Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
3.3 stars
As Justin crouched to stare at the carving more closely, a glass marble dropped out of his pocket and hit the inlaid parquet floor. Dismayed, Phoebe and Justin watched the little sphere roll away rapidly. But its momentum was brought to an abrupt halt as the dark-haired man pinned it with the tip of his shoe in a display of perfect timing. As he finished his conversation, he bent to pick up the marble. The housekeeper bustled away, and the man turned his attention to Phoebe and Justin.
Kleypas writing can be such a soothing balm to my soul. I talked about this in a reading update but the way she gives me those feelings of anticipation, giddy, excitement when our leads meet is just chef's kiss. brought to an abrupt halt as the dark-haired man pinned it with the tip of his shoe and the man turned his attention to Phoebe and Justin this is the moment where romance readers know these two are about to have their lives changed and it is on. I loved it, had me smiling like a dork.
I wanted more moments with Phoebe and her parents together and separately, but I'm a freak for Devil in Winter so I'll never get enough of reading about Evie and Sebastian. Phoebe was a little quiet as a character and I wish we could have seen her coming out of her shell earlier as toward the end we saw her starting to emerge a little.
With a faint curve of his mouth, West reached up to touch the low brim of his hat. Then he was out of sight.
West had some sexy devil moments but I also thought he was a little washed out, he didn't want to scare Phoebe off but could he have gritted his teeth for me?
Muttering beneath his breath, he paced away from her, swung around, and returned to her with heightened color and a scowl. “I’m haunted by you,” he said brusquely. “I can’t seem to stop looking for you everywhere I go."
We do get a scowl and fan yourself line, I mean, I'm haunted by you. *Wheezes*. Kleypas' writing has built me back up from a very empty tank for Regency/Victorian romance, even though this wasn't my favorite by her. These two were more quiet and I would love a novella of them, in say, their 20th year of marriage because I think they would use that time to grow together very well.
As Justin crouched to stare at the carving more closely, a glass marble dropped out of his pocket and hit the inlaid parquet floor. Dismayed, Phoebe and Justin watched the little sphere roll away rapidly. But its momentum was brought to an abrupt halt as the dark-haired man pinned it with the tip of his shoe in a display of perfect timing. As he finished his conversation, he bent to pick up the marble. The housekeeper bustled away, and the man turned his attention to Phoebe and Justin.
Kleypas writing can be such a soothing balm to my soul. I talked about this in a reading update but the way she gives me those feelings of anticipation, giddy, excitement when our leads meet is just chef's kiss. brought to an abrupt halt as the dark-haired man pinned it with the tip of his shoe and the man turned his attention to Phoebe and Justin this is the moment where romance readers know these two are about to have their lives changed and it is on. I loved it, had me smiling like a dork.
I wanted more moments with Phoebe and her parents together and separately, but I'm a freak for Devil in Winter so I'll never get enough of reading about Evie and Sebastian. Phoebe was a little quiet as a character and I wish we could have seen her coming out of her shell earlier as toward the end we saw her starting to emerge a little.
With a faint curve of his mouth, West reached up to touch the low brim of his hat. Then he was out of sight.
West had some sexy devil moments but I also thought he was a little washed out, he didn't want to scare Phoebe off but could he have gritted his teeth for me?
Muttering beneath his breath, he paced away from her, swung around, and returned to her with heightened color and a scowl. “I’m haunted by you,” he said brusquely. “I can’t seem to stop looking for you everywhere I go."
We do get a scowl and fan yourself line, I mean, I'm haunted by you. *Wheezes*. Kleypas' writing has built me back up from a very empty tank for Regency/Victorian romance, even though this wasn't my favorite by her. These two were more quiet and I would love a novella of them, in say, their 20th year of marriage because I think they would use that time to grow together very well.
funny
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:
No
Realizing the character I deeply related to because of our shared talent for self-deprecating humor actually harbors a deep-rooted belief that they are unlovable was an emotional slap in the face I was not prepared for.
My therapist will be delighted with this sudden inrush of self-realisation
My therapist will be delighted with this sudden inrush of self-realisation
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
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
We absolutely loved the MCs, West and Phoebe, and their interactions. West coaxes Phoebe out of her grief! Phoebe sees past West's devil-may-care demeanor! They have super hot consent-driven sex! West is gonna be the best daddy ever!
West is the best kind of reformed rake: the kind who has already recognized the error of his ways and has at least begun the reformation process. He doesn't reform for the heroine; she's attracted to him because he's already done the important work on himself.
While we loved the text, we didn't love what the subtext said about masculinity. The contrast of industrious, hardworking (and works with his hands) aristocrat (West) with indolent, whimsical nobleman (Henry) also played into a lot of stereotypes about what it means to be a man. West was Henry's bully in school, and while bullying is condemned, we also learn that Henry couldn't roughhouse or interact with other boys "normally."
TL;DR review: we loved the central love story and couple; we had a ton of fun reading their fabulous banter; and their sex scenes were super hot. We just wished we loved everything else in the book.
6-Word Summaries:
Laine: Aphrodisiacs: muscles, bookkeeping, good with kids.
Meg: Roughhousing & bullying? Normal for real men.
West is the best kind of reformed rake: the kind who has already recognized the error of his ways and has at least begun the reformation process. He doesn't reform for the heroine; she's attracted to him because he's already done the important work on himself.
While we loved the text, we didn't love what the subtext said about masculinity. The contrast of industrious, hardworking (and works with his hands) aristocrat (West) with indolent, whimsical nobleman (Henry) also played into a lot of stereotypes about what it means to be a man. West was Henry's bully in school, and while bullying is condemned, we also learn that Henry couldn't roughhouse or interact with other boys "normally."
TL;DR review: we loved the central love story and couple; we had a ton of fun reading their fabulous banter; and their sex scenes were super hot. We just wished we loved everything else in the book.
6-Word Summaries:
Laine: Aphrodisiacs: muscles, bookkeeping, good with kids.
Meg: Roughhousing & bullying? Normal for real men.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
they're idiots for having so many nonexistent conflicts, but truly the most enjoyable read in the series so far. Phoebe and West's romance stems from their day to day interactions, which was just so lovely and grounded. West is a brat tamer too! (and is packing and no one told me this why didn't anyone tell me this)
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
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
West Ravenel 🥰💕😘
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced