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themeadowlibrary's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“She knew it was the music that had calmed her. His music.”
A unique perspective with strong themes and an intensely beautiful romance at the heart.
This book is so dramatic, and yet it feels grounded in reality. It was a very unique historical romance! The writing is very well done, and the story kept me turning pages well after my bedtime.
But my favorite part was the characters! It took me a while to warm up to our heroine, Jane, but by the halfway mark I understood her anxieties and hesitations and really grew to like her. Our hero, Percy also undergoes a transformation, but he’s more likable from the start. And by the end of the book they are the most romantic couple.
The side characters were all so well written that I want to read more about them! I am thrilled to read other books in this series, so much so I’m already guessing who will get their own books. Personally I hope Percy’s sister gets a book, and his travel friend, and Cameron’s friend Tavish, but honestly I would even be interested in a book about Michael (the cousin/villain). It was interesting that there is a whole chapter from Michael’s perspective, really showing a theme of this book- even people who do bad things are usually trying their best with what they know.
A few things weren’t my cup of tea. The big reveal of Jane’s identity was kind of anticlimactic- it’s revealed earlier in the chapter in a throwaway line before she tells Percy, which I found strange. The third act is very, very tense; for a book with an anxious heroine, it was pretty anxiety inducing! And at first I really did not like Jane, which made it hard to get into the book.
But overall, even though it is a hectic ride through a nuanced landscape, the journey is fun and the happily ever after felt more satisfying for the troubles along the way!
Star Rating: 3.25/5
Tropes: Letters, hidden identity, insta lust
CW: Violence, death, confinement, alcohol, mental health, injury, medical content, blood
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Violence, Car accident, Child death, Classism, Death of parent, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Death, Mental illness, Blood, Gun violence, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Infidelity
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