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yourbookishbff's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I raced through this. We've had so many glimpses of Violet and Sebastian through the first two books in the series, that I thought I might suspect what their story would feel like, and I was entirely wrong. This is a flawlessly executed childhood friends-to-lovers. And, surprisingly, it doesn't depend on flashbacks or dual timelines to build our faith in their bond, and manages to convey the depth and longevity of their friendship while staying entirely in the present. There are so many small details - their private code words, their secret paths between homes, their usual meeting places, their shared habits - that build the universe of their friendship and love for the reader so beautifully that it's hard to remember who else exists in their universe.
At the heart of their love story, though, is really bad timing and heaps of trauma. Violet's slow unburdening through the first half is painful to witness; this woman who has always been forthright and confident and independent in her previous cameos is so much more than we could have imagined. I was so surprised by how well the story's inverted structure worked, and while I don't want to spoil anything, readers who prefer external conflicts for the main couple will love how deeply respectful, sincere and communicative Violet and Sebastian are with one another from page one. This is a tender and redemptive love story that affords both characters second chances at life and individual happiness. I loved it.
At the heart of their love story, though, is really bad timing and heaps of trauma. Violet's slow unburdening through the first half is painful to witness; this woman who has always been forthright and confident and independent in her previous cameos is so much more than we could have imagined. I was so surprised by how well the story's inverted structure worked, and while I don't want to spoil anything, readers who prefer external conflicts for the main couple will love how deeply respectful, sincere and communicative Violet and Sebastian are with one another from page one. This is a tender and redemptive love story that affords both characters second chances at life and individual happiness. I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual content, Medical trauma, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Murder
While Violet's backstory involves significant physical, emotional and sexual trauma, all intimacy between the two main characters is consensual, with enthusiastic verbal consent throughout and on-page discussion of pregnancy prevention (and actions taken).unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wish the ratings went higher because this book deserves infinite stars. WHAT AN EMOTIONAL RIDE. The pining! The caretaking (emotional)! The absolute stunning supremacy of a friends to lovers plot! This book has it all as well as a scientific genius (not the one you think!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual content and Suicide
prettiestwhistles's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Murder, and Alcohol
devilbunny6's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexism, Suicide, and Murder
jess_justmaybeperfect's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Violet and Sebastian have been friends since they were children. Through the bad times (brutal familial disappointments and Violet’s abusive marriage) and the better (impressive scientific discoveries) they have maintained a friendship even their closest friends don’t understand.
Violet has for years used Sebastian as her cover for her scientific advancements. They have secret passages between their homes and a secret code for scheduling work. As he grows wary of the farce and she grows wary of the isolation, cracks start to emerge in their friendship. Those cracks push Sebastian to confess feelings he’s held for years and then push Violet to think about what it means to know she is loved and that the love is deserved.
Plus you get Sebastian so lust crazed for Violet he has to make a pit stop in their secret passage, scientific accomplishments for Violet and other women, Sebastian demanding respect for Violet from their friends, a classic Milan courtroom scene, plus the most consent rich and caring intimacy a reader could ever hope for.
Violet has for years used Sebastian as her cover for her scientific advancements. They have secret passages between their homes and a secret code for scheduling work. As he grows wary of the farce and she grows wary of the isolation, cracks start to emerge in their friendship. Those cracks push Sebastian to confess feelings he’s held for years and then push Violet to think about what it means to know she is loved and that the love is deserved.
Plus you get Sebastian so lust crazed for Violet he has to make a pit stop in their secret passage, scientific accomplishments for Violet and other women, Sebastian demanding respect for Violet from their friends, a classic Milan courtroom scene, plus the most consent rich and caring intimacy a reader could ever hope for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
samchase112's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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
3.0
Another foray into historical romance that went...eh. What drew me to this particular book was the dynamic of a female scientist masquerading behind a male persona — and that plot point kind of falls apart in the first couple pages. This book truly starts en medias res, eschewing a lot of what I was excited about reading. Instead, we get a lot of Violet’s self-hatred, which ends up as a great character arc, but was really difficult to read and not want to yell at her. All in all a bit of a slog, but with a nice character arc and satisfying ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Rape
andra_mihaela_s's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book goes neck to neck with "The Heiress Effect"!!!
We follow Sebastian Malheur, the briliant and funny scientist we met in previous books, and his best friend, widowed Countess of Cambury, Violet Waterfield...a most proper lady who would never hide something from society! >...>
Content warnings: misscariage, implied domestic abuse.
I loved the fact that throught the series we get to see little snippets of all the characters the stories will be focusing on. I especially appreciated that in regards to Sebastian and Violet. We got to see more of his struggle with the role of joker in the friend group and the pressure of being equally loved and hated, crucial things in understanding his journey in this book. Loved the relationship Sebastian had with the other Brothers Sinister. Up until now, we only got to see the bright side-the companionship; now, we also had some additional dynamic issues addressed as well. Amazing! ^^
I think Courney Milan took the best decission when she put Benedict in the picture...it really gives a solid foundation for Sebastian's struggle!
Violet....Lovely Violet... I'm really happy to get such a representation on a romance novel. Even today is still hard to get in books and other media, women who don't wish the whole package for themselves (or what society wants them to wish for), who have unique interests and views on life and fight for them! I really resonated with her in several ocassions, both as a woman working in what is traditionally a men's field and as an individual with her own dreams for her future.^^
This is a friends to lovers story and I find myself thinking this type of love is my favorite! We get to see a whole and well-established relationship, with banter and understanding(implicitly acceptance thrown in the mix as well); nice scenes that don't need extra words or motivations brought up for no reasons and no over the top drama (not a fan of that) >..<
The author created a complete world using just several characters besides the ones we already know of, with some key places where the action is happening, and that's really a mark of a good writer.
We get to know Violet through Sebastian, the rest of the group, her sister,Lucy, and her mother. For Sebastian, we have Violet's inside view, his brother's- Benedict's- opinions, and the Sinisters.
This type of narration gives life to people on page!
What really drew me to them. was the fact that despite their amazing understanding of themselves and their place in the world, they fail like everybody else when it comes to the ones they care about...nobody can hurt you more than a family member/ a friend.
Before I forget, I loved the implications with Violet's mother! Such a baddass! ^^I also liked the way in which Lucy and Benedict were painted...after all, in their world, they are right. This gets to show how complex life and choices are!(and also: to what lengths people are willing to go in order to feel safe in their mind...Lucy did a terrible thing in the end..but, at least we got Benedict on the right track! ^^)
Before I finish this review, I want to mention just how wonderful it was to see Sebastian understand Violet's trauma..without endless explications that will destroy the victim's mind and make her/him ashamed for what happened to them, and with no promises beyond friendship. This felt great! Courney Milan is amazing on what she sets her mind to do! (After reading other books from her, I think this is no coincidence!)
For those of you who already read this book, I hope the following istallments don't nullify their perfect understanding of what they want or can give: Amanda and Harry are just perfect for them!
To sum it all up, this book is a wonderful representation of a friends to lovers story, with complex and complete characters, in which the author explores themes and ideas such as:
-the role of women in science in the late XIX and XX century;(the author's note is vey helpful in making us understand just how rare a woman ever got appreciation for her work -even as a small footnote in the paper)
-the weight of societal rules and beliefs that many scientist faced with each breakthrough;
-the role of a wife and the trauma that can be caused by it;
-fertility in the late XIX and XX century;
-preferential treatment when it comes to more wealthy people(the author uses a scene with Violet in order to aknowledge the unfairness of the treatment done to her in contrast to other women who would be in her position).
If any of the above sounds interesting to you, please give "The Countess Conspiracy" a try! I'm sure you will love it! ^^
Enjoy
We follow Sebastian Malheur, the briliant and funny scientist we met in previous books, and his best friend, widowed Countess of Cambury, Violet Waterfield...a most proper lady who would never hide something from society! >...>
Content warnings: misscariage, implied domestic abuse.
I loved the fact that throught the series we get to see little snippets of all the characters the stories will be focusing on. I especially appreciated that in regards to Sebastian and Violet. We got to see more of his struggle with the role of joker in the friend group and the pressure of being equally loved and hated, crucial things in understanding his journey in this book. Loved the relationship Sebastian had with the other Brothers Sinister. Up until now, we only got to see the bright side-the companionship; now, we also had some additional dynamic issues addressed as well. Amazing! ^^
I think Courney Milan took the best decission when she put Benedict in the picture...it really gives a solid foundation for Sebastian's struggle!
Violet....Lovely Violet... I'm really happy to get such a representation on a romance novel. Even today is still hard to get in books and other media, women who don't wish the whole package for themselves (or what society wants them to wish for), who have unique interests and views on life and fight for them! I really resonated with her in several ocassions, both as a woman working in what is traditionally a men's field and as an individual with her own dreams for her future.^^
This is a friends to lovers story and I find myself thinking this type of love is my favorite! We get to see a whole and well-established relationship, with banter and understanding(implicitly acceptance thrown in the mix as well); nice scenes that don't need extra words or motivations brought up for no reasons and no over the top drama (not a fan of that) >..<
The author created a complete world using just several characters besides the ones we already know of, with some key places where the action is happening, and that's really a mark of a good writer.
We get to know Violet through Sebastian, the rest of the group, her sister,Lucy, and her mother. For Sebastian, we have Violet's inside view, his brother's- Benedict's- opinions, and the Sinisters.
This type of narration gives life to people on page!
What really drew me to them. was the fact that despite their amazing understanding of themselves and their place in the world, they fail like everybody else when it comes to the ones they care about...nobody can hurt you more than a family member/ a friend.
Before I forget, I loved the implications with Violet's mother! Such a baddass! ^^I also liked the way in which Lucy and Benedict were painted...after all, in their world, they are right. This gets to show how complex life and choices are!(and also: to what lengths people are willing to go in order to feel safe in their mind...Lucy did a terrible thing in the end..but, at least we got Benedict on the right track! ^^)
Before I finish this review, I want to mention just how wonderful it was to see Sebastian understand Violet's trauma..without endless explications that will destroy the victim's mind and make her/him ashamed for what happened to them, and with no promises beyond friendship. This felt great! Courney Milan is amazing on what she sets her mind to do! (After reading other books from her, I think this is no coincidence!)
For those of you who already read this book, I hope the following istallments don't nullify their perfect understanding of what they want or can give: Amanda and Harry are just perfect for them!
To sum it all up, this book is a wonderful representation of a friends to lovers story, with complex and complete characters, in which the author explores themes and ideas such as:
-the role of women in science in the late XIX and XX century;(the author's note is vey helpful in making us understand just how rare a woman ever got appreciation for her work -even as a small footnote in the paper)
-the weight of societal rules and beliefs that many scientist faced with each breakthrough;
-the role of a wife and the trauma that can be caused by it;
-fertility in the late XIX and XX century;
-preferential treatment when it comes to more wealthy people(the author uses a scene with Violet in order to aknowledge the unfairness of the treatment done to her in contrast to other women who would be in her position).
If any of the above sounds interesting to you, please give "The Countess Conspiracy" a try! I'm sure you will love it! ^^
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infertility, and Miscarriage
Minor: Domestic abuse