re-evaluating some of my ratings this year and I'm bumping this one up to 5 bc fucking I love Courtney Milan. ( )

If you asked me to describe Courtney Milan's writing style, I would say that it's like someone wrote out a period drama mini series. The socio-economic commentary is there. The physical level of the relationship is delayed until the end, so Milan heightens it with all this tension and charged air. Sometimes this doesn't work (see The Duchess War, but here it does.

Violet and Sebastian engaged in science's dirty little secret: the woman is the brilliant one while the man is her assistant, but only the man gets the credit. It's a fascinating premise, and snapdragons have never been so sexy. The conflict comes when Sebastian tries to stop lying for the sake of his dying brother while Violet grapples with this secret alone, or so she thinks.

The coming together of the relationship between Violet and Sebastian is very believable, as the story spans almost a year. For a woman who is terrified of intimate relations thanks to a horrible first marriage, she eventually comes around in a satisfying way.

That said, it simultaneously takes too long for anything to happen. The first 120 pages of this book was incredibly slow and boring. This is the downside of Milan's writing style, I think. These scenes would be far more interesting to watch than to read about because the tension is palpable when the characters are standing right next to each other. It's very difficult to communicate with just words. And, even after their relationship gets a firm kick forward, it still takes the two forever to even come to an understanding that, yes, you like-like this person and no, the world will not instantaneously combust when you admit it.

Overall, this is a fun, insightful read, and Sebastian is definitely the most romantic male lead we've had in this series thus far. Highly recommend sticking out those first 120 pages. ( )

Violet is amazing.

2nd reading: i almost dnf'ed this book :((( ( )

2nd read- It's kind of a slow start, relationship-wise, but once it gets going it becomes quite compelling. It's a reverse sunshine/grump trope. Both characters become more and more empathetic as the story progresses. And the ending is happy and feels satisfying. ( )

The Countess Conspiracy
3 Stars

Violet Waterfield, Countess of Cambury, and Sebastian Malheur have been friends since childhood. Sebastian would do anything for Violet, even pretend that her scientific theories on the inheritance of traits are actually his own. But when the scandal surrounding his name becomes too much, he threatens to dissolve their conspiracy, and Violet will have to decide what lengths she is willing to go to to keep Sebastian in her life.

As someone who usually has a soft spot for prickly heroines, even I found Violet to be excessively cold and aloof. It is unfortunate that her backstory with the reasons for her emotional detachment is left so late in the narrative. Putting aside for a moment the unlikelihood of a woman in Victorian times surviving 19 miscarriages, if this information had been provided earlier, it would have been easier to sympathize with her personality quirks, and she would be more likable.

In contrast, Sebastian is simply lovely. His obvious love for Violet is heartbreaking, considering her apparent inability to return his feelings. To be honest, he deserved better.

Despite the problematic romance, Milan's writing is engaging, and the details of Violet's theories are fascinating, as are the attitudes toward women in science during that era. Modern women often take for granted the freedoms we have to pursue our educations, and it is always rewarding to learn of the achievements of those women who paved the way for us.

Overall, this one is rather disappointing given the build-up in the previous book. The final installment focuses on Oliver's intelligent and strong-willed sister, Free. Hopefully, it will live up to expectations. ( )