Scan barcode
rubyslippers96's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, and Gaslighting
prittypeaches's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
This romance was a roller coaster. The parts I loved where 5 star, the parts I didnt were 2-3 star, so its averaged out to 4 stars. From the day Livy fell into the lake as girl and Ben rescued her, she was fated to be loyal to him. Now an adult, the puppy loyalty of her girlish self matures into something deeper and she encourages Ben to see her as the woman she has become. All the while London is plagued by a more deadly derivative of the Opium drug and investigations are needed to bring the culprit to justice.
Unfortunately, I didn't get along well with Livy. I don't like characters that are too perfect.An 18 year old with two months experience is the world's greatest investigator. Add to that Livy insisted first on lying to Ben about what she was doing, and then it was purely his responsibility to change his expectations. Livy didn't give up or compromise a single thing to make this romance work and I don't like the one sidedness of it. I mean the man told her upfront about all his clandestine activities and all his addictions, he deserves her to be honest with him too.
I did love that this was a genuinely interesting murder mystery alongside the romance. It was well structured with many twists and turns, it was perhaps a particularly deadly few months for the ton but you cant win them all. I like the inclusion of multiple riddles in their adventures, getting back to the infallibly spys I kind of wish I'd seen them mistep once and stumble backwards into a different clue. It was good overall.
This book was very steamy with multiple scenes sprinkled throughout, I thought it was very well balanced overall. These characters carry a very clear D/s relationship throughout their sexual exploits with Ben takingcharge, which is interplayed with their non-sexual life where Livy clearly rides rodshod over Ben. It does a very good job of ensuring the sexual activities always have enthusiastic consent even when their are other communication issues in the relationship.
Unfortunately, I didn't get along well with Livy. I don't like characters that are too perfect.
I did love that this was a genuinely interesting murder mystery alongside the romance. It was well structured with many twists and turns, it was perhaps a particularly deadly few months for the ton but you cant win them all. I like the inclusion of multiple riddles in their adventures, getting back to the infallibly spys I kind of wish I'd seen them mistep once and stumble backwards into a different clue. It was good overall.
This book was very steamy with multiple scenes sprinkled throughout, I thought it was very well balanced overall. These characters carry a very clear D/s relationship throughout their sexual exploits with Ben takingcharge, which is interplayed with their non-sexual life where Livy clearly rides rodshod over Ben. It does a very good job of ensuring the sexual activities always have enthusiastic consent even when their are other communication issues in the relationship.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Addiction
More...