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accidentalra's review against another edition
4.0
When I saw that this novel was set in 1360, I immediately wanted to read it. Ultimately, I'm glad I did...despite the constant feeling I had that the setting was fairly arbitrary and it really could have been any pre-industrial time period.
On the upside, the lack of strong historical worldbuilding allowed the relationship between Penn and Raff to dominate the story. They complemented each other very well, and I certainly enjoyed their chemistry. I particularly loved how gently but adamantly Raff challenged Penn's shame, the result of so many years of physical and emotional abuse. Watching Penn realize his own worth and grow into his strength was more than satisfying. And despite knowing how the story would ultimately end up (I love a guaranteed HEA!), I still thought the way it was brought about was clever.
Even though the two MCs were traveling alone for most of the story, a few of the secondary characters were surprisingly well-drawn, most especially Raff's brother Ash who shows up in the narrative a number of times. Honestly, I would have enjoyed seeing even more of him in this book, and I would absolutely love to see him get his own novel.
Overall, One Night in Hartswood was a lighthearted read that still managed to navigate some heavy themes with skill and compassion. I will definitely be recommending it during readers' advisory discussions, and I look forward to more from this author.
[I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.]
On the upside, the lack of strong historical worldbuilding allowed the relationship between Penn and Raff to dominate the story. They complemented each other very well, and I certainly enjoyed their chemistry. I particularly loved how gently but adamantly Raff challenged Penn's shame, the result of so many years of physical and emotional abuse. Watching Penn realize his own worth and grow into his strength was more than satisfying. And despite knowing how the story would ultimately end up (I love a guaranteed HEA!), I still thought the way it was brought about was clever.
Even though the two MCs were traveling alone for most of the story, a few of the secondary characters were surprisingly well-drawn, most especially Raff's brother Ash who shows up in the narrative a number of times. Honestly, I would have enjoyed seeing even more of him in this book, and I would absolutely love to see him get his own novel.
Overall, One Night in Hartswood was a lighthearted read that still managed to navigate some heavy themes with skill and compassion. I will definitely be recommending it during readers' advisory discussions, and I look forward to more from this author.
[I received an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.]
worrierprincess__'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
k_a_r_e_n_b's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
ash2app's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
A very nearly perfect read. Poetic in its execution at times. Highly recommended for anyone who likes getting their heart torn out
jacktardis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
leyva13's review against another edition
2.0
What a slog. I recognized it to be bad early on, but thought maybe I was distracted with other books and so kept trying to get into it. It was bad from beginning to end.
In what ways was it bad? I’ll have to think about it and get back to this later. If I’m being honest with myself though, I’d rather not think about it at all. It was simply not worth the read.
In what ways was it bad? I’ll have to think about it and get back to this later. If I’m being honest with myself though, I’d rather not think about it at all. It was simply not worth the read.
lightsnack's review against another edition
This book!!!
Sweet and romantic, tempered by achingly painful moments and excruciating longing. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath through moments of disaster…a fun and wild ride that pays off beautifully.
I loved almost all the characters, not just the main two…and those I didn’t love I loved to hate. I love a book that has real feeling characters, that feel like whole complete people on their own.
The romance was so top tier it made me cry a little. I am going to make so many friends read this with me.
Sweet and romantic, tempered by achingly painful moments and excruciating longing. I laughed, I cried, I held my breath through moments of disaster…a fun and wild ride that pays off beautifully.
I loved almost all the characters, not just the main two…and those I didn’t love I loved to hate. I love a book that has real feeling characters, that feel like whole complete people on their own.
The romance was so top tier it made me cry a little. I am going to make so many friends read this with me.
sara11_reads's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately this was just not good. Bland boring characters, no sense of time or place, and a non-sensical plot. Why set the book in 1360 and then do nothing with the time? No politics, no geography, no world building of any sort.
catn_001's review against another edition
3.0
Idk. Didn’t finish the last chapter. It was interesting in the beginning, but I kinda lost interest towards the end. It might just be because of my mood and does not necessarily speak to the quality of the book.
larade's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75