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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
fast-paced
**I accidently read these books out of order** I think if I would have started with this book I wouldn't have continued with the series. Belle is absolutely deplorable in this book and literally has no redeeming qualities. She was much better in the 3rd book. The second book has much higher ratings but I still think I'm going to skip it because I'm worried about running into more ridiculous Belle. I also just wasn't really a fan of Bonny or Valentine either if I'm being honest. They got better but it took us a while to get there.
3.5? Not much of a plot and the sister honestly annoyed me quite a lot but the romance was really good!!
This is probably a four star book that I am unfortunately contemplating knocking down to two stars.
We need to talk about the fact that Belle is a monster, and the book wants you to write that off as "it's hard being a woman in the 1800s." She's completely delusional, which is a somewhat entertaining trait in her brother, but Bonny is able to set flights of fancy aside when necessary. Belle instead spends the book dedicated to ruining herself, ruining her family's prospects, and setting everyone in her path to harm Valentine. Now, Valentine is a high handed idiot, but the punishment for that is not being kidnapped, having his vehicle sabotaged, and being shot. Belle lies and lies and lies and makes multiple attempts, some successful, to harm Valentine. And it's all treated as a joke! That's insane! And when touched on in the book, Valentine is always the one who has to apologize. Belle literally tries to kill him on multiple occasions because he committed the horrible crime of asking her to marry him, and losing his temper sometimes. No one owes a poorly behaved duke kindness and graciousness, but he also doesn't deserve attempts on his life in return, that are presented as humorous situations. I'm unsettled and honestly a little disgusted with this recurring theme that it's ok to torture and try to kill Valentine because he's not handling things with perfect grace
We need to talk about the fact that Belle is a monster, and the book wants you to write that off as "it's hard being a woman in the 1800s." She's completely delusional, which is a somewhat entertaining trait in her brother, but Bonny is able to set flights of fancy aside when necessary. Belle instead spends the book dedicated to ruining herself, ruining her family's prospects, and setting everyone in her path to harm Valentine. Now, Valentine is a high handed idiot, but the punishment for that is not being kidnapped, having his vehicle sabotaged, and being shot. Belle lies and lies and lies and makes multiple attempts, some successful, to harm Valentine. And it's all treated as a joke! That's insane! And when touched on in the book, Valentine is always the one who has to apologize. Belle literally tries to kill him on multiple occasions because he committed the horrible crime of asking her to marry him, and losing his temper sometimes. No one owes a poorly behaved duke kindness and graciousness, but he also doesn't deserve attempts on his life in return, that are presented as humorous situations. I'm unsettled and honestly a little disgusted with this recurring theme that it's ok to torture and try to kill Valentine because he's not handling things with perfect grace
3.5, enjoyed but very mixed experience
Would definitely read others in this series but not sure I will re-read this one.
I love Alexis Hall books, so much queer community feel. I love queer regencies too and exploring how romance found a way anyway.
But here I didn't like the characters enough. I hated Belle - she needs to almost be the villain to advance the plot but then is meant to not be the villain quite abruptly. I was incredibly frustrated by the romantic interest whose viewpoint the story is told from, which is awkward. And at times very cross with Bonny. I did like all the other characters a lot though.
I think this book would have worked so much better as a dual viewpoint one, we could have had insight into Belle all along either directly or through Bonny.
But I also loved many of the characters and the happy queer family moments that Hall writes so well. It was a really funny book.
I really struggled with Bonny being able to flirt with everyone - it felt quite 21st century to me and I kept worrying he would be arrested! I think that's from reading lots of queer romances where they have to work out how they can be undetected.
Would definitely read others in this series but not sure I will re-read this one.
I love Alexis Hall books, so much queer community feel. I love queer regencies too and exploring how romance found a way anyway.
But here I didn't like the characters enough. I hated Belle - she needs to almost be the villain to advance the plot but then is meant to not be the villain quite abruptly. I was incredibly frustrated by the romantic interest whose viewpoint the story is told from, which is awkward. And at times very cross with Bonny. I did like all the other characters a lot though.
I think this book would have worked so much better as a dual viewpoint one, we could have had insight into Belle all along either directly or through Bonny.
But I also loved many of the characters and the happy queer family moments that Hall writes so well. It was a really funny book.
I really struggled with Bonny being able to flirt with everyone - it felt quite 21st century to me and I kept worrying he would be arrested! I think that's from reading lots of queer romances where they have to work out how they can be undetected.
medium-paced
i think this is mostly around 2.5, but i mean. [gestures vaguely]
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was so hard to sit through, which made me sad, because I’m a big fan of Alexis Hall’s other books. It was just so repetitive, and truly could’ve been cut down to only 50 pages if the character’s actually just sat and talked to each other. Truly an unbearable read.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Silly and sweet, with some laugh-out-loud moments. It doesn't pretend to be realistic or historically accurate.
adventurous
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
First time reading: Delightfully ridiculous. It's light and funny and engaging, a great read.
Second read: Listened to it on audiobook, actually. Very silly and unserious. Well narrated.
Second read: Listened to it on audiobook, actually. Very silly and unserious. Well narrated.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
I found myself giggling aloud at times due to the truly human dialogue - Hall has managed to create real people on the paper, all with wicked senses of humour!