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aqtbenz's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Minor: Bullying
caitlin_bookchats's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Look, I did this to myself. I should have DNF'd this book in the first 11 pages like I initially planned but the two leads seemed so far from each other in interest and attitude that I was curious how the author would get them together!
Of course, therein comes my disappointment. Although Bell laid the breadcrumbs of a plan for why the FMC and MMC would fall for each other, everything was terribly underdeveloped. Additionally, one of my least favorite things occurred which was the FMC and MMC telling each other they'd been interested in the true version of their partner all along but look, I was in y'alls heads in those first two chapters and you did not know each other beyond a handsome man/your employer's bookish sister.
ANYWAY, add to that the fact that I know I've read other books with I think the brother? Or maybe Ravenswood? Or maybe both? and I can remember ALMOST NOTHING about those and I'm personally going to have to take Lenora Bell off my to-read lists. Her work is just not for me.
I will say that the initial reason I was going to hard DNF, the FMC's defining character trait being that she uses big $5 words because she's just so into language and meaning and old, dead words! did get better after those first 11 pages so that was a relief at least. Look I am a nerd who likes some interesting words but it was the most pretentious way to have linguistics as a hobby! She showed absolutely ZERO interest in documenting new words from slang or working classes I mean can you imagine if instead she recruited the MMC to help her document Sailing slang!?!?! AND ALSO, to love words is, in some ways to love communication but it doesn't matter if the dictionary definition of a word is perfect if no one you're talking to knows that word! Good communication is about knowing how to speak or write to your specific audience!
Ok, ok sorry for the rant I just wanted so much better.
Of course, therein comes my disappointment. Although Bell laid the breadcrumbs of a plan for why the FMC and MMC would fall for each other, everything was terribly underdeveloped. Additionally, one of my least favorite things occurred which was the FMC and MMC telling each other they'd been interested in the true version of their partner all along but look, I was in y'alls heads in those first two chapters and you did not know each other beyond a handsome man/your employer's bookish sister.
ANYWAY, add to that the fact that I know I've read other books with I think the brother? Or maybe Ravenswood? Or maybe both? and I can remember ALMOST NOTHING about those and I'm personally going to have to take Lenora Bell off my to-read lists. Her work is just not for me.
I will say that the initial reason I was going to hard DNF, the FMC's defining character trait being that she uses big $5 words because she's just so into language and meaning and old, dead words! did get better after those first 11 pages so that was a relief at least. Look I am a nerd who likes some interesting words but it was the most pretentious way to have linguistics as a hobby! She showed absolutely ZERO interest in documenting new words from slang or working classes I mean can you imagine if instead she recruited the MMC to help her document Sailing slang!?!?! AND ALSO, to love words is, in some ways to love communication but it doesn't matter if the dictionary definition of a word is perfect if no one you're talking to knows that word! Good communication is about knowing how to speak or write to your specific audience!
Ok, ok sorry for the rant I just wanted so much better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Body shaming and War
The FMC has/had(?) a palsy and the corner of her mouth is frozen as a result. She doesn't mind, the hero likes her smile, but her mother is constantly trying to hide it and says that. The MMC is a Navy carpenter and briefly alludes to being in a battle and losing friends. He is also the son of a woman who was disowned for marrying outside of her father's wishes and that trauma comes up as a central conflict for him to work through. The disowning grandfather also appears in the book.boundbyemily'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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Misogyny
Minor: Bullying, Medical trauma, and War
miss_anizceta's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This historical romance pairs a bookish etymologist with a roguish carpenter. It has some nice themes around the crushing weight of social expectations and the power of finding your own path. It's a very sweet story with an emphasis on personal transformation and new horizons rather than wading through angst. The romance overcomes external limitations without too much drama between the leads, and it's a bit of a whirlwind on all fronts.
There's nothing about this story I actively disliked, but I found it too generic in terms of plot and characterization. The plot elements were tried and true, and the people fell neatly into trope-y archetypes. I think more struggle or conflict and some emotional deep dives could have rectified the situation. As it was, I felt at a remove from the characters as their concerns were told more than shown, only to be neatly and completely resolved with minimum fuss. A specific note on character description: I am bored to tears of "virile" men. What does that even mean? It's perpetuating gender stereotypes with minimal effort, a disservice to everyone and their complexities. In some ways such as this, the feminism of the story remains at the surface level.
I think if you're looking for a bookish HEA at the end of a direct route with familiar scenery, you will find enjoyment here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism and Sexism
Minor: Bullying, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and War
readerette's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Well intentioned with flashes of interest, but the characters and plot are predictable and the romance more lust and manipulation than love (which is just not my preference).
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexism, and Sexual content