Ratings29
Average rating4
When Viola Carroll was presumed dead at Waterloo she took the opportunity to live, at last, as herself. But freedom does not come without a price, and Viola paid for hers with the loss of her wealth, her title, and her closest companion, Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood.
Only when their families reconnect, years after the war, does Viola learn how deep that loss truly was. Shattered without her, Gracewood has retreated so far into grief that Viola barely recognises her old friend in the lonely, brooding man he has become.
As Viola strives to bring Gracewood back to himself, fresh desires give new names to old feelings. Feelings that would have been impossible once and may be impossible still, but which Viola cannot deny. Even if they cost her everything, all over again.
Reviews with the most likes.
3.5
This was really really sweet and it's so eloquently written
I haven't read a ton of historical romance novels, and I'm like the only person who didn't LOVE Hall's book [b:Boyfriend Material 50225678 Boyfriend Material (Boyfriend Material, #1) Alexis Hall https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1575987260l/50225678.SX50.jpg 73590298], but I gave this a chance anyway and had a delightful time with it. (maybe because it was for a historical era that I'm not super familar with, I was more willing to be like “sure that seems legit” than I was for a contemporary story like Boyfriend Material where I kept being like “sorry what planet is this”)? Very charming, good for them, would read a followup book about Mira's future lady loves!!!
3.5
This was really really sweet and it's so eloquently written
3.5 stars. I guess I like snarky Alexis Hall better than earnest Alexis Hall. I applaud him for having a transgender MC in a historical romance and for making Very Important Points about the constraints of 18th century gender roles. But honestly, the book was just too long and ponderously slow, and other than Viola's sister-in-law, decidedly lacking in humor. I see several reviews calling this Hall's best book ever, so obviously I'm in the minority, but I much preferred the farce of [b:Something Fabulous 58377135 Something Fabulous (Something Fabulous, #1) Alexis Hall https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629130515l/58377135.SY75.jpg 91133409] or the sexual shenanigans of the Billionaire series ([b:How to Bang a Billionaire 31423483 How to Bang a Billionaire (Arden St. Ives, #1) Alexis Hall https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488428154l/31423483.SY75.jpg 52115149], etc.).Definitely worth a read if just for Hall's hilarious Reading Group Guide and Questions for Discussion at the end.
Prompt
17 books