Reviews

An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera

peachybear's review

medium-paced

3.75

It was well written, I liked the historical context, and the spicy scenes were good but I think sometimes it was too slow for me or I wasn’t super invested in their connection. But if you’re into sapphic, Latina Bridgerton vibes, you’ll love it. 

corijroberts's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I wouldn't have finished this book if I hadn’t been reading it for a book club. The setting was fairly interesting, and the writing was fine. My main gripes were that:

1. It was too long. This problem was exacerbated by the fact that I was listening to it on audiobook, but it really could’ve been 30-40% shorter. If you gave me a red pen, I feel like I could eliminate that much just by cutting out pointless, redundant inner monologues telling you how the characters feel and instead allowing their actions to illustrate those points.
2. I didn’t like either of the main characters. Manuela was a petulant child who made rash decisions. Her attitude was intended to be cute, but I just found her annoying. She could’ve solved most of her problems from the beginning by getting a job. I was never going to empathize with a character undergoing such elaborate schemes simply to remain part of an rich, elite upper class. Even at the end when she supposedly realizes that money/gowns aren't everything, she only gives it up when she knows she'll still have a relatively cushy life. As for Cora, I liked her a bit more but not by much. She's a wealthy capitalist who apparently makes her money just by magically being better at investing than everyone else. I found it hard to ignore that she is a railroad tycoon, who in those days made their living by exploiting workers. This connects to a larger critique I have of the book, which is that most of the characters are wealthy elites, but we're supposed to root for them.
3. I disliked the dynamic of the romance. To be fair, an experience/power/wealth gap never really appeals to me. It just creates a weird situation where one person feels like a child and the other like their parent/guardian.
4. This author spends a lot of time setting up the other books in her Leonas universe. Sometimes I can appreciate a trilogy of connected romance books, but it was just distracting here. There were annoying time jumps and random interludes that were clearly done for the purpose of the other books' timelines.
5. The conclusion of this book is that Manuela demands Cora give up her whole livelihood and devote herself to her. It's particularly grating because Manuela accuses Cora of being a pawn of the partiarchy, specifically conforming to the businessmen around her and playing their game. I think there's a separate conversation about working for an oppressive system in order to survive/provide for your loved ones. But what really irks me is that Manuela makes this accusation while in the middle of her wedding where she is doing the exact same thing. Marrying Felix is literally playing into the expectations/game that society/her parents/Felix want her to conform to.
6. I can only stand one (maybe two) "burst throug the doors and declare my love" style moments. Going back and forth with that kind of drama at the conclusion of a romance novel is a pet peeve of mine. The book had at least four: Manuela returning to Cora in Paris, Cora showing up to talk to Manuela's parents, Cora showing up at Manuela's wedding, and the very last chapter when they finally reconcile. It just gets annoying by the third time and aggravating beyond that.

avieherman's review

relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Enjoyed. Not as much as the first book in the series. The historical context was interesting. 

addydeejreads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

chanicecruz93's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

mavo567's review

inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

literarykaylee's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

webbsusa's review against another edition

3.0

I loved the first book in this series and was so excited for this one, but honestly, it was a bit of a letdown. The most significant issue was pacing. I felt like things didn’t really get started until the 50% mark; the first half of the book dragged. Cora was another issue. The inconsistency of her character was too much. Honestly, Manuela deserved better.

What I liked: the growth of Manuela, the friendship of the Leonas, and the portrayal of the lesbian community in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. That was fascinating! Very hot sex scenes. Gorgeous cover.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley.

webbsusa's review

3.0

3.5 stars, rounded down.

I loved the first book in this series and was so excited for this one, but honestly, it was a bit of a letdown. The most significant issue was pacing. I felt like things didn’t really get started until the 50% mark; the first half of the book dragged. Cora was another issue. The inconsistency of her character was too much. Honestly, Manuela deserved better. Yes, Cora got there eventually, but ugh.

What I liked: the growth of Manuela, the friendship of the Leonas, and the portrayal of the lesbian community in Paris at the turn of the 20th century. That was fascinating! Very hot sex scenes (though also disappointingly off the page at times? Read it and you’ll see). Gorgeous cover.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley. In spite of my somewhat tepid review, I do recommend reading.

l_d_star's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

3.5