Scan barcode
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
jennundersea's review
I am not buying this redemption arch for the duke. This is a really depressing book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Infertility and Infidelity
Stillbirthltennant09'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
katrinaward's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Miscarriage
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
anyareadsalot'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity
bookedinsideout's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.0
05/03/2022 (audio): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I think I enjoyed it more this time... the grovel, the sisters, the audiobook performance, the preview to Caleb and Sesily. (And I stopped before the epilogue.) Plus it's the book that inspired my latest tattoo (the sparrow and the dove).
07/26/2021: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really went back and forth on this! I think one of the best things about this book is that a group of adult siblings got to go spend a month together, leaving their husbands and devoting time to each other. Though a month might be a bit much, I loved that they got this time together and that it meant we got more of the Talbot sisters.
After The Rogue Not Taken I wasn’t sure how the Duke of Haven was going to become any kind of hero, so I think his vulnerability and openness were crucial for making this work, and I’m still not sure that he shared enough of that with Sera, especially compared to what we got to see. I was also pretty put off by what Sera did to fracture Mal’s trust (if it was really for them, couldn’t she just talk to him about it and keep him in the loop?) and apparently she was incredibly apologetic, but it was kind of the opposite of Malcolm - I didn’t feel like I really got to see that. She was fighting for her freedom, but she took the choice away from him.
I loved the underwater ballroom and the dove and the sparrow and the conversations about keeping the past with them and fighting for the future. I’m not usually a fan of second-chance romances, but I thought that was really beautiful. And then I was really, really disappointed with that miracle baby/babies/kid epilogue, because I believed this couple was going to be one of the few child-free couples in historical romance (maybe even unmarried!), but apparently you really do need children to be happy.
And on a lighter note, I can’t believe with the previews of Sesily and Caleb that “we” had to wait 4 years for their story - and I say “we” recognizing how lucky I am that I *only* have to wait a month. I recognized the Bareknuckle Bastards, but I realized only towards the end of this book that Felicity, one of the “suitresses,” is Felicity from Wicked and the Wallflower, the first Sarah MacLean book that I read. I’ll have to circle back, but for now I can’t wait for more of Sesily.
I think I enjoyed it more this time... the grovel, the sisters, the audiobook performance, the preview to Caleb and Sesily. (And I stopped before the epilogue.) Plus it's the book that inspired my latest tattoo (the sparrow and the dove).
07/26/2021: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really went back and forth on this! I think one of the best things about this book is that a group of adult siblings got to go spend a month together, leaving their husbands and devoting time to each other. Though a month might be a bit much, I loved that they got this time together and that it meant we got more of the Talbot sisters.
After The Rogue Not Taken I wasn’t sure how the Duke of Haven was going to become any kind of hero, so I think his vulnerability and openness were crucial for making this work, and I’m still not sure that he shared enough of that with Sera, especially compared to what we got to see. I was also pretty put off by what Sera did to fracture Mal’s trust (if it was really for them, couldn’t she just talk to him about it and keep him in the loop?) and apparently she was incredibly apologetic, but it was kind of the opposite of Malcolm - I didn’t feel like I really got to see that. She was fighting for her freedom, but she took the choice away from him.
I loved the underwater ballroom and the dove and the sparrow and the conversations about keeping the past with them and fighting for the future. I’m not usually a fan of second-chance romances, but I thought that was really beautiful. And then I was really, really disappointed with that miracle baby/babies/kid epilogue, because I believed this couple was going to be one of the few child-free couples in historical romance (maybe even unmarried!), but apparently you really do need children to be happy.
And on a lighter note, I can’t believe with the previews of Sesily and Caleb that “we” had to wait 4 years for their story - and I say “we” recognizing how lucky I am that I *only* have to wait a month. I recognized the Bareknuckle Bastards, but I realized only towards the end of this book that Felicity, one of the “suitresses,” is Felicity from Wicked and the Wallflower, the first Sarah MacLean book that I read. I’ll have to circle back, but for now I can’t wait for more of Sesily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Infertility and Infidelity
Minor: Pregnancy
CW: Miscarriage, infertility (ending with a baby/kid epilogue)mindsorceress's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
Minor: Child death