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susanpevensie's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
4.25
girlwithhearteyes's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
Grace Calloway is my new go-to author for steamy historical romances with good plot, and main characters who aren’t the usual lords and ladies. Charity (the FMC) is a merchant’s daughter and Paul (the MMC) is a prizefighter. She’s been in love with him for years, but he only sees her as his sister’s best friend — until he accidentally compromises her and they need to marry... then onto lots of sexy times.
I don’t usually like lack of communication as the main conflict, but it worked here because of the whole ‘new marriage due to circumstances’ thing. It made sense that they hadn’t built trust or figured out how to communicate well, and were still figuring out their emotions. Charity’s father was also a major source of conflict and a lot of that was frustrating, but in the end I found her complicated relationship with her father quite realistic. This all built up to an angsty moment that had me gasping while sitting at a traffic light - the car next to me probably thought something was seriously wrong. 😅
I do wish there was at least one less antagonist in the story though. Some had pretty small roles but there were just *so* many people causing trouble for Charity and Paul. I’m glad they finally got their HEA after all the drama.
Audiobook note - I can’t believe this was narrated by the same Erin Mallon who does all of Jana Aston’s books! Hearing her do an English accent was just wild, like a completely different person.
Grace Calloway is my new go-to author for steamy historical romances with good plot, and main characters who aren’t the usual lords and ladies. Charity (the FMC) is a merchant’s daughter and Paul (the MMC) is a prizefighter. She’s been in love with him for years, but he only sees her as his sister’s best friend — until he accidentally compromises her and they need to marry... then onto lots of sexy times.
I don’t usually like lack of communication as the main conflict, but it worked here because of the whole ‘new marriage due to circumstances’ thing. It made sense that they hadn’t built trust or figured out how to communicate well, and were still figuring out their emotions. Charity’s father was also a major source of conflict and a lot of that was frustrating, but in the end I found her complicated relationship with her father quite realistic. This all built up to an angsty moment that had me gasping while sitting at a traffic light - the car next to me probably thought something was seriously wrong. 😅
I do wish there was at least one less antagonist in the story though. Some had pretty small roles but there were just *so* many people causing trouble for Charity and Paul. I’m glad they finally got their HEA after all the drama.
Audiobook note - I can’t believe this was narrated by the same Erin Mallon who does all of Jana Aston’s books! Hearing her do an English accent was just wild, like a completely different person.
difficultwomanreads's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lililucylan's review
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.0
chloe_liese's review against another edition
5.0
Hot and fast-paced, a deliciously enticing best friend’s brother, unrequited love, rake and wallflower, marriage of convenience romance. Tropey, sexy, and well-paced. My first Grace Callaway but not my last!
CW: parental abandonment
CW: parental abandonment
bella1109's review
5.0
My fav book of the series. I am an absolute sucker for wallflower/rake trope. I absolutely loved seeing Charity and Paul growth throughout the book. Charity - from a timid wallflower to a strong and confident person and Paul - from a rake to a responsible and mature person totally deserving of someone like Charity. A couple of funny scenes as well as people seem to think the worst of Paul while Paul was trying to amend his ways. Wonderful writing as always by the impeccable Ms. Callaway. I totally enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to continue to the next series, Heart of Enquiry series (It's about Ambrose Kent's siblings). A solid 5 star.
itsemtee's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my. What a beautiful portrayal of love. *Real* love. Enduring love. Love that’s raw, intense, tender, gritty, passionate, angsty, powerful and sweet.
“She saw herself reflected in his eyes ... and the image was beautiful.”
I smiled, swooned, fanned myself and rooted for their HEA the whole way through. Highly recommended.
“Words flew from her lips, caught fire in his kiss. They burned together, the little death forging them into one body, their love binding them into one soul.”
“She saw herself reflected in his eyes ... and the image was beautiful.”
I smiled, swooned, fanned myself and rooted for their HEA the whole way through. Highly recommended.
“Words flew from her lips, caught fire in his kiss. They burned together, the little death forging them into one body, their love binding them into one soul.”