Reviews

The Secret Fiancée by Catharina Maura

readingwithkasharra's review

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emotional funny tense 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

3.75

I really liked this book and I had every hope of rating it a 4. However, Lex putting a gun to Raya’s head completely made me feel a way. 

Raya was the sweetest. I loved how she accepted Lex for who he was, flaws and all. She forgave him for somethings that I would never. Lex was different than I expected. In all of the other books, he seemed so laid back and carefree. So him being so obsessive with safety was so shocking. I completely understand why he was like that (f*ck Jill forever) BUT my guy should’ve BEEN got help before he pulled a gun on his wife. 

Despite that, I did enjoy the book and I enjoyed seeing him try so hard to fix things with Raya and I was completely rooting for them to get their happily ever after. 

Also I hate that Grandma Anne was dying! 

dmy3ruk's review

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emotional funny 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

4.75

verla's review

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fast-paced

4.0

ella_readsalot's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense fast-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

5.0

kate4ez's review

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3.0

Lex and Raya’s story is mostly sweet and full of heart and a nice addition to the Windsor saga until the 80% mark. Then something happens that is so over-the-top it blows all the rest out of the water.

The depth of Lex’s self-loathing and Raya’s indifference in the last fifth of the book, after his actions for the first 80% of the book indicated he was devoted to her, felt off. What he did was completely outrageous, but also a trauma response. If it’s a dealbreaker for her, then don’t drag it out. Just walk away. Lex can get the therapy he so clearly needs and they can both start over with someone else. Raya’s unforgiving stance and Lex’s abasement feels out of proportion when she was not only cool with but supportive of her dad’s outrageous level of control in her marriage. Forcing the couple to stay with her parents every weekend after the wedding, wanting to give them separate rooms, walking in on them unannounced, causing them to behave like teenagers caught in the act…why is that okay? She was holding her dad up as the standard she wanted from her husband, yet turns cold when she sees Lex also feels a need for control? And can we talk about how Lex was raised by the hella controlling Grandma Anne?

I get that sometimes love isn’t enough, but what else could Lex possibly do to make her happy? His self-loathing paired with his devotion for Raya after the incident bothered me. She acted indifferent to the depth of love she claimed she wanted from him. And for her to go to Adam when she leaves? Her only friend is a guy who clearly wants to be more than friends? Ick.

sammyssullivan18's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

mraobcd8663's review against another edition

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4.0

Audiobook was fabulous (loved the voice actors). But the story felt like it kept repeating itself, so I got a little bored at the end. 

ghm252's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

5.0

kirajohnson's review

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emotional 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? Yes

4.0

mariamgoda's review

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

1.0