Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
A historical romance that read like a historical. The empathy of the writing, the crafting of the characters, the author wrings every drop of emotion she quite possibly can out of this story. I felt like I was there - I felt the fear, I felt the tension, I felt the undeniable (and complicated!) attraction between the hero and heroine. The hero is nicely drawn, but the heroine is who really makes this story - so richly drawn and detailed, so much to lose, the stakes are high for the hero as well, but nowhere near on the level of the heroine who literally has EVERYTHING to lose in failure.
Easily one of the better historicals I've read in a long time.
Easily one of the better historicals I've read in a long time.
Re-read to tab for my friend Brianna. I was bawling at the end. These two characters make me laugh and I love how fearless they were and how they would fight for one another. I really need to continue this series. The pace felt a little wonky at one point but it was great. I love AC's writing.
I went in with not having any high expectations for this book. I was expecting a good story and I was not disappointed in that. I was disappointed in very little of this book but none of it to give it less than five stars. I loved Elle's voice and was half wanting to slap while half wanting to swoon with Malcolm. I was so annoyed with the Caffrey family and thought they got what they deserved.
Also, I loved that, while this is a series, this is also a standalone. I have started so much that is Book 1 and felt I had to go on. This gives the glimmer of book 2 but there's also "hey, it's okay, you can stop here" that is refreshing. The true true reason for the five stars has a ton to deal with that.
Must read for lovers of taboo romances, HEA, and historical romance.
Also, I loved that, while this is a series, this is also a standalone. I have started so much that is Book 1 and felt I had to go on. This gives the glimmer of book 2 but there's also "hey, it's okay, you can stop here" that is refreshing. The true true reason for the five stars has a ton to deal with that.
Must read for lovers of taboo romances, HEA, and historical romance.
A very enjoyable historical romance set in a time period I usually don't read about: the Civil War. I picked this book up because I wanted to read a romance with a POC as one of the main leads and Elle Burns did not disappoint. Sometimes she was a little too sharp-tongued, but that certainly didn't deter Malcolm McCall, the Scottish Union detective who comes on the scene. With a pleasant mix of intrigue, adventure, and steaminess, I can recommend this to any fans of historical romance.
lighthearted
medium-paced
I think I am just done with romance, at least historical romance. Maybe I'm also done with the Civil War. I just really didn't love the whole "will they or won't they" against the backdrop of such a life-and-death historical drama. And while Elle brings up the danger of an interracial relationship to her, it is ultimately ignored and never resolved, so that felt like weak plotting to me. Added to that some of the love scenes were so ridiculous I was literally laughing out loud and reading passages to my boyfriend, unable to keep a straight face. I remember something about his chest rippling like a wild animal... Yeah, not my thing. On the other hand, I saw some definite spark in writing and character that could engage me elsewhere, and I think I'd like to try one of Cole's contemporary romances one day.
Elle has got a pretty astonishing gift - she can remember everything she sees and hears. While she’s used this gift as a parlor trick for most of her life, she finally finds a way to use her gift to help the Union cause - she poses as a mute and allows herself to be enslaved at the home of a Virginia senator. Soon, however, she realizes she may not be the only person in the senator’s circles that’s undercover - Malcolm McCall, the roguish Scotsman, declares to be a dyed in the well Reb and yet there’s something about him that Elle can see through, even if she can’t trust. Can a white man and a black woman find a way to work together for the Union in the middle of the Confederacy at war?
I read this book to fulfill the Read Harder Reading Challenge prompt “an historical romance by an AOC.” Truth be told, I probably would have never picked it up otherwise because straight up romance novels are not my cup of tea. I prefer my books to be plot driven with some romance in them as opposed to the opposite. So there’s that. However, I will admit that there were several things I did like: I liked that the female character was capable, strong and black. It was interesting to see her in a position of power, somewhat, in a Civil War context ( obviously when she has to pretend to be a slave she has to be subservient but because we hear her inner most thoughts it still feels like she has her power to a certain extent ).
While I don’t know how true to the time period their are thoughts are, Elle schooled Malcom in white fragility and if readers pay attention, they can actually learn about how to temper their own white privilege just by looking at how Malcolm learns from Elle. I thought that was pretty awesome - and I enjoyed reading about a healthy biracial relationship in the south during the war.
Did I have to suspend my disbelief a lot? I did. I think that’s one of the weaknesses of the romance novel, for me. Sometimes I had to hold back an eye roll because of how the storyline played out. Is there a lot of “scenes?” Yes. If you don’t want to read about adults having sex than this not the book for you.
I am not sorry I read it though. Parts of it made me uncomfortable because of the racial tension and the power play, which is I think exactly what the author intended. It really makes you think about how horrible and hard it was for black women, and, to a certain extent, how it still is. Elle does a good job explaining how bad it sucks to be not just a slave but also just a person whose value is based on her gender and her skin color instead of her capability and intelligence.
I read this book to fulfill the Read Harder Reading Challenge prompt “an historical romance by an AOC.” Truth be told, I probably would have never picked it up otherwise because straight up romance novels are not my cup of tea. I prefer my books to be plot driven with some romance in them as opposed to the opposite. So there’s that. However, I will admit that there were several things I did like: I liked that the female character was capable, strong and black. It was interesting to see her in a position of power, somewhat, in a Civil War context ( obviously when she has to pretend to be a slave she has to be subservient but because we hear her inner most thoughts it still feels like she has her power to a certain extent ).
While I don’t know how true to the time period their are thoughts are, Elle schooled Malcom in white fragility and if readers pay attention, they can actually learn about how to temper their own white privilege just by looking at how Malcolm learns from Elle. I thought that was pretty awesome - and I enjoyed reading about a healthy biracial relationship in the south during the war.
Did I have to suspend my disbelief a lot? I did. I think that’s one of the weaknesses of the romance novel, for me. Sometimes I had to hold back an eye roll because of how the storyline played out. Is there a lot of “scenes?” Yes. If you don’t want to read about adults having sex than this not the book for you.
I am not sorry I read it though. Parts of it made me uncomfortable because of the racial tension and the power play, which is I think exactly what the author intended. It really makes you think about how horrible and hard it was for black women, and, to a certain extent, how it still is. Elle does a good job explaining how bad it sucks to be not just a slave but also just a person whose value is based on her gender and her skin color instead of her capability and intelligence.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I stayed up late to finish reading this book! It is so good. An exceptional, stand out book. Elle is a free-woman living in MA and goes to work as a spy for the Union because of her memory (photographic, she remembers everything). She meets a scottish man (posing as rebel soldier) and they end up having to find a way to work together. The sparks in this novel are lovely and so are the characters. There is also mystery and action!!!!
I normally shy away from Civil War stories (because frankly I'm over stories like Cold Mountain). Cole brings so much life and a new perspective to the civil war. She brings a voice to Elle and so many other characters that wouldn't have had a speaking role.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Go read it now or start 2018 with it!!!
I normally shy away from Civil War stories (because frankly I'm over stories like Cold Mountain). Cole brings so much life and a new perspective to the civil war. She brings a voice to Elle and so many other characters that wouldn't have had a speaking role.
I cannot recommend this book enough. Go read it now or start 2018 with it!!!