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domesticatedbrat's reviews
146 reviews
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
4.0
Three things we know for certain about Addie:
1. She does not have a mailbox
2. She is not a potato
3. She fucking loves Gouda cheese, god damn it.
To be honest, the first time I started this book, I resolved to DNF before I finished the first chapter. The MC’s (especially Addie’s) internal monologue is occasionally, perhaps even often, absurd. If you can push through initiation, I might argue it grows endearing but it does require you to humble yourself a bit. After some reflection, I hypothesize that the author’s approach to internal banter was intended as odd but intriguing. Sometimes, it lands well, but others it lead to confusion because it is too bizarre. The book begins delving into the dynamic with her mother. Especially when it is initially introduced, their relationship is tedious. From the start, Addie & her mother are both extremely unlikable & incompatible but not in a way that’s intriguing. They’re like buzzing flies. So I closed the book because I wasn’t interested in investing any more time in a character I couldn’t stand after even a few pages. Unfortunately, these are the elements the author chose to lead with and I firmly believe they are the weakest links of the book. However, you may notice, I rated the book 4 stars and did eventually come back and finish it. We can thank bookstigram (and my FOMO) for their persistence.
Once I became acclimated with the oddities of Addie’s inner workings, I found her charming and, when her vulnerabilities began to show, relatable. I became accustomed to the authors unusual style and found myself (I think) laughing with her more often than I was cringing. Addie’s dynamic with Zade is well developed, unfurling in ways that are reasonable (given the circumstances, of course) but also relatively unexpected. I can’t speak too extensively to the believability of Zade’s inner dialogue or behavior as I am not a man and don’t have his, shall we say, tendencies. However, the links the author draws to his motivations, both in the moment and upon reflection, track, for me. Their chemistry is intoxicating & thoroughly addicting. As he leads her farther from the safety of rationality, I felt myself following right along after them and I’m not the least bit sorry. I appreciate the way this descent is described. It’s believable and thrilling. The sex is fascinating & avoids being cringe almost altogether. This author seems to really find her stride in steam & tension and it’s what the world needs, frankly. My world anyways.
I will add that you will not find yourself satisfied with their relationship arc within this book. It is a duet, after all. I would make sure you familiarize yourself with the intense trigger & content warnings for both books before proceeding with the first. My perception of this book improved with the shadow of the second; I believe it is entirely incomplete without its counterpart.
1. She does not have a mailbox
2. She is not a potato
3. She fucking loves Gouda cheese, god damn it.
To be honest, the first time I started this book, I resolved to DNF before I finished the first chapter. The MC’s (especially Addie’s) internal monologue is occasionally, perhaps even often, absurd. If you can push through initiation, I might argue it grows endearing but it does require you to humble yourself a bit. After some reflection, I hypothesize that the author’s approach to internal banter was intended as odd but intriguing. Sometimes, it lands well, but others it lead to confusion because it is too bizarre. The book begins delving into the dynamic with her mother. Especially when it is initially introduced, their relationship is tedious. From the start, Addie & her mother are both extremely unlikable & incompatible but not in a way that’s intriguing. They’re like buzzing flies. So I closed the book because I wasn’t interested in investing any more time in a character I couldn’t stand after even a few pages. Unfortunately, these are the elements the author chose to lead with and I firmly believe they are the weakest links of the book. However, you may notice, I rated the book 4 stars and did eventually come back and finish it. We can thank bookstigram (and my FOMO) for their persistence.
Once I became acclimated with the oddities of Addie’s inner workings, I found her charming and, when her vulnerabilities began to show, relatable. I became accustomed to the authors unusual style and found myself (I think) laughing with her more often than I was cringing. Addie’s dynamic with Zade is well developed, unfurling in ways that are reasonable (given the circumstances, of course) but also relatively unexpected. I can’t speak too extensively to the believability of Zade’s inner dialogue or behavior as I am not a man and don’t have his, shall we say, tendencies. However, the links the author draws to his motivations, both in the moment and upon reflection, track, for me. Their chemistry is intoxicating & thoroughly addicting. As he leads her farther from the safety of rationality, I felt myself following right along after them and I’m not the least bit sorry. I appreciate the way this descent is described. It’s believable and thrilling. The sex is fascinating & avoids being cringe almost altogether. This author seems to really find her stride in steam & tension and it’s what the world needs, frankly. My world anyways.
I will add that you will not find yourself satisfied with their relationship arc within this book. It is a duet, after all. I would make sure you familiarize yourself with the intense trigger & content warnings for both books before proceeding with the first. My perception of this book improved with the shadow of the second; I believe it is entirely incomplete without its counterpart.