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language_loving_amateur's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.25
While I enjoyed it, there were several things that got on my nerves like why does every crossing dressing woman in historical fiction have to be described as "slight" when wearing masculine apparel? and why can't side characters who cross dress get a happily ever after that does not depend on them returning to their "proper" role? I know that in a small way, Burrowes acknowledging that gay and queer folks have existed throughout time is more than a lot of authors of heterosexual romance are willing to do, but do they have to die? or end up in a traditional marriage? Dane and George Haddonfield and Peak deserve non cookie cutter happily ever afters . There is quite a bit of heavy content, so maybe check the content warnings if you want a heads up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Child abuse, Suicide, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, Gun violence, Chronic illness, Drug use, Mental illness, Homophobia, Murder, Rape, Forced institutionalization, Animal death, Confinement, and Incest
becbeach's review
4.0
This is one of her better romances. The hero and heroine are of equal standing and other than their own pasts and a bit of trouble from dear old dad. It was a sensible and lovely story about finding love the second time around. I have found Ms.Burrowes seem to repeat the story premise but this one was at least a bit different. Good solid sweet story.
redheadedjen1's review
adventurous
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
4.5
rissahoo's review
4.0
I've been hunting up the last few odds and ends of Grace Burrowes' works that for whatever reason haven't previously come my way, and in the process started to wonder: how does Grace Burrowes get into brutal topics, like torture, incest, and parental abandonment, while still feeling cuddly safe the entire time? *Trenton* really drove home for me that it isn't lack of realism - these characters and events are about as accurate as historical romance gets. The answer, I think, is that Burrowes includes one element of reality that grittier writers prefer to ignore - the fact that everyone lives their own normal, and even terror and trauma can seem comfortingly familiar when you're used to them. Ironically, the one character who is really living the nightmare here is Trenton's abusive father, Lord Wilton, who is forced to face the consequences of his own behavior for the first time, as previously established in *Darius* and *Nicholas*. Trenton is so relieved that his father's worst impulses are finally curbed that he hardly seems to notice his father's unrelenting attacks - displaying a blindness that is as jaw-dropping as it is plausible, and all too dangerous. As an interesting side note, Trent's lover, who thinks of herself as being from a loving home, is in some senses just as damaged as he is - her near-total social isolation goes largely unremarked in the swirl of his family drama, but explains why these two characters are able to get together and, we hope, build a successful family despite the background of severe dysfunction. Grace Burrowes is the only romance author I know who allows her heroes to keep their major flaws straight through into happily-ever-after. Nicholas will always be a man-slut; Gareth will always be a manipulative SOB; and Trenton will always have a certain weakness of spirit that will come back to haunt him when life hits him with more than he can handle. It takes some getting used to, but given how much it grates when romance novels churn out uniformly perfect husbands out of all sorts of unpromising material, I think I'll learn to like it.
jandmterry's review
5.0
Loved this story...
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes Grace Burrowes. She never disappoints with her great stories. In this one, we get Trenton's story and his second chance at love. He is sent to his. country house by his brother, Darius. He decides it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit to his newly widowed neighbor Elegy Hampton. They hit it off from the start. She agrees to set his gardens straight and their relationship grows. This book has love, mystery and humor.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes Grace Burrowes. She never disappoints with her great stories. In this one, we get Trenton's story and his second chance at love. He is sent to his. country house by his brother, Darius. He decides it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit to his newly widowed neighbor Elegy Hampton. They hit it off from the start. She agrees to set his gardens straight and their relationship grows. This book has love, mystery and humor.
missyterry73's review
5.0
Loved this story...
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes Grace Burrowes. She never disappoints with her great stories. In this one, we get Trenton's story and his second chance at love. He is sent to his. country house by his brother, Darius. He decides it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit to his newly widowed neighbor Elegy Hampton. They hit it off from the start. She agrees to set his gardens straight and their relationship grows. This book has love, mystery and humor.
I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who likes Grace Burrowes. She never disappoints with her great stories. In this one, we get Trenton's story and his second chance at love. He is sent to his. country house by his brother, Darius. He decides it wouldn't hurt to pay a visit to his newly widowed neighbor Elegy Hampton. They hit it off from the start. She agrees to set his gardens straight and their relationship grows. This book has love, mystery and humor.
gwenj's review
5.0
Loved, loved, loved!! I've been waiting for what seemed like forever to read Trent's story. Loved Ellie too! Only complaint is that I'd have liked to seen more from the kids. They were mostly just hovering in the background.
On a side note, wound love to have a family tree, to see how all the families connect, and a timeline of where and how and when. I've read so many, they're getting kind of jumbled in my head, and In having a hard time keeping all of the characters straight.
On a side note, wound love to have a family tree, to see how all the families connect, and a timeline of where and how and when. I've read so many, they're getting kind of jumbled in my head, and In having a hard time keeping all of the characters straight.
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