This was a sweet story but there was one very upsetting thing, for which I haven’t seen any TW, so I’m leaving one:
TW loss of a loved3,5 rounded up
This was a sweet story but there was one very upsetting thing, for which I haven’t seen any TW, so I’m leaving one:
TW loss of a loved one (a fourteen year old sibling) and grief
Otherwise it’s a cute Beauty and the Beast retelling. It’s very clean, especially for a marriage that was arranged for the sole purpose of begetting an heir (ain’t happening if you’re only kissing, guys).
Adam was a real jerk at the beginning and he only started snapping out of it towards the end. I would’ve loved one or two more chapters to see how he was doing as his new, vulnerable self. (And if there was any progress with that whole begetting an heir thing ...more
There were a few things that didn’t work for me in this book but overall I enjoyed it.
Esther notices a fraying rope and jumps to a man’s rescue beforeThere were a few things that didn’t work for me in this book but overall I enjoyed it.
Esther notices a fraying rope and jumps to a man’s rescue before a giant statue falls on the ground and kills him. She lands on top of the man, briefly loses consciousness and so doesn’t get up immediately. As a consequence they have to get married because saving people’s lives is apparently frowned upon in polite society ...more
I don’t often do full rereads, so it should tell you something about the level of perfection of this book. All the feels, all the stars, evereread
I don’t often do full rereads, so it should tell you something about the level of perfection of this book. All the feels, all the stars, everything ...more
I’ve come to realize that I do not enjoy enemies who are enemies for the sole purpose of being enemies.
So instead of calling this enemies to lovers II’ve come to realize that I do not enjoy enemies who are enemies for the sole purpose of being enemies.
So instead of calling this enemies to lovers I’d maybe say children to (sort of) adults? These two were ‘enemies’ because they acted like eleven year olds for most of the book. I half expected them to pull each other’s hair. I didn’t understand why they were enemies and their romance was far-fetched.
The writing felt a little too contemporary and straightforward, especially since it was in first person, which is not my favorite thing in historical romance.
Maybe it’s because my previous book was amazing, the bar was too high and this one didn’t quite measure up.
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Don’t mind me starting another enemies to lovers with a hero called Tristan....more
A boring and ridiculous tale about a merchant’s daughter who married a duke. The MCs didn’t like each other at first but then kidnapped a lion and fel A boring and ridiculous tale about a merchant’s daughter who married a duke. The MCs didn’t like each other at first but then kidnapped a lion and fell in love.
I liked the story and the Beauty and the Beast vibe. Noah was great, he was brooding, mysterious and as tormented as the Beast should be. It was a litI liked the story and the Beauty and the Beast vibe. Noah was great, he was brooding, mysterious and as tormented as the Beast should be. It was a little icky how often he thought about his brother with his wife, but it was a big part of the suffering so I guess there was a point.
Kate on the other hand was too much of a Pollyanna and I couldn’t connect with her. She wouldn’t shut up about the sky and flowers but didn’t have the guts to talk to Noah about her feelings. It took them forever to have an honest conversation and it was a little frustrating.
The heroine was amazing and she deserved better than that lazy, always drunk bum of a hero. She married him because sEhh not much love unfortunately.
The heroine was amazing and she deserved better than that lazy, always drunk bum of a hero. She married him because she wanted him but he married her because he needed a servant who couldn’t quit. It was not romantic, it was pathetic.
She was so good at housekeeping that he fell in love with her eventually. Yaay ...more
This was a marriage of tremendous inconvenience for both parties and it was painful to read. Eve kept pining after sMore like Slightly Bored…
2,5 stars
This was a marriage of tremendous inconvenience for both parties and it was painful to read. Eve kept pining after some viscount who had never proposed and Aiden after some general’s daughter he was not able to propose to anymore. For most of the book they didn’t want to have anything to do with each other. At some point they fell in love and I have no idea how and why.
The writing was good but the story dragged and I even considered dnf at some point. It was frustrating how much they hated being married to each other and how much time it took them to warm up to each other. Then there was mutual pining and constant internal whining about how they would miss each other after their short time together was over ...more
This book wrapped up the series nicely even though the story itself was very simple.
George had married off all the Survivors and decided all of a suddThis book wrapped up the series nicely even though the story itself was very simple.
George had married off all the Survivors and decided all of a sudden to get a new wife too. So he went to visit Dora, who he had seen twice before, and proposed. She accepted and they lived happily ever after. There were some adventures on the way to the actual HEA but that’s pretty much it.
George’s backstory was sad but it was unhappy life rather than war atrocities. It doesn’t make it any less tragic, just that it’s different from the other books. The romance was low on angst and the whole book was generally toned-down. I don’t know if it’s because both MCs were older or simply because it was a way of closing the series on a calm note (I hope the latter!). I enjoyed it but it was not an all-the-feels kinda book. Loved the epilogue though ...more
This is a Cinderella, marriage of convenience story with an inspiring hero and a lovable heroine. It’s sweet and the romance is better than in the firThis is a Cinderella, marriage of convenience story with an inspiring hero and a lovable heroine. It’s sweet and the romance is better than in the first book.
Vincent went to war when he was 17 and during his first battle he lost his hearing and his eyesight. The hearing came back eventually but the eyesight did not. He went through hell and still suffers from panic attacks, but his story is an uplifting example of a man in control of his life and happiness despite the circumstances.
I loved how realistic this book was; the characters had doubts and second thoughts, it wasn’t all easy and problems didn’t magically disappear. Sophia’s down-to-earth approach to Vincent’s blindness and his constant emotional support made them a perfect match. Yet it was clear that even though life became easier after they got together, they each had to work on their own issues.
My main complaint is that the sex scenes were very unsexy. Either let the heroine enjoy it properly or just close that door, Mary ...more
This was so good, I enjoyed it even more than the first book!
After a very unpleasant dinner party at her uncle’s home Lizzie ends up with no roof oveThis was so good, I enjoyed it even more than the first book!
After a very unpleasant dinner party at her uncle’s home Lizzie ends up with no roof over her head and no resources. A prizefighter Benedict Toomes was supposed to marry her cousin and he is the last person she would expect to come to her rescue and yet…
One of the things that I appreciate most about this series is that it’s not about aristocrats like most HR, it’s so refreshing! There’s some spice and the love story is still the main theme but the chemistry doesn’t overpower the storyline and there’s space for other elements.
Just like the previous one in this series this book is a historical fiction novel as much as it is a romance. I adored details about the life at the time; what did they wear or eat, what were the daily rituals and activities or general life rhythm of boxers and prizefighters at the time. The characters were incredibly authentic and it was a delight to get to know them - no unnecessary drama and no third act breakup, only the good stuff ...more
This was one of the highest quality romances I’ve ever read, I adored this book!
The beginning of Anne’s and Cord’s story is a heartbreaking and infurThis was one of the highest quality romances I’ve ever read, I adored this book!
The beginning of Anne’s and Cord’s story is a heartbreaking and infuriating picture of white men dominance.
This not only a romance novel, it’s a story about racism, sexism, prejudice and family values. The characters are complex, beautifully written and very human. Obviously the focus is on Anne and Cord but Cord’s siblings and their families are an important element of the story.
I loved reading about his brothers, their relationship was truly fascinating. They were both white men who had accepted their little half-Cheyenne brother in their family and raised him after his mother’s death. However, even though they loved him they were not immune to racist prejudice and were often very unfair towards him. They were absolutely not a perfect family but it was so believable and raw!
Anne’s father was a true villain, but her mother and brother were both complex characters who grew throughout the story.
Last but not least the slow burn romance. It was not perfect from the beginning either but again it was much more believable that way. I loved their dynamic and their banter and how their relationship developed into an absolutely swoon worthy romance.
I could keep going about the reasons why this book is amazing but I have to stop somewhere, I don’t like long reviews. So just read for yourself, you won’t regret it!...more
Turns out it’s a regency romance, not Victorian, but it’s okay because that’s exactly what I needed! Dashing gentlemen running to your rescue, tender Turns out it’s a regency romance, not Victorian, but it’s okay because that’s exactly what I needed! Dashing gentlemen running to your rescue, tender hearted heroines and cheesy romantic love declarations. Don’t judge me! (Or judge me, I don’t care)
Philly is not only a beauty. With her heterochromia she is also a truly rare beauty. For this reason a local duke known as the Collector tries to buy her from her uncle. Luckily there’s a slightly grumpy veteran Arthur, who is willing to rescue her from his claws.
This book, even though a “clean” romance, gave me all the feels. There was so much tension and chemistry that even though there were no explicit sex scenes it didn’t feel very clean ...more
A historical setting paired with a captivating story and a wonderful heroine, I could not put it down!
Imagine you lose your father and your home in oA historical setting paired with a captivating story and a wonderful heroine, I could not put it down!
Imagine you lose your father and your home in one day. Some obnoxious fellow who claims to be your half-brother promises to take care of you, but instead of taking you home he brings you to a shady inn where he blackmails its rude owner to marry you.
What would you do? I would probably cry. Like a lot. And then some more.
But not Mina, my girl! Mina found herself a room, then got up in the morning and found things to do; cleaning, befriending staff, basically making herself at home. All that despite her new husband practically ignoring her.
Do you know that saying that if life brings you lemons you should make lemonade? That’s Mina!
Will Nye was definitely not a Prince Charming, but I somehow enjoyed the romance a lot! It was a very unusual type of chemistry involving unexpected awkward kisses and speaking in half-syllables. She was good at talking, he was better at other things and it created a clumsy dynamic that was surprisingly entertaining to read.
There were things towards the end that felt a little anticlimactic but otherwise I enjoyed this book immensely!
This was a little unexpected and way more conventional than the previous books. It is again a marriage of convenience with a bit of enemies to lovers This was a little unexpected and way more conventional than the previous books. It is again a marriage of convenience with a bit of enemies to lovers vibe but in a completely different setting.
Theodora knows that she was born to be an actress but her siblings don’t believe in her. When her brother takes her off the stage in their family theater and forces her to run their house she is desperate to find a way out. So much so that she is willing to trade her shares of the theater for a chance at a career. The price is she would have to marry a former prizefighter and a businessman Clem Dabney…
I didn’t think a quirky heroine could work for me but Theodora was wonderful; she knew what she wanted from life and was unstoppable. This is especially astonishing for a Victorian woman who was expected to want only a husband and children. Well, Theodora wanted a career and contraception. You go girl!
This book was very smutty with a Victorian twist which was truly a hilarious combo:
“How do you feel about trying a nice, fast fuck to take the edge off?” “I’d like to try it, certainly.”
All in all if it wasn’t for Clem, his deceitful actions and the following drama it would have been a five star. Unfortunately he kept too many secrets and he didn’t believe in her when I wanted him to.
So 3,5 stars rounded up because I still enjoyed the book very much!...more
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