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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
kyeruhh's review
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Infertility
carbs666's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
A marriage redemption plot with truly complex and powerful characters you want to root for. McLean is a master at writing stories about women who stand in their power and men who love them for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
inuy21's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Child death
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Emotional abuse
joinreallife's review
3.0
Honestly, still agree with Sera's original assertion that love is not enough because their relationship seems built on distrust and deception. Not a great foundation. But overall, I enjoyed the read, I love Sera's relationship with her sisters, but honestly my favourite characters were the side characters: Caleb, and Felicity, and Lilith.
CW: difficult birth, death of newborn, discussion of infertility, infidelity
CW: difficult birth, death of newborn, discussion of infertility, infidelity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Child death
Minor: Infertility and Infidelity
rebeccasreadingcorner's review
emotional
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book is more bittersweet than most romance novels. The time slip storytelling beautifully weaves together the rise and fall of Sera and Malcolm's marriage. Watching the characters grow through love, loss, grief, and pain is worth the read. Sera's sisters are a hilarious bunch that wonderfully counterpoint the heartache of Sera and Mal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
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