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bookishmillennial's review
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
This was not my favorite of the series so far (the first one was fine!), but I will continue on and see if I like the third one. First of all, I found the inclusion of the Shiva tattoo to be ..... a choice. I don't know, I just felt it was unnecessary and if you're going to do something like this, as a white writer, you need to do your due diligence and you *need* to hire sensitivity readers. I appreciate whenever historical romance tries to add commentary on the racism, sexism, colonization, etc. of the time, but you still need to do it with immense care.
Tristan & Lucie were okay; I do enjoy a slow burn because I love the unraveling of each character and the final ultimate "okay fine you have broken down my walls and I want you!" That is always delicious. However, I just could not find the male love interest that redeemable. Was he charismatic and had his sweet moments? Yes, absolutely. I just didn't feel he redeemed himself, that's all!
Steam was a 2.5/5
content warnings are below!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Animal death, and Sexism
Minor: Misogyny, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and War
btwnprintedpgs's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
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? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Grief, Sexual content, Sexism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Confinement
Minor: Physical abuse, Homophobia, Racism, War, and Death
Veiled cultural appropriation and fetishization of South Asian womenkaty_alice's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Child abuse, Animal death, Xenophobia, and War
nothingforpomegranted's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I loved Bringing Down the Duke so much, and coincidentally, I read it the day before A Rogue of One's Own came out. I was so excited to pick this one up, even though it took me a few months to get to it, and I'm so disappointed that I didn't love it!
The writing felt a little false and forced, and I really struggled to connect to the protagonists or the development of their love story. I didn't even feel impressed and invested in Lucie's feminist, suffragist efforts to overturn the Married Women's Property Act through purchasing a publishing house.
Lady Lucie Tedbury and Lord Tristan Ballentine grew up together, antagonizing each other throughout their childhood and every time they've reunited since growing up. When Lucie collaborates with her crew of suffragist ladies to purchase 50% of the shares in a publishing house, earning majority influence over the other two owners and granting them the opportunity to slyly spread their mission and message. Much to Lucie's surprise, though, Tristan has returned from war in India and purchased the other 50% of shares, foiling her plan entirely...unless she'll spend a night with him.
Along with the romance plot, Dunmore introduced so many subplots and characters in this novel that I really struggled to keep track, and I don't think it left enough space for the primary love story or for the conversations among the "League of Extraordinary Women" ladies. I would have loved to see the female friendships that were developed in the first novel returned and strengthened in this sequel. Nonetheless, I'm excited for Hattie's story in the third book in this series, and I will definitely be picking it up in September. Hopefully, that will be closer to Bringing Down the Duke than this was.
The writing felt a little false and forced, and I really struggled to connect to the protagonists or the development of their love story. I didn't even feel impressed and invested in Lucie's feminist, suffragist efforts to overturn the Married Women's Property Act through purchasing a publishing house.
Lady Lucie Tedbury and Lord Tristan Ballentine grew up together, antagonizing each other throughout their childhood and every time they've reunited since growing up. When Lucie collaborates with her crew of suffragist ladies to purchase 50% of the shares in a publishing house, earning majority influence over the other two owners and granting them the opportunity to slyly spread their mission and message. Much to Lucie's surprise, though, Tristan has returned from war in India and purchased the other 50% of shares, foiling her plan entirely...unless she'll spend a night with him.
Along with the romance plot, Dunmore introduced so many subplots and characters in this novel that I really struggled to keep track, and I don't think it left enough space for the primary love story or for the conversations among the "League of Extraordinary Women" ladies. I would have loved to see the female friendships that were developed in the first novel returned and strengthened in this sequel. Nonetheless, I'm excited for Hattie's story in the third book in this series, and I will definitely be picking it up in September. Hopefully, that will be closer to Bringing Down the Duke than this was.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
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