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lizzie_b99's review
3.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Minor: Self harm
This has a plot that's very similar to another of Lynsay Sands's novels, Devil in the Highlands. It's much better executed in this novel. The use of humour and well-developed, rich characters are both better in this novel. This novel still had some unnecessary repetition, but less so than in Devil in the Highlands.imskylow's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
(Yes I understand consent was not a concept in those days but this was written for modern enjoyment)
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Bullying, Murder, and Death
Minor: Kidnapping
yuna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Very fast-paced, compulsively readable. The characters are probably a bit relaxed on period-correct behavior and speech, but I'm here for it. This is my kind of historical romance. I quite enjoyed it and will definitely continue with the series.
There are some silly moments that border on ridiculous--like Annabel running around with a dress tangled around her head--but the characters poke fun at themselves a lot and that helped me suspend my disbelief. Annabel's parents and the villain of the story are laughably, un-complicatedly Bad People. The villain is a flat, 2-D clown villain. Their obsession with Annabel kind of comes out of nowhere and felt forced into the story.
Loved the friendships with Sionag and Giorsal. Found myself wishing for a little more physical and setting descriptions.
Was not a fan of the rampant body shaming that went on in this book. There's a lot of fat shaming toward Annabel, and while some of it is critiqued or combated on the page, the book's #1 defensive strategy is to skinny and/or appearance shame right back. So...there's work to be done here.
Re: some of the content warnings: there's brief description of Annabel being forced to self harm, mostly because of anti-fatness. For the rest: Spoilers!
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Minor: Kidnapping, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Murder, Violence, Kidnapping, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Alcohol, Classism, and Blood
Minor: Death and Death of parent
solacelight's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Death, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Emotional abuse
martamae77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Kidnapping