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quadrille 's review for:
A Week to Be Wicked
by Tessa Dare
3.5 stars! The second in the Spindle Cove series (after [b:A Night to Surrender|10429836|A Night to Surrender (Spindle Cove, #1)|Tessa Dare|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470017606s/10429836.jpg|15334257]), now following the story of Minerva Highwood, a bookish spinster outshined by her younger sister; and Lord Payne, a charming, dissolute rake cut off from his inheritance until his next birthday or until he marries. They go on a whirlwind trip to try to get to Edinburgh in time for a geology symposium, where Minerva can hopefully present her latest findings and win a big $$$ prize (and scientific recognition!).
The plot involves some of my favourite tropes: fake marrieds! bed sharing! Payne is also really big on consent, which I think actually makes him a more respectful love interest than his bff Bram (of the previous book). The pair take a good amount of time to get to know each other and bond based on each others' personalities.
THAT SAID. I feel like Spindle Cove is just... not giving me what I wanted or thought it was going to be? Same as my gripe for the previous book, the setting (of a seaside town run entirely by women and providing them with a safe space to be themselves) made me think that strong female friendships would be able to play a role here, but instead Min barely spends any time with the others since she's on this wild trip with Payne. I actually found myself more invested in the flashes back to the village, because then we get to see Kate Taylor chatting to the Highwoods, and the hilarity of Minerva's mother freaking out about this potential marriage to a viscount, etc.
And Minerva/Payne bothered me a bit due to how much they still kept squabbling and doubting themselves and each other, even when the book was approaching the 90% marker. I know it's one of the most common tropes, but simple misunderstandings & "I love you! BUT I'M NOT GOOOOOD ENOUGH FOR YOUUUU" frustrates me; it all just felt a bit like the characters purposefully getting into their own way, rather than the more organic conflict of other Tessa Dare books I've read. Their personalities weren't my favourite archetypes, either; Payne's BS cover stories would have made me break into hives if I'd been on the receiving end of them, too.
I did really like seeing them growing as people, however, and really coming into their own and addressing their past problems. It's fun and frothy and bantery and the book speeds right by, and is still just great fun to read.
So far, I prefer Dare's Castles Ever After series, but the two series will cross over eventually so I'm still excited to continue! I'm especially hopeful for the next one, because KATE & THORNE. Pls don't let me down, Tessa Dare.
The plot involves some of my favourite tropes: fake marrieds! bed sharing! Payne is also really big on consent, which I think actually makes him a more respectful love interest than his bff Bram (of the previous book). The pair take a good amount of time to get to know each other and bond based on each others' personalities.
THAT SAID. I feel like Spindle Cove is just... not giving me what I wanted or thought it was going to be? Same as my gripe for the previous book, the setting (of a seaside town run entirely by women and providing them with a safe space to be themselves) made me think that strong female friendships would be able to play a role here, but instead Min barely spends any time with the others since she's on this wild trip with Payne. I actually found myself more invested in the flashes back to the village, because then we get to see Kate Taylor chatting to the Highwoods, and the hilarity of Minerva's mother freaking out about this potential marriage to a viscount, etc.
And Minerva/Payne bothered me a bit due to how much they still kept squabbling and doubting themselves and each other, even when the book was approaching the 90% marker. I know it's one of the most common tropes, but simple misunderstandings & "I love you! BUT I'M NOT GOOOOOD ENOUGH FOR YOUUUU" frustrates me; it all just felt a bit like the characters purposefully getting into their own way, rather than the more organic conflict of other Tessa Dare books I've read. Their personalities weren't my favourite archetypes, either; Payne's BS cover stories would have made me break into hives if I'd been on the receiving end of them, too.
I did really like seeing them growing as people, however, and really coming into their own and addressing their past problems. It's fun and frothy and bantery and the book speeds right by, and is still just great fun to read.
So far, I prefer Dare's Castles Ever After series, but the two series will cross over eventually so I'm still excited to continue! I'm especially hopeful for the next one, because KATE & THORNE. Pls don't let me down, Tessa Dare.