Spoilery, but important content warning:

Spoiler

the bad guy in this book is a serial rapist, and the heroine is one of his victims. There aren't any scenes that involve depictions of active sexual assaults, but there are references to the ones he committed, and there are moments where the heroine is alone with him where he is vaguely threatening.

Having read all four books in this series now, I think Madeline Hunter's writing is just not for me. And that's okay. Her writing is not bad, and there are some things about it that I really enjoy. But overall, the tone doesn't quite work for me, and more often than not, I don't feel like I can relate to the protagonists.

A lot of the mystery in all of the books feels so deliberately hidden from the reader that it comes off really awkwardly. Like, the characters thinking about their secrets, but vaguely (e.g. Daphne's narration will say that she's thinking about the real reason she's resisting Castleford, but it won't, you know, say what the reason is), or coming up with plans off the page. There's a twist at the very, very end that really does come from out of nowhere with almost zero foreshadowing, so that's ... okay, I guess.

I will say this, though--I thought Castleford was a very fun male protagonist to read. The way he reforms is gradual enough that it doesn't feel like he's 100% doing it for Daphne, and it definitely feels like he's doing it by accident. There's also a character trait of his that's consistent across the entire series, that he gets bees in his bonnet about stuff and just has to sate his curiosity. It's one of the main reasons why his whole, "I have to seduce this woman, it's the only thing I can think about" feels ... well, not natural, exactly, but within character. Tuesdays, man.

That being said, I don't think that Castleford's turn as the male protagonist would have been even half as enjoyable had I not read the preceding three books in the series. And if you weren't a fan of the previous three books, I don't think that Castleford alone is going to make up for it.

I just have too much trouble with the forced seduction storyline. This one wasn't too bad as those stories go but I always find them a bit squicky.

If you like this particular storyline she is a fine writer, if a bit subdued in this novel.

Este é o meu livro preferido de Madeline Hunter. Mesmo que só tenha lido dois livros dela.

Já tinha conhecido a Daphne e o Tristan no volume anterior desta saga "Pecadora". E o pouco que li sobre eles fez-me desejar conhecer mais um pouco. Nunca imaginei que eles pudessem ser os próximos a ser emparelhados dado que não podiam ser mais diferentes. O Tristan é um homem que só pensa em si e que é dado a muitas actividades libertinas. A Daphne é uma mulher misteriosa e que gere uma casa onde só acolhe mulheres e os homens são quase como que proibidos.

Quando Tristan herda uma casa e com ela uma inquilina pensa que não podia estar com mais azar. A única coisa que ele quer é levar mulheres para a cama e continuar na sua vida sem sentido (a minha opinião). Mas com o tempo e, depois de conhecer melhor a intigrante Daphne, o seu coração começa a amolecer e a pequena aventura que ele queria ter com ela tornasse em algo mais profundo.

Tristan e Daphne são duas das minhas personagens preferidas de todos os tempos. Tristan é um homem que no fundo tem bom coração mas que não está disposto a abrir-se para ninguém. Daphne é uma mulher que sofreu muito e que, finalmente, conseguiu a paz por que tanto ansiou. E Tristan vai roubar-lhe essa mesma paz.

Tornei-me fã de Madeline Hunter e com toda a certeza que vou continuar a seguir os seus romances.

Recomendo.

I was looking forward to Castleford's story, intrigued as how they were going to take a character who has been wenching and drinking his way through the first three books and turn him into a romantic hero. It was difficult. He definitely has some problems respecting boundaries, and though she always ended up saying yes, I just prefer it when no is respected much clearer.

Still, I enjoyed this whole series.

Slow to start but by the end, I even teared up a bit.

When I began reading the Rarest Blooms series it didn't take long for Tristan, the Duke of Castleford, to become my favorite character. He is reckless, scandalous and doesn't give a damn what anyone thinks of him or his actions. His complete uncaring indifference to the opinions of the ton endeared him to me and his antics in each book only strengthened my opinion. I was almost saddened by his inevitable downfall when I learned he was the hero of Dangerous in Diamonds. However, knowing it would be Daphne Joys that took the great man down softened the blow. The story was wonderful. It was so good, that I spent the entire day reading it. For almost a straight seven hours I did nothing but lose myself in their world. It's a shame that he will no longer be a reckless rogue in any future books but I know Madeline Hunter will find a way to entice me with her future heroes.

This was a good read, but it took me too long to read because the story would get exciting and go back down to a boring lull. Daphne is the proprietor of the Rarest Blooms flower business. She houses women who need a friend who hold their secrets close and their pasts even closer. Daphne has a few secrets of her own and unfortunately, the Duke of Castleford wants to delve into them all. He peels petal by petal at her passion, her love, and at all of secrets she holds dear. Will her secrets unlock her heart or will it destroy them both?