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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
4.5 stars
I had to take a short break from this because the insurrection happened and things were feeling a bit too real for me. But I was able to pick it up again and loved it! Alyssa Cole did a fantastic job setting up the scene with the backdrop of the south during the civil war as well as exploring racial dynamics and relations between a black woman and white man during these times. Not to mention some great sexy times as well.
Cole is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance writers.
I had to take a short break from this because the insurrection happened and things were feeling a bit too real for me. But I was able to pick it up again and loved it! Alyssa Cole did a fantastic job setting up the scene with the backdrop of the south during the civil war as well as exploring racial dynamics and relations between a black woman and white man during these times. Not to mention some great sexy times as well.
Cole is quickly becoming one of my favorite romance writers.
adventurous
challenging
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
Will definitely read more in this series, and this author. It had everything.
I very much enjoyed this book. The Civil War setting was unique for me.
AT first, I wasn't sure I would like this book. I don't know what was holding me back, but I decided to give it a try as I love books about the Civil War.
The first part was exciting, then it died out a little. I have a problem of starting books, then stepping away for a bit. It's a curse, I know.
I have been reading a little and little each day, and then I FINALLY get to the sex scenes. I was actually shocked by them ( and that is weird, seeing as I love books with sex scenes) because I felt like it was out of place.
But as the book progressed, I became more engrossed in Elle and Malcolm's story. It became exciting, breathtaking and heart pounding.
I am glad that I kept going, for if not, I would have missed out on all the fun!
The first part was exciting, then it died out a little. I have a problem of starting books, then stepping away for a bit. It's a curse, I know.
I have been reading a little and little each day, and then I FINALLY get to the sex scenes. I was actually shocked by them ( and that is weird, seeing as I love books with sex scenes) because I felt like it was out of place.
But as the book progressed, I became more engrossed in Elle and Malcolm's story. It became exciting, breathtaking and heart pounding.
I am glad that I kept going, for if not, I would have missed out on all the fun!
3.5
So I put this on my TBR when it got on the AAR top 100 romance of 2018 (I think it was 18) as I put all fantasy or historical romance in my AAR TBR pile. I have read quite a few with better than average but not always stellar. This was one of the good to pretty good between 3 and 4 stars. I thought the portrayal of the times was really good, and the characters were pretty good too. What brought it down was that I didn't feel the connection between the characters enough and the backstory. It is a romance in the end and the romance is really important.
The two main characters, at times were pretty good and others felt off. In addition to this the story was good, not great, but in the end had a just one too many times pushed to the limits of suspended belief. Argh! Historical romances like to do this, so it isn't a failing here but I've never been a fan.
We get a nice wrap up of sorts, though there is a beginning to a brother's storyline left hanging. They are shown in a last chapter epilogue which seemed like it might work out. I enjoyed it and would definitely read another of hers though liked Beverly Jenkins a bit more.
So I put this on my TBR when it got on the AAR top 100 romance of 2018 (I think it was 18) as I put all fantasy or historical romance in my AAR TBR pile. I have read quite a few with better than average but not always stellar. This was one of the good to pretty good between 3 and 4 stars. I thought the portrayal of the times was really good, and the characters were pretty good too. What brought it down was that I didn't feel the connection between the characters enough and the backstory. It is a romance in the end and the romance is really important.
The two main characters, at times were pretty good and others felt off. In addition to this the story was good, not great, but in the end had a just one too many times pushed to the limits of suspended belief.
Spoiler
We already had her getting shot and grazed in the head by a bullet, discribed as down to the bone. Then when they are escaping, already last minute save from a beating and interrogation, then they get caught by not one (the attacker from the first time) but also the Rebel that was trying to beat/interrogate him. And even getting on the boat, somehow safely, he is shot overboard by friendly fire.We get a nice wrap up of sorts, though there is a beginning to a brother's storyline left hanging. They are shown in a last chapter epilogue which seemed like it might work out. I enjoyed it and would definitely read another of hers though liked Beverly Jenkins a bit more.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
I didn't get very far into this book. I found the writing stilted and the plot line unrealistic.
Women spies of the Civil War
Elle Burns is a spy for the Union in the Civil War. She is willing to leave her life in Massachusetts to go undercover and pretend to be a mute slave in the South, and to use her perfect memory to capture and transmit information as a Pinkerton detective. Malcolm McCall is also a Pinkerton detective pretending to be a Confederate soldier. This is a romance that doesn't sweep away injustice and anger, and confronts the difficulty of forming a relationship with someone who has much more privilege in the world, and also the necessity of sacrifice for a greater cause.
Weird note: the cover of this trade paperback has a very satisfying texture to it.
Elle Burns is a spy for the Union in the Civil War. She is willing to leave her life in Massachusetts to go undercover and pretend to be a mute slave in the South, and to use her perfect memory to capture and transmit information as a Pinkerton detective. Malcolm McCall is also a Pinkerton detective pretending to be a Confederate soldier. This is a romance that doesn't sweep away injustice and anger, and confronts the difficulty of forming a relationship with someone who has much more privilege in the world, and also the necessity of sacrifice for a greater cause.
Weird note: the cover of this trade paperback has a very satisfying texture to it.
emotional
inspiring
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:
Yes