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saltycaroline's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly this didn't inspire strong feelings in me one way or the other
CW: Sexual content, confinement, infertility, infidelity, emotional abuse, slavery
CW: Sexual content, confinement, infertility, infidelity, emotional abuse, slavery
bettybumpkins's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.5
I struggled to follow the plot on this one. The mystery seemed disjointed and the plot skipped around and yet dragged. There were scenes I liked, but over all I was left frustrated by the confusing story.
lizelsaurus's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
crafty_crow's review
4.0
Alethea & Declan were friends growing up, and reunite when Declan returns home. Unfortunately for Declan, on his return he finds he's the new Duke of Darington, and he suspects Alethea's father is responsible for his brother's and his father's deaths.
The intrigue behind Declan attempting to uncover the clues and motives behind his relative's deaths drives the story as much (and at times more) than the romance between Declan and Alethea. It's a bit of a romantic suspense or romantic mystery, depending on how you frame it. There were times I was more interested in Declan or Alethea attempting to uncover their respective families' pasts when HEY BAYBEE, LET'S DO SEXY TIMES dropped into the story. It's a romance, I was expecting them, but they felt a little out of place. Perhaps because after the morning they're both spent, there's a bit of misunderstanding, hurt feelings, and, of course, the original reason they met in the first place is temporarily forgotten. And I was like, WHAT?! and NO!
Anyhow, book ends happily, as romances do. I felt the intrigue wrapped up way too easily and quickly, but I did enjoy how it helped propel the story. Overall it was a solid book.
The intrigue behind Declan attempting to uncover the clues and motives behind his relative's deaths drives the story as much (and at times more) than the romance between Declan and Alethea. It's a bit of a romantic suspense or romantic mystery, depending on how you frame it. There were times I was more interested in Declan or Alethea attempting to uncover their respective families' pasts when HEY BAYBEE, LET'S DO SEXY TIMES dropped into the story. It's a romance, I was expecting them, but they felt a little out of place. Perhaps because after the morning they're both spent, there's a bit of misunderstanding, hurt feelings, and, of course, the original reason they met in the first place is temporarily forgotten. And I was like, WHAT?! and NO!
Anyhow, book ends happily, as romances do. I felt the intrigue wrapped up way too easily and quickly, but I did enjoy how it helped propel the story. Overall it was a solid book.
fbullock01's review
4.0
The first book by this author I've read, and I will definitely read her again. I enjoyed the writing and all of the characters especially the H/h with a nice friends to lovers storyline. I wanted their love story more fleshed out rather than the conflict going on around them (I don't want to spoil it for anyone). I felt like the villain needed more of a comeuppance. Overall though, I enjoyed this story very much on a rainy day afternoon.
anabelsbrother's review
2.0
2.5 stars
Hmmm. The story had potential, and it would have been an easy 4 star read for me had it not have so many plot holes. The whole conspiracy behind Declan's family scandal was convoluted and not properly developed IMO, and I was a bit eh about how the Truth was revealed and how the Problem was solved . The last 10% was a bit too conveniently wrapped up to me.
The only A+ thing about this is the hot chemistry between Allie and Dec. I love seeing them reconnect with each other.
Overall, this could have been a lot better. I hope Torres gets his own book!
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
Hmmm. The story had potential, and it would have been an easy 4 star read for me had it not have so many plot holes. The whole conspiracy behind Declan's family scandal was convoluted and not properly developed IMO, and I was a bit eh about how the Truth was revealed
Spoiler
(so Allie's mother just conveniently wrote everything down in her diary?)Spoiler
(what tf even is the role of the Vicomte he's such as a caricature villain??)The only A+ thing about this is the hot chemistry between Allie and Dec. I love seeing them reconnect with each other.
Overall, this could have been a lot better. I hope Torres gets his own book!
E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.
storieswithsoul's review
4.0
It's an interesting story. When a 'scandalous' returns to London after years everyone starts talking about him. There is sadness and mystery revolving around Declan Sinclair's life. By sending him away his family had tried to protect him from everything that followed the scandal of his father committing suicide. But now that he is back it appears that things are not much different. People still remember everything that happened so many years ago but more than that he is still driven to prove his father's innocence and find out the truth behind his brother's death.
Lady Alethea and her twin are Declan's childhood friend. He wants them to be just that once again. Apparently it won't be that easy. There is too much between their families. They will never be carefree children that they were once upon a time. In addition to this now that they're grown up he realizes how attractive he finds Alethea, unfortunately he has no plan to stay in London long enough to do something about that.
Alethea realizes that Dec has changed. He is no longer the same person but she still loves him as much as she always has. Only if there was a way for them to be together....
I quite enjoyed reading this book. I loved the story, I think it's perfect combination of romance and mystery. It's well written and characters are all likable. I think any historical fiction fan will enjoy this story of scandal, mystery, and mayhem.
Lady Alethea and her twin are Declan's childhood friend. He wants them to be just that once again. Apparently it won't be that easy. There is too much between their families. They will never be carefree children that they were once upon a time. In addition to this now that they're grown up he realizes how attractive he finds Alethea, unfortunately he has no plan to stay in London long enough to do something about that.
Alethea realizes that Dec has changed. He is no longer the same person but she still loves him as much as she always has. Only if there was a way for them to be together....
I quite enjoyed reading this book. I loved the story, I think it's perfect combination of romance and mystery. It's well written and characters are all likable. I think any historical fiction fan will enjoy this story of scandal, mystery, and mayhem.
skaurgo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, and Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Slavery, and Sexism
amandamarieger's review against another edition
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I think, when I saw the title, I was sort of disappointed - I'm used to the snappy, punny romance titles! I know, don't judge a book by it's title (or cover). I'm glad I read it!
Allie and Declan (YOU SHOULD ALL KNOW HOW I LOVE THAT NAME) were so cute together. I liked the slow build, where they acknowledged their childhood friendship and built on it. There were times where Declan felt a bit predatory, and sometimes the dialogue was a bit stilted. And there was a certain word used to referenced someone who is of mixed race (a word that I won't use), so maybe a content warning on that. I understand it was acceptable during the time period the book takes place, but I still hate the word.
Favorite part? De La Rosa managed to get "Nevertheless, she persisted" in there. Brava! I loved that.
Thank you the Entangled and to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I'll be posting a full review on my blog tomorrow!
Allie and Declan (YOU SHOULD ALL KNOW HOW I LOVE THAT NAME) were so cute together. I liked the slow build, where they acknowledged their childhood friendship and built on it. There were times where Declan felt a bit predatory, and sometimes the dialogue was a bit stilted. And there was a certain word used to referenced someone who is of mixed race (a word that I won't use), so maybe a content warning on that. I understand it was acceptable during the time period the book takes place, but I still hate the word.
Favorite part? De La Rosa managed to get "Nevertheless, she persisted" in there. Brava! I loved that.
Thank you the Entangled and to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I'll be posting a full review on my blog tomorrow!