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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Inconsistent characters are my number one pet peeve. And not in the “in denial” way, but when they claim to think or feel one way and then act completely opposite to that….
Also, preachy. Show it don’t tell it.
Lastly, historically inaccurate/inconsistancy. In one minute “women have no freedoms” in the next woman is off doing whatever the fuck she wants with impunity and no consequences.
Okay, that was the bad, but I had to start with it because I did read the first book in this series, so I knew what I was getting into. And I chose to read it anyway. Why? Because I needed something quick and easy and lighthearted. I love historicals. And wanted a happy ending. And I wanted that from a brown woman about brown women. And this book delivered.
Also, preachy. Show it don’t tell it.
Lastly, historically inaccurate/inconsistancy. In one minute “women have no freedoms” in the next woman is off doing whatever the fuck she wants with impunity and no consequences.
Okay, that was the bad, but I had to start with it because I did read the first book in this series, so I knew what I was getting into. And I chose to read it anyway. Why? Because I needed something quick and easy and lighthearted. I love historicals. And wanted a happy ending. And I wanted that from a brown woman about brown women. And this book delivered.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
HOW DO THESE BOOKS KEEP GETTING BETTER AND BETTER?? And you're telling me it's only February and I have to wait until AUGUST for Gabriela's book?!?!
This book is for those who watched season 3 of Bridgerton and was left wanting more. This book is for the "I will fall in love with you, over and over again, I don't care how, where or when" EPIC the musical fans. This book is for the historical romance fans. And even if you aren't a fan of any of those things, pick up this book anyway!!
Isabel was painted as a lonely wallflower in book 1 but I love how this book expands on her capabilities, and how her sneakiness was simply a ruse for high espionage for the Mexican government. Her story allows for an expansion on more of the history of Mexico in the 1800s, especially as the French government moved to colonize it's land and it's people. Much like Ana Maria's, Isabel's characterization contained so many multitudes; from her insecurity about her desirability due to darker skin tone and her high intelligence, to her never-ending search for a way to please her father, to her arc of dislike to fondness for Sirius, and so much more, Isobel is a character any one could fall in love with, despite her own misgivings on the subject.
Sirius was such a phenomenal counterpart for Isabel; I have such a soft spot in my heart for reformed womanizer characters and Sirius is not different. His interest, morphing into pining, morphing into all-consuming desire, was palpable through each of his chapters, but this was by no means his sole characteristic. It was fascinating to observe the ways in which his British covert operations intersected with Isobel, his cover being a man slut was highly amusing, making for some extremely tense and fraught scenes with Isabel. But it was also heart-warming to see Sirius' work with the monastery, and his complicated past as a member of the British army, all of which built together a highly memorable male main character.
I loved how the historical aspects were so thorough, with nods to the British Museum's atrocities, the utilization of rubber condoms in the 1800s, the French colonization of Mexico and Britain's involvement therein, and so much more. I loved the small nods to Ana Maria and Gideon's happily married life, through I wish we had seen a tad bit more of them in this story. The spice scenes were absolutely INCREDIBLE, the reciprocity of desire and lust between both Isabel AND Sirius cannot be understated, and I feel like each smut scene further revealed aspects of the characters on a deeply vulnerable level.
All in all, I love this series so dearly and I am both so excited for Gabriela's book and yet also so mournful that this series will be coming to an end with the third installment. If you haven't read this book already, do so IMMEDIATELY!!!
This book is for those who watched season 3 of Bridgerton and was left wanting more. This book is for the "I will fall in love with you, over and over again, I don't care how, where or when" EPIC the musical fans. This book is for the historical romance fans. And even if you aren't a fan of any of those things, pick up this book anyway!!
Isabel was painted as a lonely wallflower in book 1 but I love how this book expands on her capabilities, and how her sneakiness was simply a ruse for high espionage for the Mexican government. Her story allows for an expansion on more of the history of Mexico in the 1800s, especially as the French government moved to colonize it's land and it's people. Much like Ana Maria's, Isabel's characterization contained so many multitudes; from her insecurity about her desirability due to darker skin tone and her high intelligence, to her never-ending search for a way to please her father, to her arc of dislike to fondness for Sirius, and so much more, Isobel is a character any one could fall in love with, despite her own misgivings on the subject.
Sirius was such a phenomenal counterpart for Isabel; I have such a soft spot in my heart for reformed womanizer characters and Sirius is not different. His interest, morphing into pining, morphing into all-consuming desire, was palpable through each of his chapters, but this was by no means his sole characteristic. It was fascinating to observe the ways in which his British covert operations intersected with Isobel, his cover being a man slut was highly amusing, making for some extremely tense and fraught scenes with Isabel. But it was also heart-warming to see Sirius' work with the monastery, and his complicated past as a member of the British army, all of which built together a highly memorable male main character.
I loved how the historical aspects were so thorough, with nods to the British Museum's atrocities, the utilization of rubber condoms in the 1800s, the French colonization of Mexico and Britain's involvement therein, and so much more. I loved the small nods to Ana Maria and Gideon's happily married life, through I wish we had seen a tad bit more of them in this story. The spice scenes were absolutely INCREDIBLE, the reciprocity of desire and lust between both Isabel AND Sirius cannot be understated, and I feel like each smut scene further revealed aspects of the characters on a deeply vulnerable level.
All in all, I love this series so dearly and I am both so excited for Gabriela's book and yet also so mournful that this series will be coming to an end with the third installment. If you haven't read this book already, do so IMMEDIATELY!!!
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
fast-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:
Yes
inspiring
lighthearted
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Am I turning into a historical fiction girlie???? 🤔 Honestly, probably not. Although, for De La Rosa the answer might always be yes. I loved getting to revisit characters from the 1st Luna Sisters Novel, and revisit this time period of Napoleon’s occupation of Mexico. I adore Isa even more than Ana, and I loved the different commentaries woven into the story. The discussion of colorism and beauty standards in the book. To the commentary on colonization and the pillaging of arts and treasures by Britain, while simultaneously refusing aid to people of the countries. All the way to the criticism of lack of resources for veterans was all wrapped between the love story of Isa and Sirius as they strove towards their own political missions. And the ending was *CHEFS KISS* 😘
Maybe I am turning into a historical fiction gal, I just need the right lens.
Maybe I am turning into a historical fiction gal, I just need the right lens.
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really really liked this book. Perhaps more than the first 🫢
Everyone has a little Isabel inside of themselves. Our worst critic, internalizing every bad thing someone has told us, keeping ourselves out of the room. Being put in her story, in her narrative -- really only makes me want to stop thinking like this for myself because this kind of destructive mindset is what stopped Isabel from truly going after what she wanted. Although this is a romance and romances end happily -- seeing how she thought of herself was shocking.
This way Liana incorporates history into these stories, real events whether current to the times or events that add to the story despite accuracy of time is truly beautiful. These are my first experiences with historical romance and I love it!
I can't wait for the third one!!
Everyone has a little Isabel inside of themselves. Our worst critic, internalizing every bad thing someone has told us, keeping ourselves out of the room. Being put in her story, in her narrative -- really only makes me want to stop thinking like this for myself because this kind of destructive mindset is what stopped Isabel from truly going after what she wanted. Although this is a romance and romances end happily -- seeing how she thought of herself was shocking.
This way Liana incorporates history into these stories, real events whether current to the times or events that add to the story despite accuracy of time is truly beautiful. These are my first experiences with historical romance and I love it!
I can't wait for the third one!!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Colonisation, War