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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
Aidan's story. Driven by duty and honor Aidan seeks out a dead soldiers' sister. To keep his promise to protect her he offers marriage. To keep her home and protect those dependent on her she accepts.
Maybo more of a 3.5, but I really like Eve's loving character and her collection of dependents.
Maybo more of a 3.5, but I really like Eve's loving character and her collection of dependents.
I'm not only reading these things for the sex scenes, and it's a good thing, because these were just about the most depressing sex acts in any romance fiction I've ever read. Bland, passive, unenthusiastic, and failing to result in feelings of connection. After Balogh describes a week of their somewhat mechanical nightly sex, it is no surprise that neither of them works very hard to make sure they have another chance at it. I read the rest of the book hoping that would be the low-base-line and that what was coming was the revelation that gave them both some JUICE to get more enthusiastic, creative, loving, and super-connected to one another.
As for the rest of the book, it was well-written enough, and the characters interesting enough so it didn't feel like a total waste of time. Luckily, the author did not waste too much time on wardrobe descriptions - something I will put up with for good sex scenes, but don't really add up to anything in my mind.
My complete lack of knowledge about the Napoleonic Wars did not detract from the story.
(I didn't really re-read this 8 years later, I just listened to it as a recorded book to help me fall asleep. It worked! I missed some stuff, but since I almost remembered the story, it was fine.)
As for the rest of the book, it was well-written enough, and the characters interesting enough so it didn't feel like a total waste of time. Luckily, the author did not waste too much time on wardrobe descriptions - something I will put up with for good sex scenes, but don't really add up to anything in my mind.
My complete lack of knowledge about the Napoleonic Wars did not detract from the story.
(I didn't really re-read this 8 years later, I just listened to it as a recorded book to help me fall asleep. It worked! I missed some stuff, but since I almost remembered the story, it was fine.)
Probably a 3.5. Liked it. It felt different from other books which was part of the charm. The heroine is a bit TOO perfect, but what can you do? Part of me wishes I had a better understanding of historical estate planning and legalese because half the time I was thinking "there's no way someone could write a will like this".
Aiden's story. I have been looking forward to reading this series of books, it came highly recommended. The consensus seems to be that book 6 is the best (Wulf's book). This being book 1 I already look forward to book 6 as I now know the family and the personalities. I think I am going to enjoy this series very much and plan on starting book 2 today.
3.5 stars rounded to 4.
I listened to the audiobook of this and found the whole thing very charming. I won't say I was swept away by the romance between the hero and heroine, but it was still an enjoyable world to sit in for a while.
I listened to the audiobook of this and found the whole thing very charming. I won't say I was swept away by the romance between the hero and heroine, but it was still an enjoyable world to sit in for a while.
ugh, this was just wonderful! I love marriages of convenience as a trope so much, and after reading a marriage of convenience book that was wholly disappointing a few days ago, it was so satisfying to read one done well. This is what I love about marriages of convenience!!!! I loved how slowly their feelings for one another developed and that they were willing to walk away and never see each other again because that's what they thought the other one wanted. AND AIDEN WITH EVE'S KIDS, MAN!!!!!! I was melting all over the place. AND THE BEDWYN SIBLINGS, SO GREAT. I particularly loved Wulf, and I'm dying to get to his book already. Freyja, too!!! It was just so enjoyable overall, and I'm definitely planning on continuing with this series.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Yes
A good started. Yearning was radiating off the pages. Both Adrian and Eve were so easy to love. I’m actually glad it was Adrian who dropped the L word first. RIVER SCENE TOWARDS THE END.
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The feels hit harder than I expected in this one. Still a light historical romance but there is a depth to the characters.
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes