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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
I knew I would love this. Louisa Darling has picked up some of my favourite tropes and weaved them into a sigh-worthy romance.
Opposites-attract / class differences ✔️ He's a Duke, she's the cook in a country inn.
Hidden/mistaken identity ✔️ If you loved The Raven Prince, this book is for you!
Bare-knuckle boxing ✔️ Our emotionally closed-off hero deals with his feelings in the ring.
Hero's redemption arc ✔️ Heroine unlocks the hero's heart of gold.
I adore a book with a masquerade, especially when BOTH main characters know the other's identity, but think that the other person doesn't recognise them.
In this book the ruse was perfectly executed, lasting just long enough to deepen emotions and allow important truths to be told under the guise of anonymity, but not so long that it dragged and became ridiculous (obviously some suspension of disbelief is required on the reader's part in all these types of books).
This book contains multiple descriptive love scenes.
Bring on book 3!
Opposites-attract / class differences ✔️ He's a Duke, she's the cook in a country inn.
Hidden/mistaken identity ✔️ If you loved The Raven Prince, this book is for you!
Bare-knuckle boxing ✔️ Our emotionally closed-off hero deals with his feelings in the ring.
Hero's redemption arc ✔️ Heroine unlocks the hero's heart of gold.
I adore a book with a masquerade, especially when BOTH main characters know the other's identity, but think that the other person doesn't recognise them.
In this book the ruse was perfectly executed, lasting just long enough to deepen emotions and allow important truths to be told under the guise of anonymity, but not so long that it dragged and became ridiculous (obviously some suspension of disbelief is required on the reader's part in all these types of books).
This book contains multiple descriptive love scenes.
Bring on book 3!
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
“I love you too much to ever be satisfied with less than all of you.”
This book was an emotional gut punch in the best way possible. I cried twice, which is always a sign that a story has truly gotten under my skin. WHATSG is a beautifully written, heart-wrenching romance that dives deep into emotional vulnerability, trauma, and healing.
This book was an emotional gut punch in the best way possible. I cried twice, which is always a sign that a story has truly gotten under my skin. WHATSG is a beautifully written, heart-wrenching romance that dives deep into emotional vulnerability, trauma, and healing.
Nathaniel begins as a cold, closed-off figure, which kind of frustrated me so much, but watching him slowly soften and open up was one of the most satisfying arcs I’ve read in a while. His character development felt earned and honest. Bess, on the other hand, is deeply self-sacrificing and self-critical, someone who carries so much weight in silence. Together though, they are two sides of the same coin, each mirroring the other’s pain and capacity for love.
The emotional pacing of the book is a true rollercoaster. Every moment of happiness is so hard-won and often short-lived because reality crashes back in with such force every two minutes. Yet through it all, what grounded the story for me was the way Nathaniel and Bess constantly reassured one another that, no matter what, they’d always have each other. That steady emotional commitment was incredibly moving.
Lucy was also a standout character, and I genuinely can’t wait for her story! Especially knowing she will be paired with a menace of a man. And can we please get a prequel novella about Henrietta and Benedict? My heart was hurting for her. He was not a good father to Nathaniel but I am curious about H&B as lovers.
The only thing that pulled me out at times was the choppy scene transitions, which made the flow feel uneven. I ended up taking 0.25 off my rating because of it but otherwise, this story hurt in all the right ways, and I loved every page of it.
The only thing that pulled me out at times was the choppy scene transitions, which made the flow feel uneven. I ended up taking 0.25 off my rating because of it but otherwise, this story hurt in all the right ways, and I loved every page of it.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Everything we love about historicals: handsome Duke, graceful heroine, class conflict, bare knuckle boxing, carriages, balls, breaking down the patriarchy, and a happily ever after.
This is nearly perfect, even though it’s my least favorite trope: mistaken identity. These 2 dummies think they can hide from each other in an eye mask?!? But the resolution is thrilling and the emotional payoff is worth it.
If you love Sarah MacLean and Lisa Kleypas, this is for you!
This is nearly perfect, even though it’s my least favorite trope: mistaken identity. These 2 dummies think they can hide from each other in an eye mask?!? But the resolution is thrilling and the emotional payoff is worth it.
If you love Sarah MacLean and Lisa Kleypas, this is for you!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
emotional
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
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No