I didn’t love this one because there was a lot of dubious consent issues - BUT it’s because the hero, Vox, was kidnapped, tortured, brainwashed, and mI didn’t love this one because there was a lot of dubious consent issues - BUT it’s because the hero, Vox, was kidnapped, tortured, brainwashed, and mutilated into a half-cyborg being. He has conflicting voices in his head, half are his old Drexian self and half evil Kronnock.
It was a captivating story, as Shreya tried to get Vox to trust her and get back in touch with his Drexian side, but the frequent sayings similar to, “you’re saying no but your body is saying yes” gave me the ick. ...more
“I’ll be the extra rib that protects your heart.” “You can’t. You are my heart.”
Lisa Kleypas is one of many (many) authors who I will read any book th “I’ll be the extra rib that protects your heart.” “You can’t. You are my heart.”
Lisa Kleypas is one of many (many) authors who I will read any book they put out. Add into that the fact that Devil in Disguise is my favorite historical romance cover in a looooong time? (The over the shoulder look. The color scheme. The pink flowers on blue background.) Hot damn.
I am confused as to why this is a “Ravenels” book, though. I think it was the perfect opportunity for her to do kind of a Wallflowers 2.0 - or maybe a book about the Westcliffs! They have 6 kids, after all, and you cannot tell me we won’t get a book about Merritt’s youngest brother.
The highlights of this book to me were the Wallflowers cameos, specifically between Sebastian and Evie. They’re just so dang cute??
“Evie, my sweet, don’t you think you should have asked me before filling the girls’ heads with subversive wallflower philosophy?” Evie came to him, slid her arms around him, and tucked her head beneath his chin. He could hear a smile in her voice as she said, “Wallflowers never ask permission.”
That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy Keir McRae (swoony Scotsman) and Lady Merritt Sterling (bodacious widow and Rebellious Lady) - I did! Merritt is capable and bright, running her deceased husbands shipping company with her brother. She has the respect of her family and her employees and treats them with respect, too. Keir is… a tad one dimensional but a very sexy Highlander hero and whiskey distillery owner.
The story felt a bit… held together by Scotch tape. There were so many pieces. Merritt’s reputation being a concern in her attraction to Keir (although throughout the book there wasn’t one reference to her position as lady or in society); the danger to Keir; the mystery surrounding Keir; and then… (view spoiler)[Keir being Sebastian’s son… his birth mother’s husband trying to kill him… him almost dying… him getting amnesia… another plot against his life… (hide spoiler)] It was all just a bit much, you know?
There were absolutely sweet parts. I think if you enjoy the Ravenels, the Wallflowers, or Lisa Kleypas, this is definitely worth a read. It’s just not her strongest book, in my opinion.
Also, I am so tired of authors doing the barren trope. (view spoiler)[Let me amend that: I am tired of them doing the “I’m barren” trope, and then at the end going - surprise! just kidding! It feels so DISINGENUOUS and could be harmful to readers. Especially because Merritt went to a doctor and was diagnosed with a condition (can’t remember what it was) saying she could not have children. And especially after Keir had the whole speech about how blood does not = family, and they could adopt. That would’ve been a beautiful plot line! (hide spoiler)]...more
Whenever I have a minor inconvenience, I regress to re-reading Ice Planet Barbarians.
I remember the first time I read Barbarian's Heart, I was put ofWhenever I have a minor inconvenience, I regress to re-reading Ice Planet Barbarians.
I remember the first time I read Barbarian's Heart, I was put off because it has an amnesia trope - definitely not a favorite of mine. But on re-reading it, I enjoyed it so much more! Ruby can do no wrong.
Pashov was injured in the previous book and has lost his memory of the past few years - meaning he has no memory of the humans who landed on Not-Hoth, that he has a mate, or that he has a child. The awkwardness he and Stacy felt around each other was heartbreaking and real... Stacy is mourning the loss of the man she loved, and has to face someone who *is* him but without any of their memories or inside jokes. And Pashov has forgotten what resonating was like, the birth of his son - he wants to know Stacy but every time he tries he feels he "messes up" by not being whole.
This is a quiet, sweet, soft romance and I loved that the resolution wasn't a snap of "he got his memories back suddenly!"...more
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