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rhi_'s review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Alcohol, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Colonisation, and Classism
lackyducks's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An incredibly light-hearted read with delightfully lovable characters. The plot is predictable and feels, aptly, like cozying up in bed.
I loved the historic magic realism setting. It's fairly loose, so not suitable for anybody looking for in-depth research into the setting. But the inclusion of magic is woven well through the book and something I would've loved to see explored more - especially in a societal setting.
The characters were an absolute delight. Alphonse's introduction was quick to endear him to me. Though sometimes airheaded characters can be frustrating, I found his hijacks amusing. It's hard not to love him, even if he is a bit oblivious. It's clear his heart is firmly in the right place throughout the book. Jacobi is also a strong side character, though he comes into his own more as the story goes on. Aaliyah steals scenes from the moment she enters them and her dry humour was a perfect complement to Alphonse.
Speaking of, the humour throughout the book was hilarious. So many of the jokes had me sharing with friends and laughing aloud. The chapter titles were fun on their own! The interactions between characters was a delight - even Alphonse's mother.
The plot, whilst predictable, did have a few turns I didn't expect! One was a perfectly enjoyable trope, whilst the other made me genuinely excited once I realised where it was heading.
The epilogue really tied together the book for me. These characters feel like people I'd love to follow through many other adventures and stories.
I loved the historic magic realism setting. It's fairly loose, so not suitable for anybody looking for in-depth research into the setting. But the inclusion of magic is woven well through the book and something I would've loved to see explored more - especially in a societal setting.
The characters were an absolute delight. Alphonse's introduction was quick to endear him to me. Though sometimes airheaded characters can be frustrating, I found his hijacks amusing. It's hard not to love him, even if he is a bit oblivious. It's clear his heart is firmly in the right place throughout the book. Jacobi is also a strong side character, though he comes into his own more as the story goes on. Aaliyah steals scenes from the moment she enters them and her dry humour was a perfect complement to Alphonse.
Speaking of, the humour throughout the book was hilarious. So many of the jokes had me sharing with friends and laughing aloud. The chapter titles were fun on their own! The interactions between characters was a delight - even Alphonse's mother.
The plot, whilst predictable, did have a few turns I didn't expect! One was a perfectly enjoyable trope, whilst the other made me genuinely excited once I realised where it was heading.
The epilogue really tied together the book for me. These characters feel like people I'd love to follow through many other adventures and stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Drug use
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Racism
Minor: Sexism
The sexism of the world is mentioned briefly in exposition and the racism occurs in one conversation.purplepenning's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Incredibly sweet, fantasy-lite, character-driven, British historical (early 1900s) romance novella. Cozy escapist comfort read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Drug use, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Racism, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
alyshkalia's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I love when historical fiction makes space for queer characters to live happy lives. While not strictly historical due to the fantastical elements, this is a historically-inspired setting, and it warmed my heart to see Alphonse, Jacobi, Aaliyah, and Jasmine find an arrangement that worked for them despite the social strictures of the time period. It was also great to see significant POC characters in such a setting (and Aaliyah calling out colonialism was A++).
While the beginning was a bit slow for me (I had expected the marriage issue to be the main plotline, but it actually gets resolved pretty quickly, which left me wondering for a bit where the rest of the book was going) it picked up once Alphonse realized his feelings for Jacobi. Alphonse's obliviousness even following this realization was hysterical, and had me laughing out loud at multiple points.
I would have loved to get to know Jacobi more, as he wasn't super present early on and I would have liked to see more of his and Alphonse's day-to-day interactions. But the interactions between Alphonse and Jacobi in the latter half were delightful. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
CWs: mild sexism (not called out), racist comment toward a POC, homophobic society, alcohol consumption, substance use
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
While the beginning was a bit slow for me (I had expected the marriage issue to be the main plotline, but it actually gets resolved pretty quickly, which left me wondering for a bit where the rest of the book was going) it picked up once Alphonse realized his feelings for Jacobi. Alphonse's obliviousness even following this realization was hysterical, and had me laughing out loud at multiple points.
I would have loved to get to know Jacobi more, as he wasn't super present early on and I would have liked to see more of his and Alphonse's day-to-day interactions. But the interactions between Alphonse and Jacobi in the latter half were delightful. Overall, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
CWs: mild sexism (not called out), racist comment toward a POC, homophobic society, alcohol consumption, substance use
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Racism, Alcohol, and Homophobia
Minor: Sexism and Sexual content
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