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boomwormbrittany's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Olivia and the Masked Duke is the first book in Lady Charlotte's Society of Angels series by Grace Callaway. This book follows Livy who has been in love with Ben for all of her life. Ben has had a rough go of it after his wife's passing. When Livy is offered the opportunity to join the Society of Angels and investigate mysterious death's with Ben, she takes the opportunity.
First off, the reason it took me so long to finish this book was I hit a huge reading slump this year. It was hard for me to find motivation to read and is absolutely no reflection on this book. I started this for the Historical Romance Readathon and only now got around to completing it as my slump is over. Again, this is not a reflection on the book or authors writing.
I thought this book was pretty okay. It was enjoyable and a very quick read when I did get the motivation to read it. I really liked the fact that this book had a mystery story line in it along with the romance story. It made the story really interesting to read.
The reason why this wasn't a favorite was the fact that things seemed to resolve really quickly when it came to the romance side of it. If there was a fight between the main couple, it would get resolved pretty much a few pages later. I'm someone who I do like pining in books and it felt like it got resolved way too quickly for me.
Ben has a reason for being how he is but there was times where he was a bit too possessive and trying to tell Livy who to be. Then that was resolved very quickly so that the happy ending could happen. Overall, near the end it felt kinda rushed to me but that is my personally opinion. It doesn't mean it was a bad book just not my personal preference.
I did like the fact that the mystery kept me guessing up until the point the reveal was made. I had figured it out pretty quickly once we got all the clues together but I enjoyed the journey of getting there.
Overall, I am happy that I decided to try this book out. It was an interesting read and was a quick read. I would say if the premise does interest you to pick it up and try it.
First off, the reason it took me so long to finish this book was I hit a huge reading slump this year. It was hard for me to find motivation to read and is absolutely no reflection on this book. I started this for the Historical Romance Readathon and only now got around to completing it as my slump is over. Again, this is not a reflection on the book or authors writing.
I thought this book was pretty okay. It was enjoyable and a very quick read when I did get the motivation to read it. I really liked the fact that this book had a mystery story line in it along with the romance story. It made the story really interesting to read.
The reason why this wasn't a favorite was the fact that things seemed to resolve really quickly when it came to the romance side of it. If there was a fight between the main couple, it would get resolved pretty much a few pages later. I'm someone who I do like pining in books and it felt like it got resolved way too quickly for me.
Ben has a reason for being how he is but there was times where he was a bit too possessive and trying to tell Livy who to be. Then that was resolved very quickly so that the happy ending could happen. Overall, near the end it felt kinda rushed to me but that is my personally opinion. It doesn't mean it was a bad book just not my personal preference.
I did like the fact that the mystery kept me guessing up until the point the reveal was made. I had figured it out pretty quickly once we got all the clues together but I enjoyed the journey of getting there.
Overall, I am happy that I decided to try this book out. It was an interesting read and was a quick read. I would say if the premise does interest you to pick it up and try it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death, and Child death
westcoaster05's review
adventurous
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
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
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