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916 reviews by:
unsuccessfulbookclub
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It feels like an NK Jemisin book - deeply social, intellectual, exciting, unclear morality of al characters, extremely queer.
In it, the main character tries to exist in a world that does not want them because of their heritage and ability to perform a specific type of magic. I loved the world in this and the reflection on being an oppressed group who has also oppressed others. If you read this, make sure to read the authors note!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Genocide, Terminal illness, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Colonisation, Dysphoria, War, Injury/Injury detail
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-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:
Yes
So in somewhat of an unintentional theme for my novella reading this month, this novella also features a sexy auction. The FMC, Jocelyn, purchases the MC, Wulfric, for a night via a charity auction at a secret club, but then they end up in a betrothal of convenience.
This book has OVERTLY feminist tropes and emphasizes consent and bodily autonomy. I adored Jocelyn's agency and her courage to stand up for herself. I loved the way Amalie wrote the sex in this - it’s so well done and based on mutual consent and pleasure. What a joy to find in a sometimes problematic genre.
The plot was a bit rushed - there's a whole family feud going on in this and I could have spent more time with it. Otherwise this one is a facemelter with loads of kink (specifically spanking, breath play, orgasm denial/control, exhibitionism, bondage and D/s)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Sexism, Pregnancy
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Grief, Murder
emotional
lighthearted
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:
Yes
RELEASE DATE 11/29
Thanks to the author for the ARC!
I enjoyed the last third of this book immensely…
I slogged through the first 2/3, mainly because the plot is centered on society gossip. I found the villain, Lady Lydia, to be completely irredemable and hated every minute I had to read about her being horrible to Yasmin (the FMC) and Giles (the MMC).
Once the focus moved from Lydia to Yasmin and Giles’ relationship it was a much more enjoyable read. This is the steamiest of the Eloisa James books I have read to date. That’s also because a lot of the character development comes from Yasmin learning to trust an intimate partner again. It says a lot that my favorite part of the book was the third act breakup and following reconciliation, when that is typically my LEAST favorite part of any romance.
🫤I was hoping for a more bananas plot given the other books from Eloisa I have enjoyed, but this did not have that. I think if you enjoy Hissy RoNos centered on society, gossip and the marriage mart, you will enjoy this more. That’s not my fave topic so this one was a bit of a miss for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide
Minor: Vomit
Childbirth described in detail in the epilogue
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Abandonment
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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:
Yes
Choppy writing but really adorable characters and a fabulous listen vs. read. Very steamy! Alas, for a Lynsay Sands - NO POISONINGS! 😂
FMC (Annabel) has trained to be a nun and is very worried about “bedding” but the MMC (Ross) is such a sweet delight of a man, determined to woo her and convince her that bedding can be enjoyable. Lots of shenanigans mainly surrounding a strange person who keeps knocking Annabel unconscious and trying to kidnap her. Being knocked out is a main theme for this book - I think the final tally on KOs was 10, three of which were incurred by Annabel in the space of a week. 🤕
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Blood, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Death, Death of parent
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I didn’t feel enough chemistry between the two MCs in this but enjoyed the mystery and whodunit, despite the fact that Fellows acted like a truly terrible cop the entire time.
CONTENT WARNING NOTE: The SA is outside the main couple although it is on page.
CONTENT WARNING NOTE: The SA is outside the main couple although it is on page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Physical abuse
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Everything I hoped it would be and more. I was so intensely stressed out by this and I loved every minute of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Um okay wow…Joanna really went there with this one.
It is hella spicy and the love story is also fully formed. We have a heroine who finds herself putting her body up for auction for a week to earn money to take care of her sister. The winning bidder is someone she knows from her past. The MMC and the FMC have insane chemsitry and off the charts dirty talk.
The relationship is so tense and delicious. The third act break up was believable. The grovel? Impeccable.
It is hella spicy and the love story is also fully formed. We have a heroine who finds herself putting her body up for auction for a week to earn money to take care of her sister. The winning bidder is someone she knows from her past. The MMC and the FMC have insane chemsitry and off the charts dirty talk.
The relationship is so tense and delicious. The third act break up was believable. The grovel? Impeccable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Sexism, Murder
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes