Reviews

It Takes Two to Tumble by Cat Sebastian

Only show reviews with written explanations

reclusivebookslug'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? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I read this series in reverse order and that had a particularly negative effect on my experience of reading this first book. Other reasons it's not a favorite are that the characters are a bit boring, I'm a person who's quite critical of organized religion, and it feels sort of basic within the subgenre of gay historical romance.

heabooknerd's review

Go to review page

4.0

This was such a gentle and heart warming read with lovable characters and beautiful writing. Cat Sebastian is such a great writer and it really shines through in this one. I was completely immersed in the world she created and the romance she was developing. These two are so adorable together and I loved how honest and open they are. Ben was raised in an unconditional family with his father, mother, and his father’s mistress. He’s known he was attracted to men but he’s always pushed it away. Not out of shame but because he wanted a traditional life – the complete opposite of his upbringing. Phillip has spent most of his adult life on a ship, away from his wife and his children but he has to return when his wife dies. On top of that, his first mate, the man he was beginning to love, has also died. But no matter what else is going on, Ben and Phillip can’t stay away from each other, their attraction is too strong.

Ben was so wonderful and I loved his character! He’s just so earnest and open and his care for other people was so sweet. Ben genuinely enjoys helping the people in his parish and his devotion to being a vicar is written so well.

I can’t wait to read more in this series. We only see Hartley in this one but we hear a bit about the other brothers and I’m looking forward to more! Can we get a novella with Alice Crawford? Because she was such a wonderfully written side character.

I know it’s realistic to the time this book takes place in but I was a bit bothered by how uninvolved Phillip has been in his children’s lives prior to his return home. It just bothers me a bit that he could just walk away from his family in the past.

rellimreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

12/21/2022 - Relisten. Just as wonderful as the first time.

8/15/2020 - I absolutely adored this audiobook. I admit that it has a lot of my favorite tropes - age gap, grumpy/sunshine, and a variation of nanny. Cat Sebastian's writing and Joel Leslie's terrific narration made this one I'll be happy to listen to over and over again.

I loved Phillip's growth as a man and a father. I particularly appreciated Sebastian's approach to writing about children, their inclusion in the story, and respect for them as vibrant individuals worthy of respect. Ben was also a fantastic character and witnessing his heartache at disappointing those he loved because he needed to honor himself was simultaneously sad and beautiful. The relationship.between the two men was somewhat of a slow burn but in the best of ways. There were also a lot of laughs which made this a delight to listen to.

I'm looking forward to Heartly's story in A Gentleman Never Keeps Score.

Joel Leslie's narration was amazing. His accents were perfect. Delivery, timing, and emotions were impeccable. This is the sort of narration that can be held as a standard to which all narrators should aspire. ❤

lbarsk's review

Go to review page

5.0

This was just TENDER!!! We love tenderness when the world is on fire! A dad and his kids learning to love each other! A sweetie who wants to help people and take care of ducklings opening his heart!

simonlorden's review

Go to review page

5.0

Man, having dyslexia before anyone knew wtf was happening must have been awful.

Heartfelt, cute, romantic and funny. The kids were adorable, I want to date Ben myself, and I'm invested in the side characters so i GUESS I'll have to read the sequels. Horror.