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reclusivebookslug's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This is the first historical romance I've read with FMC who is so invested in social and political causes, and this is a bit of representation I really appreciated. Likewise this may be the first POC immigrant MMC (at least in M/F).
I think the interpersonal conflict between the MCs is entirely too reliant on miscommunication / lack of communication, and I'm not a big fan of hos antagonistic they can be towards each other at times. Other plot elements were far more interesting and I wish had taken center stage.
This wasn't a stand-out read for me, but I'm very intrigued by this author and plan to seek out more of her writing in the future.
I think the interpersonal conflict between the MCs is entirely too reliant on miscommunication / lack of communication, and I'm not a big fan of hos antagonistic they can be towards each other at times. Other plot elements were far more interesting and I wish had taken center stage.
This wasn't a stand-out read for me, but I'm very intrigued by this author and plan to seek out more of her writing in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Racism
Minor: War, Death, Xenophobia, Sexual assault, and Islamophobia
kb33's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.0
Strong themes of misogyny, infidelity, and miscommunication. Ends on a cliffhanger.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, Misogyny, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Racism
Minor: Child death, Blood, Alcohol, Murder, Slavery, Violence, Mental illness, War, and Death of parent
shannonbeehall's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping, Racism, and Stalking
Minor: Slavery
chai_latte_auroras's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The first half of this book was slow and had me concerned I wouldn’t like it. By page 150 the main love interests hadn’t said two nice words to each other, just constant fighting. I also didn’t know how to feel about Gabriel because he was kind of misogynistic. I feel like we get all these little facts sprinkled throughout about Gabriel’s past that gives us a bit of insight as to why he is the way he is, but we don’t get the same for Drusilla. She mostly just sits around crushing on Gabriel and frowning at her own reflection. The girl has no self esteem.
After page 200 the book’s pacing picks up and Gabriel and Drusilla start acting more like lovers, giving me something to root for. The plot also gets interesting and the book leaves off at a point that made me want to read the second book.
This book is kind of like if Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen and Hooked by Emily McIntire had a baby.
After page 200 the book’s pacing picks up and Gabriel and Drusilla start acting more like lovers, giving me something to root for. The plot also gets interesting and the book leaves off at a point that made me want to read the second book.
This book is kind of like if Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen and Hooked by Emily McIntire had a baby.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Kidnapping, Islamophobia, Death, War, Violence, and Addiction
julesadventurezone's review
adventurous
fast-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
Honestly quite a good read, a lot of plot and good tension between the leads.
I don't know how well portrayed the mmc's cultural background is but it made sense when reading and informed his character very nicely.
I also appreciated that he was previously in an actual polyamorous relationship with two bisexual women whose bisexuality is not fetishised at all.
I don't know how well portrayed the mmc's cultural background is but it made sense when reading and informed his character very nicely.
I also appreciated that he was previously in an actual polyamorous relationship with two bisexual women whose bisexuality is not fetishised at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual content
Moderate: War, Racism, Xenophobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, and Sexism
Minor: Islamophobia, Racial slurs, Child death, Animal cruelty, Biphobia, Colonisation, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Death, Medical content, Classism, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Confinement, and Infertility
readwithde's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, and Misogyny
Minor: Alcohol, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Sexism, Stalking, and War
sheilasamuelson's review
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
tense
slow-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
2.0
Rating: 2 Stars!!
Review:
Where do i even begin?! First off i love that it was set in 1800s London England since i normally love books that are set in that time era of the country but Sadly this one fell very flat for me!!
Chapters 1-5 seemed like a waste with very little happening that didnt really feel like it should of been part of the story. The Language from Chapter's 6-21 was unnecessary which made it less interesting.
Chapters 21-27 were the ONLY Interesting parts of the book which included a secret child and a kidnapping which were The ONLY Highlights of this book.
To be honest, i think Rating it 2 Stars is being way too Generous since this book was more Erotica Genre then it was Historical Fiction and Regency Fiction.
Not sure if ill read Book 2!!
Review:
Where do i even begin?! First off i love that it was set in 1800s London England since i normally love books that are set in that time era of the country but Sadly this one fell very flat for me!!
Chapters 1-5 seemed like a waste with very little happening that didnt really feel like it should of been part of the story. The Language from Chapter's 6-21 was unnecessary which made it less interesting.
Chapters 21-27 were the ONLY Interesting parts of the book which included a secret child and a kidnapping which were The ONLY Highlights of this book.
To be honest, i think Rating it 2 Stars is being way too Generous since this book was more Erotica Genre then it was Historical Fiction and Regency Fiction.
Not sure if ill read Book 2!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual content, and Sexism
ashlightgrayson's review
emotional
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
This was an incredibly enjoyable read. The story has a lot of diversity with representation of a Muslim man of color, queer women, and polyamorous relationships. Themes such as discrimination and social stigma are explored very well. I was quite impressed.
Gabriel and Drusilla are the main characters forced into an arranged marriage by circumstance. Drusilla has a long lasting crush (for the past 5 years) on Gabriel (he is the step brother of her best friend Eva). They agree to give their marriage the college try and make the best of it. It takes time for them to open up to each other, but when they do it is rewarding and they are compatible. Gabriel has a very interesting history that involves sexism, but by the time we meet him in the present he has resolved a lot of this as a teenager. Drusilla has a strong sense of morality and is a feminist who works with related charities to help further the rights of women and the disenfranchised. After she gets married to Gabriel there is less of a focus on this, but she does express a strong interest in continuing her work. Gabriel is open with Drusilla about his past which allows them both to love each other for who they are, flaws and all. They do have misunderstandings, but they are minimal and easily resolved. The sex scenes were also written well with a strong emphasis on consent and communication about what each party wants in the bedroom.
Eva and Drusilla have an argument at the beginning of the book, which sours their relationship for the majority of the story. They do eventually reconcile, but I feel like there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Eva.She kidnaps Lord Visel for unknown reasons after all I'll have to keep reading to find out more about that.
All in all, this was a great historical romance with strong character backstories involving a lot of diversity. There is a large discussion to be had in this book about cultural assimilation and what it was like for a Muslim man to integrate into English society in the 19th century. In addition, the social constraints of women and what life was like for women who did fit into stereotypical relationship expectations such as monogamy and heterosexuality are also explored. I highly recommend for anyone looking for diverse historical fiction.
ADDENDUM: There are points in the book when Gabriel is described as exotic, which is problematic at best, so keep that in mind when reading.
Gabriel and Drusilla are the main characters forced into an arranged marriage by circumstance. Drusilla has a long lasting crush (for the past 5 years) on Gabriel (he is the step brother of her best friend Eva). They agree to give their marriage the college try and make the best of it. It takes time for them to open up to each other, but when they do it is rewarding and they are compatible. Gabriel has a very interesting history that involves sexism, but by the time we meet him in the present he has resolved a lot of this as a teenager. Drusilla has a strong sense of morality and is a feminist who works with related charities to help further the rights of women and the disenfranchised. After she gets married to Gabriel there is less of a focus on this, but she does express a strong interest in continuing her work. Gabriel is open with Drusilla about his past which allows them both to love each other for who they are, flaws and all. They do have misunderstandings, but they are minimal and easily resolved. The sex scenes were also written well with a strong emphasis on consent and communication about what each party wants in the bedroom.
Eva and Drusilla have an argument at the beginning of the book, which sours their relationship for the majority of the story. They do eventually reconcile, but I feel like there is more than meets the eye when it comes to Eva.
All in all, this was a great historical romance with strong character backstories involving a lot of diversity. There is a large discussion to be had in this book about cultural assimilation and what it was like for a Muslim man to integrate into English society in the 19th century. In addition, the social constraints of women and what life was like for women who did fit into stereotypical relationship expectations such as monogamy and heterosexuality are also explored. I highly recommend for anyone looking for diverse historical fiction.
ADDENDUM: There are points in the book when Gabriel is described as exotic, which is problematic at best, so keep that in mind when reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
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