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cheye13's review
lighthearted
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
3.0
So far the pattern of Sebastian's trilogies is that I like each successive one more than the previous. I liked these two leads together and the side plot with Julian's sister was entertaining. The epilogue was a bit twee, but I wouldn't be reading romance if I didn't like cheesey scenes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Chronic illness
Minor: Gun violence and Grief
friends2lovers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Chronic illness, and Homophobia
Minor: Racism and Gun violence
ramakn22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Sexual content, and Gun violence
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Death
bel017's review
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I've read five of Cat Sebastian's books (all within the last fortnight), and it turns out Julian is my favourite MC. From the blurbs, I never would have picked it. As Courtenay says: "Who knew?"
I wish Sebastian's books had a more solid copy edit. In this books the grammar suggests that Courtenay buys buns, *then* wakes up, and there are a few extra words here and there, where a sentence was clearly changed but not re-read clearly. In an earlier book someone is said to be asleep then moments later is said to be reading to a child (not with the intention of tricking a character - clearly in one draft they were sleeping and in another they were reading, but both versions ended up in the final draft). Other than that they're great, I look forward to reading a few more.
I wish Sebastian's books had a more solid copy edit. In this books the grammar suggests that Courtenay buys buns, *then* wakes up, and there are a few extra words here and there, where a sentence was clearly changed but not re-read clearly. In an earlier book someone is said to be asleep then moments later is said to be reading to a child (not with the intention of tricking a character - clearly in one draft they were sleeping and in another they were reading, but both versions ended up in the final draft). Other than that they're great, I look forward to reading a few more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
menomica's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
“Missing you is profoundly inconvenient, I’ll have you know. I have things to do and places to be, and all the while I’ll feel like I’ve mislaid a piece of my soul and I won’t get it back until I see you again. That can’t be normal.”
I normally hate 18th century mm romance written by straight women because it’s usually written around gay suffering and pain and I do feel good reading that from a straight woman, but I took a chance with Sebastian because this is like her whole aesthetic so I felt like I could trust her to not make a book soley about gay pain. And she does that! She manages to be historically accurate while not feeling like like she’s writing a story just for «forbidden gay love» kicks. And the story itself is actually pretty cute! I need someone to love me the way Julian and Courtenay love each other!
Anyway this is cute. Maybe i’ll check out more of Sebastian’s stuff
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Minor: Death
littlewishling's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
I love an enemies to lovers and this is just that! Add in Cat Sebastian’s fabulous characters and it’s even better. Adored it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Homophobia
rumireads's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Ableism, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Grief
ticktock's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Grief
deni's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this book! The characters were fun to follow and, by the halfway point, I was really rooting for them to get their HEA. I ended up giving it a 3.5 just because the writing wasn’t as strong as Sebastian’s other books, mainly with backstory reveals not feeling very natural and the miscommunication got more frustrating than fun at times. Still, I recommend this if you want a m/m historical fix! Reading The Lawrence Browne Affair is a must before reading this, though - it’s a spin-off and would feel awkward without that background.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Chronic illness
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