marareading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
2.75
I got the audio version of this book from my library. I adored the first in this series. This one didn't hit as hard for me. I love that both books in the series so far have been international and involve many nationalities in the MCs. The accents in the narration though were way off in this book. Though set in Scotland, everyone sounded Jamaican, and that threw it off and definitely pulled me out of the story. I will read book 3 in a physical form.
In this sequel we are following Portia. She is newly sober, and getting her life together. Arguably running from it. She has taken an apprenticeship in Scotland to learn sword making and use her art history major to spend a summer in a new culture helping a master swordsman with his armory. Tavish, said master swordsman, has his own baggage he is working through. He is a grumpy Scot. They start getting to know each other and begin to realize they compliment each other more then they thought.
I didn't love all the early references to Tavish being "older", and references to this big age gap, given she is 28, and he is 38 on this book. That isn't old, and that is barely an age gap. It is made to sound like 38 is just an insane age to be dating to considered for a relationship. It felt weird. The ending felt a bit rushed. I also wish we had more resolve with the things Portia dealt with throughout with her self doubt, ADHD, and relationship with her parents. We don't get to see a path for her on many of these things.
I did love the rep for ADHD, and the banter between our MCs. The way she learned to help herself and not everyone was wonderful. I will continue on the series, but again, likely not in audio.
In this sequel we are following Portia. She is newly sober, and getting her life together. Arguably running from it. She has taken an apprenticeship in Scotland to learn sword making and use her art history major to spend a summer in a new culture helping a master swordsman with his armory. Tavish, said master swordsman, has his own baggage he is working through. He is a grumpy Scot. They start getting to know each other and begin to realize they compliment each other more then they thought.
I didn't love all the early references to Tavish being "older", and references to this big age gap, given she is 28, and he is 38 on this book. That isn't old, and that is barely an age gap. It is made to sound like 38 is just an insane age to be dating to considered for a relationship. It felt weird. The ending felt a bit rushed. I also wish we had more resolve with the things Portia dealt with throughout with her self doubt, ADHD, and relationship with her parents. We don't get to see a path for her on many of these things.
I did love the rep for ADHD, and the banter between our MCs. The way she learned to help herself and not everyone was wonderful. I will continue on the series, but again, likely not in audio.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Racism, Classism, and Gaslighting
martamae77's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent
rae_bookmarkchronicles's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this! Portia is so much better than she was in the first book although there were some things annoyed me.
Love the chemistry between her and Tavish. Really enjoyed getting a little bit of Ledi and Thabiso
Could have been a five star read but the tropes got me again.
Portia thinking that because she's been a fuck up in the past that she's destined to fuck up again as if making mistakes isn't normal
Portia and Tav mutually deciding to make themselves miserable by staying away from each other despite the fact that they are happy together
Portia gets mad at Tav for letting her leave even though she was the one that placed the boundaries. Then gets mad when he finally does ask her to stay
I also didn't mind the age gap at all because it wasn't creepy and wasn't brought up every 10 seconds
I also didn't love the ending because it wasn't as clear cut as A Princess in Theory and I have some questions.
Love the chemistry between her and Tavish. Really enjoyed getting a little bit of Ledi and Thabiso
Could have been a five star read but the tropes got me again.
Spoiler
Portia and Tav mutually deciding to make themselves miserable by staying away from each other despite the fact that they are happy together
Portia gets mad at Tav for letting her leave even though she was the one that placed the boundaries. Then gets mad when he finally does ask her to stay
I also didn't mind the age gap at all because it wasn't creepy and wasn't brought up every 10 seconds
I also didn't love the ending because it wasn't as clear cut as A Princess in Theory and I have some questions.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, and Xenophobia
memorable's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.25
I really like this series! I didn’t know I was one to like stories of royalty, but here I am.
I didn’t like Portia in the first book as a side character, but learned to love her in this book! It all made me understand her more and knowing where she’s coming from, her actions are understandable!
The ending felt somewhat rushed, I had the same feeling listening to the first one, too. There is such a huge built-up and then after the climax everything happens somewhat fast. I really like the story nonetheless and I definitely want to read the other books of the series, too!
I didn’t like Portia in the first book as a side character, but learned to love her in this book! It all made me understand her more and knowing where she’s coming from, her actions are understandable!
The ending felt somewhat rushed, I had the same feeling listening to the first one, too. There is such a huge built-up and then after the climax everything happens somewhat fast. I really like the story nonetheless and I definitely want to read the other books of the series, too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Racism, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Harry Potter referencesSpoiler
Person is druggedbeholderess's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
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