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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a perfect conclusion to Malcolm and Seraphina's wildly scandalous fall-out (the infamous koi pond plot set-up we get in The Rogue Not Taken) and hit every note I needed to feel fully invested in their happily-ever-after. This is high-angst with significant (and painful) on-page character work that explores how our own deep-seated insecurities are a betrayal of self far more painful and difficult to heal than any betrayal by a romantic partner. For readers with a hard line on infidelity, this plot set-up might simply be a deal-breaker, but I have to say that as someone who is deeply invested in explicit fidelity in historical romance, this was not insurmountable to me at all (and in fact, was so well contextualized that it felt insignificant in comparison to the couple's shared trauma).
Beyond the individual growth arcs and conflict resolution for Malcolm and Sera, there were so many things I loved about this story: Sera's sisters (who SHINE in this installment), the close and entirely platonic friendship between Sera and Caleb (no friend zone bitterness or jealousy here, these two are just health business partners and it's FANTASTIC), and the incredible comedy of the alt-Bachelor house party. And there were also several small decisions that felt really big - the decision not to include a gratuitously graphic and traumatic on-page childbirth scene, the decision not to replay the koi pond scene in entirety, etc. - that evidence how deeply MacLean respects her characters.
All-in-all, for high-angst reader who enjoy messy people making a mess of their lives and slowly (very slowly) figuring out how to be together again, this is a beautiful romance, with an absolutely chart-topping grovel and grand gesture.
Beyond the individual growth arcs and conflict resolution for Malcolm and Sera, there were so many things I loved about this story: Sera's sisters (who SHINE in this installment), the close and entirely platonic friendship between Sera and Caleb (no friend zone bitterness or jealousy here, these two are just health business partners and it's FANTASTIC), and the incredible comedy of the alt-Bachelor house party. And there were also several small decisions that felt really big - the decision not to include a gratuitously graphic and traumatic on-page childbirth scene, the decision not to replay the koi pond scene in entirety, etc. - that evidence how deeply MacLean respects her characters.
All-in-all, for high-angst reader who enjoy messy people making a mess of their lives and slowly (very slowly) figuring out how to be together again, this is a beautiful romance, with an absolutely chart-topping grovel and grand gesture.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Child death, Grief, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent
Child death: stillbirth.livlamentloathe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
5 stars for Ses and Caleb. 3 stars for Sera and Mal. I did appreciate that for once, the male side was pining entirely. Love that. The side plot was a cursory thing for me. I was too focused on the silly American. I gotta reread Bombshell now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Child death, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infertility, Pregnancy, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Infidelity
ltennant09's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infertility, Child death, and Infidelity
thatfabchick's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think if I had read the previous books in order I would’ve appreciated this book a lot more. This book Can be read as a standalone but I highly suggest that you read the previous books there a chunks of information That are missing crucial to understanding why the heroine and the heroes are acting the way they are and if you really feel that they deserve the groveling get for the relationship. To be honest I think I would’ve done away with the matchmaking and the tavern, but really work on how they communicate and how he has to work and being a better husband will have a really amazing emotional growth. To be honest they never were married new living together so they never really experienced Marriage so it would’ve been nice if The story focused on Malcom’s trying to prove that he has changed and get a chance to show what their marriage could have been like if he didn’t activate it.
I didn’t like my stories with a female is blameless lol 😂 and everything is blamed on the hero, and I don’t feel bad about it, but in this book they both were to blame so I ended up not caring too much about whether or not they made it together because they were too stubborn. But I look forward to trying more bucks from this other but I realize I might have to start with the first book of the series and see if that helps. I actually want to read her first book 9 ways to seduce a rake Let’s see if this will make me fall in love with Sarah MacLean
I didn’t like my stories with a female is blameless lol 😂 and everything is blamed on the hero, and I don’t feel bad about it, but in this book they both were to blame so I ended up not caring too much about whether or not they made it together because they were too stubborn. But I look forward to trying more bucks from this other but I realize I might have to start with the first book of the series and see if that helps. I actually want to read her first book 9 ways to seduce a rake Let’s see if this will make me fall in love with Sarah MacLean
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
nina_readsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Miscarriage, and Child death
shannonigans322's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This is the second time that the final installment of a Sarah MacLean trilogy has fallen flat for me. Second Chance is not the trope for me when the man is an utter arse until 2/3 through the book. I loved the Talbot sister banter, as always.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, and Infidelity
mcmizzie's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ugh I do love a repentant man in love, even if his infidelity & cruelty was really terrible. This was such an emotional book but I loved the love, and loved seeing more of Sophie from Rogue Not Taken.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity and Infertility
karenmsecrest's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Sarah MacLean is my favorite romance author, but the story of Sera and Malcolm is a little sadder and darker than the rest of her work. Of course the HEA is there, but check the content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Child death, and Grief
theunrealerin's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Second chance historical.romqnce love. Good premise - making your wife find her replacement before you will divorce her. Lovely devotion and putting another first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Child death
ka_it_lyn's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death