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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.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Child death, Grief, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent
Child death: stillbirth.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
Moderate: Grief, Miscarriage, and Child death
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.
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Child death, and Grief
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
Graphic: Miscarriage, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity
treereads's review
emotional
medium-paced
Graphic: Miscarriage and Grief
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
Moderate: Grief, Infidelity, and Miscarriage
Minor: Child death
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
Graphic: Sexual content, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Child death
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Emotional abuse
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