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letopotato's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Whew. That was the first time I've shed a few tears because of a book in a few years. Apparently I have a thing for regency/historical romance now. And lesbians.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Classism, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pregnancy, Vomit, and Death of parent
_caramel_'s review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- 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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Misogyny
egheinze's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
madlysoph's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
This book was a delightful read! It was so much fun despite the unfortunate realities imposed upon the characters due to the time period. While it does have more serious moments and plot points, at the heart of it this book is a fun sapphic historical romance. Them ending up as stepsisters and with a shared half-sibling on the way does feel a bit weird, but the author both makes it work and makes it charming. This whole book is delightfully charming, the characters are bright and witty and made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion while reading. I absolutely adored Qwen and Beth, their friendship was delightful to watch blossom, and their romance even more so. The immediate obsession they have with one another is so indicative of first love (and being in one's early 20s) and is achingly sweet. Their parents are both fully fleshed-out people independent of their children and are positively adorable together. Both of them are full of heartache which they are beginning to mend with one another by the end of the book. After all we learn about Beth's mother specifically and her marriage, seeing her happy and free at the end of the book is so lovely. The marriage act subplot was clever and tied into the greater story very nicely. The third-act crisis was handled wonderfully and added to the story rather than detracted from it. I loved the extended cast of friends and family that forms by the end of the book, which sets up the sequel rather nicely, which I am highly anticipating and am at the top of the holds list for! The only "detractor" for this book was that the author tended to kind of skim over/forget about the timeline, randomly throwing in that it had been a month or a few months that had passed rather than showing it, aside from that the writing was great and I had a fun time! This is a great read and I highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, and Misogyny
Minor: Vomit, Drug use, Sexual content, Death of parent, Grief, and Violence
e_riahh's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Classism, and Homophobia
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
ghostmomxoxo's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny
savreads28's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Misogyny, Lesbophobia, Sexual content, Addiction, and Classism
drtx_bwt's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Alcohol
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Lesbophobia and Violence
dalek_caan's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
This was such a a cute fluffy read, and a great standalone even though there is a sequel I fully intend to read. I absolutely love the characters and the drama.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Pregnancy
sdupont'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? No
4.0
Secret moments in a crowded room
What a creative and fun historical romance! This book is The Parent Trap meets Dress by Taylor Swift. I usually struggle to get into historical romances because I tend to find the language clunky but this book flows so easily. You will find yourself rooting for Gwen, Beth, and their parents right alway. I love a good matchmaking scheme and this book really delivers. Honorable mention to co-conspirators Albie and Meredith. I recommend this one for anyone looking for a book with Bridgerton vibes but a more modern take.
What a creative and fun historical romance! This book is The Parent Trap meets Dress by Taylor Swift. I usually struggle to get into historical romances because I tend to find the language clunky but this book flows so easily. You will find yourself rooting for Gwen, Beth, and their parents right alway. I love a good matchmaking scheme and this book really delivers. Honorable mention to co-conspirators Albie and Meredith. I recommend this one for anyone looking for a book with Bridgerton vibes but a more modern take.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Minor: Blood and Vomit