jess_justmaybeperfect's reviews
789 reviews

The Finest Print by Erin Langston

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-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

5.0

The Finest Print by Erin Langston is the love story of Belle Sinclair (daughter to Gavin and Emilia, niece to Cora and Nate) and Ethan Fletcher. 
 
Ostracized from society because of rumors spread in revenge by her former finance, Belle has found a niche for herself. She writes, spends time at her father’s work, and is a devoted daughter, sister, and friend. 
 
Ethan is an American in London starting fresh by claiming an inheritance he never expected only to learn that the printshop he now owns is mired in debt, debt owed to a less than reasonable creditor. 
 
An afternoon in a park brings Ethan and Belle together and an honest conversation brings opportunity. They enter into a partnership to save the print shop and jump start her writing career. Ethan begins printing a serialized (penny bloods/dreadful style) version of Belle’s writing. 
 
Their arrangement quickly becomes a friendship born of mutual respect and appreciation. Ethan’s will to succeed and strength are a perfect match for Belle’s optimism and and grace. The community Langston builds for her characters at the printshop is layered with admiration and support. 
 
When Ethan and Belle finally let their guards down, both have fears of failure and a general sense of loneliness, the love story really begins. 
 
The Finest Print is a pro-choice, feminist, class differences, love at work, forced proximity, free press, progressive, and found family romance. While there are of course moments of tension (Langston write a quietly terrifying villain like no one else) Ethan and Belle’s love story is, overall, a gentle one. It’s also super hot. 
 
I often find myself drawn to Langston’s female main characters. Rosalie’s sunshine, Cora’s bravery, and Emilia’s honesty all spoke to me. Belle is no exception. Her determination to be herself, make choices that might be hard but ultimately wise, and rise above the cruelty she faces make her a fascinating woman to watch. Belle is complicated, kind, and honest. She’s smart, funny, and sexy. Ethan is, rightfully so, completely turned upside down and inside out in love with her. 
 
And it is Belle and her work and her optimism that make it possible for Ethan to stay in London, despite his insistence that he make something of himself before they take the final step in their relationship. 
 
Langston gives us a woman (in a historical romance 👀) who saves the day with her financial security and bravery and I found that wildly refreshing. 
 
I know this review is mostly about Belle, but she deserves the spotlight, plus (as Erin and I have discussed), Ethan is more than happy to watch from the wings as she is celebrated. (Btw he’s an actual dreamboat.) 
 
Thanks so much to Erin for this #arc. 
 
p.s. One of the best things about Langston’s books (see the last slide) is that they are all in the same universe so characters return here and there. However, each is truly it’s own all can be read as standalones. 

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This Wicked Gift by Courtney Milan

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dark emotional reflective tense 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

4.0

When Lavinia’s family bookshop, and little brother, are in trouble, she goes to a regular customers and makes an arrangement. 

The MMC believes he coerces the FMC into sex. She’s actually doing it quite willingly but it left a bad taste in my mouth.


This novella was Milan’s debut book in 2009. 

You get glimpses of the power house she is now plus the MCs are both working class and Milan excels here. 

The connection between the MCs wasn’t totally realized and the MMC is wildly unlikeable but I’m certain William walked so Hugo Marshall could run. 

Also, this book is hot, and Lavinia (FMC) has absolutely zero not like the others girls energy despite being totally original. 
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Proof by Seduction by Courtney Milan

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challenging emotional funny reflective sad 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

4.0

“She would have been extremely angry if the gesture wasn’t so disarmingly sweet.” 

This quote exemplifies the entire book. I truly would have been out of bounds angry the entire read if it hadn’t been so damn sweet. Gareth is a shockingly uptight, rude, and condescending aristocrat. He is also helplessly in love with Jenny, the false fortuneteller he’s out to destroy. I loved to hate and hated to love every second of this book. 
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Across A Moonlit Sea by Marsha Canham

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
I just know this book has potential but I am simply too bored to exert that much effort, especially when 90s goggles are required. I tried.
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North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

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5.0

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich

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5.0

A Seditious Affair by KJ Charles

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adventurous emotional funny 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

KJ Charles is a class differences master. Almost all my favorites of hers have this trope. Silas and Dominic may take the cake though. Silas is a semi retired republican (the English kind) now owner of a bookshop and also secret radical pamphlet printer. Dominic is an aristocrat and a Tory and like the kind of aristocrat who actually is an active member of the government, so active he works for the Home Office (English FBI). Anyway, these two are no names exchanged regular hookups but find out who the other is in a MOST uncomfortable way. It’s got HOT HOT HOT scenes and superb eat the rich energy and somehow you’ll end up loving Dominic??? I dunno, Charles is really good at her job. 
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Fret Me Not by Sarah Estep

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-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

4.5

Fret Me Not is the 3rd installment in Sarah Estep’s Brunch Bros series. 
 
Set mostly in a small town in the PNW, the series focuses on a group of guy friends who (through various means) end up in Crane Cove and find love there. 
 
Each book, including Fret Me Not, can be read as a stand alone, but Estep has done such excellent world building I think you should start with book 1. 
 
Fret Me Not is the story of Sam and Lacey, a world famous musician and a talented dancer trying to get back on her feet. Neither are from Crane Cove but find themselves drawn to its comfort. As it happens, they’ve met before. Through a series of men-are-idiots events, Sam manages to get himself into a fake relationship with Lacey that quickly becomes much more. They adopt a dog, basically move in together, reignite their physical relationship, and make a monumental joint life decision, all while simultaneously falling in love and failing to express feelings. Needless to say, the relief I felt when they finally spoke honestly was real. 
 
I’ve talked about this when reviewing the rest of this series, but really it feels like Estep wrote these books with HistRom fans in mind. There are so many beautifully executed tropes in this book, most of which I have a hard time finding believable in a contemporary romance. 
 
Also, this book is super hot (kink with very clear consent), Lacey is deeply relatable, Daisy (the dog) is a perfect 3rd wheel, Sam is a “my wife” guy, and there is an outstanding grand gesture! 
 
Hiiiiiighly recommend!! 
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A Scandalous Kind of Duke by Mia Vincy

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4.5

A Dangerous Kind of Lady by Mia Vincy

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5.0