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honkmoon's review
fast-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
2.5
Not really my favorite, it was kind of fast. On the verge of insta love if we are being honest, which just isn’t my type. I think other people would find this book enjoyable, it was just too rushed for me. I typically enjoy series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, Misogyny, Child abuse, and Gaslighting
Minor: Terminal illness
Content warning explanation:susanpevensie's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
i usually make it a point not to read any romance with privileged people. mostly because, i’d rather read about themes and people who are closer to home. they’re easier to relate to, you know?
but royally rearranged has such lovable characters that it’s hard for me not to immerse myself into it. i loved serafina. even though she was born into privilege, she knows not to complain about it with people who lesser privilege than her. she also actually wants to use her privilege for good and i liked that.
watching her unrequited love for callum was so painful. i felt for her and shed tears for her. the whole time i was thinking to myself “pretty sure this is a romcom? why am i crying?” but it just felt so real, so raw. i’m so glad she finally saw her silly crush for what it was.
and rafe, my dear rafe. i have to admit that i never really care for male characters as much as i care for female characters when i’m reading romance. but rafe, i just fell for him the way serafina did. his backstory made me cry. i’m glad he went to therapy to resolve his issues. it does wonder for his character development.
the only thing i didn’t like so much about the book is the internalized misogyny directed towards brit from serafina and the other royals. she was the innocent party in the situation but people slutshamed her because what? she dared fuck a royal who who was so eager to bed her? it was unnecessary in my opinion.
i also wished that there was a scene where rafe could have shared about his abusive childhood himself with serafina without her having to find it herself from a file. i felt bad that rafe had to shoulder it alone throughout the book. seeing serafina comfort him, validated his feelings would have made more impact.
also…gosh. rafe and serafina had so much chemistry that i wish this wasn’t a closed door romance! sheesh.
but royally rearranged has such lovable characters that it’s hard for me not to immerse myself into it. i loved serafina. even though she was born into privilege, she knows not to complain about it with people who lesser privilege than her. she also actually wants to use her privilege for good and i liked that.
watching her unrequited love for callum was so painful. i felt for her and shed tears for her. the whole time i was thinking to myself “pretty sure this is a romcom? why am i crying?” but it just felt so real, so raw. i’m so glad she finally saw her silly crush for what it was.
and rafe, my dear rafe. i have to admit that i never really care for male characters as much as i care for female characters when i’m reading romance. but rafe, i just fell for him the way serafina did. his backstory made me cry. i’m glad he went to therapy to resolve his issues. it does wonder for his character development.
the only thing i didn’t like so much about the book is the internalized misogyny directed towards brit from serafina and the other royals. she was the innocent party in the situation but people slutshamed her because what? she dared fuck a royal who who was so eager to bed her? it was unnecessary in my opinion.
i also wished that there was a scene where rafe could have shared about his abusive childhood himself with serafina without her having to find it herself from a file. i felt bad that rafe had to shoulder it alone throughout the book. seeing serafina comfort him, validated his feelings would have made more impact.
also…gosh. rafe and serafina had so much chemistry that i wish this wasn’t a closed door romance! sheesh.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
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