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bamamelereads's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
This was so good?! I went into this with low expectations based on previous reviews, but I loved it! It’s the most conventional romance I think Duran has ever written. There are 2 horny aristos, both need money, and throw in a house party and some blackmail, and voila! Who knew Duran could be so fun!
I love that Michael is just gone on Liza so quickly. And I love that both of these idiots think this could be a temporary liaison. Their chemistry is amazing. I have to say, Duran writes some of the best intimate scenes. And it’s not because they’re the most spicy or detailed or frequent. It’s because they are so true to the characters, to the story, to their development as a couple. Their bodies are communing with one another and it’s emotional and raw and just stunning.
Having read the rest of the series already, I’m so glad to have more background on Alistair and Olivia going into my reread of the next book. These de Grey boys are absolutely feral in the best way.
max_pink's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 Stars
A fairly well-written, breezy, summery romance. I appreciated the familial drama in this one (and am intrigued by the sequel). I did find the first section of their conflict a bit ridiculous, and there are definitely some more old school leanings with their kiss scenes. But overall, I think this author has promise for me to dig some of her books with different tropes.
Shoutout to Alison Larkin for excellent audio narration
A fairly well-written, breezy, summery romance. I appreciated the familial drama in this one (and am intrigued by the sequel). I did find the first section of their conflict a bit ridiculous, and there are definitely some more old school leanings with their kiss scenes. But overall, I think this author has promise for me to dig some of her books with different tropes.
Shoutout to Alison Larkin for excellent audio narration
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Domestic abuse
ksanders013's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
upturnedroots's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
5.0
For nobody said no to her--especially not men who were considered bad company.
The perfect historical for getting into the summer season. It was so refreshing to have two characters who are open about using their charms for a good time, and I loved that we have a doctor hero. The tension is full throttle at the start (in CHAPTER TWO!) and this book fucks before it fucks.
Highly recommend this one, I loved it! There were so many lines I took note of in my paperback while I listened on audio, and since I've already read Fool Me Twice it was great to see the setup for Alastair's book. Looking forward to reading the remainder of MD's backlist over this summer!
The perfect historical for getting into the summer season. It was so refreshing to have two characters who are open about using their charms for a good time, and I loved that we have a doctor hero. The tension is full throttle at the start (in CHAPTER TWO!) and this book fucks before it fucks.
Highly recommend this one, I loved it! There were so many lines I took note of in my paperback while I listened on audio, and since I've already read Fool Me Twice it was great to see the setup for Alastair's book. Looking forward to reading the remainder of MD's backlist over this summer!
katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
This was a slow starter for me - the first quarter or so, I really had to force myself through. It was just... I guess a very dry setup, and both the hero and heroine seemed pretty superficial and unlikable, with the hero's brother being an almost caricatured dickbag villain (and then a character from the heroine's side became a pretty caricatured dickbag villain at the end... with an extra helping of stupidity, because seriously, how did he imagine that was possibly going to work in his favor?).
But after the rough opening, I really became engrossed. The hero and heroine developed surprising depth, really compelling and complicated personalities... and you could see that they just had a very bland mask that they wore publicly, letting people see what they expected to see.
It went from feeling superficial to making me cry. The story flowed together beautifully at the end.
But after the rough opening, I really became engrossed. The hero and heroine developed surprising depth, really compelling and complicated personalities... and you could see that they just had a very bland mask that they wore publicly, letting people see what they expected to see.
It went from feeling superficial to making me cry. The story flowed together beautifully at the end.
swatson4016's review against another edition
lighthearted
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
Michael and Liza were multi-layered characters that I enjoyed getting to know. Their chemistry took some time to build, and there were not enough moments of passion for my liking. Overall I enjoyed reading this book.
ameretet's review against another edition
2.0
Duran's books are always hit or miss with me. This was a super miss. 2 stars for the mean Duke and the secretary.
winterreader40's review against another edition
3.0
The widowed Elizabeth is a very pretty face that no one seems to be able to see past, making her a very lonely character. She is taken advantage of by the horrible 'Nello' and she drinks way too much and winds up sleeping in the rose bushes of a stranger.
Lord Michael de Grey is a doctor and a man of some integrity, but he is hiding in the country under an "assumed" name, hoping his brother comes to his senses, he's the lucky stranger that finds Liza in his rosebushes.
I liked Michael but I didn't love her, she drinks to much, makes foolish choices and has terrible friends, but she managed to turn it around with one big power move at the end that I enjoyed. I'm gonna try one more book in this series before I let it go, so far they've been good but not memorable.
Lord Michael de Grey is a doctor and a man of some integrity, but he is hiding in the country under an "assumed" name, hoping his brother comes to his senses, he's the lucky stranger that finds Liza in his rosebushes.
I liked Michael but I didn't love her, she drinks to much, makes foolish choices and has terrible friends, but she managed to turn it around with one big power move at the end that I enjoyed. I'm gonna try one more book in this series before I let it go, so far they've been good but not memorable.
corinnek's review against another edition
4.0
vivid characters, funny dialogue, emotional rollercoaster plot -- really what more could you want! I love Meredith Duran.