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whatbeccareadnext's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I find historical romance so hit or miss. I enjoyed the beginning of this story, but it just got so cheesy. Funnily enough, I don't normally mind a bit of cheese, but it was a bit too mushy and saccharine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death of parent
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? No
4.5
4.5/5 stars
2.5/5 spice
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Brother's best friend/ Best friend's sister
Poet MMC
Forced proximity
Banter and tension
Clandestine adventures
Dual POV
I read this series out of order, so I already knew a bit about Kieran and Celeste's story. However, that didn't take away from the adventure. This was a surprisingly spicy read... not in the sense that it was scene after scene of smut, but the language, descriptions, and tension leading up to each scene was present anytime the MCs were in each other's presence. The chemistry was palpable, and the flow of the story worked well with the growth of the MCs relationship. The adventures they went on were also fun to read about. It was an enjoyable story that had all the romance, angst, adventure, and spice that I love to read in historical romances.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Blackmail, misogyny, classism, explicit language, and sexual content
2.5/5 spice
Tropes:
Friends to lovers
Brother's best friend/ Best friend's sister
Poet MMC
Forced proximity
Banter and tension
Clandestine adventures
Dual POV
I read this series out of order, so I already knew a bit about Kieran and Celeste's story. However, that didn't take away from the adventure. This was a surprisingly spicy read... not in the sense that it was scene after scene of smut, but the language, descriptions, and tension leading up to each scene was present anytime the MCs were in each other's presence. The chemistry was palpable, and the flow of the story worked well with the growth of the MCs relationship. The adventures they went on were also fun to read about. It was an enjoyable story that had all the romance, angst, adventure, and spice that I love to read in historical romances.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Blackmail, misogyny, classism, explicit language, and sexual content
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Misogyny
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
ramakn22's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
hannahkiwi's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Drug use
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
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
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? No
4.0
Holding my review in support of the HarperCollins Union Strike, as Avon is an imprint of HC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
carbs666's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
This is a good one!!
I love a romance with the "you're the only one who truly knows me" dynamic and this couple has it in spades! Celeste is easy to root for as a heroine - she's fiesty and bored as hell and her mission to squeeze as much joy as she can out of life before her obligations get in the way is very relatable. Also, Kieran's sensitivity and devotion to pleasure is so appealing in a hero. I love how Leigh didn't let him descend into cynicism despite the efforts of his family to crush his personality. Also, the way they each had a secret little crush on/fascination with each other before getting together in this scheme is SO cute!
I love a historical that accurately captures the political concerns of the era and is guided by what reviewers often call "modern morals", and Leigh is great for this. Also, the sex is tender and hot - fans of dirty talking and explicit negotiations of consent will be delighted. My one key complaint is that it was way too easy to make the villain go away - a touch more drama in that confrontation could have been nice!
I love a romance with the "you're the only one who truly knows me" dynamic and this couple has it in spades! Celeste is easy to root for as a heroine - she's fiesty and bored as hell and her mission to squeeze as much joy as she can out of life before her obligations get in the way is very relatable. Also, Kieran's sensitivity and devotion to pleasure is so appealing in a hero. I love how Leigh didn't let him descend into cynicism despite the efforts of his family to crush his personality. Also, the way they each had a secret little crush on/fascination with each other before getting together in this scheme is SO cute!
I love a historical that accurately captures the political concerns of the era and is guided by what reviewers often call "modern morals", and Leigh is great for this. Also, the sex is tender and hot - fans of dirty talking and explicit negotiations of consent will be delighted. My one key complaint is that it was way too easy to make the villain go away - a touch more drama in that confrontation could have been nice!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Violence
mcmizzie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.75
Amazing chemistry between these two! I loved Kiernen’s poetic heart matched with the from-the-tenements attitude of Celeste. There’s a poetry battle! And fabulous feminist reclamation of the Biblical character of Salome!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Abandonment