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what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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? No
4.25
4.25/5 stars
2/5 spice
This book managed to take a trope I don't like and had me truly invested in the outcome. An entertaining historical romance that challenges duty over true love.
Tropes:
Acquaintances to Lovers
Class differences
Insta love (Unrequited)
She falls first, he falls harder
Forced proximity
Protective hero
Strong-willed FMC
Dual POV
So normally I cringe at insta love, especially if it is outside of the paranormal/fated mates realm. So when the FMC, Viola, claims to be in love after the first encounter with the MMC, James, I literally rolled my eyes. I am so glad I kept reading, though, because it proved to be a roller coaster of events and disastrous matchmaking schemes that were hilarious. And when Viola admits that she was in love with a shadow of a man and grew to love the real James, it made up for the insta-love cringe. It was honestly refreshing to read a story where the MMC wasn't immediately enchanted by the FMC and grew to love her when he was able to get to know her true personality.
There was definitely some angst, and I was hurting with the 3rd act breakup, but overall, it was a very enjoyable story. Highly recommend for historical romance and friends to lovers fans.
Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Mentions child abuse/violence towards a child (as memory), violence, emotional abuse, sexual content
2/5 spice
This book managed to take a trope I don't like and had me truly invested in the outcome. An entertaining historical romance that challenges duty over true love.
Tropes:
Acquaintances to Lovers
Class differences
Insta love (Unrequited)
She falls first, he falls harder
Forced proximity
Protective hero
Strong-willed FMC
Dual POV
So normally I cringe at insta love, especially if it is outside of the paranormal/fated mates realm. So when the FMC, Viola, claims to be in love after the first encounter with the MMC, James, I literally rolled my eyes. I am so glad I kept reading, though, because it proved to be a roller coaster of events and disastrous matchmaking schemes that were hilarious. And when Viola admits that she was in love with a shadow of a man and grew to love the real James, it made up for the insta-love cringe. It was honestly refreshing to read a story where the MMC wasn't immediately enchanted by the FMC and grew to love her when he was able to get to know her true personality.
There was definitely some angst, and I was hurting with the 3rd act breakup, but overall, it was a very enjoyable story. Highly recommend for historical romance and friends to lovers fans.
Thank you to Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.
Trigger/Content warnings:
Mentions child abuse/violence towards a child (as memory), violence, emotional abuse, sexual content
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
noellelovesbooks's review
4.5
Content Warnings: sexual content, classism, toxic relationships, childhood trauma, and loss of a parent.
Mention of: child abuse, childbirth death, and pregnancy.
Ahh, I am so excited I got to read this early!
Ever since I read "Cinderella and the Duke" I was desperate to know more about both Viola and Huntington...and Lydia made it worth the wait 🥰
Viola has had feelings for Huntington from the moment she met him. Working for his bff means for the last 10 years she's watched and pined...believing there's no way he'll ever see her let alone consider her for marriage.
Huntington met Viola, the quiet governess, years ago. Viola always seemed so reserved to him and he wondered what she was like when she wasn't attempting to be so proper. Now, still licking his wounds, in the countryside fate forces them to spend time together. The more time Huntington spends with Viola the more he gets little peeks of the fire inside her...and like a moth to a flame...all he wants is to see more.
Vibes/tropes:
Parent Trap
She falls first but he falls harder
He never notices her...until he does
Mention of: child abuse, childbirth death, and pregnancy.
Ahh, I am so excited I got to read this early!
Ever since I read "Cinderella and the Duke" I was desperate to know more about both Viola and Huntington...and Lydia made it worth the wait 🥰
Viola has had feelings for Huntington from the moment she met him. Working for his bff means for the last 10 years she's watched and pined...believing there's no way he'll ever see her let alone consider her for marriage.
Huntington met Viola, the quiet governess, years ago. Viola always seemed so reserved to him and he wondered what she was like when she wasn't attempting to be so proper. Now, still licking his wounds, in the countryside fate forces them to spend time together. The more time Huntington spends with Viola the more he gets little peeks of the fire inside her...and like a moth to a flame...all he wants is to see more.
Vibes/tropes:
Parent Trap
She falls first but he falls harder
He never notices her...until he does
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Classism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy
More...