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carleysuzanne's review
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? It's complicated
2.25
delaneyyyw's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
Lucia is the manager of the Orchid club, a safe place to explore sexual freedom.
Tom has been going to the club for a year just because he wants to be near Lucia, until he is absent for 6 weeks in a row because his father passed away and he is now the Duke, when he returns for what he knows will be the last time he and Lucia finally give in to their desire for each other, exchanging some information about each other but not enough to avoid the surprise they both get the next day.
After a firework filled night Lucia takes the owners share of the profits to the new owner because the old one passed away and to find out the fate of the club only to find that Tom is the man's descendant.
What follows is angst, steam, hope, despair and a whole bunch of other emotions as Tom tries to decide what to do and the MC's realize they can't stay away from each other.
This was fun with just enough angst to season the story properly.
Tom has been going to the club for a year just because he wants to be near Lucia, until he is absent for 6 weeks in a row because his father passed away and he is now the Duke, when he returns for what he knows will be the last time he and Lucia finally give in to their desire for each other, exchanging some information about each other but not enough to avoid the surprise they both get the next day.
After a firework filled night Lucia takes the owners share of the profits to the new owner because the old one passed away and to find out the fate of the club only to find that Tom is the man's descendant.
What follows is angst, steam, hope, despair and a whole bunch of other emotions as Tom tries to decide what to do and the MC's realize they can't stay away from each other.
This was fun with just enough angst to season the story properly.
tessanne's review
1.0
If you’re looking for a super boring story about a rake and a sex club, look no further!
Seriously, how does one write a book about a sex club and then write super boring and short sex scenes? And the hero was suuuuuuch a rake, but we really get no evidence of it because he always just stands off to the side at the club so he can converse with the owner. And when they finally get it on, it’s pretty tame.
I think this is my last Eva Leigh story. It was slow and predictable, and overly contrived. There were multiple ways of solving all their problems, but Leigh went with the most boring.
Seriously, how does one write a book about a sex club and then write super boring and short sex scenes? And the hero was suuuuuuch a rake, but we really get no evidence of it because he always just stands off to the side at the club so he can converse with the owner. And when they finally get it on, it’s pretty tame.
I think this is my last Eva Leigh story. It was slow and predictable, and overly contrived. There were multiple ways of solving all their problems, but Leigh went with the most boring.
krystalncraiker's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
labyrinth_witch's review against another edition
3.0
The last installment of the The London Underground series takes you into the world of the Orchid Club only hinted at in the first two novels. Going behind the scenes, we meet not only the proprietress but the staff who make the club hum, their backstories, and their current camaraderie. Such warmth and closeness draws Tom in as he assumes his ducal responsibilities in the wake of his father’s death. But Tom has an ethical dilemma- will he be a puppet for his father’s former cohort or will he form his own opinion on state matters? Beyond that, is he willing to pay the price either choice will require.
Entwining the two worlds, Leigh gives us a closer look at the dynamics of power and the impact of their decisions on the people of their communities. A vote in the House of Lords either creates safety or pushes people into evermore desperate lives.
In addition to this contrast, Leigh offers us a heroine of the street who has done whatever she needed to survive and care for her community with completely no shame from her nor judgement/recoiling-than-coming-to-terms/“forgiveness” from the male protagonist. He listens and simply acknowledged that that was her reality and she made the choices she felt were best for her at every moment. It was very refreshing. Even as the reader, you don’t even blink when you read the passage nor doubt for a moment that they ought to marry. Which is no easy feat. Hats off to Leigh.
Of the three entwined worlds of the Wicked Quills of London, the Union of the Rakes, and the London Underground I will say this last 3 were my least favorite. While the stories of the heroines were infinitely more interesting than your average regency romance, I didn’t find the male protagonists nearly had compelling as the other 6. For me, they were a little too spoiled and had a looseness with money that was a big turn-off for me. It felt very much like the heroines had to “grow them up” by opening their eyes to the world around them rather than their myoptic troubles, and I simply don’t care for that dynamic.
But alas, once you start the first of the 3 series you have to read all 9.
Entwining the two worlds, Leigh gives us a closer look at the dynamics of power and the impact of their decisions on the people of their communities. A vote in the House of Lords either creates safety or pushes people into evermore desperate lives.
In addition to this contrast, Leigh offers us a heroine of the street who has done whatever she needed to survive and care for her community with completely no shame from her nor judgement/recoiling-than-coming-to-terms/“forgiveness” from the male protagonist. He listens and simply acknowledged that that was her reality and she made the choices she felt were best for her at every moment. It was very refreshing. Even as the reader, you don’t even blink when you read the passage nor doubt for a moment that they ought to marry. Which is no easy feat. Hats off to Leigh.
Of the three entwined worlds of the Wicked Quills of London, the Union of the Rakes, and the London Underground I will say this last 3 were my least favorite. While the stories of the heroines were infinitely more interesting than your average regency romance, I didn’t find the male protagonists nearly had compelling as the other 6. For me, they were a little too spoiled and had a looseness with money that was a big turn-off for me. It felt very much like the heroines had to “grow them up” by opening their eyes to the world around them rather than their myoptic troubles, and I simply don’t care for that dynamic.
But alas, once you start the first of the 3 series you have to read all 9.
upturnedroots's review
4.0
She gave a slight shrug. He wouldn't let her retreat, not when they'd both bared themselves to each other..."I think you mean to destroy me."
"No, love. I mean to build you up. Higher and higher until you can look down at the stars."
This one was interesting. I definitely like the focus on the London Underground and the way that Leigh gets readers to think about class issues and sex work. A unique story.
I think the insta-lust/love is the only thing that threw me off, but otherwise it was great getting to know all the characters at the Orchid Club.
"No, love. I mean to build you up. Higher and higher until you can look down at the stars."
This one was interesting. I definitely like the focus on the London Underground and the way that Leigh gets readers to think about class issues and sex work. A unique story.
I think the insta-lust/love is the only thing that threw me off, but otherwise it was great getting to know all the characters at the Orchid Club.
excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25