Roshini

i really wish it was longer.
the characters felt that there was so much depth that could be involved when looking into the details about the male lead. we understand that he is a boy that was the son of an oil baron as well as a talented artist that is unable to pursue his dreams due to his father. while this is a subject that is lightly touched on and is a dynamic that later comes into light as the male and female lead move more deeply into their romance I feel that this dynamic will alluded to could have used more page space to explain to make the book more substantial in character development rather than making the male lead look quite like a one-dimensional playboy till the last quarter of the book. This could have been the author's decision as she wanted to have a shorter story or one that moved fast. while that is her creative freedom I am disappointed as I was really starting to love the character and was looking to spend more time with them and understanding their stories. overall still nice for a quick read

this had a very interesting concept in terms of the spin given to the main character. often the ability to be part of an investigation was narrowed down to being a genius, having faced a serial killer before, or being in the military. this however is a novel idea. A magician or illusionist.

obviously coming from the unique understanding of the authors looking glass into both fields though his own skillset and that of the people around him he crafted a character that is a unique blend of information.

I do have to say that I enjoyed a male author in his attempt on a female character and was happy that It was not over-sexualized as other than the few parts that seemed alright. you can also see the author's thoughts on certain topics such as religion and certain human behavior through Jessica's thoughts at the beginning of the book.

while all of these gives a book aimed for success i was slightly disappointed by the ending but not to much but its what kept the rating at a 4 and not a 5

while being only 278 or so pages this book packed a punch. while many mysteries are a police procedural this leaned more towards a trail procedural. the process of the trail was splendidly covered with the corresponding reactions from either side of the trail. Ms. Clark is a wonder at hiding clue that subliminally cue us towards the answer at the same time giving us the answers to some of the questions while making us anxious, hoping that the characters would be able to find out the answers in time

She expertly intertwined three storylines providing us with anxiety that paced the book. the integration of the three timelines where done extremely seamlessly that one feel that this is the only way the story would have made any sense.

the pacing was incredible. I did not have a chance to have a sigh of relief that the characters we going to be fine. I was on my feet almost pacing. till the last 2 pages. what a climax. This is not going to be a character-based study. you're not going to have the individual dwelling thoughts as well as the one on one romance science that last chapters. this was a more overall situational study that jumped from one POV to the other which gave as a wide range of story was well as keeping the pace fast

My first ever classic
I feel it was a very odd choice for my first classic. many would have gone for a more obvious jane Austen or even Christmas carol from the same author. But nonetheless, I have enjoyed my journal immensely. While there were parts I felt that I was getting dragged along due to its descriptive nature that was needed for the serial fashion It was first published in there were parts that made me laugh so hard. For those who are scared of the classic fo attempt it with an audio book as you read it. i attempted it the same way and it allowed me to get over the different formating of words and sentences because the English back them is very different from the English we use to day

I loved how the FC was written. Being such a force of character. I was laughing at her antic the whole way.

However my favourite parts of the mafia romance dell short. The sense of unity in the family where not there. I know it's a plot line so it's just a warning for others readers who look for the same thing.

I also felt there was a disconnect btw the MV saying he has been in love with here for years and how the where writen together.

There also felt like there where alot of plot holes.

Overall a 2.5 rounded to 3 for me.
So much potential with the FC but I wish the rest of the book could match the energy

I felt like I could do with a lot more detail for the meeting and development of the couple. it seemed so haphazard. There was a power play but I cant say I felt the age gap in anything other than the fact that it was mentioned that he was in his 30s. The character just seemed like a teenager so unsure of himself in the scenes. And he was meant to be a doctor he seemed like he was barely a high schooler. I could be feeling very strongly about it due to having really high expectations but I feel like she could so so much better.

Disclaimer This is a review after listening to the audiobook and 2.2-speed.ps i tend to rate them higher.

This was a combination of heartwarming and heartwrenching making me swing from feeling like crying to punching someone and wanting to be at the cottage to have my own friends' holiday.

I can understand why this won the Goodreads Choice awards

This was the may pick for a book club. I came in with high expectation bu was disappointed. I just felt the way the story was structured was very weird. It did not give much development to the chracters but some how felt very draggy. But I like the family dynamics within the book so I will be continuing to the next book in hopes that it is better than this one

I would give it a 3.5 tk four. The romance in the book was lack luster. Barely any chemistry. But the growth of the female lead was wonderful if feel points that could have been dramatised for effect wernt taken advantage of. Its nice but not that nice. But the content on gymnastics as well as their mental health as well as the silent abuse was spot on. There needs to be more books like this engaging people on the world behind the medals and the glory. The ture hardships of these athletes

nnWhat the ever-loving hell. I was not expecting this level of storytelling. Such utter wit and writing. I'm still reeling from listening to the audiobook. Wow. This was the first time I had full-bellied laughed as I was listening to a book. And mind you, I was in public half the time and at home with my family thinking I was a lunatic.

And the level of discussion into the psyche of breaking up after a long term relationship was so beautifully explained. But this book does so much more than the breakup and revenge as well as the hinted new romance. It made you grow with the character. Help her understand that she was more than a relationship. Experience self-worth and go through come out with a new level of knowledge that I had never seen explored so well in another breakup revenge story.

Mhairi McFarlane I one of the best contemporary romance writers I have read and that a complement that almost always reads romance exclusively. I was not all about the typical rebound sex and a good banging with the help you get over it. Nor was it the passion of first glance, and the sex was phenomenal, so I happen to fall in love with him. This was full-on emotional storytelling, which is no easy fit. It is commendable. It is also praiseworthy that this freaking book made me love it so much that I would write the longest book I could every write. What the hell.

PS. to those who consumed this book as an audiobook you know that northern accent was so enticing that as I am writing it, I am imagining myself speaking instead of speaking with a northern accent :)

This was beyond gorgeous. We have here one of the more empowering romance books that i have written. Talking about abuse and the need to realise that abuse is not the women fault. Talking about the vulnerability that they need. August turned out to be more than an escort but more of a metaphor on what a women needs when coming out an abusive relationship.

Even if Ethan's threats are realized and he makes sure I never work in this industry again, he can't take away the most important thing, not anymore.” “And what's that?” A brilliant smile forms. “My freedom.”—chefs kisses —

And my dear Evie was such a charming character. Her humour and wit are unparalleled. She has to be one of my favourite heroine. And the level of movie references within the book proves that she is a women after my own heart

“Fine.” I push out a breath. “I speak four languages.” “Is that right? And here I was trying to impress you with my knowledge of French. Which do you speak?” “English.” “Obviously.” “But I'm also fluent in profanity, sarcasm, and pirate.”

I'm in love I tell you. Read this book i guaranteed you will love it

THIS BOOK HAS ME THINKING MANY THINGS...
Don't let the 1 to 2 stars reviews scare you away
#SPOILER ALERT#

I really liked the story as well as the characters in the book. At the current point, I have no big issues with this book other than I wished that It was longer with more parts including how the relationship between Gemma and Stavio developed after her father was killed and during the period Stavio was being monogamous for the first time. I feel that it would have balanced out that Stavio was being a slut. This book came right after Reno and the second book under Nino which both had detailed scenes of emotions that the characters were experiencing. it almost felt as though Stavio's book was written as a novella and not a full book. but the writing and story are still great therefore the 4 instead of a 5.

——be warned I am ranting beyond this point so enter at your own discretion———-

However, for the first time, I was irritated by the reviews more than the book itself. the top 3 comments I was shown for some reason were all 1 to 2 stars and all of them stated how they disliked Stavio being a male whore /slut and going around sleeping with so many people while engaged to Gemma and that was the reason that they dislike the book. I felt that it was a really silly reason to dislike the book. Stavios whole character is based on him being an arrogant sarcastic individual that does not know how to show his through emotions. The whole book series is based on the brothers learning to accept people into their lives and opening up their circle to the women and children they love. There has to be some level of growth. if Stavio is somehow a saint to the moment he is engaged to Gemma on top of him not being able to sleep with her after having a whore to use every day it would have been an unbelievable storyline. and had that happened many people would have written a review on how Cora needs to stick to more believable writing. Seriously ppl let her have her artistic freedom with her characters. And let's be real we all knew that he was a slut the whole time there were 4books before this that have it well documented. I don't see how this would be a surprise to anyone

On top of this, I also realized by chance(since I was a mafia binge) that the same reviewers had read many other books based on the Mafia/bratva/mob and left their reviews as well. which would show that they should be used to some male character sleeping around. This should not be a new thing. I would like to end this off by saying that I understand that everyone has a right to an opinion but when your opinion can change from book to book when they have the same character styles it seems a bit weird to me.

And pls be reminded I am not targeting any one individual or group of individuals. I am simply airing out and frustration. This is because I almost decided not to read it based on the reviews thinking I would be bad. which makes me frustrated because I would have missed a book that I really like to the point I and thinking of purchasing physical copy for my collection

A breath of fresh air to the historical romance genre. and increased importance to the movements of feminism in the era rather than the age-old tale of male owns the women and their utter helplessness to their without the males. this shows a tale of rebellion and strength amongst the ranks of the women

there are other carefully places literary references as well as historical references that allow the characters more dimension and make us identify more with them. it also gives much more substance and flows to the storytelling.

I feel as this is almost a satire on the victorian era as the queen the woman that is the head of state is opposing the same right that she has had by birth. it almost brings forth the issue were women born into privilege do not recognize their advantage and at the same time ridicule people that work to receive the same advantage that was not given to them based on their birth