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1phelpsswoop's review
3.0
This is more of a 3.5 for me. I REALLY like Rose Lerner's general writing style, and I was beyond thankful to have a historical romance with a woman who *actually* seems fat and isn't vaguely and euphemistically "plump" like other books. So much of the steamy scenes were really enjoyable, charged, and motivated by realistically grounded emotions. However, I do agree with other reviewers who feel a lot of the political plot points get in the way. As much as I loved some of the supporting characters (especially those at the sweet shop!) I would have traded time with them for more time with the hero/heroine.
That said, I still am SO glad this book exists in general, and will likely return to Lerner's work again!
That said, I still am SO glad this book exists in general, and will likely return to Lerner's work again!
tessanne's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t love this book and I didn’t dislike it. It was enjoyable enough to read, and very well written, and I liked the unusual characters. Some of it was quite predictable, but other parts were refreshingly different. Overall, I give this 3.5 stars and hope that the next Lerner book I pick up is even better.
claire_loves_books's review against another edition
3.0
This was a bit of a mixed lot for me- I really did like the concepts explored in this book- it's really quite unusual to have a regency romance book that covers desire, sexual freedom, consent, coercion ect. so well and I really liked that. However I did find Phoebe annoying for the majority of the book- she seems to be determined to be a doormat and blame herself for other people getting annoyed, but she does grow as a character, all the characters seem to develop throughout the book (other than a few who just seem thrown in as villains, looking at you Mrs Knight). I definitely enjoyed the second half more than the first- I just got bored of all the self-recriminations but I did start to enjoy it more once they happened less often.
mdalida's review against another edition
5.0
When one of the reviewers I follow swoons over a book, I have to check it out!
I mainly stick to historical romances; I generally like the pageantry and structure. I like reading naughty erotic novels about a time that was so wrapped up in silly rigid rules where people pretended that *everyone* wasn't doing naughty erotic things :-)
If you require balls, richness, dukes and heirs for your romances - this one will not satisfy. This book is about a struggling widow from a small town who meets a second-son tasked with charming the widow for politics. It seems a bland start, but it turns into so much more when the secondary characters are developed and add richness to the main couple.
Nicholas- I love Beta heroes, and Nicholas was one for me. He calms himself by reciting Byron's poems! He's chivalrous to a fault and sometimes to his own pain. I loved how the heroine catches him off guard and also pushes him to be more authentic with himself, her, and his family.
Phoebe - I don't think I've read a heroine in whom I saw so much of myself! Plus-size, big breasts, clumsy, poor housekeeper, willing to overly sacrifice for her younger sister, bookworm, lover of romance and erotic novels, and loving romantic poems. She was so smart in how she engaged with the world, so raw and real and flawed that I loved it and was inspired by it.
I was so charmed by this story that I assumed it would be a chaste, sweet, "sex behind closed doors" kind of romance. And usually, that would bore me. I knew I liked this book when that possibility don't bother me. So when the sexy times started!! I was even more thrilled! Books always get points with me when the heroine takes charge; not necessarily in an aggressive way, though that works, too. I mean that I like when she states what she wants, initiates play, explores herself and her partner, reaches unashamedly for her own orgasm.
Overall, a book that hit all my 😍 buttons!
I mainly stick to historical romances; I generally like the pageantry and structure. I like reading naughty erotic novels about a time that was so wrapped up in silly rigid rules where people pretended that *everyone* wasn't doing naughty erotic things :-)
If you require balls, richness, dukes and heirs for your romances - this one will not satisfy. This book is about a struggling widow from a small town who meets a second-son tasked with charming the widow for politics. It seems a bland start, but it turns into so much more when the secondary characters are developed and add richness to the main couple.
Nicholas- I love Beta heroes, and Nicholas was one for me. He calms himself by reciting Byron's poems! He's chivalrous to a fault and sometimes to his own pain. I loved how the heroine catches him off guard and also pushes him to be more authentic with himself, her, and his family.
Phoebe - I don't think I've read a heroine in whom I saw so much of myself! Plus-size, big breasts, clumsy, poor housekeeper, willing to overly sacrifice for her younger sister, bookworm, lover of romance and erotic novels, and loving romantic poems. She was so smart in how she engaged with the world, so raw and real and flawed that I loved it and was inspired by it.
I was so charmed by this story that I assumed it would be a chaste, sweet, "sex behind closed doors" kind of romance. And usually, that would bore me. I knew I liked this book when that possibility don't bother me. So when the sexy times started!! I was even more thrilled! Books always get points with me when the heroine takes charge; not necessarily in an aggressive way, though that works, too. I mean that I like when she states what she wants, initiates play, explores herself and her partner, reaches unashamedly for her own orgasm.
Overall, a book that hit all my 😍 buttons!
waclements7's review
4.0
An interesting take on political shenanigans--I really enjoyed having the details about the elections as a backdrop to the romance of the story of Phoebe Sparks. Many twists and turns, and also an interesting examination of love, family, expectations, and sibling relationships. Looking back on it, it's really amazing how much Lerner did cover in just this one book. The plot and characters are well developed and interesting--I will definitely read more by her!
beulah_devaney's review against another edition
4.5
Historical romance about a working woman who doesn't end up marrying a Duke! And who isn't a simpering virgin! The pure novelty of this book would have sucked me in anyway but then I realised Rose Lerner is a great, engaging writer and R.I.P. my tbr list because I was sold on her entire back catalogue.
The romance itself is reassuringly familiar (they meet, they clash, they bang, they briefly split up and then make up). Lerner has an incredibly nuanced take on class in the UK (far more nuanced than a lot of Brit romance writers I've read) and she expertly handles a vast cast of characters from across the class and political spectrums. Throw in sizzling chemistry between the leads, lots of lovely body positivity and it’s just fab stuff all ‘round.
afgerstenberger's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jenc5309's review against another edition
3.0
This one really grew on me. The heroine was resourceful & not a victim & the hero needed the heroine's help as much as she needed his.
misssusan's review against another edition
5.0
i would review this properly but i'm lazy as heck and enjoying some long deserved family vacation time at the moment. suffice to say this book got me through some truly horrendous airline failery (pro-tip: don't fly united. JUST DON'T DO IT) and if romance, thoughtful characterization, small town historical politics, and interesting deviations to regency romance norms (i love rose lerner for not wanting to write the 100% rich kids romance power hour, everything is always so much more interesting when your heroine works for a living) interest you then consider checking this out
5 stars
5 stars
northship's review against another edition
5.0
i really loved this novel a lot, because it's unfortunately such a rare combination of things in historical romance!! set in a small town, the heroine is a widow, no one is a duke, it's very much centered in the politics of the time... need i go on! it was just so refreshing and enjoyable to read. lerner's writing is a nice balance of very readable without being anachronistic. overall, i was just relieved to read something like this for a change instead of yet another duke who can't keep it in his pants.