This was free on a Stuff Your Kindle Day and just ended up being a snooze. And apparently it took me a stupid long time to realize that they were brothers— and also contemporary Dukes running a ranch? This made no sense AND there’s a character named Duke?? I don’t get it, but also pass before it gets incesty, thanks.

I don’t know that I can write a coherent review of this book. Halfway through I already knew that it was going to be a five-star read (I also looked up and went, “Holy crap, I’m only halfway through? 😍😍😍”) but this has to be the best HR I’ve read in a long time, and I’ve read some good ones lately. But this was an INSTANT favorite and I’m sorry that I’ve gone this long without it in my life. Also, let me say that going into it, I was pretty meh about Minerva and Colin. I mean, their interactions in the first book were fun and all, but I wasn’t anticipating this book like I am the Kate/Thorne book, so my absolute feralness for how amazing it was has taken me completely by surprise. SO much goes on in this book, and I still would read a whole nother book that was just these two having adventures together, they are stunning and perfect. Like just give me a whole sequel of her having to viscountess and then they solve a murder or something.

Well, I am just diving straight into this Tessa Dare black hole Spindle Cove and I am definitely into it. Bram and Susanna are such an interesting pair, their relationship at times is so infuriating and almost toxic, but the way they come together in spite of themselves totally sold me. The battle of the sexes factor was a little trying, especially as Susanna was 100% in the right and I resent the “let men be men” argument, but I was glad Bram came around. As much as I enjoyed them however, I’m even more interested in the potential stories set up here— especially Kate Taylor & Thorne, and I hope we get a glimpse into what has clearly already going on with those two.

Also, this will need to be a post unto itself, but I’ve stumbled across more than a few HRs as of late with terrible parents, and Susanna’s dad deserves a place in the annals. Bogus that he basically is forgiven in the end though.

Listened to the audio on this one and it bumped Carolyn Morris up from a “tolerable” narrator (after listening to some of Nine Rules by MacLean) to firmly in my “liked” list.