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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
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
kestrel's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
A good one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
elyseo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
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
emeraldalchemist's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual violence