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allisonwonderlandreads's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This historical romance pairs a bookish etymologist with a roguish carpenter. It has some nice themes around the crushing weight of social expectations and the power of finding your own path. It's a very sweet story with an emphasis on personal transformation and new horizons rather than wading through angst. The romance overcomes external limitations without too much drama between the leads, and it's a bit of a whirlwind on all fronts.
There's nothing about this story I actively disliked, but I found it too generic in terms of plot and characterization. The plot elements were tried and true, and the people fell neatly into trope-y archetypes. I think more struggle or conflict and some emotional deep dives could have rectified the situation. As it was, I felt at a remove from the characters as their concerns were told more than shown, only to be neatly and completely resolved with minimum fuss. A specific note on character description: I am bored to tears of "virile" men. What does that even mean? It's perpetuating gender stereotypes with minimal effort, a disservice to everyone and their complexities. In some ways such as this, the feminism of the story remains at the surface level.
I think if you're looking for a bookish HEA at the end of a direct route with familiar scenery, you will find enjoyment here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism and Sexism
Minor: Bullying, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and War
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