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just_one_more_paige's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Well, y'all, the ‘rona got me. The day before I was scheduled to work at the library and planning to pick up this hold...which I was so hype for. So I sent my partner in to get it for me, because what is better sickbed reading than a queer Regency romance?! (Answer: nothing.) But apparently when he got there, everyone gave him a hard time (on my behalf), saying he didn't have to come in and pick up my holds cause I work there and they'd hang on to them for me til I got back, and he should stay home to take care of me. Which is so sweet. But I just really wanted my hands on this book. All in all, lots of warm fuzzy feelings about my coworkers, as well as a public recognition of thanks to my partner. Haha.
After being presumed dead on the battlefields at Waterloo, Viola Carroll leaves behind her old life (her name and title and wealth) to finally live life as herself. She figured that her closest friend, the Duke of Gracewood, would mourn her, but move on with the rest of his life too. But when their families reconnect years later, Viola realizes how lost in pain and memories Gracewood has become, and, in her guilt and sorrow, takes it upon herself to bring him out of it. Their time together stirs up feelings in Viola though, feelings that were impossible before...and maybe only differently impossible now.
This is my third novel by Hall, and both the first two (Boyfriend Material and Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake) were phenomenal. He is fast become a "auto-buy" (or "auto-read," since I'm an avid library patron, obvs) author. This was no exception, and possibly my favorite so far? I don't know - it's a bold statement because they are all so good! The important part is, I loved this. It was the perfect sickbed reading, but would really have been perfect at any time. I LOVE Hall’s writing. OMG. It's so quick and smart and, as always, some of the very best dialogue. I thought the premise/set-up was great, as far as the time-period-realistic way that Viola was able to transition into and live as her true self. I also loved the point at which we come into the story, after all that, and get to know her only as that true self. She would love that framing.
And speaking of Viola and her true self, I also loved the connection and romance between her and Gracewood. It was the perfect mix of sweet and bittersweet. Their story was so tender and intense from the very start and I cried like three times in just the first 75 pages. But like, in the best way. I was so invested and was cheering so hard for them from the start! This was a connection of souls romance in a wonderfully devastating way, to a level I have rarely read before. So. Good.
Also, I read a bit more about Hall's goals in writing this novel, in which he points out wanting to portray a trans love story in which "trans" was not the conflict. And what a way to do it! He shifted (or really, just kept it true to the genre) the focus to be on the ability and propriety of the age, with the reason the two couldn't be together coming down to their (now) difference in social station/title, reclaiming this very hetero genre for the queer community with aplomb. There were insecurities from both sides related to how Viola's trans identity may affect other life goals, like having a family/passing on the Gracewood family name, but no different than they might be if infertility was an issue for a hetero couple. And Viola's last concern, her lack of sexual experience, lines up with any other historical fiction "maiden" character, so that fit the vibe perfectly. (And definitely didn't prevent some fantastic steamy scenes either. Phew.)
A few other notes about things I loved, because I'm gonna overwhelm you with gushing in this review. First, Hall addresses PTSD really well, exploring how it affects some more than others, especially from the perspective of how ‘real men’ should not be experiencing it at all (*eye roll*), and the ways that makes it even harder. Similarly, Gracewood's disability, from a war wound, and addiction issues, are also handled with depth and respect, while still allowing Gracewood's personal reactions to be authentically written (based on my conjectures of the time period, anyways). I also loved the supporting characters. Viola's sister-in-law, Lady Marleigh, is phenomenal - I love a strong female character who is unapologetic about her talents and faults and owns her space in the world. In addition, Gracewood's younger sister, Mira, was a delight. She was perfectly odd and a great addition to strengthen both the character-base and, towards the end, the plot (I won't give any spoilers here, but things do get quite entertainingly dramatic towards the end.) There was also some really nice, understated but very clear, other queer rep (wlw specifically) that I feel like could go under the radar, but deserves to be recognized!
Even with how long this novel was, I wanted more, I wanted it to never end. The pull between Gracewood and Viola, at a bone and soul deep level, was so lovely and tender it hurt. I cried and I smiled and my heart was squeezed with so many feels and it was a reading experience of emotional wreckage that I would choose over and over.
“There are so many forces that would shape us, or break us, or twist us, or re-make us: friends, family, ‘what is done,’ duty, history, expectation.”
“Weakness is hard enough to bear when it isn’t the first thing everyone sees when they look at you.”
“It had never occurred to him to question beauty before. He’d always assumed it was obvious, fine eyes or a trim figure, rosebud lips or hair of whatever colour was currently fashionable. But it wasn’t. It was details. The way you could wait forever for the dimple to appear beside someone’s mouth, unable to imagine ever growing tired of seeing it.”
“My point […] is that I don’t see what use we can be to others if we must deny our own most fundamental selves. We all have the right to be recognised for who we are.”
“Small acts of defiance, he well knew, could become great acts of rebellion, and little intimacies could become alliances or passions that shaped lives and worlds.”
“Having spent so many years dwelling on yesterday, it would be the height of folly to dwell instead on tomorrow, when there was so much joy to find in today.”
“I am not sure love unshown is really love at all. What good does caring for a person do if you're never there when they need you?”
“‘Where is your logic now?’ / ‘At your feet, clearly.’” (OMG the SWOON)
“Strength is not the capacity to hurt. Or the capacity to remain unhurt. It is…what we let ourselves feel. And how truly we love.”
After being presumed dead on the battlefields at Waterloo, Viola Carroll leaves behind her old life (her name and title and wealth) to finally live life as herself. She figured that her closest friend, the Duke of Gracewood, would mourn her, but move on with the rest of his life too. But when their families reconnect years later, Viola realizes how lost in pain and memories Gracewood has become, and, in her guilt and sorrow, takes it upon herself to bring him out of it. Their time together stirs up feelings in Viola though, feelings that were impossible before...and maybe only differently impossible now.
This is my third novel by Hall, and both the first two (Boyfriend Material and Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake) were phenomenal. He is fast become a "auto-buy" (or "auto-read," since I'm an avid library patron, obvs) author. This was no exception, and possibly my favorite so far? I don't know - it's a bold statement because they are all so good! The important part is, I loved this. It was the perfect sickbed reading, but would really have been perfect at any time. I LOVE Hall’s writing. OMG. It's so quick and smart and, as always, some of the very best dialogue. I thought the premise/set-up was great, as far as the time-period-realistic way that Viola was able to transition into and live as her true self. I also loved the point at which we come into the story, after all that, and get to know her only as that true self. She would love that framing.
And speaking of Viola and her true self, I also loved the connection and romance between her and Gracewood. It was the perfect mix of sweet and bittersweet. Their story was so tender and intense from the very start and I cried like three times in just the first 75 pages. But like, in the best way. I was so invested and was cheering so hard for them from the start! This was a connection of souls romance in a wonderfully devastating way, to a level I have rarely read before. So. Good.
Also, I read a bit more about Hall's goals in writing this novel, in which he points out wanting to portray a trans love story in which "trans" was not the conflict. And what a way to do it! He shifted (or really, just kept it true to the genre) the focus to be on the ability and propriety of the age, with the reason the two couldn't be together coming down to their (now) difference in social station/title, reclaiming this very hetero genre for the queer community with aplomb. There were insecurities from both sides related to how Viola's trans identity may affect other life goals, like having a family/passing on the Gracewood family name, but no different than they might be if infertility was an issue for a hetero couple. And Viola's last concern, her lack of sexual experience, lines up with any other historical fiction "maiden" character, so that fit the vibe perfectly. (And definitely didn't prevent some fantastic steamy scenes either. Phew.)
A few other notes about things I loved, because I'm gonna overwhelm you with gushing in this review. First, Hall addresses PTSD really well, exploring how it affects some more than others, especially from the perspective of how ‘real men’ should not be experiencing it at all (*eye roll*), and the ways that makes it even harder. Similarly, Gracewood's disability, from a war wound, and addiction issues, are also handled with depth and respect, while still allowing Gracewood's personal reactions to be authentically written (based on my conjectures of the time period, anyways). I also loved the supporting characters. Viola's sister-in-law, Lady Marleigh, is phenomenal - I love a strong female character who is unapologetic about her talents and faults and owns her space in the world. In addition, Gracewood's younger sister, Mira, was a delight. She was perfectly odd and a great addition to strengthen both the character-base and, towards the end, the plot (I won't give any spoilers here, but things do get quite entertainingly dramatic towards the end.) There was also some really nice, understated but very clear, other queer rep (wlw specifically) that I feel like could go under the radar, but deserves to be recognized!
Even with how long this novel was, I wanted more, I wanted it to never end. The pull between Gracewood and Viola, at a bone and soul deep level, was so lovely and tender it hurt. I cried and I smiled and my heart was squeezed with so many feels and it was a reading experience of emotional wreckage that I would choose over and over.
“There are so many forces that would shape us, or break us, or twist us, or re-make us: friends, family, ‘what is done,’ duty, history, expectation.”
“Weakness is hard enough to bear when it isn’t the first thing everyone sees when they look at you.”
“It had never occurred to him to question beauty before. He’d always assumed it was obvious, fine eyes or a trim figure, rosebud lips or hair of whatever colour was currently fashionable. But it wasn’t. It was details. The way you could wait forever for the dimple to appear beside someone’s mouth, unable to imagine ever growing tired of seeing it.”
“My point […] is that I don’t see what use we can be to others if we must deny our own most fundamental selves. We all have the right to be recognised for who we are.”
“Small acts of defiance, he well knew, could become great acts of rebellion, and little intimacies could become alliances or passions that shaped lives and worlds.”
“Having spent so many years dwelling on yesterday, it would be the height of folly to dwell instead on tomorrow, when there was so much joy to find in today.”
“I am not sure love unshown is really love at all. What good does caring for a person do if you're never there when they need you?”
“‘Where is your logic now?’ / ‘At your feet, clearly.’” (OMG the SWOON)
“Strength is not the capacity to hurt. Or the capacity to remain unhurt. It is…what we let ourselves feel. And how truly we love.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Grief, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Ableism, and Classism
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Blood, War, and Violence
Minor: Cursing, Deadnaming, and Gun violence
quirkykayleetam's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is a swoon-worthy period romance that happens to have a transgender heroine. And, wow, does this book do her justice! Viola Carrol was presumed dead at the battle of Waterloo. This allowed her to reinvent herself and live as the women she always knew she was, giving up her wealth, title, and inheritance to live as a lady's companion to her sister-in-law. Then she discovers her old best friend in dire straights; after being crippled at Waterloo, the Duke of Gracewood is suffering from PTSD, mourning her loss, and scaring all those in his life. Viola goes to help him, but is too scared to tell him the truth of her survival and change in identity, and determined not to stay in his life. To her shock, she finds them growing more themselves as man and woman than ever before a sudden outing and his grief drives her away. Now it is his turn to prove himself a man worthy of her.
This book is far funnier than it has any right to be, with side characters that Jane Austen would be proud of. It taught me to curse in Latin which has brought me no end of joy. It touches on the smallest concerns of being trans and passing in period society, like Viola always being careful to wear a choker that covers her adam's apple and gloves that conceal her war-torn hands. The single sex scene it contains is beautiful in the way that it addresses both characters fears and insecurities, assuring them both that they deserve love and pleasure without judgement or expectation. More importantly, the book is about breaking down all gendered stereotypes and expectations. The characters fight against internal and external forces to be true to themselves in a complicated world. Through sword fights, kidnapping plots, and masquerade balls, each of the characters must learn to rescue themselves while finding that it is through loving, trusting relationships of all kinds that they can become the best versions of themselves.
0.25 stars taken away for a bit of dithering and slow pacing at the beginning. If Viola had explained her legitimate concerns more clearly early on, this would have been a full 5 star book. Highly recommend!
This book is far funnier than it has any right to be, with side characters that Jane Austen would be proud of. It taught me to curse in Latin which has brought me no end of joy. It touches on the smallest concerns of being trans and passing in period society, like Viola always being careful to wear a choker that covers her adam's apple and gloves that conceal her war-torn hands. The single sex scene it contains is beautiful in the way that it addresses both characters fears and insecurities, assuring them both that they deserve love and pleasure without judgement or expectation. More importantly, the book is about breaking down all gendered stereotypes and expectations. The characters fight against internal and external forces to be true to themselves in a complicated world. Through sword fights, kidnapping plots, and masquerade balls, each of the characters must learn to rescue themselves while finding that it is through loving, trusting relationships of all kinds that they can become the best versions of themselves.
0.25 stars taken away for a bit of dithering and slow pacing at the beginning. If Viola had explained her legitimate concerns more clearly early on, this would have been a full 5 star book. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Ableism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Deadnaming, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Violence, and War
wanderingtales's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, War, and Addiction
Moderate: Violence, Medical trauma, Dysphoria, Death, Ableism, War, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Classism
hngisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, War, Drug use, Grief, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Violence, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Suicide attempt
redheadorganist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Transphobia, and Deadnaming
Minor: Kidnapping
ollie_again's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
Wow, this was so good! This is my first book by Alexis Hall and it definitely won't be the last. This was emotional, funny, heartwarming and hopeful with a dash of adventure and drama. Both Viola and Gracewood stole my heart and I was rooting for them pretty much from the very beginning. I love historical romances in general but this one is one of the few that wouldn't let me put it down. I read the whole thing in two sittings and I just wished there was more. (And though I generally don't care or like epilogues in romances, here I devoured it and asked for seconds.
The author said in the acknowledgement that the intention of the book was to tell a story of a transgender woman in a historical setting while not making it the conflict of the main story, which I think is accomplished amazingly. It was... I mean, this book was everything. My favourite quote bellow:
The author said in the acknowledgement that the intention of the book was to tell a story of a transgender woman in a historical setting while not making it the conflict of the main story, which I think is accomplished amazingly. It was... I mean, this book was everything. My favourite quote bellow:
“I know madness, and this is not it. A word from you, a glance, and I would lay all I have—all I am, or at the very least what’s left of me—at your feet. And someday, when you are ready to hear me, and to trust me, I shall, and then you can have me, or not, as it pleases you.”
“I could never marry you, Gracewood. The world—”
“Forgive my language, but”—his eyes were as steady on hers as the clasp upon her wrist, his mouth suddenly full of smiles—“fuck the world. I will change it for you if I have to.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse and Dysphoria
boglord's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Dysphoria, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Addiction, Classism, Cursing, Deadnaming, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, War, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Lesbophobia, Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Blood, and Infidelity
kabrahams's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautiful exploration of gender identity as our heroine navigates coming out to her friend (our heroine) after her transition and our hero navigates what it means to be a disabled man after his experiences in the war. The writing is lyrical or witty at times, a bit overwritten or redundant in others. Overall, it is a bit too long and the kidnapping scene near the end seemed totally unnecessary, but I still loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence and Deadnaming
Minor: Kidnapping and War
moonytoast's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
coming at this book from the perspective of someone who has basically read little to no historical romance (outside of my appreciation of jane austen's works) is interesting, but this has made me feel compelled to read not just alexis hall's backlist but also more queer historical romance novels!
i absolutely fell in love with the characters of viola and gracewood. i think hall did a great job of building out their prior friendship and also their own respective traumas. their chemistry upon reconnecting is so intimate and has the kind of easy kinship that i really love to see in romance stories, but it's also distinctly different from the dynamic viola and gracewood had before the war. friends to lovers tends to be a hit or miss trope for me, but this really sold me on it because there's still a significant journey that these characters go through before they actually reach the lovers part of the trope.
the side characters were also a fun time! louise and badger eavesdropping on viola and gracewood by hiding behind a plant and then interrupting their conversation, miranda going to a costume party dressed as frankenstein's monster.... i love them your honor!!!!!
the last 100 pages kinda went on a wild journey and i definitely knew something was going to happen, but wow. my brain was just like: OMG we're getting a swordfight in a brothel between viola and amberglass??????? OKAY IDK WHAT'S GOING ON BUT I'M HERE FOR IT! i blame my general lack of experience with historical romance and also the fact i am currently hopped up on medication for the worst sinus infection i've ever had in my life, but i was not prepared for that.
overall this is definitely primed to become a favorite comfort read of mine so i might eventually change this to five stars upon a re-read, but it's still absolutely lovely the first time around!
i absolutely fell in love with the characters of viola and gracewood. i think hall did a great job of building out their prior friendship and also their own respective traumas. their chemistry upon reconnecting is so intimate and has the kind of easy kinship that i really love to see in romance stories, but it's also distinctly different from the dynamic viola and gracewood had before the war. friends to lovers tends to be a hit or miss trope for me, but this really sold me on it because there's still a significant journey that these characters go through before they actually reach the lovers part of the trope.
the side characters were also a fun time! louise and badger eavesdropping on viola and gracewood by hiding behind a plant and then interrupting their conversation, miranda going to a costume party dressed as frankenstein's monster.... i love them your honor!!!!!
the last 100 pages kinda went on a wild journey and i definitely knew something was going to happen, but wow. my brain was just like: OMG we're getting a swordfight in a brothel between viola and amberglass??????? OKAY IDK WHAT'S GOING ON BUT I'M HERE FOR IT! i blame my general lack of experience with historical romance and also the fact i am currently hopped up on medication for the worst sinus infection i've ever had in my life, but i was not prepared for that.
overall this is definitely primed to become a favorite comfort read of mine so i might eventually change this to five stars upon a re-read, but it's still absolutely lovely the first time around!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and War
Minor: Transphobia, Kidnapping, Sexism, and Violence
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Classism, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Violence, Cursing, Mental illness, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Drug use, Alcohol, Addiction, and Drug abuse