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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I absolutely loved this start to Milan's Worth Saga. This is a perfect balance between her signature humor and some delicious angst. The sibling dynamics add levity and urgency to the plot's conflict, as we see our female main character shouldering the burden of the family's fall from societal grace - into relative poverty. This is a beautifully done second-chance romance with touches of brother's best friend and childhood friends to lovers. Milan writes such sharp and nuanced historical and political sub-plots, and I found the family saga here so heartbreaking and compelling, and perfectly balanced with the primary romance.
Both of our main characters accomplish a lot of personal growth through on-page reflection and reconciliation. And I appreciated the flashbacks to their earlier years, building our understanding of their current tension and longing. And the longing! A forest of pine trees.
I also really appreciated how much attention there is to our male main character's development, because often in M/F romance we have a stronger focus on the female main character's journey, but this felt really balanced. I loved how Milan explores morality vs legality in his storyline, and how she pushes characters to confront the nuances of doing the right thing vs doing the honest thing. We see each ch racter examining their loyalties - to family, country, and personal values.
Both of our main characters accomplish a lot of personal growth through on-page reflection and reconciliation. And I appreciated the flashbacks to their earlier years, building our understanding of their current tension and longing. And the longing! A forest of pine trees.
I also really appreciated how much attention there is to our male main character's development, because often in M/F romance we have a stronger focus on the female main character's journey, but this felt really balanced. I loved how Milan explores morality vs legality in his storyline, and how she pushes characters to confront the nuances of doing the right thing vs doing the honest thing. We see each ch racter examining their loyalties - to family, country, and personal values.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Drug abuse
Moderate: Suicide, Death of parent, Abandonment, Trafficking, Sexism, War, Grief, and Sexual content
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