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jess_justmaybeperfect's reviews
783 reviews
Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I liked a lot about the set up of this story. Second chance. Childhood crush. Unexpected dukedom. Bluestocking. Liberal politics. Getting revenge on cruel hypocrites. Fun sisters.
The romance just didn’t work for me. Will’s almost book long insistence that Phoebe isn’t good enough for him being resolved by her apology was disappointing. I didn’t buy his character arc at all.
I loved Sullivan’s other books though and am looking forward to the rest of this series.
The romance just didn’t work for me. Will’s almost book long insistence that Phoebe isn’t good enough for him being resolved by her apology was disappointing. I didn’t buy his character arc at all.
I loved Sullivan’s other books though and am looking forward to the rest of this series.
The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
Anne and Hart appear to be enemies but what lies beneath that tension is quite complicated.
Nearly 7 years after disaster destroyed their chances together, Hart is stunned to find Anne in his grandfather’s library. When he learns she’s there to ask for help he agrees immediately.
Brought together by her ask and his agreement they begin to rekindle their friendship and soon their feelings.
Anne is tied to her mother’s deep grief at the death of her father. Hart is keeping secrets both familial and financial, from everyone. Once they open up to each other their personal healing expands right along with their romance.
This is a quiet, serious, and sweet romance. Hart is devoted and determined. Anne is cautiously optimistic.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this story, it takes months for them to find their way back to each other. Plus you get moments with all the women from this series and what I suspect is a big hint for book 4.
I love Matthews’ feminist take on Victorian romance and have really enjoyed this series.
The second half unfortunately dragged a bit while simultaneously being over burdened by numerous external conflicts.
Nearly 7 years after disaster destroyed their chances together, Hart is stunned to find Anne in his grandfather’s library. When he learns she’s there to ask for help he agrees immediately.
Brought together by her ask and his agreement they begin to rekindle their friendship and soon their feelings.
Anne is tied to her mother’s deep grief at the death of her father. Hart is keeping secrets both familial and financial, from everyone. Once they open up to each other their personal healing expands right along with their romance.
This is a quiet, serious, and sweet romance. Hart is devoted and determined. Anne is cautiously optimistic.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this story, it takes months for them to find their way back to each other. Plus you get moments with all the women from this series and what I suspect is a big hint for book 4.
I love Matthews’ feminist take on Victorian romance and have really enjoyed this series.
The second half unfortunately dragged a bit while simultaneously being over burdened by numerous external conflicts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Wicked Designs by Lauren Smith
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 25%.
A group of wealthy aristocrats kidnap a woman because one of them wants revenge on her uncle. Why not ruin his niece who had nothing to do with what her uncle did. Plus they all want her. She’s already turned on and forgiving and discovering she has power and of course it’s her “feminine wiles” not her brain. Bleh. Not for Jess.
Trial by Desire by Courtney Milan
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5
A marriage in crisis love story between a young woman secretly thrilled to be forced into marrying a young man who is too troubled to be good enough for her, yet.
Milan starts book one in this series with moves by Ned that’ll make you queasy. In the prologue of this book she sucker punches you with his announcement that he’s moving across the world 3 months into their marriage.
When he returns (unrecognizable) years later he endeavors to make things right. Little does he know about the community Kate, his wife, has built, and the dire consequences should she be discovered.
Together they navigate his return and mental health, her heartbreak and the dangers she faces, and their new relationship. Angsty Milan is my favorite Milan.
A marriage in crisis love story between a young woman secretly thrilled to be forced into marrying a young man who is too troubled to be good enough for her, yet.
Milan starts book one in this series with moves by Ned that’ll make you queasy. In the prologue of this book she sucker punches you with his announcement that he’s moving across the world 3 months into their marriage.
When he returns (unrecognizable) years later he endeavors to make things right. Little does he know about the community Kate, his wife, has built, and the dire consequences should she be discovered.
Together they navigate his return and mental health, her heartbreak and the dangers she faces, and their new relationship. Angsty Milan is my favorite Milan.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Suicidal thoughts
Isabel and the Rogue by Liana De la Rosa
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Isabel and the Rogue is a spy vs spy, rivals to lovers, wallflower and rake, historical romance.
Isabel Luna Valdés is in England after escaping Mexico with her sisters during the French occupation. Isabel is also a spy for the Mexican government and meets Captain Sirius Dawson while searching a British aristocrat’s office.
Sirius is a charming rake. But that is not all. A veteran of the Crimean war, Sirius struggles with his memories and his fame. His need to give back sees him build his country home into a community for other veterans and work for the home office.
As Sirius and Isabel continue to cross paths a friendship, respect, attraction, and love grow.
When Isabel finally gets the chance to return to Mexico, Sirius must decide what that means for him and for their relationship.
This is an adventurous, funny, very sexy, inclusive, interesting, diverse, and moving story. And it’s so romantic.
Plus you get colonization and museum critiques, references to and use of gorgeous poetry and literature, respect for language diversity, a hot air balloon ride, and women who speak up for themselves. And this cover! 😍😍
Highly recommend!
Isabel Luna Valdés is in England after escaping Mexico with her sisters during the French occupation. Isabel is also a spy for the Mexican government and meets Captain Sirius Dawson while searching a British aristocrat’s office.
Sirius is a charming rake. But that is not all. A veteran of the Crimean war, Sirius struggles with his memories and his fame. His need to give back sees him build his country home into a community for other veterans and work for the home office.
As Sirius and Isabel continue to cross paths a friendship, respect, attraction, and love grow.
When Isabel finally gets the chance to return to Mexico, Sirius must decide what that means for him and for their relationship.
This is an adventurous, funny, very sexy, inclusive, interesting, diverse, and moving story. And it’s so romantic.
Plus you get colonization and museum critiques, references to and use of gorgeous poetry and literature, respect for language diversity, a hot air balloon ride, and women who speak up for themselves. And this cover! 😍😍
Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
Minor: War
My Rogue to Ruin by Erica Ridley
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
Ridley really does nail the found family theme in this series. I love the Wynchesters and their missions all tied in with their bubbly, diverse, happy, and frenetic home. Plus Moira Quirk is an excellent narrator.
I just was not at all invested in the romance or frankly, all that interested in the MCs. The love story seemed almost secondary to the heist. Also the resolutions to Adrian’s family issues felt abrupt and incomplete. Marjorie is hard of hearing and Ridley beautifully describes her other heightened senses, she sees emotions in color for example, but I’m not sure she nailed the representation.
Anyway, loved the other books I’ve read in this series so will absolutely continue reading them.
I just was not at all invested in the romance or frankly, all that interested in the MCs. The love story seemed almost secondary to the heist. Also the resolutions to Adrian’s family issues felt abrupt and incomplete. Marjorie is hard of hearing and Ridley beautifully describes her other heightened senses, she sees emotions in color for example, but I’m not sure she nailed the representation.
Anyway, loved the other books I’ve read in this series so will absolutely continue reading them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
The Duke's Sister and I by Emma-Claire Sunday
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Loretta, a Baron’s daughter desperate to avoid the loneliness her parents marriage has become, is being courted by a duke. But, she’s falling in love with his rebellious, artistic, and experienced sister.
The first half of this book really worked for me. The prose, imagery, meet cute, adventure, and secrecy all combined into an extremely quotable story:
“The woman before her stood nonchalant and contrapposto, in that pose made famous by the Grecian sculptors of old—with all her weight shifted to one leg, a hand on her protruding hip, in defiance of all things ladylike.”
“‘Tell me something no one knows.’ ‘All right…’ Loretta raised her chin, rising to the challenge. ‘I dislike embroidery.’ ‘That’s it?’ Charlotte giggled. ‘You dislike embroidery?’ ‘I hate it, actually.’ Loretta crossed her arms. ‘I hate the way the needle slips and stabs my fingers. And I hate the way it isn’t taken seriously, like other artforms. How it’s never framed and hung in museums because it’s women’s work, and I hate how that makes me not take it seriously.’”
There is a party scene at about 30% that felt cinematic. It was a joy to read.
Unfortunately the second half of the story was just too busy and rushed. So many conflicts with shockingly quick resolutions, the gentle and rich discovery of the first half basically disappears. Plus some earlier plot points just fade away.
I read an eARC and editing, specifically formatting, was also a problem, and very distracting. I hope the final version is cleaned up.
Nevertheless, I am very optimistic for Sunday’s next book.
The first half of this book really worked for me. The prose, imagery, meet cute, adventure, and secrecy all combined into an extremely quotable story:
“The woman before her stood nonchalant and contrapposto, in that pose made famous by the Grecian sculptors of old—with all her weight shifted to one leg, a hand on her protruding hip, in defiance of all things ladylike.”
“‘Tell me something no one knows.’ ‘All right…’ Loretta raised her chin, rising to the challenge. ‘I dislike embroidery.’ ‘That’s it?’ Charlotte giggled. ‘You dislike embroidery?’ ‘I hate it, actually.’ Loretta crossed her arms. ‘I hate the way the needle slips and stabs my fingers. And I hate the way it isn’t taken seriously, like other artforms. How it’s never framed and hung in museums because it’s women’s work, and I hate how that makes me not take it seriously.’”
There is a party scene at about 30% that felt cinematic. It was a joy to read.
Unfortunately the second half of the story was just too busy and rushed. So many conflicts with shockingly quick resolutions, the gentle and rich discovery of the first half basically disappears. Plus some earlier plot points just fade away.
I read an eARC and editing, specifically formatting, was also a problem, and very distracting. I hope the final version is cleaned up.
Nevertheless, I am very optimistic for Sunday’s next book.
Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah MacLean
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Book 2 in Love by the Numbers is about two people with big secrets who fall in love before everything is revealed and have to work through the hurt that causes.
I love this story about a young woman who turns her personal heartbreak into a safe haven for women with no where else to go and a wandering and (a bit) lonely adventurer who manage to find exactly what they’re looking for when they least expect it.
It’s hot! It’s feminist! It’s got adventure, great apologies, a very romantic grand gesture, and a coordination of contractors scene that will probably make you cry.
Plus, the Easter eggs!!
I love this story about a young woman who turns her personal heartbreak into a safe haven for women with no where else to go and a wandering and (a bit) lonely adventurer who manage to find exactly what they’re looking for when they least expect it.
It’s hot! It’s feminist! It’s got adventure, great apologies, a very romantic grand gesture, and a coordination of contractors scene that will probably make you cry.
Plus, the Easter eggs!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Captured by Beverly Jenkins
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
Set during the American revolution, Captured tells the story of a woman taken prisoner by a pirate.
She’s brilliant, kind, lovely, and a selfless mother who walks 24 miles per week to visit her children who were sold away by her disgusting mistress.
He is, of course, much more that a private. He’s a leader, a lover of women, an anti slavery crusader, fiercely protective, and extremely talented in the bedroom (n*pple play count is obviously high).
He’s also head over heels in love. So is she.
Captured is about safety, love, building community, family, vengeance, trust, truth, and hope. And it’s an adventure.
Like many a Jenkins novel the villains are extra villainy, the stakes are higher than you could guess, men are ridiculous and awesome, women speak their minds, and there is (in addition to the one that brings them together) a kidnapping.
My favorite Beverly Jenkins so far.
She’s brilliant, kind, lovely, and a selfless mother who walks 24 miles per week to visit her children who were sold away by her disgusting mistress.
He is, of course, much more that a private. He’s a leader, a lover of women, an anti slavery crusader, fiercely protective, and extremely talented in the bedroom (n*pple play count is obviously high).
He’s also head over heels in love. So is she.
Captured is about safety, love, building community, family, vengeance, trust, truth, and hope. And it’s an adventure.
Like many a Jenkins novel the villains are extra villainy, the stakes are higher than you could guess, men are ridiculous and awesome, women speak their minds, and there is (in addition to the one that brings them together) a kidnapping.
My favorite Beverly Jenkins so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, and War
A Gentleman's Position by KJ Charles
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In this conclusion of the society of gentlemen series we finally get Richard and David’s story.
Richard is a powerful aristocrat deeply aware of his duties and responsibilities.
David is his valet and fixer.
Both are pining. Richard is resisting as best he can. When the damn finally breaks, neither holds back. Mistakes are made. Feelings are hurt. Mysteries and scandals are afoot. Friends are in trouble. Apologies are made. Help is sought and granted. They are reunited. Forgiveness is sought and granted. Villains are vanquished. Love wins.
Richard is a powerful aristocrat deeply aware of his duties and responsibilities.
David is his valet and fixer.
Both are pining. Richard is resisting as best he can. When the damn finally breaks, neither holds back. Mistakes are made. Feelings are hurt. Mysteries and scandals are afoot. Friends are in trouble. Apologies are made. Help is sought and granted. They are reunited. Forgiveness is sought and granted. Villains are vanquished. Love wins.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Classism