Scan barcode
bookstarbri's review
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
3.75
admittedly, I’ve been obsessed with Scotland since my childhood fixation on Scottish folklore and Celtic tales, so I was immediately excited going into this that the Highlands were its backdrop! This book wasn’t perfect, but I appreciated it for what it was and I saw one review say it was “unpretentious” and I definitely agree! It’s fun and has a little mystery so it’s a good, quick read! I do wish some things had been done better/hadn’t been done at all (I like a bit more pining/angst before the big I Love You; there were some weird moments where characters would do something and it almost felt like I’d accidentally skipped a page because it happened sort of out of nowhere; I wish the second half where the curse stuff really started being the main plot would’ve happened sooner, etc. etc. etc.) All that aside, if you’re looking for a light romance that puts a fun spin on enemies to lovers, this is a great option!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
I think this is Danan’s best novel so far! I really rooted for both characters, though I was annoyed with Clark at first, because of how dismissive and belittling he was about Riley’s job. Danan set this up so well though — I truly felt both of their backstories and past familial traumas seamlessly fit their current personalities and fears.
The side characters *seem* like they could possibly have their own book coming? (my guess from the epilogue) Anyway, this was a lot of fun, & my favorite book by Danan.
You’ll find:
-enemies to lovers
-two grumpy love interests
-forced proximity in an abandoned, remote, old castle
-learning about curses
-town history, including a man and woman who left a message of “an end to enemies” to point to how to end the curse that Riley & Clark run into
-stuffy, pessimistic academic/archaeologist/historian Clark Edgeware
-adventurous, shameless, no-time-to-waste cursebreaker Riley Rhodes
-banter that increases already soaring tensions
-unpacking familial bruises
-steam wise: she comes first, edging, dirty talk, sex in public
steam rating: 4/5 — these two are horndogs, talk with so many innuendos whenever they are not fucking, and when they do fuck, it is delectable👌🏽
cw: on-page sexual content, abandonment, loss of a loved one referred to, toxic father-son dynamic, betrayal/deception, sexism, injuries & blood, belittling of main character’s occupation
I think this is Danan’s best novel so far! I really rooted for both characters, though I was annoyed with Clark at first, because of how dismissive and belittling he was about Riley’s job. Danan set this up so well though — I truly felt both of their backstories and past familial traumas seamlessly fit their current personalities and fears.
The side characters *seem* like they could possibly have their own book coming? (my guess from the epilogue) Anyway, this was a lot of fun, & my favorite book by Danan.
You’ll find:
-enemies to lovers
-two grumpy love interests
-forced proximity in an abandoned, remote, old castle
-learning about curses
-town history, including a man and woman who left a message of “an end to enemies” to point to how to end the curse that Riley & Clark run into
-stuffy, pessimistic academic/archaeologist/historian Clark Edgeware
-adventurous, shameless, no-time-to-waste cursebreaker Riley Rhodes
-banter that increases already soaring tensions
-unpacking familial bruises
-steam wise: she comes first, edging, dirty talk, sex in public
steam rating: 4/5 — these two are horndogs, talk with so many innuendos whenever they are not fucking, and when they do fuck, it is delectable👌🏽
cw: on-page sexual content, abandonment, loss of a loved one referred to, toxic father-son dynamic, betrayal/deception, sexism, injuries & blood, belittling of main character’s occupation
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
More...