Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe

4 reviews

iamamyyyyy's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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ladysadiereads's review

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emotional funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I adored this follow-up to The Heiress Hunt! Much of this takes place during the same house party that HH starts in but this can be read as a standalone! This has some great kissing lessons - initiated by a delightful heroine - who completely stole my heart. Alice is sunshine wrapped around steel and full of love and light and delightful cooking. Also, there is nothing like a young woman learning to love herself and stand up to bullies - especially when it is her own mother. I loved the theme of food in this book - not only that but the inherent sexism of the restaurant industry (that continues to this day!) and how "women's cooking" is somehow different. I liked Kit too - I wish he had been a bit bolder but did love him in the end learning to manage his own emotional trauma from his philandering father. I do wish there was more of the male friendship in this book - there is a devastating loss (please see content warnings) but I wish I had more basis for the friends' connection. 

TL/DR Review
Stars: four solid stars
Steam: build up to intimacy scenes, slow burn, lots of couches involved…
Tropes: kissing lessons, friends to lovers, opposites attract, food
For Fans Of: I mean it is Joanna Shupe…
Theme Song: Terrible Love by the National
Subgenre: Historic Romance - Guilded Era
CW/ TW: death of friend on page, suspected suicide of friend, graphic portrayal of alcoholism, references to grief of parent death, toxic family
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maggie_the_ferocious_reader's review

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I love historicals & Joanna Shupe is a master at them + they're not regency era which gives them a hint of freshness that's nice. Alice & Kit were so gone on each other but too oblivious to notice it in each other. It was delightful. 
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megloveswords12's review

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funny lighthearted 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

3.5

eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

This books is a fun, lighthearted Gilded Age historical romance. Shy Alice asks rake Kit to help her learn how to seduce a man. 

Usually “meek” characters like Alice annoy me, but I thought she was sweet and generous. I also found myself rooting for Kit, who was so charming. 

The book was fast-paced and sexy. Interesting to note that the first half of the story takes place at the same time as the first book in the series, but is told from a different characters’ perspective.
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