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tostita's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Disappointing and Bland
This is not Mary Balogh’s best work. I felt no passion or connection between the protagonists at all. Their courtship and marriage was manipulated by others and never felt genuine to me. They just went along with it because it was easier than telling a meddling old man “no.” The MMC in particular had no backbone when it came to dealing with his grandfather and I had a hard time respecting him as a result. Frankly, the side characters were more interesting than either lead. I feel like Balogh really wanted to write a story about the old duke and duchess instead of their grandson. Will I read the next in the series? Of course. But I won’t be reading this one again at any point.
This is not Mary Balogh’s best work. I felt no passion or connection between the protagonists at all. Their courtship and marriage was manipulated by others and never felt genuine to me. They just went along with it because it was easier than telling a meddling old man “no.” The MMC in particular had no backbone when it came to dealing with his grandfather and I had a hard time respecting him as a result. Frankly, the side characters were more interesting than either lead. I feel like Balogh really wanted to write a story about the old duke and duchess instead of their grandson. Will I read the next in the series? Of course. But I won’t be reading this one again at any point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Pregnancy
Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Child death and War
The treatment of the MMC’s sister, who seems to have something like post-polio syndrome and uses a wheelchair most of the time, would be considered highly problematic by modern standards. The words “cripple” and “crippled” are used repeatedly. Other characters talk about how inspiring it is that she never lets her condition hold her back, while also assuming that she will never marry and that no man could truly love her, only want her for her money.
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