I absolutely loved this book. The writing is absolutely sublime, I wanted to roll around in its glory.
Emily, the protagonist, is prickly and difficulI absolutely loved this book. The writing is absolutely sublime, I wanted to roll around in its glory.
Emily, the protagonist, is prickly and difficult in a way that is rarely seen for female main characters in romance. I have read heaps and heaps of male protagonists like her, and it was an absolute joy and delight to revel in to story of a curmudgeonly woman who risks allowing herself some joy, while staying true to herself.
This book is a romance, though it is a very slow burn, and the love story is not as central as in most romances. That being said, I absolutely loved romance between her and Captain Andrews, and found their story really satisfying.
One of the highlights of the book was the relationship between Emily and Grace. I legit cried a couple of times at key moments between them in the book.
This book has a magnificent cast of supporting characters, all of whom I adored. Each was well developed and compelling, and I look forward to future rereads so that I can revisit them like old friends.
Highly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!...more
Reader, I am so glad I finally read this book that has clearly impacted literature and popular culture in so many ways. I went into with knowing almosReader, I am so glad I finally read this book that has clearly impacted literature and popular culture in so many ways. I went into with knowing almost nothing, and was at times delighted, horrified, amused, and confused. I imagine that many aspects of the book would have landed very differently for me if I had read it when I was younger. I loved Jane in all her contradictions, she was truly a very compelling character. The highlight of the experience was reading and discussing this book as part of a buddy read. I would never have picked up this book without that, and I am super grateful....more
Jack Hawthorn is former magician and a class traitor of an aristocrat calling for taxes on the wealthy and I am HFabulous end to an excellent series.
Jack Hawthorn is former magician and a class traitor of an aristocrat calling for taxes on the wealthy and I am Here For It. Extra thrilled I get to use my favourite hashtag in a book review of a romance #TaxTheRich. I loved being in his POV as he finally let himself care about others again.
Alan Ross is a non magical reporter working hard to keep his family afloat, even if it means working for a conservative newspaper that goes against his political analysis and beliefs.
I really appreciated the ways class and privilege were addressed in this book. The chemistry between Alan and Jack was crackling, their banter, their intimate scenes, wow. Really well done. I wanted MORE!!!
It is necessary to read the other books in the series to make sense of this book, as the plot is really threaded across the books. I loved seeing the previous main characters through Jack and Alan’s eyes, and having the whole gang together and in various combinations was a delight.
There is also a large cast of supporting and villainous characters, and the plot, locations, and set pieces were elaborate. I think the author did a good job of keeping it all together, though I did find some bits a little confusing as I was swallowing the book whole to find out what happens next.
I was completely absorbed in the world of this book, and adored the romance. One of my favourite books of the year. ...more
YES HELLO I LOVED THIS BOOK. The romance, the plot, everything just worked for me in this one. The whole book takes place on a ship travelling from NeYES HELLO I LOVED THIS BOOK. The romance, the plot, everything just worked for me in this one. The whole book takes place on a ship travelling from New York to England, the ambiance and feel that the author created was fantastic. The fact that everyone was trapped on this boat heightened the suspense for me.
I absolutely loved both Maud and Violet, but I have to say that I really adored Maud. A born leader, I would follow her into any battle. The romance was both hot and swoony, the way Violet struggled to open up and reveal herself GAH.
All. The. Side. Characters. Seriously, I loved all the side characters. I am so glad I waited to read this right before the release of book 3 because I am chomping at the bit to read Hawthorn and Ross’ story.
There were some laugh out loud moments in this book, I cackled.
Yes hello AAAAAAAHHHH this book was so good. I don’t even know where to start. An immediate favourite anReread via audio. God I love this book. _______
Yes hello AAAAAAAHHHH this book was so good. I don’t even know where to start. An immediate favourite and sure-to-be comfort reread. The pacing in this book is absolute perfection. The character development, the way the relationship unfolds and progresses *chef’s kiss*
I often will have a favourite among two MCs in a romance, but I can legitimately say that I don’t know who I love more between Nick and Andy. This book uses dual POV in a really masterful way, I was really able to fully sink into each of their perspectives. I really appreciated the ways that each of them had to grapple with their personal baggage, and be courageous enough to do things that were scary for them in different ways.
This was a bit of a slow burn, and I stayed up way too late last night because I could not go to sleep before these two ding dongs got smacked by the clue bat - like HELLO you clearly both like each other!! I found the way they misunderstood each other and spent time convinced of their inaccurate confabulations of reality … well I found it realistic.
This book is filled with so many warm domestic moments of connection and care, it made my heart really happy. The ways both Nick and Andy took care of each other, got to know each other deeply, worked through conflict, supported each other, and formed a partnership…it was so good. I feared up a few times in the best way. I liked the nuanced portrayal of the complexities of biological families, and I loved seeing the growth of a found family as a major thread. There were a lot of warm fuzzy feelings reading this book.
At the same time, the book takes place in the 50s, and the unfair and dangerous reality of life for queer folks in that time was very present, and gave the book a dose of sadness and rage at injustice as well. Honestly, reading this at this moment in time added another layer to the whole thing.
Brief sidebar to say that it was also a bit bittersweet to read a story that takes place at a newspaper while Canadian news is being gutted in ways that feel quite dire AND Google/Meta literally banning Canadian news from their platforms. I could rant for a good long time on this subject, siiiiigh
In case it wasn’t obvious, I absolute adored this book, I’ve already ordered a physical copy. Also I guess I also need to actually read The Charioteer now? Also I am craving minestrone. *keeping my fingers crossed we get a book about Sal with a nice cameo from Nick and Andy*...more
I really enjoyed this romance, which is essentially a Cinderella-like story about Alex as she discovers her own transness and falls in love with her lI really enjoyed this romance, which is essentially a Cinderella-like story about Alex as she discovers her own transness and falls in love with her long-time boss and friend James.
The story largely focuses on Alex’s journey. The basic set up is that the tech start up she works for needs a replacement female model for a trade show, and for Reasons she ends up filling that role. Dressing up fully as a very femme woman (with the help of James’ drag queen friend Ben as the fairy godmother) for the first time is a transformative experience for Alex, who feels fully seen by others, and fully comfortable in her own skin for the first time. Alex’s inner thoughts are at times joyful and at other times very turbulent and troubled as she comes to terms with things.
I liked the romance a lot, though James is not my fave MMC. Mostly, I was thrilled to read a book where a trans character gets the full, girly, fairytale mf romcom journey. Lots to think about in terms of gender and femininity in this book.
Read for the trans rights readathon with funds going to the Trans Legal Defense Fund....more
I absolutely loved this book. I have a bookmark from Anita Kelly that describes their work as “queer romance with heart and heat”, and I can’t think oI absolutely loved this book. I have a bookmark from Anita Kelly that describes their work as “queer romance with heart and heat”, and I can’t think of a better description.
This book is a slow burn sapphic “practice dating” sports romance, but naming the various trope categories doesn’t do it justice. Julie is a high school basketball coach with an unfulfilling desk job. She has lots of people in her life, but they are all coupled up, while Julie has never dated and is still figuring out her own sexuality.
Elle is a former professional basketball player who carries some baggage from her past. Elle is fostering a teenager called Vanessa, who is her cousin’s daughter. Vanessa join’s Julie’s basketball team and this brings Elle into her life. Julie spent many years as a super fan of Elle’s, and it was really fun to see how Julie copes with being suddenly confronted with her idol.
They develop a friendship, and Julie struggles with figuring out how to handle her feelings for Elle. Julie has a lot of hang ups about her lack of experience, and continued uncertainty about whether she’s interested in dating and romantic and sexual relationships. Elle offers to “practice” dating with Julie, to help Julie figure things out. Of course they both are clearly into each other!
I loved how kind and gentle Elle was with Julie, and how she was so supportive of her process of self discovery. Julie in turn also offers Elle support when Elle confronts some of her own issues. I am a sucker for acts of care and small ways of showing love, and this book had many of these moments!
It was really satisfying to see my faves from the previous two books in this series. In particular Ben and Lex, who are my absolute favourites! I don’t think you need to have read the previous books to enjoy this one, but it adds to the experience for sure.
Recommended!
Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC!...more
I have never read a book quite like this one. Magical, sad, moving, carefully crafted. This is a Peter Pan retelling that takes place after the actionI have never read a book quite like this one. Magical, sad, moving, carefully crafted. This is a Peter Pan retelling that takes place after the action of the original story.
In this version, Peter is a trans man, and we see some of his life back home in heartbreaking flashbacks. Neverland is a character, and you slowly learn more details about this world throughout the book.
There are layers to this book, and I don’t feel fully equipped to unpack it all. I loved the contrast between the fantastical and exaggerated world and conflicts, set against Peter’s bubbling emotions and struggles to understand himself and the world around him.
The romance between Peter and Hook is a very slow burn, and very well done. Hook was really well written, and it was fascinating to see his character transformed from a caricature to a fully formed person....more
I will attempt a longer and more proper review later. A bit slow going at first, but ultimately I really loved this book. You really have to carefullyI will attempt a longer and more proper review later. A bit slow going at first, but ultimately I really loved this book. You really have to carefully read between the lines so much in this book, and I am sure I missed a ton. So many ridiculous side characters packed with commentary on class and social conventions of the time. I love a second chance romance, and this felt like the OG second chance romance. ...more
I really enjoyed this historical magical queer romance. I don’t read books involving magic very often, and though I found the beginning a bit confusinI really enjoyed this historical magical queer romance. I don’t read books involving magic very often, and though I found the beginning a bit confusing, I really loved discovering how the magical world of this book worked. I was definitely bothered by the strong misogyny of this magical world, and though it was partially sort of addressed… I am left wanting more. I’ve been promised by trusted friends this will be further tackled in the next book of the series, so looking forward to that!
The romance in this book was excellent. I loved prickly Edwin and roll-with-the-punches Robin. I liked the way their attraction built, and the use of dual POV was well done.
I love a country house party and the one in this book was delightfully chaotic, though I did have a bit of a hard time keeping track of all the characters. I loved the mystery and underlying plot, and I am excited to see how the story develops. ...more
I’m not sure how to rate or talk about this book. My motivation to finally actually read it started because it was prominently featured in one of my fI’m not sure how to rate or talk about this book. My motivation to finally actually read it started because it was prominently featured in one of my favourite reads of the year (We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian), and I was able to read it as part of a buddy read. It’s not something I would have read on my own. Thank goodness for insight from others, because the oblique writing meant I missed quite a few things.
I appreciate the historical significance of the book as one depicting queer love and having a hopeful ending. I loved quite a lot of the romance between Laurie and Ralph. It had some beautiful passages. It also had quite a lot of homophobia and misogyny.
The depiction of the trauma of war added quite a timely dimension. It was like the literary manifestation of “keep calm and carry on”, oof. The lockstep mainstream views about war, contrasted with the ways conscientious objectors were seen, adding the devastating and traumatic impacts of war, and the complexities of all that also seemed quite timely.
Anyway. This book did not quite live up to the adulation I have perceived about it, but I am glad I read it. ...more
Plot + romance + a body count = the hallmarks of a classic KJC book. Glad I read this for a BR so I could freak out about various parts of the book wiPlot + romance + a body count = the hallmarks of a classic KJC book. Glad I read this for a BR so I could freak out about various parts of the book with other people. The use of the single POV in this one…really well done....more
Loved this romance, the first more traditional historical I have read by Cat Sebastian, who is cementing her place as one of my absolute favourite autLoved this romance, the first more traditional historical I have read by Cat Sebastian, who is cementing her place as one of my absolute favourite authors. I adored both Ash and Verity. Their romance was excellent and the politics of the book were a highlight....more
Claire aka DocReads
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