All the love for this amazing enemies-to-lovers, hurt-comfort romance!!
This one is full-on. These characters loathed each other and had done so for about two decades. Their mutual animosity ran so deep; I wondered how they would ever get over that. What could possibly get these men to reevaluate their opinions and start seeing each other in a different light? Not to mention forgive past hurts? Because some of their exchanges were incredibly vicious.
But the author managed it brilliantly, turning from enemies to lovers to hurt/comfort with a twist I didn’t see coming, but which tore at my heart. All at once, it became a very different story. Deeply emotional and heartbreaking.
Seth and Charley are both complex and wonderful characters. Their chemistry is off the charts, but what really got to me the most were the little things like Seth showing up on his birthday to be there for Charley, without any expectations, the tentative handholding which is so much more revealing than angry sex ever could be.
I loved the bond between Charley and Mabel & Sapphire. It was so good to see him have those two in his corner. Same for his connection with Alex, the way he stands up for her and supports her…those were some of the best scenes in the book.
Seth and Charley aren’t the most “conventional” couple, but their love for each other runs so deep. It was incredibly inspiring. I also loved that it wasn’t an easy thing for either of them. They are tested from the onset, and that made every little step they took closer to each other even more fulfilling.
The epilogue was all I could have wanted, so touching and romantic while still staying true to who these characters are. The perfect feel-good ending where we leave our MC’s in a happy, hopeful place.
Narration: Kirt Graves absolutely nailed this one! I have loved every one of his narrations for the Lavender Shore books, but his performance of The Victorian was truly special. There’s so much raw emotion between Seth and Charley, and he captures it all brilliantly: their passion, their animosity, their hurt… and the understanding and love that grows between them. I loved his voices for both MC’s. Everything about this audiobook was perfect!