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kaitrates's review
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
'You're here,' he repeated, taking her hand and drawing it against his chest, right above his pounding heartbeat. 'In my heart. Somehow you crashed your way into it when I wasn't looking. The same way you barged into my library, I supposed. But you're here now, inside. Emma, you're the very life of me.'
BRB don't mind me completely SWOONING over this gorgeous, funny, steamy romance.
This was my first Tessa Dare book (though I apparently read a short story of hers in a Christmas anthology years ago) and it absolutely won't be my last. I had a blast!
So many surprising and funny moments in this! From Ash moonlighting as a vigilante (LOVE) to the many sex scenes to our badass girl group.
I've taken a long break from histrom, mostly because my taste in books has evolved. It feels good to "come home" and find unexpected disability rep in a type of book that I've definitely become less likely to pick up in recent years (namely those by white authors featuring characters who are white, cishet, conventionally attractive, thin, and appearing pre-disabled).
What kept this from being a true 5 star for me is that I wanted it to rooted in a bit more of a disability justice lens. I wanted more from Ash's character arc related to his scarring and chronic pain, as well as his identity as disabled. I wanted him to reckon with his sense of self, his internalised ableism and pretty privelege. I also chaff at the fact that this is apparently a beauty and the beast retelling because of his disability? ICK.
All in all, I really enjoyed this and am eager to dive into the rest of the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Sexual content, Body shaming, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, and War
yoohanna's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Sexual content, Ableism, and Panic attacks/disorders
vas_17's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, War, Body shaming, Religious bigotry, and Violence
avacyn731's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Classism
Minor: Death of parent and War
kuroko's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Body shaming, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: War
sarahmariereads176's review
emotional
fast-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? No
5.0
- marriage of convenience
- "touch her and you die"
- "who did this to you"
- beauty and the beast vibes
- "touch her and you die"
- "who did this to you"
- beauty and the beast vibes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
sienasummerrreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Technically I believe this is my first historical romance and I absolutely loved it! It was fun and the banter between Emma and Ash the Duke was fantastic.
This follows Emma who is a Seamstress and a vicars daughter. The Duke of Ashbury needs a wife and an heir. After seeing Emma standing in front of him in a wedding dress he confirms she will do. He has rules such as don’t talk about his scars, no lights or kissing in intimate moments and falling for each other. Emma is to produce and Heir and that’s it. But Emma has rules to such as have dinner with each other every night. But once he starts to open up Emma can’t stop falling.
The banter these two had was so fantastic, quirky and swoony. I was laughing so much and when the spice hit I loved it even more. Also I’m a sucker for when a character has past injuries and are open about there insecurities. Emma was so supportive of the Duke due to this and it’s just so cute. I need to read more of Tessa Dare for sure
If you love:
🔹A Duke & Seamstress
🔹In Need Of An Heir
🔹Historical Vibes
🔹Witty Banter
🔹Funny & Quirky Characters
🔹Great Plot
🔹Very Good Spice
Genre/Type: Historical Romance 18+
APK: Audiobook Scribd
Audio Length: 7h 56m
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Spice: 🌶️.5
Tropes or Themes: Marriage Of Convenience, Royals & Historical.
Check Triggers ⚠️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Bullying, and Abandonment
Minor: War, Vomit, and Death of parent
rharwood's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Although I had a lovely time reading this book. I know once it’s placed on my shelf I won’t think about it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Abandonment, Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, and Death of parent
alexleigh20's review
challenging
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Pregnancy
valeria_gzz's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
I want to give this 5 stars but it feels like 4 stars. This was awesome. Now I get why Ash is Viggo’s favorite historical romance hero. Also maybe why Ren curses in Shakespeare?? I’ll have to ask Chloe Liese.
I’m not giving this 5 stars because this was great but it’s not FOR me. Ash isn’t the kind of mmc/hero that I gravitate to. I thought the Davina and whole father storyline was really sweet. I have a feeling this is Tessa Dare’s love letter to her father.
This book was funny and I loved the banter between Ash and Emma. Also wwoooaaah very very hot. I’m learning that Tessa Dare books are racy, seductive, sensual, and all the other synonyms for sexy
I’m not giving this 5 stars because this was great but it’s not FOR me. Ash isn’t the kind of mmc/hero that I gravitate to. I thought the Davina and whole father storyline was really sweet. I have a feeling this is Tessa Dare’s love letter to her father.
This book was funny and I loved the banter between Ash and Emma. Also wwoooaaah very very hot. I’m learning that Tessa Dare books are racy, seductive, sensual, and all the other synonyms for sexy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Body shaming