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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
This book is the embodiment of "consent is sexy," and I love how it takes well-trodden romance tropes and makes them spicy in the best possible ways
This story was difficult to rate because I liked the premise and the characters, but I didn't particularly like the execution. The characters weren't fleshed out enough and when the FMC said she loved the MMC, it just didn't ring true to me. They hadn't seen each other in years and when she last saw him, he was a little boy. It just didn't make sense that she fell so quickly.
Spoilers:
I also didn't care for the whole tearing the FMC's clothes off in public thing or the whole pleasure her in front of witnesses thing. I guess these things were supposed to be sexy or whatever, but nope, not to me. I understand the MMC covered the FMC as soon as he could because he said he didn't want others looking upon her, but I actually just take exception to the entire idea of the custom.
The point is that the bride's body is shown to the entire village so that it can be determined if she's acceptable or "fit" to be the bride? So the only thing that matters to these people is someone's body? Someone's worth as a spouse is determined by how their body looks? Am I supposed to look passed this disrespectful and offensive custom because the next custom involves the groom orally pleasing his bride in front of witnesses to ensure he can pleasure her? And she accepts or rejects him based on his oral skills? Because no, this doesn't make the "judge you by your body" custom better. It just adds another disrespectful and offensive custom to the pile because that's messed up too.
If he doesn't please her, he's just tossed aside and determined to be useless? Are we to ignore the fact that women are different and need different things to climax? What works for one might not work for another and it takes open communication and, at times, trail and error, for lovers to learn each other. Not to mention that the MMC in this story has never even went down on a woman before.
I know suspension of disbelief is required most times when reading romance but these two customs were too disrespectful to just ignore. Plus, they were a big part of the story, not just blips along the way. Not to mention the whole "voluntarily cut one of your eyes out" aspect of the story. I understood the MMC would have only one eye when I started reading this book, but I didn't realize it was by choice! Big nope.
I'll give this two stars because the premise was interesting and the characters were likable. I don't recommend this story, however, because of all of the above.
Spoilers:
I also didn't care for the whole tearing the FMC's clothes off in public thing or the whole pleasure her in front of witnesses thing. I guess these things were supposed to be sexy or whatever, but nope, not to me. I understand the MMC covered the FMC as soon as he could because he said he didn't want others looking upon her, but I actually just take exception to the entire idea of the custom.
The point is that the bride's body is shown to the entire village so that it can be determined if she's acceptable or "fit" to be the bride? So the only thing that matters to these people is someone's body? Someone's worth as a spouse is determined by how their body looks? Am I supposed to look passed this disrespectful and offensive custom because the next custom involves the groom orally pleasing his bride in front of witnesses to ensure he can pleasure her? And she accepts or rejects him based on his oral skills? Because no, this doesn't make the "judge you by your body" custom better. It just adds another disrespectful and offensive custom to the pile because that's messed up too.
If he doesn't please her, he's just tossed aside and determined to be useless? Are we to ignore the fact that women are different and need different things to climax? What works for one might not work for another and it takes open communication and, at times, trail and error, for lovers to learn each other. Not to mention that the MMC in this story has never even went down on a woman before.
I know suspension of disbelief is required most times when reading romance but these two customs were too disrespectful to just ignore. Plus, they were a big part of the story, not just blips along the way. Not to mention the whole "voluntarily cut one of your eyes out" aspect of the story. I understood the MMC would have only one eye when I started reading this book, but I didn't realize it was by choice! Big nope.
I'll give this two stars because the premise was interesting and the characters were likable. I don't recommend this story, however, because of all of the above.
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
No
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some times I just need to read a little Ruby Dixon. A bit ridiculous, but light and fun. Plus, the characters are amazing. Originally, I added this one to my TBR (before noticing the author) because it features an older woman and younger man, which totally isn't the norm in romance. I feel like it was written well. One of my only complaints is that it is only novella length. I could totally read more about this world and couple.
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated