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emfass's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
I laughed out loud so many times listening to this book. Tessa Dare HOW ARE YOU SO DELIGHTFUL. That last line especially had me cackling.
I just love this series. I love the way these couples all fall in love with each other, the ways they show up for each other, the way they are so damn hot for each other.
I loved how this story talked about the historical romance trope of being "ruined" and rejected it; all the animals shenanigans that roped in all three men from the series (Gabriel, Ash from The Duchess Deal, and Chase from The Governess Game--seriously, the scenes with the three of them were some of the best); the care Penny gives to everyone around her, human and animal, so of course she would be able to love someone as "beastly" as Gabe.
CW:big content warning for child sexual abuse, grooming, molestation
I just love this series. I love the way these couples all fall in love with each other, the ways they show up for each other, the way they are so damn hot for each other.
I loved how this story talked about the historical romance trope of being "ruined" and rejected it; all the animals shenanigans that roped in all three men from the series (Gabriel, Ash from The Duchess Deal, and Chase from The Governess Game--seriously, the scenes with the three of them were some of the best); the care Penny gives to everyone around her, human and animal, so of course she would be able to love someone as "beastly" as Gabe.
CW:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Abandonment and Violence
Fairly forward descriptions of grooming and molestation of the main character in the past when she was a child.anoveldestination's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really struggled to connect with the characters in this. For me, Penny was the stronger character of the two. Her backstory and love for animals gave her a lot more depth than Gabe, whose rake with a dark past storyline felt trite. Usually, Tessa Dare gives her heroes dark pasts, but each of the characters usually still has something unique in their story. Gabe's backstory and motivation didn't feel as fleshed out as Tessa Dare's characters usually are. Also, while Penny was a more believable character, the animal lover trait did seem like it was a little absurd and taken too far.
Perhaps, it was my struggle to believe the characters that also made me doubt their romance, but I didn't feel a lot of tension in their relationship and I never felt invested in their future as a couple. I didn't dislike their story and the progression of their relationship made sense, but I didn't care about their story either. It was a very "meh" romance for me.
In terms of style, I thought this book lacked some of Tessa Dare's usual humor. I didn't really find myself laughing or smiling in many parts, only in the scenes with characters from the previous books in the Girl Meets Duke series. The one redeeming quality of this story for me was the ending and Penny's character growth.
Perhaps, it was my struggle to believe the characters that also made me doubt their romance, but I didn't feel a lot of tension in their relationship and I never felt invested in their future as a couple. I didn't dislike their story and the progression of their relationship made sense, but I didn't care about their story either. It was a very "meh" romance for me.
In terms of style, I thought this book lacked some of Tessa Dare's usual humor. I didn't really find myself laughing or smiling in many parts, only in the scenes with characters from the previous books in the Girl Meets Duke series. The one redeeming quality of this story for me was the ending and Penny's character growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Bullying and Child abuse
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
ezraaa's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
2ndbooktotheright's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Child abuse
samorita's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
jla's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wonderful story. Surprisingly funny. I didn't expect to like Penny, but I liked both characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
beccaand's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Another banger from Tessa Dare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
missjillmars's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
arman's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
~ the wallflower wager: 5/5 ~
plz i loved this book sm it was so cute and i was tearing up at the end just cause of how good these two were together omg. i loved sm abt it gabriel n penny looked like complete opposites and seeing them come together was so good. i love how in control penny was and just how unapologetically herself she was!!! i fucking loved how babe completely respected that of her too. i love how odd she was it was just so good. there was a fair bit of smut i wasnt very into those scenes but also i was just not in the mood uk. i also loved seeing the rest of the gang in these sm seeing ash n chase be besties was literally the best thing ever. and seeing them have dumb arguments was so cute n then seeing them team up against game plz i loved it all. i loved the girl group too they literally just get better w ever book i cant wait for nicola’s book man. plz this was just so good i feel so giddy finishing this book. it does have darker points tho so make sure to look up tws!! overall tho i loved this i love these characters a 5/5 for meeee
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pedophilia and Sexual assault