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danajacobs 's review for:
Portrait of a Scotsman
by Evie Dunmore
Enemies(ish) to lovers with ACTUAL dislike at the beginning? One bed trope? Trauma and disability rep? Anti-capitalism??? What else could I want in a romance honestly (a more likable main character but I’ll let it slide).
I really did love this one. I’m usually disappointed by enemies to lovers because I find that the dislike is completely silly, but I loved how Portrait of a Scotsman portrayed Hattie and Lucian’s relationship, starting with warranted distrust and dislike. Their genuine development as characters and partners was honestly lovely.
As much of a hopeless romantic as I am, my favorite part of this book was how Dunmore infused it with meaningful depictions and debate over the (unfortunately still very relevant) depictions of patriarchal capitalism. It’s rare that I find a book not specifically about such topics that is able to incorporate them without seeming contrived. These realities were integral to Lucian, the setting, and the time period and were wholly necessary to the narrative.
I will say that I wish there was less emphasis on the size difference. I find it tiring that a story predicated on women existing outside of predetermined roles and expectations focused so heavily on how *tiny* its main characters features were. Also, I did find Hattie to be fairly unlikeable, but I didn’t find that to interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, a really delightful and unexpectedly complex romance that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.
I really did love this one. I’m usually disappointed by enemies to lovers because I find that the dislike is completely silly, but I loved how Portrait of a Scotsman portrayed Hattie and Lucian’s relationship, starting with warranted distrust and dislike. Their genuine development as characters and partners was honestly lovely.
As much of a hopeless romantic as I am, my favorite part of this book was how Dunmore infused it with meaningful depictions and debate over the (unfortunately still very relevant) depictions of patriarchal capitalism. It’s rare that I find a book not specifically about such topics that is able to incorporate them without seeming contrived. These realities were integral to Lucian, the setting, and the time period and were wholly necessary to the narrative.
I will say that I wish there was less emphasis on the size difference. I find it tiring that a story predicated on women existing outside of predetermined roles and expectations focused so heavily on how *tiny* its main characters features were. Also, I did find Hattie to be fairly unlikeable, but I didn’t find that to interfere with my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, a really delightful and unexpectedly complex romance that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.