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sarahsthoughtsonbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
** while this is a standalone novel, and the start of a new series, is best to read, or be familiar with Sarah Maclean's Scandals and Scoundrels series first, particularly Day off the Duchess**
Squee!! So much to enjoy. Worth the wait for this story. I highlighted so many different pages of my ARC (thanks Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review).
If you are a fan of author Sarah MacLean, you won't be disappointed. The longing. The girl hang. Time with Sesily and her sisters. Easter eggs everywhere.
More detailed review after release date.
(Reminder for self: Athena)
Squee!! So much to enjoy. Worth the wait for this story. I highlighted so many different pages of my ARC (thanks Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review).
If you are a fan of author Sarah MacLean, you won't be disappointed. The longing. The girl hang. Time with Sesily and her sisters. Easter eggs everywhere.
More detailed review after release date.
(Reminder for self: Athena)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, Colonisation, Death of parent, Death, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Medical content, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, and Sexism
oddsoul's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This. Book. Was. AMAZING. I loved every single second of it! It’s fun, it’s feminist, and it’s SO deliciously sexy. This may even be my favorite Sarah MacLean book ever!
Two years ago, Sesily’s heart was broken when Caleb returned to Boston, but after feeling alone and misunderstood by society and her own sisters, she’s found a new purpose with an incredible group of women led by the Duchess of Trevescan: holding society’s Missing Stairs accountable for their vile actions against women!
Sesily and her friends are at a ball, making their move against one of these awful men and escaping from the “scene of the crime” when she runs into Caleb, newly returned to England, and he helps provide cover for her in the most delicious way. And from that point, they just can’t seem to stay away from each other. Sesily’s next target is the Viscount of Coleford, whom Caleb has a vested interest in protecting her from, but Sesily can protect herself and never hesitates to tell him so!
This book is full of scene after scene of sizzling interactions between Sesily and Caleb. Seriously, every scene with the two of them is full of amazing tension and I could not put the book down! Their scenes were HOT! I loved the plot and what Sesily and her friends do to support other women, and I loved all of the women in that group. I can’t wait to read their books!
Aside from the absolutely perfect interactions between Sesily and Caleb, my favorite thing about this book is how things played out at the end. I did get frustrated with Caleb a time or two, but there’s a moment here at the end that shows he finally gets what Sesily has been telling him about her ability to take care of things. It’s such a small moment, but it really brought home the point that they work well together and I can’t stop thinking about how much I loved it! And I loved what Sesily’s friends do to help them out as well.
If any of the following statements are true, you should absolutely pick up this book:
- You love historical romances but wish the heroine was the one doing the saving
- You love badass women making vile men pay for their actions
- You love a strong, unapologetic heroine who makes her own way in the world
- You love topnotch chemistry with immensely satisfying payoff
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with a free copy of this book in return for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual violence
There is emotional abuse of a minor character on page. There is mention of near sexual violence against a minor character of this book, but there is nothing explicit or on page.
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