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roget's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Vanessa Riley does. not. miss. If you want swoony, diverse storytelling like Bridgerton with a closed-door approach, I point readers to Riley. I point readers to Riley even if they don't mind spice, because Riley's a legend. Her historical easter eggs are awesome. If you sit down with a book of hers, you're pretty much guaranteed a good time. And this new series is no exception. <3
Complicated and steeped in art, research, and historical figures from the regency period, Vanessa Riley’s newest read explores a diverse cast of sisters and their machinations to rebuild their family’s wealth and manage to rehabilitate Georgie (FMC)’s reputation after she shares an impulsive kiss with Lord Mark Sebastian.
At first, the love story here struck me as a bit one dimensional. Boy sees girl who looks like his favorite painting. Boy forms obsession. I think that's perhaps why I had such a rough time with the first half--I found the side characters far more interesting.
But then Riley pulled me in the rest of the way.
The narrative is complicated, and the dynamics of power, racism, prejudice, and wealth are thoroughly explored. It’s both escapist and swoony, and I adored how the flimsy backdrop of insta-love is drowned out by something deeper and more grounded. Across a tapestry of pride, shame, and music, we see these two evolve into smarter, more mature people. In many places, it reminded me more than a bit of Austen's social critiques. Absolutely brilliant. Love, love, love.
I look forward to seeing how more of this series unfolds!!
Complicated and steeped in art, research, and historical figures from the regency period, Vanessa Riley’s newest read explores a diverse cast of sisters and their machinations to rebuild their family’s wealth and manage to rehabilitate Georgie (FMC)’s reputation after she shares an impulsive kiss with Lord Mark Sebastian.
At first, the love story here struck me as a bit one dimensional. Boy sees girl who looks like his favorite painting. Boy forms obsession. I think that's perhaps why I had such a rough time with the first half--I found the side characters far more interesting.
But then Riley pulled me in the rest of the way.
The narrative is complicated, and the dynamics of power, racism, prejudice, and wealth are thoroughly explored. It’s both escapist and swoony, and I adored how the flimsy backdrop of insta-love is drowned out by something deeper and more grounded. Across a tapestry of pride, shame, and music, we see these two evolve into smarter, more mature people. In many places, it reminded me more than a bit of Austen's social critiques. Absolutely brilliant. Love, love, love.
I look forward to seeing how more of this series unfolds!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
jaywhygeereads's review against another edition
3.75
Zero pepper
3.75 ⭐️/5
0.00 🌶️/5
As entertaining as this book was, I struggled to connect fully with Mark and Georgie fully. Not sure if it was because they almost became side characters of their own story: much of the book was devoted to developing Katherine and Jahleel’s storyline (which is the more emotional compelling story to me, setup for their book a 2nd chance romance big on heartbreak and angst). Or if it was because I felt at times there was too much internal dialogue of our lead characters where there was a disconnect between their thoughts and their behavior.
We get:
Dual pov - 1st person
Duke chapters 3rd person
Race and discrimination
Mistaken situation at a chance encounter
Fake public engagement
Racist cartoon
Composer and his muse
Realities of love vs cause & effect
Chronic illness sickle cell anemia
Zero on the spice meter (maybe 2 kisses)
TW: pregnancy loss
I loved all the characters but felt the story was weighed down with so much telling about bets and jumping between Jahleel and Katherine’s history to the actual love story between Mark and Georgina.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. My thoughts/opinions are my own and my review is voluntary.
3.75 ⭐️/5
0.00 🌶️/5
As entertaining as this book was, I struggled to connect fully with Mark and Georgie fully. Not sure if it was because they almost became side characters of their own story: much of the book was devoted to developing Katherine and Jahleel’s storyline (which is the more emotional compelling story to me, setup for their book a 2nd chance romance big on heartbreak and angst). Or if it was because I felt at times there was too much internal dialogue of our lead characters where there was a disconnect between their thoughts and their behavior.
We get:
Dual pov - 1st person
Duke chapters 3rd person
Race and discrimination
Mistaken situation at a chance encounter
Fake public engagement
Racist cartoon
Composer and his muse
Realities of love vs cause & effect
Chronic illness sickle cell anemia
Zero on the spice meter (maybe 2 kisses)
TW: pregnancy loss
I loved all the characters but felt the story was weighed down with so much telling about bets and jumping between Jahleel and Katherine’s history to the actual love story between Mark and Georgina.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC. My thoughts/opinions are my own and my review is voluntary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage and Racism
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
This was a fun historical regency-era romance, which I didn't know was going to span into a series! I think the rest of the books will *not* be stand-alones, because this book ended with a bit of a mysterious cliffhanger and an exciting reveal! We follow a trio of Black sisters in English society in this series, but this first novel focuses on Georgina and Mark!
Georgina is upset when her older sister refuses the financial help of the Duke of Torres, so she decides to go and kiss the first man (consentually) that she can find, since their family is in dire need to financial support. Their coal business has run into financial trouble due to her late brother-in-law's poor business decisions. So, Georgina find Lord Mark Sebastian to kiss, but they are seen, and this gossip explodes within the ton! With their new fake courtship, Georgina and Lord Mark Sebastian spend more time together, and obviously, fall in love <3
I thought their romance was so sweet to follow, and especially appreciated how they connected over music! I also really appreciated the ending author notes on historical context, and love seeing more and more Black and brown folks represented so beautifully in historical romance.
This is a closed-door romance.
This was a fun historical regency-era romance, which I didn't know was going to span into a series! I think the rest of the books will *not* be stand-alones, because this book ended with a bit of a mysterious cliffhanger and an exciting reveal! We follow a trio of Black sisters in English society in this series, but this first novel focuses on Georgina and Mark!
Georgina is upset when her older sister refuses the financial help of the Duke of Torres, so she decides to go and kiss the first man (consentually) that she can find, since their family is in dire need to financial support. Their coal business has run into financial trouble due to her late brother-in-law's poor business decisions. So, Georgina find Lord Mark Sebastian to kiss, but they are seen, and this gossip explodes within the ton! With their new fake courtship, Georgina and Lord Mark Sebastian spend more time together, and obviously, fall in love <3
I thought their romance was so sweet to follow, and especially appreciated how they connected over music! I also really appreciated the ending author notes on historical context, and love seeing more and more Black and brown folks represented so beautifully in historical romance.
This is a closed-door romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Sexism
Minor: Racism
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