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bookishmillennial's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
Wow, this was so much fun! I met Eva Leigh at Steamy Lit Con & she gave me a copy of this book as part of a fundraiser reward that I purchased, and I am so grateful for it! This historical romance is told in third-person limited, past tense POV of our love interests Celeste Kilbern and Kieran Ransome. Kieran is given an ultimatum from his parents that he, his young brother Finn, and their best friend Dom must marry a “respectable” woman within a year or they will be financially cut off. Celeste is actually Dom’s sister, so this is a best friend’s sister/brother’s best friend trope lol. Celeste agrees to bring Kieran to respectable events to improve his rakish reputation as long as he brings her to the scandalous late-night outings so she can live it up before getting married to an earl. Obviously, with this forced proximity and Celeste taking on a sexy persona of “Salome” as she goes out, they become closer and start falling for each other!
I really enjoyed their connection from the beginning. They both had found the other attractive but knew they were off-limits and as they got to know one another, it became harder and harder to dismiss the truth, that they were a perfect fit for each other. Kieran empowered Celeste to follow her dreams in making a difference in her lower-class hometown, and Celeste embraced the softer, more artistic side of Kieran that he was bashful about sharing with just anyone. They challenged the other to be their best selves, and they inspired each other! Plus, the tension was off the charts, omgosh!!!! I loved the build up to their steamy scenes 🤌🏽
Overall, I’d absolutely read more from Eva Leigh in the future and I had such a wonderful time reading this!
steam rating: 3/5
cw: sexism, misogyny, blackmail
Wow, this was so much fun! I met Eva Leigh at Steamy Lit Con & she gave me a copy of this book as part of a fundraiser reward that I purchased, and I am so grateful for it! This historical romance is told in third-person limited, past tense POV of our love interests Celeste Kilbern and Kieran Ransome. Kieran is given an ultimatum from his parents that he, his young brother Finn, and their best friend Dom must marry a “respectable” woman within a year or they will be financially cut off. Celeste is actually Dom’s sister, so this is a best friend’s sister/brother’s best friend trope lol. Celeste agrees to bring Kieran to respectable events to improve his rakish reputation as long as he brings her to the scandalous late-night outings so she can live it up before getting married to an earl. Obviously, with this forced proximity and Celeste taking on a sexy persona of “Salome” as she goes out, they become closer and start falling for each other!
I really enjoyed their connection from the beginning. They both had found the other attractive but knew they were off-limits and as they got to know one another, it became harder and harder to dismiss the truth, that they were a perfect fit for each other. Kieran empowered Celeste to follow her dreams in making a difference in her lower-class hometown, and Celeste embraced the softer, more artistic side of Kieran that he was bashful about sharing with just anyone. They challenged the other to be their best selves, and they inspired each other! Plus, the tension was off the charts, omgosh!!!! I loved the build up to their steamy scenes 🤌🏽
Overall, I’d absolutely read more from Eva Leigh in the future and I had such a wonderful time reading this!
steam rating: 3/5
cw: sexism, misogyny, blackmail
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexism, and Misogyny
kyeruhh's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love a man with daddy (and in this case, mommy) issues. Plus Kieran was a secretly soft bad boy? Obsessed. Celeste was a fun FMC, and her struggle with her place in society felt more realistic than other historical romances I’ve read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Classism, and Sexism
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings: Sexual content, sexism, classism, emotional abuse, violence, and strained family relations.
OMG I love Celeste and Kieran so much! She's considered a good girl [she's also his best friends little sister 😏] he's considered a rake who has no care for responsibility...and then circumstances cause them to join forces. *chefs kiss* She completely gobsmacks him with just how curious, adventurous, and full of life she is...and he surprises her with his sensitive side, caring, and poetry *swoons* and OMG the TENSION and then the SPICE! *SCREAMS IN HISTORICAL ROMANCE*
OMG I love Celeste and Kieran so much! She's considered a good girl [she's also his best friends little sister 😏] he's considered a rake who has no care for responsibility...and then circumstances cause them to join forces. *chefs kiss* She completely gobsmacks him with just how curious, adventurous, and full of life she is...and he surprises her with his sensitive side, caring, and poetry *swoons* and OMG the TENSION and then the SPICE! *SCREAMS IN HISTORICAL ROMANCE*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Classism, Sexual content, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Violence
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexual content, Alcohol, Death of parent, Cursing, Classism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Homophobia
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