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archerofpages's review against another edition
5.0
Fun, passionate read! A delicious friends to lovers romp. Evie wants Richard to have forever, Richard wants Evie but not for marriage. A head strong lady can she bring the Marquess to his knees? A dark man on the edge of decency, can he keep her at arms length? Such an enjoyable read with real life problems and issues brought to light. Evie is a wonderful character with a kind heart and compassionate soul. Richard is a hardened but equally compassionate man- for those he deems deserving. Strong secondary from previous books lead to a fun and winding road to their happily ever after! Regency romance with passion, flirting, inuendos, and some interesting twists.
travelisfers's review against another edition
4.0
Although, perhaps an unpopular opinion, I really enjoyed this book. The relationship between Evie and Robert started out as friends. Although he was older and attracted to her, he actually has the good sense to stay away and maintain a friendship.
A series of circumstances has led him to work diligently with the poor and underprivileged, causing a rift in his family and having him cut off from his wealth. He does rebuild it, but wants to keep Evie away from the projects he works on because he feels it will hurt her standing in society.
I loved the relationship with Evie and Robert and then got frustrated that he kept pushing her away even when she tried to show him that she would always support him. I also loved little Emily.
Although there were a few cringe worthy moments, I am reading fiction and enjoyed the angst and the misunderstandings, and of course the HEA.
A series of circumstances has led him to work diligently with the poor and underprivileged, causing a rift in his family and having him cut off from his wealth. He does rebuild it, but wants to keep Evie away from the projects he works on because he feels it will hurt her standing in society.
I loved the relationship with Evie and Robert and then got frustrated that he kept pushing her away even when she tried to show him that she would always support him. I also loved little Emily.
Although there were a few cringe worthy moments, I am reading fiction and enjoyed the angst and the misunderstandings, and of course the HEA.
crunchotter's review against another edition
slow-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
3.0
jahayma's review against another edition
5.0
While being completely unique, this has SO many of the very best tropes. The Oliver Twist-esque subplot was surprisingly well done, IMO. This has been the best of the series with the most complex characters so far. I loved every minute.
quiteliterary's review
4.0
I was looking forward to their story since book 1 and I was not disappointed! Stacy Reid has the best love declarations.
jujudepamplemousse's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a sweet slow burn romance. The story takes us on the 6-years journey of Evie and Richard from strangers to friends, confidents, lovers and wife and husband.
I often blame Romance authors for telling us that the characters are best friends but never showing it but, here, Stacey Reid made a amazing job of the friendship between Evie and Richard. I particularly loved the introduction scene where Richard turns to Evie for support when he learns that he is the father of a four years daughter. This scene had a big impact for me. It showed that their relationship was strong, that even before becoming lovers their were really important to each other and could trust one another no matter what happened in their life. Their relationship made the path from friends to lovers even sweeter.
I loved Evie as a character. She knew what she wanted and stood firm for it. Richard was frustrating at times but I couldn't really blame it because it was obvious that he loved Evie and didn't want to hurt her reputation.
I also really appreciated Richard's occupations. It was different from what we're used to in historical romance and it was a fresh breeze.
Overall, I don't give 5-stars because I found one or two scenes a bit over the top but it was still a very sweet romance.
I often blame Romance authors for telling us that the characters are best friends but never showing it but, here, Stacey Reid made a amazing job of the friendship between Evie and Richard. I particularly loved the introduction scene where Richard turns to Evie for support when he learns that he is the father of a four years daughter. This scene had a big impact for me. It showed that their relationship was strong, that even before becoming lovers their were really important to each other and could trust one another no matter what happened in their life. Their relationship made the path from friends to lovers even sweeter.
I loved Evie as a character. She knew what she wanted and stood firm for it. Richard was frustrating at times but I couldn't really blame it because it was obvious that he loved Evie and didn't want to hurt her reputation.
I also really appreciated Richard's occupations. It was different from what we're used to in historical romance and it was a fresh breeze.
Overall, I don't give 5-stars because I found one or two scenes a bit over the top but it was still a very sweet romance.
amberreadsromance28's review against another edition
4.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️.5
This took me a while to get back into this series, since I didn't know how I would feel about Evie and Richard. Evie didn't show her best self when she set up her friend to be discovered with the man her parents wanted her to marry. It worked out for that couple, but she barely begged for forgiveness. Richard also didn't seem like a hero I would enjoy.
However, I did enjoy that this was a friends to lovers historical romance. Richard and Evie have been pining after eachother for years. I really appreciated their friendship and how much he would lean on Evie. I thought it was amazing that he wanted to take in his bastard daughter when he found out about her. He rescues her and many other children from the baby farm. He hates the ton and scandal surrounds him. He also is trying to work on reform for the poor and is actively work on change.
Evie asks him for lessons in seduction in order to get the attention of the man she wants, which was actually him. I loved the friends to lovers and the lessons in seduction in this romance. However, I did have some issues with Richard in this.
What I didn't like:
- Richard severely misjudges Evie and assumes she would not accept his daughter or support his cause, just because she is a darling of the ton.
- He is supposed to be one of her closest friends, yet he judges her very harshly.
- They have spent years together and are super close, but he acts like she is just a vain and snobby person. He stuck with this attitude for way too long.
What turned it around for me a little bit was that Richard did a decent grovel and got on his knees for his woman. I really appreciated him recognizing how awful he had been and making changes to become more acceptable to the ton.
🌶️🌶️.5
This took me a while to get back into this series, since I didn't know how I would feel about Evie and Richard. Evie didn't show her best self when she set up her friend to be discovered with the man her parents wanted her to marry. It worked out for that couple, but she barely begged for forgiveness. Richard also didn't seem like a hero I would enjoy.
However, I did enjoy that this was a friends to lovers historical romance. Richard and Evie have been pining after eachother for years. I really appreciated their friendship and how much he would lean on Evie. I thought it was amazing that he wanted to take in his bastard daughter when he found out about her. He rescues her and many other children from the baby farm. He hates the ton and scandal surrounds him. He also is trying to work on reform for the poor and is actively work on change.
Evie asks him for lessons in seduction in order to get the attention of the man she wants, which was actually him. I loved the friends to lovers and the lessons in seduction in this romance. However, I did have some issues with Richard in this.
What I didn't like:
- Richard severely misjudges Evie and assumes she would not accept his daughter or support his cause, just because she is a darling of the ton.
- He is supposed to be one of her closest friends, yet he judges her very harshly.
- They have spent years together and are super close, but he acts like she is just a vain and snobby person. He stuck with this attitude for way too long.
What turned it around for me a little bit was that Richard did a decent grovel and got on his knees for his woman. I really appreciated him recognizing how awful he had been and making changes to become more acceptable to the ton.
bluestockinglaura's review against another edition
emotional
medium-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
3.75
readinginfairyland's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0