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ashjreads's review against another edition
2.0
2.75/5 stars, but I'll round it up to 3! EDIT. this is 2/5 stars. I change my mind.
Alexis Hall is a master at writing witty banter. This book is humorous at its core, and that's truly the only part I really liked about it.
The romance between Valentine and Bonny felt like it was quite sudden? They went from not being to tolerate each other to being over the moon for one another. There was no in between stages of their romance with each other. It was very unrealistic to me. I don't even understand why Valentine LIKES Bonny! He betrays his trust multiple times and makes him out to be the villain he isn't. Bonny doesn't even like Valentine for his true self, just the concept of him that he created in his mind.
Listen... (forgive me for how awkward this point is for me to make). I like a smutty book just as much as the next guy who grew up reading a copious amount of PWP fanfic, but this smut.... what is happening here?! The dirty talk was downright uncomfortable for me to read to the point that I was physically recoiling away from the book. Then they're doing it out in public, no less?! My second-hand embarrassment couldn't handle this. It was too much.
All in all, this was something I read for the book club that I'm running. I'm glad I pushed through and finished it, but I probably wouldn't have otherwise.
Alexis Hall is a master at writing witty banter. This book is humorous at its core, and that's truly the only part I really liked about it.
The romance between Valentine and Bonny felt like it was quite sudden? They went from not being to tolerate each other to being over the moon for one another. There was no in between stages of their romance with each other. It was very unrealistic to me. I don't even understand why Valentine LIKES Bonny! He betrays his trust multiple times and makes him out to be the villain he isn't. Bonny doesn't even like Valentine for his true self, just the concept of him that he created in his mind.
Listen... (forgive me for how awkward this point is for me to make). I like a smutty book just as much as the next guy who grew up reading a copious amount of PWP fanfic, but this smut.... what is happening here?! The dirty talk was downright uncomfortable for me to read to the point that I was physically recoiling away from the book. Then they're doing it out in public, no less?! My second-hand embarrassment couldn't handle this. It was too much.
All in all, this was something I read for the book club that I'm running. I'm glad I pushed through and finished it, but I probably wouldn't have otherwise.
corsetedfeminist's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
celestialray's review against another edition
1.0
DNF, gave up at chapter 16.
Belle is the literal worst character I’ve ever read in my entire life. Bonnie is the rudest and most self centred love interest and Valentine, the poor man deserved better.
Got to the part where they literally strapped him to a chair and betrayed and belittled the poor man for no reason. I had to stop listening because I almost crashed my car out of anger.
I didn’t mind boyfriend material, and I like the sound of A Lady for a Duke and Husband Material but I’m really hesitant to read any more of their books now because this was just ghastly disappointing.
Belle is the literal worst character I’ve ever read in my entire life. Bonnie is the rudest and most self centred love interest and Valentine, the poor man deserved better.
Got to the part where they literally strapped him to a chair and betrayed and belittled the poor man for no reason. I had to stop listening because I almost crashed my car out of anger.
I didn’t mind boyfriend material, and I like the sound of A Lady for a Duke and Husband Material but I’m really hesitant to read any more of their books now because this was just ghastly disappointing.
zeus_strider's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
moll_ereads's review against another edition
5.0
This is THE MOST ridiculous book of all time. Belle was unbelievably irritating but it was so SO funny and romantic and queer!!! Valentine being completely useless and dense was a source of endless amusement for me and Bonny was so so sweet (though also annoying at times lmao). Alexis Hall is just the best!!!!
leahar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
necessvryevil's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Belle truly was one of the most unbearable characters I’ve ever read and made this a really difficult read.
emma_j_croft's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rustbeltredux's review against another edition
5.0
This was an absolutely ridiculous and witty romp, though to be completely fair it was also not without its problems. If you’re looking for something historically accurate, this is not it. If you’re looking for something that perfectly deals with the nuances of demisexuality, this is also not quite it. But if you’re looking for something that is sweet and funny and charming and altogether maddeningly frustrating at times, then this is definitely it. Alexis, my friend, this was indeed fabulous.
gillianw's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
This book is a very silly, OTT, queer af romp that will not be constrained by the boundaries of any sort of historical accuracy. I’ll admit that it took a bit to settle into this delirious fever dream of a story but once I allowed myself to simply enjoy it instead of applying any common sense to the characters or their motivations, it began to work for me. I adored the overly dutiful, clueless Valentine, and grew to love the slightly batty but effervescent Bonny.
Bonny’s sister Arabella is annoying with her frightful dramatics, but honestly, I’d also want to shoot someone who demanded my obedience in living a life that was antithetical to my own wants and desires. Frankly, we need more bloodthirsty historical heroines!
A fun book for decidedly unfun times.
This book is a very silly, OTT, queer af romp that will not be constrained by the boundaries of any sort of historical accuracy. I’ll admit that it took a bit to settle into this delirious fever dream of a story but once I allowed myself to simply enjoy it instead of applying any common sense to the characters or their motivations, it began to work for me. I adored the overly dutiful, clueless Valentine, and grew to love the slightly batty but effervescent Bonny.
Bonny’s sister Arabella is annoying with her frightful dramatics, but honestly, I’d also want to shoot someone who demanded my obedience in living a life that was antithetical to my own wants and desires. Frankly, we need more bloodthirsty historical heroines!
A fun book for decidedly unfun times.