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its_vendetta's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you want an amazing historical romance filled with queer joy and amazing characters this book is for you. One of my favorite sapphic romances I've ever read and definitely my favorite historical romance!
I can't wait to read the sequel that is coming out in August!!
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Vomit, Alcohol, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Classism
period accurate sexism and classism (1800s)abitbetterbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
I was enjoying listening to this book from the outset— great audio narrators, writing that’s the perfect mix of descriptive and quippy, and a Parent Trap style set-up ruse in a Regency setting made for a great but subtle draw.
It was about 60% of the way in when I was well and truly hooked, and this book took it to the next level. The heartbreak and tension in the story, with a few little surprises to round out the ending, really got me.
While I knew the romance had to have a happy ending, it was really hard to see how it all might work out for our heroines. It felt real and the issues of women’s rights in particular (as it pertained to the Marital Causes Act, and status / relationships in general) were an ever-present and moving concern. I loved how Gwen grew enough to ask others for help and tend to her relationships with her cousins, and Lady Demeroven’s arc was beautiful as well.
2024 really is the year of the sapphics!!! If you want to laugh, cry, fist pump, and clap your hands and squeal in your car, I’d highly recommend listening to Don’t Want You Like A Best Friend.
Graphic: Sexism, Alcohol, and Vomit
Moderate: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
theyellowhobbit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism and Vomit
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
blewballoon's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Vomit, Homophobia, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Misogyny
zydecovivo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Vomit, Classism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy
Minor: Death of parent
letopotato's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I usually don't read romance, but I've tiptoed around this one long enough. I only bought this book because of my above-mentioned guilty pleasure and because of the intriguing interwoven plot. And the lesbians, of course.
There's no suspense as to how the book ends, obviously. It's a romance, they're meant to get together. But for the first time, the how, the when and the why has actually kept me on the edge of my seat – I needed to know how Beth & Gwen would manage it! At some points I was almost convinced they wouldn't, this being the 1850s and them being very lesbian and all that.
I can't say how historically accurate this book is – probably not very? Many characters were rather supportive of the main couple, which works great for the story but otherwise is...very unlikely. It didn't matter much to me, because it's still a cute feelgood story. Not very realistic or in-depth, but it hasn't destroyed my suspension of disbelief.
If you want to be invested in the fate of two loveable girls and their shenanigans on how to get their cool as fuck parents together, reading this is the best choice you'll ever make.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy, Vomit, and Death of parent
korpney's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit, Domestic abuse, and Homophobia
madlysoph's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Sexism, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, and Misogyny
Minor: Vomit, Drug use, Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
e_riahh's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, and Homophobia
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
dalek_caan's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Pregnancy