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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars rounded up to 5! Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC.
Isabel Luna Valdés has long since resigned herself to being the “forgotten” Luna sister. But thanks to familial connections to the Mexican ambassador in London, wallflower Isabel is poised to unearth any British intelligence hidden by the ton that might aid Mexico during the French Occupation. Though she slips easily from crowded ballrooms into libraries and private studies, Isabel’s search is hampered by trysting couples and prowling rogues—including the rakish Captain Sirius Dawson.
Even knowing I was going into this story without reading the first in the series, I really enjoyed reading Isabel's story. There was a moment in IatR where Isabel mentions that the sisters grew up disliking each other and being pitted against each other, on their father's demand. I don't know how to explain it, but the relationship between Ana Maria, Isabel, and Gabby seems like they have only recently been on the mend. They are close and love each other, but it's lacking the true-blue closeness that comes with your sibling being your best friend all your life. It's truly well done.
I wish Isabel had more confidence because a gosh-danged viscount was openly courting her, but I'll admit her reasoning for not believing in herself was pretty good. I really liked the relationship between Isabel and Sirius and lord, that scene under the desk? Ok.
Isabel Luna Valdés has long since resigned herself to being the “forgotten” Luna sister. But thanks to familial connections to the Mexican ambassador in London, wallflower Isabel is poised to unearth any British intelligence hidden by the ton that might aid Mexico during the French Occupation. Though she slips easily from crowded ballrooms into libraries and private studies, Isabel’s search is hampered by trysting couples and prowling rogues—including the rakish Captain Sirius Dawson.
Even knowing I was going into this story without reading the first in the series, I really enjoyed reading Isabel's story. There was a moment in IatR where Isabel mentions that the sisters grew up disliking each other and being pitted against each other, on their father's demand. I don't know how to explain it, but the relationship between Ana Maria, Isabel, and Gabby seems like they have only recently been on the mend. They are close and love each other, but it's lacking the true-blue closeness that comes with your sibling being your best friend all your life. It's truly well done.
I wish Isabel had more confidence because a gosh-danged viscount was openly courting her, but I'll admit her reasoning for not believing in herself was pretty good. I really liked the relationship between Isabel and Sirius and lord, that scene under the desk? Ok.
Spoiler
I even really loved the fact that Sirius was late to the ship. It wasn't a perfect airport scene. He was too late! The only thing I wish for the novel was that he made the decision to go to Mexico on his own. His friends had to talk him into it. Dumbass.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Such an improvement from book one! I struggled with the romance and pace of the first book in this series, but this one did a much better job of establishing the central relationship and creating real chemistry between the MCs. The plotting was also better, although this is more of a character-centered book than a plot-heavy one.
Both Isabel and Sirius are acting on (separate) covert information discovery missions, and partly because of this, their interest in and interactions with each other make a lot of sense. Also unlike book one, they actually spend a lot of time together, both in public and private, and you can easily see their attraction to each other from both intellectual and emotional perspectives. I loved watching them grow to admire and care for each other despite reservations on both sides. While I am not a middle sister, Isabel's struggles to carve her own path in her family felt very real and relatable, and despite being bookish and socially anxious, she has a lot of agency and is easy to root for. I do wish Sirius's past was explored a little more, as his trauma was a big motivator for his actions but isn't explored nearly as in depth as Isabel's motivations. But regardless of this, his care and respect for her had me swooning. A very lovable hero.
This book includes more social commentary on colonialism, societal constraints, and even a scene addressing the British thievery of artifacts from colonized spaces for their museums. I love when historical novels address these kinds of issues, and it feels apt in a story centered on Mexican women dealing with these aggressions in real time.
Overall, I was really impressed by how much I enjoyed this given past experience with the series, and I'm very glad I gave it another shot. Isabel and Sirius are a wonderful couple and I'm looking forward to seeing how the third and final book in the series plays out.
Both Isabel and Sirius are acting on (separate) covert information discovery missions, and partly because of this, their interest in and interactions with each other make a lot of sense. Also unlike book one, they actually spend a lot of time together, both in public and private, and you can easily see their attraction to each other from both intellectual and emotional perspectives. I loved watching them grow to admire and care for each other despite reservations on both sides. While I am not a middle sister, Isabel's struggles to carve her own path in her family felt very real and relatable, and despite being bookish and socially anxious, she has a lot of agency and is easy to root for. I do wish Sirius's past was explored a little more, as his trauma was a big motivator for his actions but isn't explored nearly as in depth as Isabel's motivations. But regardless of this, his care and respect for her had me swooning. A very lovable hero.
This book includes more social commentary on colonialism, societal constraints, and even a scene addressing the British thievery of artifacts from colonized spaces for their museums. I love when historical novels address these kinds of issues, and it feels apt in a story centered on Mexican women dealing with these aggressions in real time.
Overall, I was really impressed by how much I enjoyed this given past experience with the series, and I'm very glad I gave it another shot. Isabel and Sirius are a wonderful couple and I'm looking forward to seeing how the third and final book in the series plays out.
dnf at 54%
i didn’t like dawson’s personality and neither did i like isabel lol im over wallflower characters and not even the greater political intrigue (attempt at political intrigue? bc it wasn’t great tbh) could make me want to finish this
also the constant book references were bordering corny. i do not like when authors try and force their characters to be ✨bookish✨
alsonothing more seductive than a man trying to explain to a woman what her clit is during a sex scene 💀💀💀
i didn’t like dawson’s personality and neither did i like isabel lol im over wallflower characters and not even the greater political intrigue (attempt at political intrigue? bc it wasn’t great tbh) could make me want to finish this
also the constant book references were bordering corny. i do not like when authors try and force their characters to be ✨bookish✨
also
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
emotional
hopeful
slow-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: Sexual content
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The Luna Sisters series has quickly become a favorite of mine! Isabel Luna is the awkward, bookish middle sister, consistently overlooked in favor of her more traditionally beautiful and engaging sisters. Due to that, she can easily sneak away from parties and get-togethers and has a secret she is keeping from others, in hopes of helping their native Mexico escape French occupation. Her actions do not escape Captain Sirius Dawson, who has his own secrets to keep. Their paths continue to cross, and their unexpected attraction grows as they find they are more alike than different. Readers who will love historical romance with complex, loveable characters, growing family ties, and a bit of heat will love the Luna sisters just as much as I do! Narrator Ruby Hunt did another great job with book two in this series. Thank you to Berkley for the advanced reading copy & PRH Audio for the audiobook copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.
emotional
reflective
tense
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