memoriast's reviews
195 reviews

I love the concept of this book! And I really liked the first part with the hidden identity and angst over getting closer to your childhood friend who thinks you're dead. 

However, I think the book lost its steam once they left Morgencald. After that, the only conflict in the relationship is the class difference, but that's not something central to their concept of the relationship - it's more like an external obstacle that never really changes.

Like, one of the big things is that Gracewood thought she was dead, and mourned her, and then she hid her new identity from him. I felt like that was resolved far too quickly - Gracewood realizes he was wrong to think of her fake-death/transition as betrayal, and then travels to London to tell her so. For sure, I don't want a transphobic main character. But I think the book could have done a lot more with the complicated feelings they both have!

I also found it hard to get a grasp on the characters. Is Viola bold? Timid? Adventurous? Comforting? Obviously, a person can be all of these things, but I never felt like I really understood or connected to her or Gracewood.

Cat Sebastian is the GOAT holy shit. The characters are so alive and their traumas and hang-ups have such clear influences on their characters. There's grief, and there's meeting people who make you realize you can be more than you were raised to be, and there's relationships that mean a lot more than you're willing to admit, and there's eating the rich! One of the best romances I've ever read.

Ultimate childhood friends to lovers story. Cat Sebastian is truly amazing. Also features some femdom in the sex scenes!