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jess_justmaybeperfect's reviews
769 reviews
A Tropical Rebel Gets the Duke by Adriana Herrera
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
This is the best Herrera book I’ve read.
It’s so perfect I don’t know how I can do it justice in a review. It’s sexy, pro-choice, smart, funny, political, progressive, feminist, so hot omg, anti racist, pro women, a great example of found family, insanely romantic, richly diverse, and the writing is even more spectacular than all that.
Apollo is a bad ass burn em down wealthy duke drowning in his obsession with/love for Aurora. Aurora is a doctor and women’s rights activist on a mission to use her privilege for good. When these two juggernauts combine forces, no one can hold them back.
Also the glimpses of the previous couples, the spouses of the Leonas ride or dying for each other, and the collective women owned farm community in France, are icing on top.
Herrera is rapidly becoming a HistRom giant and I hope the publishing world takes note.
It’s so perfect I don’t know how I can do it justice in a review. It’s sexy, pro-choice, smart, funny, political, progressive, feminist, so hot omg, anti racist, pro women, a great example of found family, insanely romantic, richly diverse, and the writing is even more spectacular than all that.
Apollo is a bad ass burn em down wealthy duke drowning in his obsession with/love for Aurora. Aurora is a doctor and women’s rights activist on a mission to use her privilege for good. When these two juggernauts combine forces, no one can hold them back.
Also the glimpses of the previous couples, the spouses of the Leonas ride or dying for each other, and the collective women owned farm community in France, are icing on top.
Herrera is rapidly becoming a HistRom giant and I hope the publishing world takes note.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, and Colonisation
A Fashionable Indulgence by KJ Charles
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
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
5.0
KJC is a political intrigue/class differences/found family master and this book (this whole series) is a shining example of her talent.
This installment sees the return of Harry to his previously unknown aristocratic family. Tasked by his friend Richard (Harry’s cousin) to assist with the Pygmalion like transformation of Harry, Julius, a man of impeccable taste and manners, is reluctant at first.
However, Harry and Julius quickly because friends and then lovers. As their relationship deepens so too do the threats to their union, and even their lives.
Harry’s exuberant yet difficult disregard of his somewhat revolutionary upbringing and Julius’s deep pain over the loss of his twin somehow combine into an emotional pairing that should be taught in writing classes.
From the external conflict, to the mistakes they make, their physical relationship, the reunion they get, to the villains they vanquish, Harry and Julius’s love story has something for everyone.
This installment sees the return of Harry to his previously unknown aristocratic family. Tasked by his friend Richard (Harry’s cousin) to assist with the Pygmalion like transformation of Harry, Julius, a man of impeccable taste and manners, is reluctant at first.
However, Harry and Julius quickly because friends and then lovers. As their relationship deepens so too do the threats to their union, and even their lives.
Harry’s exuberant yet difficult disregard of his somewhat revolutionary upbringing and Julius’s deep pain over the loss of his twin somehow combine into an emotional pairing that should be taught in writing classes.
From the external conflict, to the mistakes they make, their physical relationship, the reunion they get, to the villains they vanquish, Harry and Julius’s love story has something for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, and War
Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
I have yet to not love a Vasti book and this one is no exception. I eyeballed and ear-balled and truly cannot decide which I prefer.
Vasti’s writing stands fiercely on its own but Morrison is top tier so the audio is 1000% worth it.
If you’ve read book one in this series you’ll recognize the FMC. Lydia is funny, smart, a great friend, adventurous, and crippled by anxiety.
Arthur, the MMC is a Scottish earl holding on to his (financially disastrous) legacy as tightly as he can while actually providing for his tenants and devoted staff.
When Lydia shows up at Arthur’s to propose a marriage of convenience he’s stunned and she’s stunned into physical illness when she learns that he is in fact NOT the man she’s been corresponding with for years.
As they agree to work together to solve a (very good and gripping) mystery somehow involving both their brothers, Lydia and Arthur start to fall in love. He respects and frankly cherishes her anxiety while insisting she need not subject herself to it constantly. She finds that her determination to get to the bottom of the story makes her brave and also ready to accept help.
I loved every character in this book, every side story, every intimate moment, and all the other bits.
The epistolary elements (the epilogue my goodness), the sex, the found family, and the author’s note were my favorite parts but frankly all of it was so good I feel irresponsible highlighting just those few things.
Anyway, read this book!
Vasti’s writing stands fiercely on its own but Morrison is top tier so the audio is 1000% worth it.
If you’ve read book one in this series you’ll recognize the FMC. Lydia is funny, smart, a great friend, adventurous, and crippled by anxiety.
Arthur, the MMC is a Scottish earl holding on to his (financially disastrous) legacy as tightly as he can while actually providing for his tenants and devoted staff.
When Lydia shows up at Arthur’s to propose a marriage of convenience he’s stunned and she’s stunned into physical illness when she learns that he is in fact NOT the man she’s been corresponding with for years.
As they agree to work together to solve a (very good and gripping) mystery somehow involving both their brothers, Lydia and Arthur start to fall in love. He respects and frankly cherishes her anxiety while insisting she need not subject herself to it constantly. She finds that her determination to get to the bottom of the story makes her brave and also ready to accept help.
I loved every character in this book, every side story, every intimate moment, and all the other bits.
The epistolary elements (the epilogue my goodness), the sex, the found family, and the author’s note were my favorite parts but frankly all of it was so good I feel irresponsible highlighting just those few things.
Anyway, read this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Grief
Joy to the Earl by Nicola Davidson
emotional
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
4.0
confident sex therapist widowed single mom [who HATES aristocrats] held back by the patriarchy and lonely orphan now a grown man returning to the aristocratic family he never knew about forced together when his carriage crashes outside her home just before Christmas
his mild amnesia gives them some time to get to know each other (and for him to enthusiastically lose his virginity) and fall in love just as the truth is exposed
light breeding kink
his mild amnesia gives them some time to get to know each other (and for him to enthusiastically lose his virginity) and fall in love just as the truth is exposed
light breeding kink
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
When She Was Naughty by Tessa Dare
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
this short story has class differences, enemies to lovers, long term pining, a prank that believably exposes true feelings, teasing, a ruse with a Christmas goose, a Very Good Mom, and jokes about coal for gifts
takes 30-40 minutes to read and is a delight
takes 30-40 minutes to read and is a delight
Lord Dashwood Missed Out by Tessa Dare
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
All the stars are for Nora. She rules.
Dash does make quite the grand gesture and he’s convincing enough but he can’t compare to her.
Dash does make quite the grand gesture and he’s convincing enough but he can’t compare to her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Grief
Once Upon a Winter's Eve by Tessa Dare
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A super spy invades a Christmas Eve gala to find the woman he loves, whose heart he broke a year ago.
He’s got reasons. She’s rightfully pissed (and even points a gun at him). They have one night to talk, kiss, argue, make love, run away, plan,have an extremely romantic “wedding,” keep their secret, and, of course, they eventually get their HEA.
He’s got reasons. She’s rightfully pissed (and even points a gun at him). They have one night to talk, kiss, argue, make love, run away, plan,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence