low_vely's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Alexis Hall book and let me tell you, I have never cackled so loudly while reading a book, so this certainly won’t be my last. I’ve seen this book called a romp and it is absolutely that, a regency version of the road trip adventure that is made even better because of the delightful main characters. Bonny is the buoyant, and delightfully colorful twin brother to the attempted betrothed of the Duke of Malvern. The duke himself, Val, is so buttoned-up and has spent years assuming any emotions made him weak, while he went through the motions of being a model duke, aside from any of the rakish tendencies we often see from them. Bonny comes along to shake him from his pedestal and ruffle his feathers in a way that cracks his facade and brings happiness bubbling to the surface. I’ve now read this book and listened to it twice and it was a joy bomb every time!
alyciajstewart's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
tranzkafka's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
enjoyed this more in audio than reading it - i found the pace and story easier to follow
xandrarama's review against another edition
4.0
This was delightful - overtly comedic but also heartwarming. Valentine the starchy duke who never knew being gay was an option was adorable. I've seen him described as unlikeable but I found him endearing from the get-go and was rooting for him all the way through. The book is deliberately anachronistic in terms of some of the language, and you have to be in the mood for comedy. More sweet than steamy.
sarahspencerknits's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
chirson's review against another edition
2.0
At times laugh-out-loud funny, adorably romantic and silly, with two really adorable protagonists. Alas, I did have some problems with Arabella, and the amount of time the narrative tortures the POV character, Valentine.
If Bonny had had to admit that he'd had his own part in making a mess of things - in not speaking to his sister in a way that would make things clearer to her, in encouraging Valentine's pursuit when it was heightening tension and scaring Arabella, in pushing Valentine too far and too fast - the relationship would have felt more balanced to me. Sure, Valentine has the material advantage, but Bonny seems to have the upper hand in all other ways, and yet all the responsibility for their miscommunications, misunderstandings and conflicts seems to be laid at Valentine's inexperienced, demiromantic feet. Ehh.
Spoiler
That's largely the screwball comedy aspect at play, of course, and he does have his faults, too (albeit I'd argue his faults don't quite rise to the same level as, well, attempted murder) but I just do not like it when one of the romantic partners has to do all the changing and the other one is basically fine the way he is - and the fact that Valentine's biases seem to tie into his aspec identity makes it all the more unpleasant. It's unfair to have Bonny have none of his age's biases. He's given too much of a narrative advantage.If Bonny had had to admit that he'd had his own part in making a mess of things - in not speaking to his sister in a way that would make things clearer to her, in encouraging Valentine's pursuit when it was heightening tension and scaring Arabella, in pushing Valentine too far and too fast - the relationship would have felt more balanced to me. Sure, Valentine has the material advantage, but Bonny seems to have the upper hand in all other ways, and yet all the responsibility for their miscommunications, misunderstandings and conflicts seems to be laid at Valentine's inexperienced, demiromantic feet. Ehh.
daffodill37's review against another edition
(Audio)
I'm having a hard time coming up with a star rating on this one. On one hand Hall's trademark witty banter and humor was on point in the beginning of the book and I enjoyed seeing our characters fall for eachother. I enjoyed it enough that I finished it in one day.
On the other hand, the humor juxtaposed with the emotional parts and the sex scenes were... out of place? I read plenty of smut, I'm not bothered by that in the least, it just didn't fit.
I absolutely hated Belle. She is unhinged and unlikable. However, Peggy sounds lovely and like a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to seeing her in the next installment.
Soo... I dunno...?? 3 stars??
I'm having a hard time coming up with a star rating on this one. On one hand Hall's trademark witty banter and humor was on point in the beginning of the book and I enjoyed seeing our characters fall for eachother. I enjoyed it enough that I finished it in one day.
On the other hand, the humor juxtaposed with the emotional parts and the sex scenes were... out of place? I read plenty of smut, I'm not bothered by that in the least, it just didn't fit.
I absolutely hated Belle. She is unhinged and unlikable. However, Peggy sounds lovely and like a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to seeing her in the next installment.
Soo... I dunno...?? 3 stars??
caitlin829's review against another edition
DNF @ 40%
Valentine deserves better. The tale starts off amusing and with some fun banter, but the twins treat Valentine like a prop instead of a person, to the point of abusing him emotionally and physically.
Valentine deserves better. The tale starts off amusing and with some fun banter, but the twins treat Valentine like a prop instead of a person, to the point of abusing him emotionally and physically.