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anitaboeira's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
For some reason I’ve read this book four times. Apparently I liked it enough at some point to buy it digitally too so I could get rid of the old paperback. But rereading it today, I cannot fathom what I liked about it to buy a second copy. The first two chapters of the characters instalove attraction was super annoying and it ends based on misunderstandings. The second part when it’s 7 years later and they see each other again at a house party where he’s an esteemed guest and she’s part of the help, and that’s the only good part of the book. The angst and tension are compelling. But then he ruins it by asking her to be his mistress. He gets mad when she says no and leaves her. She then gets fired and leaves without a reference. He eventually learns why she never eloped with him when they were young and realizes he’s been wrong for years and panics when he can’t find her again since she was fired. And that’s when the book gets worse and worse with every page. The firing wasn’t the end of the world for Victoria. She’s finally independent and happy. Then he shows up and is so overbearing, won’t hear no for an answer. He has serious issues with consent. I felt that the author writing such characters is irresponsible behavior, because she framed his overbearing-ness as romantic and he loved her and Victoria slowly agrees with him. By the end of this book I hated them both so much. Also he warned the main character has THREE attempts of rape done to her, and some the descriptions were actually terrifying. It’s way too much for a “lighthearted” reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Rape
Moderate: Toxic relationship
veganecurrywurst's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I did like the beginning and the idea of the Lord falling in love with the vicars daughter, but then they get split up due to a misunderstanding. However I really didn't enjoy this book. The male lead came across as a stalker and he constantly harassed the female lead. It didn't feel like love, but more like an obsession (at least on his part). In the beginning of the book I liked him, however, towards the end he just came of as arrogant and ignorant. Like I was rooting for the female lead to escape from the brainwashed environment she is in and leave the male lead to continue her life in London.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Confinement and Death of parent
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