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readwithde's review
challenging
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I spent quite a lot of time trying to find something I disliked about this book, any reason to give it 3 or 4 stars, but the truth is I absolutely adored it.
Lucie is completely different than what I remember from Bringing Down the Duke, but of course her strong exterior shrouds her vulnerability -- her loneliness and sacrifices made for the Cause.
Likewise, Ballentine reads much differently when you realize his reputation is a facade, a way to numb his pain and provide space from entanglements that may jeopardize his plans to free himself from his father.
Childhood connection plus this passion for freedom inevitably turn their indecent proposal into love (Ballentine's long-term crush on Lucie notwithstanding). Every choice they make seems real, and Dunmore gives them both space to think through these choices: when Ballentine realizes he waited too long to tell Lucie his plans, he knows she will be angry, possibly hate him, so he chooses to remain silent on the matter, clinging to as much time as possible.
They both grow and change so much through the process; in the end, Ballentine is right -- love makes them stronger. The challenges faced are truly considered and managed, not brushed aside for whim or fancy or "being in the moment." They are two serious people with real stakes; the respect that grows between them is tangible.
Though Cecily and Arthur tried various ways to disrupt the couple, neither had truly wrong intentions and neither truly paid for their involvement or insolence. In the end, Arthur actual gets what he wants from Ballentine (though he doesn't realize it); he is seen and heard and understood for his feelings, without judgment or shame. It's a rare case where everyone wins, though not how they planned to. And it's beautiful in the making.
Lucie is completely different than what I remember from Bringing Down the Duke, but of course her strong exterior shrouds her vulnerability -- her loneliness and sacrifices made for the Cause.
Likewise, Ballentine reads much differently
Childhood connection plus this passion for freedom inevitably turn their indecent proposal into love
They both grow and change so much through the process; in the end, Ballentine is right -- love makes them stronger. The challenges faced are truly considered and managed, not brushed aside for whim or fancy or "being in the moment." They are two serious people with real stakes; the respect that grows between them is tangible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, and War
smallcasualbooktok's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
3.75
this was my favorite of the series. again, did it inspire groundbreaking thoughts? no, but it was a well written, entertaining, and funny enemies to lovers romance. i had no big annoyances and really enjoyed this one!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
kimiichanga's review against another edition
3.0
ok first off, initial thoughts that i wrote in my notes
intial thoughts:
im satisfied with it
it's just so much more righteously angry than the first and i vibe with lucie
also tristan? be getting that
idk why but the first book duo is just more annoying this time around sorry yo
u kno when the thing happened with cecily and yall bet i was screaming "end this bitch's career" at my phone
there were some moments even in the intimate ones where i cringed bad but like yea this is a horny yearning story
----------
WITH THAT SAID, there's something that made me go :/ here, and that's tristan's tattoo.
the fact that it's from a culture from a country they colonized is just icky to me like fuck "accuracy" it's culture appropriation. Can't they just revise this to another tattoo
and because of that, i'm very unwilling to rate this book, which is sad because it couldve been a 4 or 5 star to me
intial thoughts:
im satisfied with it
it's just so much more righteously angry than the first and i vibe with lucie
also tristan? be getting that
idk why but the first book duo is just more annoying this time around sorry yo
u kno when the thing happened with cecily and yall bet i was screaming "end this bitch's career" at my phone
there were some moments even in the intimate ones where i cringed bad but like yea this is a horny yearning story
----------
WITH THAT SAID, there's something that made me go :/ here, and that's tristan's tattoo.
the fact that it's from a culture from a country they colonized is just icky to me like fuck "accuracy" it's culture appropriation. Can't they just revise this to another tattoo
and because of that, i'm very unwilling to rate this book, which is sad because it couldve been a 4 or 5 star to me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cultural appropriation and Sexism
katy_leigh's review
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Misogyny
litokeland's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
meganpbennett's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
A Rogue of One's Own sees Lady Lucie, a suffragette who has just bought half of the shares of London Print, going head to head with the notorious rogue Tristan. Who owns the other half of the shares of London Print. It's hate at first sight, since there's no way that a nobleman would ever support the suffragette cause, or help repeal the married women's property act. And there's no way he'll let her publish anything radical in their co-owned newspaper, would he? Until, he offers her a deal to become the majority stakeholder in London Print. But will she take it, and what will happen if she does?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Forced institutionalization
meghanm404's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
rrovezzi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
stardustandrockets's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Violence
clairestream's review
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I had a REALLY hard time getting into this book. I just kept peaking it up and losing interest after 2-3 pages... It took me more than 2 weeks to finish it when I usually read books like this one in 2-3 days top. The beginning was very slow, and the pace peaked up around the 60% mark. Overall nice story, really liked Lucie and the work she does.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief