nezkrotnou povahou a ochotou udělat pro svou věc prakticky cokoliv ihned omotala kolem prstu. Díky vzájemné přitažlivosti a chemii mezi Lucií a Tristanem dostáváme bezpočet kouzelných situací, kterých prostě nikdy není dost. Po několika přečtených kapitolách jsem měla ohromnou radost, že je druhý díl delší než první, i přesto mi však trvalo pouhé dva dny ho přečíst.
Přišlo mi také, že je tento díl o dost odvážnější než byl díl první, což není vůbec na škodu. Erotické scény jsou velmi dobře napsané, nepůsobí trapně ani nechutně, opravdu jsem si je užívala. Nenechte se však zmýlit - kniha není jen prostoduchým erotickým dobrodružstvím. Je plný chytrých diskusí a inteligentních nápadů, zabývá se důležitými otázkami dané doby a každý si v ní jistě najde to své. To, že má Lucie jako domácího mazlíčka kočku Boudiccu je jen třešničkou na dortu pro každého kočkomila.
Děj ubíhá nesmírně rychle. Rebelky z Oxfordu jsou přesně tím typem knihy, kterou prostě nejde odložit, a budete ji chtít číst dál a dál i navzdory spánku, práci či jiným povinnostem, dokud se nedozvíte, jak to celé dopadne. Autorka mě po přečtení druhého dílu, který byl dle mého názoru ještě lepší než ten první, pouze utvrdila v tom, že je brilantní spisovatelkou, a že budu netrpělivě vyčkávat každou další knihu z její tvorby.
Přišlo mi také, že je tento díl o dost odvážnější než byl díl první, což není vůbec na škodu. Erotické scény jsou velmi dobře napsané, nepůsobí trapně ani nechutně, opravdu jsem si je užívala. Nenechte se však zmýlit - kniha není jen prostoduchým erotickým dobrodružstvím. Je plný chytrých diskusí a inteligentních nápadů, zabývá se důležitými otázkami dané doby a každý si v ní jistě najde to své. To, že má Lucie jako domácího mazlíčka kočku Boudiccu je jen třešničkou na dortu pro každého kočkomila.
Děj ubíhá nesmírně rychle. Rebelky z Oxfordu jsou přesně tím typem knihy, kterou prostě nejde odložit, a budete ji chtít číst dál a dál i navzdory spánku, práci či jiným povinnostem, dokud se nedozvíte, jak to celé dopadne. Autorka mě po přečtení druhého dílu, který byl dle mého názoru ještě lepší než ten první, pouze utvrdila v tom, že je brilantní spisovatelkou, a že budu netrpělivě vyčkávat každou další knihu z její tvorby.
farhana101's review against another edition
4.0
*4.5
So my bestie is OBSSESED with HRs and recently convinced me to get into them. Boy am I glad she did! The first book in this series was a very enjoyable read, but this book was in a league of its own.. The main hero is by far one if the most loveable, swoon-worthy male leads I’ve ever read! Currently in my feels and believe that no man will ever be half as amazing as Tristan is (and thats on loving Rhys and Hawke/Casteel)- trust me, he’s even sweeter and more delightful than them.
One of the main things that engaged me the most throughout reading was how the rights women were fighting for in the 1800s are still very much rights we are fighting for today. The constraints that Lucie tries so hard to break free from, losing your identity/ambitions when becoming a housewife are the same challenges women face nowadays and the ending perfectly reflects the nature of the 2 characters.
So my bestie is OBSSESED with HRs and recently convinced me to get into them. Boy am I glad she did! The first book in this series was a very enjoyable read, but this book was in a league of its own.. The main hero is by far one if the most loveable, swoon-worthy male leads I’ve ever read! Currently in my feels and believe that no man will ever be half as amazing as Tristan is (and thats on loving Rhys and Hawke/Casteel)- trust me, he’s even sweeter and more delightful than them.
One of the main things that engaged me the most throughout reading was how the rights women were fighting for in the 1800s are still very much rights we are fighting for today. The constraints that Lucie tries so hard to break free from, losing your identity/ambitions when becoming a housewife are the same challenges women face nowadays and the ending perfectly reflects the nature of the 2 characters.
laurenfink's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
alicebme's review
4.0
This is the last one I read of the three, and it is my least favorite. That said, it is still pretty good and so much better than so many other romances. It may be the most relatable to a modern day woman.
ir0l's review
4.0
3/5 stars - the story was nice and I really liked the two main characters but the English was too hard for me, so I didn't enjoy it like I should have.
pat_a8's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
thephdivabooks's review
4.0
Well I will get the news out of the way up front—this book does not focus on a love story for Professor Jenkins. Instead, this story centers around Lucie, who is the leader of the women’s suffrage movement at Oxford. This book was a more entertaining story than the first one, though it did carry it’s fair share of problems which I will get into. Lady Lucie wants to acquire a publishing house to disseminate feminist messages and to oppose laws disadvantaging women. Particularly, they hope to amend the Married Women’s Property Act.
Unfortunately, acquiring the publishing house is not the simplest task. Particularly when Lucie discovers that Lord Ballentine (an old nemesis of Lucie’s) has bought the remaining shares of the publishing house. Tristan (Lord Ballentine) won’t allow Lucie to bring down the publishing house. He is relying on profit from the publishing house to free his mother from his horrible father. Dunmore does a good job making the reader unsure about whether Tristan is a good guy or a bad guy. Obviously it’s a romance novel so we assume he will turn out to be good, but his actions were hard to read and that kept the tension high.
The sexual tension between Lucie and Tristan was also kept high. There were some steamy scenes in this one. Despite their differing goals for the publishing house, Tristan and Lucie have an undeniable physical attraction. Eventually, Tristan offers Lucie control of the publishing house in exchange for one night of passion. At first this ask is too great for Lucie, but eventually it’s too little as she hopes for something more with Tristan.
This is the rub for me with the plot. On the one hand, this is a work of fiction and a romance novel, so I appreciated the smoking hot premise of this. At the same time, in a series that purports to be about feminism (and a character like Lucie who has lived her life refusing to appease others by lowering her political activism)—am I on board with Lucie not only selling out her body, but then potentially marrying a man who will essentially own her (and who has proven that despite his good qualities, he sees women as a commodity to be had and traded)?
That said, I did root for their love story by the end. I can’t help it! I guess I just love a happy ending. Lucie was a compelling character and as we got more context about Tristan, I sympathized with him more. Similar to Bringing Down the Duke, this book had great characters and engaging banter. A Rogue of One’s Own also did a better job showcasing how some men at the time were allies to the women’s suffrage movement.
I want to note that there are a few issues with this book that can’t be overlooked, despite the fun and engaging story. There is one gay character in the story but he is a sneaky villain, and that was disappointing. It was challenging enough for gay people at the time, so I didn’t love that the character was written to be so heinous. I don’t think the author meant anything by it, but it was noticeable. Tristan also has a tattoo that is a Hindu deity. This element of cultural appropriation from our hero leaves a bad taste in an otherwise enjoyable novel. Some South Asian reviewers have shared more about how this was harmful on Goodreads, so I encourage you to go there if you want to hear their perspective. I reminded myself that unfortunately colonialism was very prevalent at the time of this book, and perhaps this was authentic. But also, did we need to include it?
Those issues aside, this was a fun story with a bad-boy hero and a feminist heroine. The female friendships continued to shine, and I do look forward to continuing this fun historical romance series!
Unfortunately, acquiring the publishing house is not the simplest task. Particularly when Lucie discovers that Lord Ballentine (an old nemesis of Lucie’s) has bought the remaining shares of the publishing house. Tristan (Lord Ballentine) won’t allow Lucie to bring down the publishing house. He is relying on profit from the publishing house to free his mother from his horrible father. Dunmore does a good job making the reader unsure about whether Tristan is a good guy or a bad guy. Obviously it’s a romance novel so we assume he will turn out to be good, but his actions were hard to read and that kept the tension high.
The sexual tension between Lucie and Tristan was also kept high. There were some steamy scenes in this one. Despite their differing goals for the publishing house, Tristan and Lucie have an undeniable physical attraction. Eventually, Tristan offers Lucie control of the publishing house in exchange for one night of passion. At first this ask is too great for Lucie, but eventually it’s too little as she hopes for something more with Tristan.
This is the rub for me with the plot. On the one hand, this is a work of fiction and a romance novel, so I appreciated the smoking hot premise of this. At the same time, in a series that purports to be about feminism (and a character like Lucie who has lived her life refusing to appease others by lowering her political activism)—am I on board with Lucie not only selling out her body, but then potentially marrying a man who will essentially own her (and who has proven that despite his good qualities, he sees women as a commodity to be had and traded)?
That said, I did root for their love story by the end. I can’t help it! I guess I just love a happy ending. Lucie was a compelling character and as we got more context about Tristan, I sympathized with him more. Similar to Bringing Down the Duke, this book had great characters and engaging banter. A Rogue of One’s Own also did a better job showcasing how some men at the time were allies to the women’s suffrage movement.
I want to note that there are a few issues with this book that can’t be overlooked, despite the fun and engaging story. There is one gay character in the story but he is a sneaky villain, and that was disappointing. It was challenging enough for gay people at the time, so I didn’t love that the character was written to be so heinous. I don’t think the author meant anything by it, but it was noticeable. Tristan also has a tattoo that is a Hindu deity. This element of cultural appropriation from our hero leaves a bad taste in an otherwise enjoyable novel. Some South Asian reviewers have shared more about how this was harmful on Goodreads, so I encourage you to go there if you want to hear their perspective. I reminded myself that unfortunately colonialism was very prevalent at the time of this book, and perhaps this was authentic. But also, did we need to include it?
Those issues aside, this was a fun story with a bad-boy hero and a feminist heroine. The female friendships continued to shine, and I do look forward to continuing this fun historical romance series!