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A review by hitherthithergirl
The Gentleman's Gambit by Evie Dunmore
5.0
A phenomenal end to one of my all-time favorite romance series! Catriona has given Annabelle a run for her money as my favorite suffragette of the four from page one, which opens with a brilliantly sexy meet cute.
Cartriona is a woman after my own heart: brilliant, guarded, loyal to a fault, sensual, and sensible. She’s been used before, which makes her wary—she knows what love can do to her. Enter Elias. Clever, charming, and on a mission, he’s on a course to derail her best laid plans and leave, like all the rest. But Elias has fought for everything he has, and Catriona might be worth more than even his noble cause. At the heart of their romance is mutual respect and deep affection, just like all of Evie Dunmore’s other books, but I think this story’s focus on healing and accepting aid was especially lovely.
The intimacy between her characters is dazzling, and that shines through in the steamy scenes as well. They’re sexy, deeply personal, and not undertaken lightly—after all, this is a historical romance. The stakes are high, but the desire and the longing always wins out.
This story spoke to me on so many levels, but I think Catriona’s struggles with her mental health and managing time for all her interests and responsibilities will resonate with readers. I loved seeing this play out in a time much different than mine and how it affected her relationships. Catriona is sensible above all and probably braver than I’ll ever be, and I understood why she made the decisions she did, which is endlessly satisfying as a reader.
Another aspect that fascinated me was Elias’ background and the history it represented. His Lebanese heritage felt both well-researched and immensely personal, coming from this author. I learned so much from his perspective, and I’d absolutely read more like this. I only knew bits and pieces about the traditions and landscapes of this region, but Evie Dunmore brings it lovingly to life in her prose, without it ever feeling excessive.
The repatriation plotline was also fascinating, and a helpful reminder to readers out there that the British Museum like many colonial institutions are filled with stolen art and artifacts. Since the book was announced I was dying to read it. After all, it’s essentially an anticolonial heist—what could be better? But it’s the historical implications that really wowed me. Evie Dunmore’s genius knows no bounds.
And finally, I loved getting to see Annabelle, Lucie, and Hattie again. All three of them are at different places than where their respective books left them, and it was wonderful to see how they’ve approached being in love while also being advocates for women. The suffragette plotline was tied up brilliantly in this volume, and in a way I think will resonate with many readers.
In short, I loved Catriona’s story and I’m sad to be done with A League of Extraordinary Women. This is easily my favorite historical romance series of all time. I learned so much about myself and about women of the past. And I cannot wait to see what Evie Dunmore has in store for us in the future!
ARC provided by Berkeley and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own.
Cartriona is a woman after my own heart: brilliant, guarded, loyal to a fault, sensual, and sensible. She’s been used before, which makes her wary—she knows what love can do to her. Enter Elias. Clever, charming, and on a mission, he’s on a course to derail her best laid plans and leave, like all the rest. But Elias has fought for everything he has, and Catriona might be worth more than even his noble cause. At the heart of their romance is mutual respect and deep affection, just like all of Evie Dunmore’s other books, but I think this story’s focus on healing and accepting aid was especially lovely.
The intimacy between her characters is dazzling, and that shines through in the steamy scenes as well. They’re sexy, deeply personal, and not undertaken lightly—after all, this is a historical romance. The stakes are high, but the desire and the longing always wins out.
This story spoke to me on so many levels, but I think Catriona’s struggles with her mental health and managing time for all her interests and responsibilities will resonate with readers. I loved seeing this play out in a time much different than mine and how it affected her relationships. Catriona is sensible above all and probably braver than I’ll ever be, and I understood why she made the decisions she did, which is endlessly satisfying as a reader.
Another aspect that fascinated me was Elias’ background and the history it represented. His Lebanese heritage felt both well-researched and immensely personal, coming from this author. I learned so much from his perspective, and I’d absolutely read more like this. I only knew bits and pieces about the traditions and landscapes of this region, but Evie Dunmore brings it lovingly to life in her prose, without it ever feeling excessive.
The repatriation plotline was also fascinating, and a helpful reminder to readers out there that the British Museum like many colonial institutions are filled with stolen art and artifacts. Since the book was announced I was dying to read it. After all, it’s essentially an anticolonial heist—what could be better? But it’s the historical implications that really wowed me. Evie Dunmore’s genius knows no bounds.
And finally, I loved getting to see Annabelle, Lucie, and Hattie again. All three of them are at different places than where their respective books left them, and it was wonderful to see how they’ve approached being in love while also being advocates for women. The suffragette plotline was tied up brilliantly in this volume, and in a way I think will resonate with many readers.
In short, I loved Catriona’s story and I’m sad to be done with A League of Extraordinary Women. This is easily my favorite historical romance series of all time. I learned so much about myself and about women of the past. And I cannot wait to see what Evie Dunmore has in store for us in the future!
ARC provided by Berkeley and Edelweiss. All thoughts are my own.