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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
This started as a trope-y 3-star read for me but as it went the other issues I had with it took it down a whole star. It's not blatantly terrible, but there wasn't anything in this book that I haven't read done better somewhere else, it felt written to word count, and there were a big handful of issues that, when combined, took all my enjoyment out.
I'm trying to dwell less on books I didn't like when I write reviews, but this book is a prime example of the kind of surface layer whitewashing of "wokeness" on a book about some unfathomably rich and powerful white imperialists that I find really annoying, so I'm going to hop on a soap box for a second. Both LIs are incredibly powerful, and August is new money railroad rich. But don't worry - she treats her servants nicely, and pays them more than they would get anywhere else! This is spoon fed to the reader in one particular chapter, while in the very same chapter there's a one sentence mention of India only as an opportunity for British/American railway expansion, and it's just - a total non issue. No one blinks, not even the narrative voice to the reader. (edit: other reviews reminded me it's worse than neutral, the only voice is August's ~concern~ for Indians who ~won't get railroads~ in time. Extremely white savior of her). It's this light airbrushing of One Woke Quality that drives me nuts. I would rather you just go full problematic tbh! Trying to have your Dukes and your railway barons' daughters but inserting a chapter where the heiress goes on and on about how she finds it VERY important to pay a fair wage doesn't do it for me. Of course you could have an interesting character whose thinks she's the wokest but she realizes there's deeper issues and her complicity in them etc but I'm trying to say: this isn't that book. This is just Dukes and dresses and everything is the same except I guess some servants were paid better and slapping some 21st century woke wage equality on just highlights how little the book is willing to actual grapple with the issues of rich white people fantasy on the page.
My next biggest issue...there's not much romance in this book?? It's set up as a kind of marriage of convenience except the Duke is trying to persuade the heroine to accept him because she wants to and not for the marriage of convenience reasons, but besides some lustful glances and a (very hot, I'll admit) make out early on, there wasn't really any wooing? There didn't seem to be any arc between the two LIs, or courting, just kind of on off switches and some heated arguments that rehashed the same things over and over again.
And at the end, the pacing sucked, and nothing had consequences. There's a last minute relationship issue S U P E R last minute which idk, I guess is a trope for a reason and someone must like it, but I didn't, and
So this was a book! 2 stars and I could've DNFd without missing anything.
I'm trying to dwell less on books I didn't like when I write reviews, but this book is a prime example of the kind of surface layer whitewashing of "wokeness" on a book about some unfathomably rich and powerful white imperialists that I find really annoying, so I'm going to hop on a soap box for a second. Both LIs are incredibly powerful, and August is new money railroad rich. But don't worry - she treats her servants nicely, and pays them more than they would get anywhere else! This is spoon fed to the reader in one particular chapter, while in the very same chapter there's a one sentence mention of India only as an opportunity for British/American railway expansion, and it's just - a total non issue. No one blinks, not even the narrative voice to the reader. (edit: other reviews reminded me it's worse than neutral, the only voice is August's ~concern~ for Indians who ~won't get railroads~ in time. Extremely white savior of her). It's this light airbrushing of One Woke Quality that drives me nuts. I would rather you just go full problematic tbh! Trying to have your Dukes and your railway barons' daughters but inserting a chapter where the heiress goes on and on about how she finds it VERY important to pay a fair wage doesn't do it for me. Of course you could have an interesting character whose thinks she's the wokest but she realizes there's deeper issues and her complicity in them etc but I'm trying to say: this isn't that book. This is just Dukes and dresses and everything is the same except I guess some servants were paid better and slapping some 21st century woke wage equality on just highlights how little the book is willing to actual grapple with the issues of rich white people fantasy on the page.
My next biggest issue...there's not much romance in this book?? It's set up as a kind of marriage of convenience except the Duke is trying to persuade the heroine to accept him because she wants to and not for the marriage of convenience reasons, but besides some lustful glances and a (very hot, I'll admit) make out early on, there wasn't really any wooing? There didn't seem to be any arc between the two LIs, or courting, just kind of on off switches and some heated arguments that rehashed the same things over and over again.
And at the end, the pacing sucked, and nothing had consequences. There's a last minute relationship issue S U P E R last minute which idk, I guess is a trope for a reason and someone must like it, but I didn't, and
Spoiler
SURPRISE the destitute Duke who had to marry for money finds a bunch of money in the estate right before the betrothal is agreed to! Now it's a free choice for him! Wouldn't want there to be any actual conflict here so that's a relief!So this was a book! 2 stars and I could've DNFd without missing anything.
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was excited for what was to come the entire book... the ending was a bit of a let down. I hope the second book follows the same people.
This book was a lovely surprise. I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover. Historical romance can be hit or miss for me. This was everything I adore and more. It was steamier than I expected and I loved the fact August was a business woman. Highly recommend for romance lovers.