This was hilarious and enjoyable, all the Twilight touches were fantastic (most notably the blue tinder glasses). I dig a bodyguard romance, and I’ve never read a F/F one before. 

My main gripe is true of many novellas: there’s simply not enough time for strangers to fall in love over the course of a novella! This one was especially heightened bc the cruise lasted 8 days, and Addison spends the first 1.5 days thinking Krysta was repulsed by her. 1.5 days isn’t that long usually, but it is almost 20% of how long they knew each other so it’s substantial here. I don’t typically enjoy insta love, and so I wish that hadn’t been a part. 

But other than that this was a fun time and I read it in one sitting! 

alas, this one did not work for me! I was so jazzed for a throuple romance but the pacing was all over the place and as much as I was rooting for a throuple, I didn't get the connection between all of them (esp Kade). 

Right around 70% is when Kade and Mel get together which is an bit late in the plot for a fully new romance to begin, and it was a surprising turn from “we were dreading spending time together and thought the other hated me” situation to immediate sex. I didn’t feel their chemistry or attraction at all, they each said two sentences of “I never hated you, I’ve always liked you,” and after listening to 9 hours suddenly I’m supposed to believe that fixed everything and now we’re sexing it up?? 

Multiple huge relationship steps were introduced and then somewhat immediately resolved from between 70-85% through, so the entire lead up was quite slow, and then we’re rushing to resolve things? 

Also the whole cocktail portion was such a big part of the premise, lots of descriptions about prepping the cocktail and the stress of the event, etc and then the actual event was described in like 5 seconds. 

Also I simply must ask: what does Kade bring to the relationship?? It’s hard to fully flesh out three people I guess, but Mel and Bebe obviously had their pros & cons, meanwhile Kade was just kind of…..there. Most often described as “impassive” which isn’t very helpful for getting to know them esp since we don’t get to hear their POV. 

Overall: this was fine, most of my issues were w the pacing and lack of chemistry between most people.

The art was so lush and beautiful, a great world to dip into for the length of the book. Very enjoyable. 

The plot did leave something to desire, in that there were very few words in this book, so the art had to do the heavy lifting of world building and conveying the plot, but the art was not up to the task. It’s rare in a sci-fi/fantasy graphic novel that the art alone can do the world building, and yet authors keep trying it. Overall the premise was interesting, but the lack of development held it back from being great. 

This was fine. 

I don’t prefer an enemies to lovers situation where they still hate each other and are still sabotaging each other even like 85% in. Mostly it was a result of miscommunication and lack of trust, but also the Duke acted like an asshole most of the time. 

I also don’t like when the MMC actively lusts after the FMC even while finding her personality annoying (and frequently remarking upon his dislike.) eg this scene that happens 55% through: “Strick wasn’t sure whether he wanted to gag the harpy or lay her down beneath him and have his way with her.” and then later that same paragraph: “It confounded him that he was actually eager to make this harridan his wife. That’s what happened when a man thought with his cock.” Am I supposed to find this amusing or charming? 

I enjoyed all the Arab American aspects the author incorporated, and that Raya was focused on being a businesswoman at a time when that was heavily frowned on. It was good to see that she was really smart & savvy, and also that the Duke liked that about her, as opposed to him merely tolerating it. Her ideas for saving the castle were cool and interesting to read about.  

Towards the end I started listening at 1.75 speed so that I could get through the final 3 hours more quickly.  

I have read some truly excellent historical romances lately, so this one was especially a miss. 

“Nobody else is ever going to care as much as you do about the things that you want, Gwendoline. So it’s up to you - you can put them aside forever, if you can live with that, or you can put on your big girl girdle and demand more for yourself. 

Very good!!! It was unexpectedly hilarious.  I wasn’t sure how the end would play out (the one that is inherent to the entire premise) but I enjoyed finding out. I didn’t think the first 75% was slow, but the last 25% was jam-packed with both literal action and also emotional turmoil. 

The main reason it’s a 4.5 instead of a 5 is that I don’t know much (nor am I that interested) about Arthurian history, but that was a key plot point. It’s mostly explained on the page but I was still a bit confused by some of the details, and the occultists and whatnot.