Reading this book brought me back to my childhood when I first discovered romance novels (far too young but c’est la vie!). These were my favorite type of stories (high angst historical fiction about two damaged people falling in love) and it seems that time has had no effect on my love for them. This is the type of book that you read with a pastry and cup of tea in a beanbag by a bay window. I can imagine myself re-reading this book whenever I need a reminder that love is still possible even if life hasn’t been kind to you
Surprise pregnancy is always so hit or miss to me, often more miss than hit, but this book actually made it really cute! Zeta and Ash truly made me fall in love with them. Their moments together constantly made my heart clench from the cuteness overload. The conflict actually felt relatable and more realistic than it usually is in a romance novel this adorable and fluffy. That being said, there are some issues. Zeta and Ash’s individual emotional development felt rushed and/or underdeveloped at some points, especially towards the end, and Zeta sometimes confused me about what she really wanted and felt. And it seems like this book could use another round of editing, or went through too much of the wrong editing (if that makes sense to anyone else lol). Somehow though, none of these technical issues really took from my enjoyment of the story. The feels of this book were just too potent not to enjoy it. If anyone sees me suddenly start giggling and kicking my feet, don’t mind me, I’m probably just thinking about Zeta and Ash 🥰
3.75/5 Stars
This book really sucked me in, so much so that I finished it in one go! An angst-filled historical gothic romance with femdom? A story that sounds like it was made for me! And while it wasn’t the perfect read, it was definitely a very enjoyable one. I really enjoyed getting to know Poppy and Archer. It was fun unraveling their characters and learning more about why they each kept shields up against the rest of the world, and how they couldn’t manage to fully keep them up around each other. Sometimes their miscommunication and lack of self awareness was almost too much for me, but not quite enough to really take away my enjoyment of their romantic and endearing moments. I do wish that Poppy’s inclination towards being dominant had been explored a bit more throughout the book rather than just towards the end. Her being an independent woman who’s different than most of the women around her doesn’t necessarily preclude her to having dominant tendencies, so if that was supposed to be the hint its not the best one in my opinion. Something that really threw me off was the continued use of “girlish” in reference to Poppy’s body from Archer, sometimes it was in the middle of a sex scene. Why not just say slim or literally anything else? Why must small-framed women so often be compared to young girls in these books? It always takes me out of it. Last criticism I have is that there was kinda almost a “he takes control back” situation in one of the show more scenes, which is great if that’s what you’re expecting, but I prefer my MMCs to be stay more submissive throughout the entire scene unless it’s been established that both characters are lean towards being switches that just happen to lean more one way than the other. Overall, it was a still a really good book that I would definitely recommend to other people show less
This book really sucked me in, so much so that I finished it in one go! An angst-filled historical gothic romance with femdom? A story that sounds like it was made for me! And while it wasn’t the perfect read, it was definitely a very enjoyable one. I really enjoyed getting to know Poppy and Archer. It was fun unraveling their characters and learning more about why they each kept shields up against the rest of the world, and how they couldn’t manage to fully keep them up around each other. Sometimes their miscommunication and lack of self awareness was almost too much for me, but not quite enough to really take away my enjoyment of their romantic and endearing moments. I do wish that Poppy’s inclination towards being dominant had been explored a bit more throughout the book rather than just towards the end. Her being an independent woman who’s different than most of the women around her doesn’t necessarily preclude her to having dominant tendencies, so if that was supposed to be the hint its not the best one in my opinion. Something that really threw me off was the continued use of “girlish” in reference to Poppy’s body from Archer, sometimes it was in the middle of a sex scene. Why not just say slim or literally anything else? Why must small-framed women so often be compared to young girls in these books? It always takes me out of it. Last criticism I have is that there was kinda almost a “he takes control back” situation in one of the show more scenes, which is great if that’s what you’re expecting, but I prefer my MMCs to be stay more submissive throughout the entire scene unless it’s been established that both characters are lean towards being switches that just happen to lean more one way than the other. Overall, it was a still a really good book that I would definitely recommend to other people show less
Made me laugh, shed a couple tears, and blush a little as well! I’m immediately running to get the sequel
5/5
I enjoyed just about every aspect of this book. Not only was their romance was a joy to watch unfold ('twas a heartwarming yet also heart wrenching experience), but I also related to both Athena and Matthew soo much (in some of the best and worst ways). Olivia Dade, you have a forever reader in me.
I enjoyed just about every aspect of this book. Not only was their romance was a joy to watch unfold ('twas a heartwarming yet also heart wrenching experience), but I also related to both Athena and Matthew soo much (in some of the best and worst ways). Olivia Dade, you have a forever reader in me.
If you don't like song lyrics on the page, this book is not for you!
Overall, I liked this book. Dani is such an interesting and dynamic heroine and Jameson is an okay hero. There was lots of drama, high stakes, and pretty good smut. I do wish that the romantic and sexual tension was built up a little more, more fluffy romantic content, and a few more obstacles . It just feels like all of the trappings of a 5 star read were here but it's not executed in a 5 star manner. The potential for an even better book is definitely there and I'm excited to see where Tracey Livesay goes from here!
10/5 stars
Jane Austen in a shoujo manga format, need I say more? Darcy is one of the original tsundere hotties, if not the original, so a manga rendition just fits so well. The art style is so pretty and it just felt like I was transported back to seventh grade, the year I first discovered both manga and Jane Austen. I checked it out from the library but now I have to by my own copy to add to my Austen collection.
Jane Austen in a shoujo manga format, need I say more? Darcy is one of the original tsundere hotties, if not the original, so a manga rendition just fits so well. The art style is so pretty and it just felt like I was transported back to seventh grade, the year I first discovered both manga and Jane Austen. I checked it out from the library but now I have to by my own copy to add to my Austen collection.
One of my favorite books when I was younger, so the nostalgia in combination with such a wholesome story is gonna do it for me every time
Solid 2.5/5 stars
This book has me very conflicted. I devoured this book, not because it was amazing, but because I was so certain it was going to get better but it never really did. This is a beauty/beast second chance romance, two of my favorite tropes, but it didn't fully deliver on either for me. Second chance romances work best when you can see why the MCs fell in love in the first place and we don't get a lot of that. We're told a lot about how in love the MCs were in the past but that's really it. The beast had very few redeeming qualities and the beauty felt almost pitiful at points. And then the conflicts were pretty predictable and very frustrating. With all that said, I can't say it's a badly written book, just one that wasn't fleshed out enough. This book felt like it had so much potential and there were a few sections that were actually enjoyable to read, but not enough to make up for the flaws. I believe this was Mimi Matthews's debut, or at least written very early in her career, and it shows.
This book has me very conflicted. I devoured this book, not because it was amazing, but because I was so certain it was going to get better but it never really did. This is a beauty/beast second chance romance, two of my favorite tropes, but it didn't fully deliver on either for me. Second chance romances work best when you can see why the MCs fell in love in the first place and we don't get a lot of that. We're told a lot about how in love the MCs were in the past but that's really it. The beast had very few redeeming qualities and the beauty felt almost pitiful at points. And then the conflicts were pretty predictable and very frustrating. With all that said, I can't say it's a badly written book, just one that wasn't fleshed out enough. This book felt like it had so much potential and there were a few sections that were actually enjoyable to read, but not enough to make up for the flaws. I believe this was Mimi Matthews's debut, or at least written very early in her career, and it shows.
Talia Hibbert can do no wrong in my eyes. This wasn't the best book she's ever written, but it was good reminder of everything that made me first fall in love with her writing. This book has everything that makes Talia's books so addicting: there's snark, there's angst, there's smut, there's feels, etc. My only complaint about the book is that it's too short. I just wanted more out of everything, there were a few threads that felt like they could have been explored a little more before the book wrapped up. It is still a very enjoyable read though and I will be recommending it to my friends.
I really enjoyed this book. It was so nice to see representation of a plus-sized Black woman and the conflict of the book wasn't solely focused on her weight. Her weight was mentioned, but it wasn't examined to death and that is pretty refreshing.
My only real critique is that it feels too short and it promised more than it delivered in the end. There were so many terrific plotlines that were set up, but it doesn't feel like they got terrific endings, they only got good or nice endings. Nothing feels unresolved but there's a few plot points that could have had more satisfying and impactful resolutions. It feels like it's supposed to be a light-hearted read but it deals with some very not light-hearted topics and that disconnect is felt in how the story is wrapped up.
It's a very enjoyable travel or vacation read, but it isn't a book I see myself running back to over and over again.
My only real critique is that it feels too short and it promised more than it delivered in the end. There were so many terrific plotlines that were set up, but it doesn't feel like they got terrific endings, they only got good or nice endings. Nothing feels unresolved but there's a few plot points that could have had more satisfying and impactful resolutions. It feels like it's supposed to be a light-hearted read but it deals with some very not light-hearted topics and that disconnect is felt in how the story is wrapped up.
It's a very enjoyable travel or vacation read, but it isn't a book I see myself running back to over and over again.