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fethiye's review against another edition
3.0
Reread 6.6.2024
Rating: 3 stars
It has some problems but good read nonetheless
First read: 25.6.2016
Rating 3.5
Rating: 3 stars
It has some problems but good read nonetheless
First read: 25.6.2016
Rating 3.5
ebancroft's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
good all round historical romance. really well written characters, gripping plot with the right amount of spicy scenes, and a twist at the end that was perfect.
mariettula's review against another edition
4.0
4 honorable stars
Duncan and Madelyne....they are a powerful duo. You get to know them so well throughout this book, you learn to care for them. And their family as well.
Madelyn is a hell of a heroine. While sometimes she has a bit too much of the "I'm telling myself the wrong thing to convince myself" trait, which I don't particularly love, she is also hella strong and isn't afraid to show it. I am also a sucker for the alpha male who comes to his knees for his woman. And Duncan is exactly that.
I will say it drags a bit upon re-reading, but the first time around is worth it.
Duncan and Madelyne....they are a powerful duo. You get to know them so well throughout this book, you learn to care for them. And their family as well.
Madelyn is a hell of a heroine. While sometimes she has a bit too much of the "I'm telling myself the wrong thing to convince myself" trait, which I don't particularly love, she is also hella strong and isn't afraid to show it. I am also a sucker for the alpha male who comes to his knees for his woman. And Duncan is exactly that.
I will say it drags a bit upon re-reading, but the first time around is worth it.
lizdaniii's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Rape, and Homophobia
ppchili93's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
FMC (Madelyne): 3.75 (okay, so she’s innocent and naive and kinda annoying but I still love her and she’s hilarious when she’s ranting about Greek myths and telling everyone what to do)
MMC (Duncan): 4 (is he perfect? No. But I still love him and how he’s soft for Madelyne…he really does upend his whole life for her and she’s his most important thing 😭)
💕: 4.5 (they’re sooo good together. The chemistry is iconic and believable and they really value each other and spend a lot of time together on page)
Plot: 4 (it’s fun! Minus the weird homophobia against the brother/villain)
🌶️: 3.5
Writing: 4
MMC (Duncan): 4 (is he perfect? No. But I still love him and how he’s soft for Madelyne…he really does upend his whole life for her and she’s his most important thing 😭)
💕: 4.5 (they’re sooo good together. The chemistry is iconic and believable and they really value each other and spend a lot of time together on page)
Plot: 4 (it’s fun! Minus the weird homophobia against the brother/villain)
🌶️: 3.5
Writing: 4
rereadsromance's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Honor's Spleandour was the very first Julie Garwood book I ever read and the primary reason I am a fan of historical romance.
Duncan and Madelyn's story would never work for me in a contemporary setting, but historical romance is the place where I suspend all disbelief and set (most) of my feminist beliefs aside.
Duncan is used to giving orders and most certainly not used to being questioned; Madelyn defies him in every way and though he denies it, he enjoys it. Madelyn is extremely naive, partly due to her upbringing and also because the year is 1099.
Julie Garwood writes heroes that I can root for because although they can be rude, brutish, and abrasive, they always fall helplessly in love with their heroines. Most importantly her heroes are never cruel and always experience character growth.
Duncan was often annoyed with Madelyn; he couldn't understand why she wouldn't simply read his mind. However, as he grew to love Madelyn, he realized that she needed him to express his feelings through words and not just actions. She needed to feel safe and he was willing to change his behavior in order to show her his love.
Duncan and Madelyn's story would never work for me in a contemporary setting, but historical romance is the place where I suspend all disbelief and set (most) of my feminist beliefs aside.
Duncan is used to giving orders and most certainly not used to being questioned; Madelyn defies him in every way and though he denies it, he enjoys it. Madelyn is extremely naive, partly due to her upbringing and also because the year is 1099.
Julie Garwood writes heroes that I can root for because although they can be rude, brutish, and abrasive, they always fall helplessly in love with their heroines. Most importantly her heroes are never cruel and always experience character growth.
Duncan was often annoyed with Madelyn; he couldn't understand why she wouldn't simply read his mind. However, as he grew to love Madelyn, he realized that she needed him to express his feelings through words and not just actions. She needed to feel safe and he was willing to change his behavior in order to show her his love.
katyanaish's review against another edition
3.0
This one was just alright, honestly - 2.5 stars, but I'm rounding up.
My issue was primarily the FMC Madelyne, who was just too, too much for me. I think that Garwood just didn't nail the cute, sweet thing here - it was way OTT, and she honestly seemed to be a completely vapid imbecile to me. She had her good moments, but mostly she was ridiculous.
And honestly, the MMC Duncan was a bit cardboard at times. The combination of her moronic narrative and his 2-dimensional growly crap made the book really drag for me at times.
Ah well. Given how many people on my friends list loved this book, it's probably just me.
My issue was primarily the FMC Madelyne, who was just too, too much for me. I think that Garwood just didn't nail the cute, sweet thing here - it was way OTT, and she honestly seemed to be a completely vapid imbecile to me. She had her good moments, but mostly she was ridiculous.
And honestly, the MMC Duncan was a bit cardboard at times. The combination of her moronic narrative and his 2-dimensional growly crap made the book really drag for me at times.
Ah well. Given how many people on my friends list loved this book, it's probably just me.
suzysuzy34's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at 50%, not really liking the style of writing for this author and not warming to any of her characters.