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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
16 June 2021
1. Estranged husband and wife resort to increasingly implausible tactics to wage war (and play chicken) with each other because they are both incapable of having a conversation.
2. Okay so this was surprisingly fun. You'd think two people not communicating with each other would be something I hate in romances, but it's only a problem when the lack of communication affects huge, sweeping emotional stakes. THAT makes me go 'yeaaah I really don't think these two are good for each other.' On the other hand, a years long feud both people regret but still continue with because they are both too stubborn to back down because of sheer pettiness? While also being polite to and caring about each other? That is, in all seriousness, totally okay and I'm entirely on board. I understand pettiness and hard-headed assholery on a deep and personal level.
3. It was also pretty funny. Both characters have a strong supporting case backing them. Said supporting cast becomes increasingly exasperated as the "deceptions" and the "I know you know I know"s pile up and surely that is the pinnacle of friendship.
4. I also appreciate the- how do I put it? Relative scale of problems the hero and heroine have to face? Too often it's things like he is a traumatized war veteran sexually abused by his father and she is a debutante who's shy and that makes her sad. This one has both parties dealing with trauma from overbearing and neglectful parents. And I know that's not earth-shatteringly interesting but it's both valid and proportional.
5. Would have been nice if I could have read this book back when I didn't see all Regency/Victorian England books through the lens of imperialism, colonialism and class. But that's really a me problem.
1. Estranged husband and wife resort to increasingly implausible tactics to wage war (and play chicken) with each other because they are both incapable of having a conversation.
2. Okay so this was surprisingly fun. You'd think two people not communicating with each other would be something I hate in romances, but it's only a problem when the lack of communication affects huge, sweeping emotional stakes. THAT makes me go 'yeaaah I really don't think these two are good for each other.' On the other hand, a years long feud both people regret but still continue with because they are both too stubborn to back down because of sheer pettiness? While also being polite to and caring about each other? That is, in all seriousness, totally okay and I'm entirely on board. I understand pettiness and hard-headed assholery on a deep and personal level.
3. It was also pretty funny. Both characters have a strong supporting case backing them. Said supporting cast becomes increasingly exasperated as the "deceptions" and the "I know you know I know"s pile up and surely that is the pinnacle of friendship.
4. I also appreciate the- how do I put it? Relative scale of problems the hero and heroine have to face? Too often it's things like he is a traumatized war veteran sexually abused by his father and she is a debutante who's shy and that makes her sad. This one has both parties dealing with trauma from overbearing and neglectful parents. And I know that's not earth-shatteringly interesting but it's both valid and proportional.
5. Would have been nice if I could have read this book back when I didn't see all Regency/Victorian England books through the lens of imperialism, colonialism and class. But that's really a me problem.
Do not be beguiled by the puny title, the adorable cover, or the quaint regency setting. This book is utter smut. Do not recommend for those with taste.
3 stars
Fun, but repetitive. Could've been fine being a good chunk shorter.
Fun, but repetitive. Could've been fine being a good chunk shorter.
Unfortunately this was just dreadful. The characters are sassy and sarcastic but it at all likable or interesting, and the central conflict is boring and pointless
Standard print from the library
This was such a cute book! It really reminded me of Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series (makes sense, since LW wrote the cover blurb!) because of the characters, dialogue, and setting, but was entertaining and well written in it's own right.
I liked the different take of a Regency romance: the lovers are already married, and have been in a stalemate argument for 4 years. Sort of enemies to lovers, but with the twist that the couple already loved one another once.
Witty, sexy, and a delight to read (another book that I started and couldn't put down until it was finished!).
This was such a cute book! It really reminded me of Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series (makes sense, since LW wrote the cover blurb!) because of the characters, dialogue, and setting, but was entertaining and well written in it's own right.
I liked the different take of a Regency romance: the lovers are already married, and have been in a stalemate argument for 4 years. Sort of enemies to lovers, but with the twist that the couple already loved one another once.
Witty, sexy, and a delight to read (another book that I started and couldn't put down until it was finished!).
came in with high hopes but i think i just found their game tedious through the middle. 3.5 stars
I'm clearly reading too much romance (and I've reached the point where I skim all the sex scenes; I know the routine) but the light narrative stakes and the resolvable heartbreak fit my current mood. I confess to not understanding why James and Violet haven't reconciled earlier -- why did the author choose to make their estrangement last four years?