The obligatory "the heroine isn't what she appears!" trope - I do enjoy when both the heroine and the Villainess are reincarnated. To be an otome heroine you really do need to be REALLY self-centered you know? Meanwhile Aileen continues to be the most clever person to be so oblivious. ( )

(Rating is 3.5!) The series plot slowed down a bit with this volume. It's a bit bogged down because there is so much dialogue, but it's all needed in order to fully explain the plot. The plot deepens and we even get some interesting backstories on some of the characters. The only downside is that it feels way slower-paced than the first volume because of it. Hopefully, all of this dialogue, planning, and scheming will pay off in the next volume! ( )

This was great. Very enjoyable!
Laughed myself silly at times. ( )

Somehow, everything I liked about the first volume just disappears here as the story gets bogged down into long boring sequences about setting up a cosmetic company, gets mired in court intrigue, and sinks into an out-of-nowhere plot about a real estate deal that involves a previously sympathetic character trafficking slaves (whaaaat?). Poor transitions and loopy or opaque dialogue frequently left me lost and adrift in what was supposed to be happening.

Very disappointing. I'm not sure I'll bother with the next volume if my library gets it. ( )