melstylensubstance's reviews
483 reviews

Meh. I didn’t get the chemistry between sesily and Caleb. I felt like the first 3 quarters plodded along - I just didn’t get it. I always felt like I was missing something important. It wasn’t till the last hundred pages or so that I felt it got interesting - and that was more due to seeing hells belles execute their plan than anything to do with romance. Like by smooshing together badass girl gang with historical romance the best bits about both were lost.

||Love the premise. I was so ready to hear James story and finally read the one that had Lady D so prominent! Also the Hotxhkiss family, I know they are mentioned in some LW columns. Lucas is a potential suitor for Hy I believe? But as usual the timeline is off - he would only be 19 by 1924. But I digress. Lady D has a cat, Malcolm. Malcolm and Cat head might be related, lol. Ok on to our characters. Loved both James and Lizzie. Their connection and conflicts felt very real. And it was sooooooo obvious lady D was being matchmaker here. Queen that she is. I got mad at Lizzie once she found out that James was a marquis. At first I thought she was over reacting, but then I re thought about it and she her reaction definitely would have been anger and betrayal. I was mad she didn’t let James say his piece. And mad that so many people were interfering!!!! The scene back at her cottage was just utter chaos and I did not enjoy it. Even though JQ tends to write funny chaotic scenes well, I did not appreciate it. I just wanted James and Lizzie to reconcile!!! And in the end, lady D with help from little Lucas tricked them back together. Also there is a brief appearance by Dunford at one point which was a nice surprise. ||

My thoughts. It was a slow start. It really was. Didn’t really peak my interest till about ch 10. But I did like the book. The authors note at the beginning explains very well her inspiration for this book and what she wanted to do, and I think she succeeded. Very well. Much better than Sarah MacLean’s bombshell, to make a comparison about a similar type of heroine. Scarlett Peckham, somehow just crafts her books in such a way that the conflict between the characters is just so true - doesn’t seem forced or fake. I found this book to be a bit more difficult read, but the ending is still satisfying and surprising all at once.

Random, non spoilery thoughts. 1. I never knew virgin ministers could be so hot. His chastity is……commendable? 2. I felt that the central conflict was obvious and unavoidable, so none of that “they should talk to each other”. Their world views are polar opposite. 3. I was concerned about preachiness. But everything was handled so well and with such nuance. 4. This book is less spicy than the others, but pays with the slow burn and forced proximity. 5. The title - it wasn’t until I finished that I realized that Lord referred to God as much (and maybe more) than Henry’s title.

About 50 pages. I liked to imagine the unnamed master was master Damian

I just finished the duke I tempted ! The one before the earl I ruined. I agree that you didn’t need to read it first before the other, but Candace is still a very vibrant part of this book, so MAYBE if it was read first she wouldn’t be so iffy in the next? ||But for this book I say contract negotiations haven’t been this sexy since Tom severin. And the insults as foreplay - chefs kiss. As usual, I wanted to mildly punch both characters for being stupid and not talking, but archer would have liked that so

It was so good! I finished it late last night and woke up this morning still thinking about it. I loved how the plot and secrets were woven through, and not like in a way where I was impatient to just go ahead and get to the big reveal. And unlike some other couples where you want to scream at them to just talk and realize they love one another - I was never frustrated with this couple in that way.

The sex scenes were

This was so fun! It’s absolutely bananas. Bonny is so over the top, chaotic dramatic little ho. Valentine is oblivious and grumpy. I really liked the story of their relationship. I had very little patience for the sister, but I guess she was a necessary plot point.