A scandalous arrangement between a hellion heiress and destitute duke reveals truths that neither can outrun….
As the youngest and most rebellious daughter of the overly protective Luna family, Gabriela Luna Valdés claws after her freedom in any way she can. This time, her hunger for adventure has led her aboard a windswept ship bearing for her homeland, away from a mob of fumbling British suitors. But Gabby can’t escape her father’s expectation that she settle down to find a proper husband—a compromise she’s unwilling to make.
For Sebastian Brooks, Duke of Whitfield, the trip to Mexico is his last chance. His last chance to rectify his family’s estate and refill their dwindling coffers. And his last chance to match wits with the sharp-tongued but deliciously tempting Gabriela.
When Gabby finds herself in need of a hasty escape, Sebastian agrees to assist her…but their close proximity sparks a red-hot passion that could ruin all their plans. With scandal looming, can Sebastian convince Gabby his regard is sincere or will she sail away with his heart?
Liana De la Rosa wrangles her children by day, and writes USA Today Bestselling romance by night. For details on her current project, visit her at lianadelarosa.com or find her on social media under @LianainBloom.
head full of many incommunicable thoughts, but “grab the headboard, love” is kinda the only one i can share at this moment
here is a love interest deeply inspired by anthony bridgerton and fitzwilliam darcy for those with eyes to see!! + appreciation for the spectacles
seriously this was so hot and romantic. thank you for coming to my ted talk!!
Gabriela Luna Valdés has long felt the odd one out. As her eldest sisters have all married and gone on to contribute politically to Mexico back home and abroad, Gabi cannot help but feel adrift. After many years away from Mexico, Gabriela intends to return after a scandal leaves her with no other choice but to flee London altogether. Who should be called to provide a watchful eye on the ship bearing her home but Sebastian Brooks, the Duke of Whitfield, and Gabriela’s nemesis. But outside of the expectations of London society, Gabriela and Sebastian soon discover how little they actually know each other, and the sizzling chemistry underlying their years of hatred.
Put simply, Gabriela and His Grace is historical romance perfection. Liana De la Rosa focuses on the end years of the illegal occupation of Mexico by the French as her heroine travels home to a world transformed, and I loved the windows into a part of history long uncovered within this genre. Liana De la Rosa entwines this tumultuous time in Mexican history with an exploration into home and how we can stand for our communities and ourselves. The hate to lovers arc is built up around this with the slowest of slow burns. I love seeing characters removed from their comforts so much that the facades come down and that is central to this romance. Liana De la Rosa really works to make Sebastian and Gabriela see one another, and that in contrast to their upbringings makes for some truly delicious tension. As an aside I don’t think I will be moving on from the sharing-one-bed-on-a-boat scenes, they were really so so hot (thank you Liana De la Rosa). This was a scrumdiddlyumptious romance and I will be yelling about it more in time.
GABRIELA AND HIS GRACE is the third and final book in The Luna Sisters trilogy, and I think the author saved the best for last! This one has everything I love about historical romance - a sassy, independent heroine, a brooding rogue with a heart of gold, and the authentic history of the time period seamlessly woven throughout the story. Who can ask for anything more?
Gabriela Luna is a deviant, fiery, beautiful belle with a brain and a mind of her own who refuses to be manhandled into a marriage of convenience. Fleeing yet another scandalous, British fortune hunter seeking to trap her into marriage, she boards a ship back to her home in Mexico although she knows her father will not be happy to see her return unwed. As she boards the ship, she's dismayed to learn Sebastian Brooks, the Duke of Whitfield, is also traveling to Mexico to tour a silver mine he is investing in with her brother-in-law. Sebastian needs the income to reestablish his family's estate to its' former state. Gabriela and Sebastian have an antagonistic love/hate relationship and continuously trade barbs, matching wits as the tension between them sizzles. The red-hot passion explodes as they interact over the course of the ten-day journey and time spent in Mexico, leaving them both questioning their true feelings. And when Gabriela's father pushes her to choose one of the many suitors he's throwing her way, Sebastian steps up to her defense.
Author Liana De la Rosa renders a delightful, heartfelt story with a lot of snap, crackle and pop in GABRIELA AND HIS GRACE. The characters are so well developed and authentic that readers can't help but cheer them on. The setting and history of the 1860 political conflict between Mexico and Europe are flawlessly woven throughout adding to the tension but not taking over the storyline. While this is the third book in a series, everything you need to know to enjoy GABRIELA AND HIS GRACE is within these pages. If you love a tantalizing historical romance with snarky banter, sizzling chemistry and passionate main characters, this one is for you! I'll be backing up to read the first two! 4.5 Stars #BerkleyPartners #Berkley #BerkleyBookstagram Thanks to Berkley Publishing for a complimentary arc of this title for review. Opinions expressed are my own. This title is scheduled for release Aug. 26, 2025. My review is available at Cross My Heart Reviews.
I have loved Gabby since she first walked on the page and it was so much fun finally being in her head. She is loyal, filled with love, and desperately wants to be seen as more than a pretty face. Sebastian is charming, a little lonely, and ready for something new. Together they have animosity and chemistry and understanding. Of course it was lovely seeing the other couples as well.
Plot wise, it's good. The tension isn't nearly as bad as I expected it to be and I loved that these two were together for nearly the entire book. I could have done with deeper conversations, but I'm satisfied with how he listened to her. The ending conflict didn't last long and the future take epilogue was a perfect way to end the series.
Overall, this had been a wonderful mix of history and characters who were so easy to root for. I can't wait to read whatever Liana puts out next.
**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**
I was lucky enough to win the physical arc for this book from a Berkley Romance bookbox giveaway!
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, as someone who has passionately enjoyed Liana's other books I'm disappointed with this read.
As a Mexicana, I'm constantly looking for Mexican authors who are not only writing about our culture but that highlight both our flaws and beauty of it. Reading about my own culture brings me so much joy when done properly, Isabel and The Rogue (The Luna Sister's book 2) is one of the books that I hold with so much care because I feel like it adequately represents Mexican culture.
Gabriela and His Grace overshadows that beauty and raises questions as to how we are represented on the page.
Before getting into the details, I want to preface that Mexico is not a perfect country. Our history is one that carries harmful rhetoric created by Colonialism such as Colorism, Racism, The Caste System, Patriarchy, and White Supremacy. These are still themes that Mexicans struggle with till this day. While it is important to highlight our hurtful history, it's important to remember that it does not define all of Mexico or our history.
This book centers mentions these challenges but doesn't fully encompass the root of how this rhetoric began. And the slight address of this very important conversation comes from a white man which doesn't appropriately address the fact that this is something that only Latinos or Mexicans could better understand.
Gabriela returns to Mexico after feeling trapped in London, Gabriela seeks Mexico not only to be reunited with her sister but to return to her country she once called home. During the journey, she is accompanied by the Duke of Whitfield, who visit Mexico with the interest of his personal finances.
Gabriela when arriving to Mexico is met with conflicting feelings, although she has love for her sister. Mexico no longer feels like a home to her due to the conflicting relationship she has with both her parents.
My struggle with Gabriela's story is that rather than her feeling empowered to return to the country she was forced to flee away from and once called home, she was written in a way that absolutely strips her from her country and culture.
To read this was disheartening, I understand that the immigrating to a different country carries its effects but for Gabriela to no longer feel connected to Mexico felt like a symptom of cultural assimilation from living in London. There's no address of this even after she leaves Mexico, it feels like this part of her identity was brushed aside for the sake of the "romance" which didn't even feel genuine.
The Luna sisters are passionate, independent, and are committed to making a difference in political and societal norms. Gabrielas story falls away from the message. Rather than being the fiery woman she is described in book 1 and 2, by the end of the book her character is absolutely demolished and conforms to the patriarchy.
The Love interest, Sebastian carries his own red flags. Rather than appreciating Gabriela's identity, he hinders it discreetly. This begins with conversations about blatant anti-indigenous beliefs, he simply finds a way to defend Gabriela, while completely ignoring the full context in which it was used. Later on he gives Gabriela, the most random nickname that absolutely white-ifys her name. And the list goes on I fear. But I cannot say too much due to spoilers.
And for the love of God, do not even ASK me about the third act-break mess. Which genuinely felt like micro-aggression towards Mexicana's because it completely ignores the constant battle of machismo that we struggle with.
I really tried to like this book, I've met Liana and think she's a great person. As I mentioned, I have enjoyed her other works. Yet I cannot recommend this book to my audience in good conscience.
I’ve loved the Luna Sisters series and this final installment in this historical romance series was so good!
I have been waiting for Gabriela’s book and this definitely delivered! She’s the independent, strong, sassy, rebellious sister of the family. She’s spent time with her sisters in England but is now headed back home to Mexico, and traveling with her is Sebastian, Duke of Whitfield, who is a friend of her brother-in-law. Sebastian is on his way to Mexico to tour a silver mine he is investing in with Gabriela’s brother-in-law. It’s his last chance to save his family’s estate and have income coming in. The banter and yearning between these two had been building so the forced proximity of being on the ship together in close quarters (the same quarters at that) is super fun. I loved seeing all the sisters and the full circle epilogue to cap off this series. On top of that, the history in here is woven in so well and I loved that aspect of the storytelling too.
Highly recommend this series and this author, I always love her books! I received an ARC, all thoughts in this review are my own.
This is the third and final book in this series and it was shaping up to be my favorite....until the last 40 to 50 pages.
A man telling a little lie in a Romance book is fine we need drama but a big huge lie being thrown at us in the last few pages is too much. Not only is it a big lie that shows this man has ZERO respect for her but she just instantly forgives him because he says he loves her.
It was a disappointing ending to a great book. Had it been introduced earlier in the book and had the Duke had to fight to get her back, I would feel different but instead it ruined the book for me.
Audiobook Stats: ⏰: 12 hours and 24 minutes 🎤: Ruby Hunt Publisher: PRH Audio Format: Single POV/Timeline I found the narrator to be clear and concise in her narration. I never had to adjust my speed and was able to listen within my typical range. I enjoyed the tone and tempo of this narrator. I liked the voices used and their Spanish pronunciation.
Themes: 🚢: Being yourself 🚢: Following your dreams
Representation: 💃🏻: Mexican FMC and side characters 💃🏻: Partial Mexico Setting
Tropes: 💗: Rivals to Lovers 💗: One Bed 💗: He Falls First
🥵: Spice: 🌶️🌶️ Potential Triggers: domestic violence **check authors page/socials for full list.
General Thoughts: I loved this book. It was so fun and the two main characters were so easy to root for. The storyline was compelling and kept my interest.
It did start a little slow when it comes to TBR storyline. I felt like nothing much was happening for the first bit but it was resolved quickly and easily forgotten as the story ramped up.
I enjoyed the various settings and the way we got to check in with past characters. This felt like a good ending and I enjoyed where everyone landed. Disclaimer: I read this audiobook via free ALC through NetGalley and PRH Audio. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Gabriela Luna Valdés is so pretty that everyone assumes she's got an empty head. Sebastian Brooks, Duke of Whitfield, is so pretty that everyone excuses his pompous dick-baggery. They end up on the same boat to Mexico together and discover that they like each other more than previously thought: Sebastian thinks Gabby is smart and savvy and passionate, and Gabby discovers Sebastian is actually grounded and loyal and kind. When they leave Mexico together, their boners may change the course of their lives—forever.
1. I think I liked this the best of the trilogy, but only just. Gabby as a heroine suffers for being a little bit of a muddle: she is both some how too rebellious but also the perfect pawn in her father's empire-building; she's bold and smart but also prone to fleeing situations that are uncomfortable or scary. I do appreciate her complexities, but wish her characterization was, overall, more clear and consistent in order to feel more like I understood her vs. being pulled hither and yon by her new dimensions.
2. Sebastian was more straightforward, but that doesn't excuse the complete lack of reconciliation with who he was when he first approached Gabby (asking her for a dance and then stepping way for a blow job like you do).
3. And, of course, once again Gabriela and His Grace jumps forward a few years from the events of Isabel and the Rogue without any meaningful impact to the characters. I shared my frustrations with this approach in my review for Isabel so I won't repeat myself. But I disliked it here, too.
4. I did like Gabby and Sebastian's growing understanding of one another, which is why I think this is the book I prefer from the trilogy: Sebastian seeing Gabby under her father's thumb and understanding how that has made her the defensive, prickly woman he knew in London; Gabby finding comfort and support in Sebastian's presence and allowing him to see her vulnerability—it was pretty good shit!
HOWEVER. The entire secondary plot about Sebastian hiding his brothers from her after their marriage was SO STUPID. I truly rolled my eyes through the last 5-6 chapters of the book because of how unnecessarily over the top it was, knowing that Gabby would see them and assume they were his children, and it was just: unnecessary.
5. Also the use of "woodsy" and "arctic" to describe Sebastian was too much. They're not in the book that much but they're distinctive enough that I groaned each and every subsequent time they were used. Ugh.
This was an amazing but bittersweet end to the Luna Sisters series that focuses on Gabby, the youngest sister who has to escape London back to Mexico after too many untoward, unwelcome advances but luckily has her traveling with Sebastian, the Duke she loves to exchange heated barbs with.
I loved the forced proximity, only one bed, fiery exchanges between the leads, how Sebastian loves Gabriela for who she is and only wants to see her shine despite her father's insistence she's only good as a potential wife to some lord. Full of passion, a strong Latine female lead and lots of great cameos from the other couples in the series.
It was also good on audio and highly recommended for fans of historical romance authors like Erica Ridley or Adriana Herrera. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review! PS: don't skip the heartfelt author's note included at the end!
This was a good conclusion to this series and it was a good read. I loved the historical aspect and learning about Mexico in this time period and the conflict the fmc went through especially with people not believing that the fmc was smart. I liked the banter between the main characters especially in the beginning when they weren't that cool. I liked that this was an only one cabin since they were on a boat for a good amount of time. I liked how they got to like each other and the chemistry that they had. I love a mmc with glasses so i was into the Duke and how he defended and protected the fmc. This book is steamy and i love the love confessions and the nice ending. Overall a good and diverse series with history, romance and found family.
4.5 stars! Thanks to Berkley pub for this arc. I love a historical romance that makes me learn new things. I mean it. Mexican independence was not something I expected to be educated about but here we are and I enjoyed it. Politics in historical romance is sometimes the most important thing and I loved this fresh story set in a world I have yet to read about. Contemporary romance doesn’t always have the ground for storylines that involve the fate of nations and women’s rights which is why I love going back to the goodness of historical romance.
Gabriela is the youngest Luna sister and she’s a runner. She fled Mexico to keep safe during the revolution and then fled London because men are trash. Her journey to Mexico is accompanied by Whitfield, a handsome duke with little glasses, a large torso, and her biggest annoyance. She of course has the required chaperone with her but the forced proximity was delicious. It goes on and on in various locations and moments till it explodes. Oh, did I forget to mention Whitfield is a reformed rake. The best rakes are the reformed ones.
Anyway, fun times were had. Excellent details were provided. Did you know they had condoms back them? Loved that for my girl, Gabby. Anyway, this was fun, unique and worth reading. I’m now going to hunt down the rest of the series because I loved the sisters in this book and loved how besotted the men were. (As they should be)
4.5 ✨Loved this book SO MUCH, hands down my favorite of the Luna sisters series! Liana De la Rosa delivered with Gabriela & Sebastian’s story!
I absolutely loved the slow burn between Gabriela and Sebastian!! Their love/hate relationship really lead to something more 🤭 Even though they would bicker there was always such a mutual respect for one another! Their banter and intimacy was everything!❤️🔥
The Duke is the standard 🫠 The moments when Sebastian would stand up for Gabby made my heart swoon!!! He ALWAYS knew her worth!!
Family dynamics played such an important role within the story. While Gabby always presented herself as fierce and strong (no se deja de nadie), you really get a deep dive into her character. Same goes for Sebastian while he always appeared charming on the outside, there’s more to his story too. Seeing their vulnerability gave you an understanding of why they are who they are 🥹
The relationship between the Luna sisters was so endearing! It was so heart warming to see Ana María & Isabel live happily with their spouses!
Being this is a historical romance, it was interesting to see how the series coincided with actual historic events of the Second Mexican Empire. I’d recommend reading the Author’s Note at the end.
Overall you MUST pick this book up on release day August 26, 2025 🩷
having a hard time writing this review bc this book just didn’t hit the way i hoped it would 😔
the first 60-70% is written more like historical fiction than romance which is perfectly fine !!! i just don’t particularly enjoy historical fiction so i struggled to read the first part of this book.
i will say the last 20% of the book is much heavier on the romance side & i was really enjoying it. but at that point i was so over the book lol
nothing against the writing at all!! it was a very well written book with well developed characters. it just was not the right book for me at this time.
thank you berkley romance for the arc! this is my honest review.
Gabriela & Sebastian were EVERYTHING I dreamed of and more. I loved how they focused on their personal development but also their connection to each other. I was kicking my feet and giggling everytime they got close to each other, especially when she would put him in his place.
The mouth on this man!!! Only one bed!!! Gabriela’s sexual awakening!!! Your honor I love them.
The last book of the Luna Sisters series is the strongest and most romantic of the three. As we remember from Ana María and the Fox Sebastian is so enchanted seeing Gabriela at a ball he uses his ducal privilege to stroll up and start chatting with no formal introduction and secures a waltz, a breach in protocol. I'm mentioning this now, because later in the party she wanders in the library and sees him with a woman on her knees applying a little more ducal privilege, if you catch my meaning. She's outraged (slash feelings hurt because she liked him) and gives him the cut direct (!!) when he tries to claim a dance later. And I'm bringing all this up in detail because it leads to four years of her being really rude and them sniping at each other.
So here's the thing. Her super animosity towards Sebastian is like a sideshow for society, and probably makes it difficult for her sisters who are married to his BFFs so they are often together. And he matches her energy for sure (and then also matches immediately when she drops it) but it's Gabriela-driven. She's all "Whitfield's presumptuous, vain, and arrogant. He believes himself to be the smartest person in any room he steps into and must always have the last word. He's a rake of the highest order," and sure he's highhanded and his BFFs call him out on dishing it out and not taking it, but possibly not more than any other titled man, let alone duke? I just got a little exhausted by the low-stakes, pointless enemies-to-lovers of it all. And they mutually decide to drop the sniping during this multi-week trip to Mexico and there's no acknowledgment of wow we could have been friends or together this whole time if not for the years of meaningless conflict, think of the time lost.
And here's the other thing de la Rosa did with this story line that I really didn't like at all: Its very unclear in Sebastian's POV if he knows exactly what Gabriela saw and why she is so mad. It could easily be that they got off on the wrong foot because he went right for the pre-intro flirting and she was insulted. "Yet instead of approaching her with respect and a sincere earnestness to meet her, Sebastian had been a rogue." It just felt like de la Rosa was trying to be Cute, with at least five direct references to that night in his POV all deliberately vague like the quote above, until the very last one.
But despite this, I loved this book. Anyone knows that bickering and insults can only mean one thing,. The awareness and mutual acts of respect and kindness start to build. Gabriela starts to see the things that bothered her about his as his protective shields, and he shows her how he respects her brain and not just her beauty. Her parents are the woooooooorst towards her, but luckily "Sebastian knew she didn't need him to defend her, and he wasn't certain he even liked her, but good God, no one would ever insult Gabriela Luna within his hearing." He is there for her time and again. Including when she sails back to England with him and There's Only One Cabin.
The whole trip home is just their turn from frenemies to lovers. It starts with a Darcy-esque hand flex as he hands her out of a carriage, and ends with a torrid three week "if this boats a'rocking" situation. Then this dummy decides to above all not show vulnerability "his pride - his very survival - demanded he not drag himself any lower" and confess his feelings, and ALSO that he should keep a Very Big Secret when his hand is forced into a proposal. Sure there could have been a little more grovel at the end when he gets found out. Sure we could have used a little more information about the people involved (the backstory comes quite late). It's also fairly satisfying that Gabriela has to own her own relationship patterns that cause issues.
This whole book, including the resolution was extremely well done. There's a lovely epilogue to jump ahead with all our sisters and their men and see what the future has started to bring. And, as usual, the story deftly weaves in Mexican history and culture into the story with Ms. Bev levels of adroitness. A fantastic conclusion to the series.
Me lo leí sin haber leído los dos primeros antes y no creo que los lea tbh.
Me gustó, fue un lindo romance, la problemática del final fue floja, me esperé algo un poco más desarrollado y complejo, pero ni modo, me quedo con esto que dijo Sebastián:
“Because even living in the shadow of your smile would have sustained me.” 😩😭
I’m so sad to say goodbye to the Luna sisters! (Thanks for the free book @berkleyromance #berkleypartner #berkley
Gabriela is the youngest Luna sister, and everyone notices her beauty and ignores her mind. We’ve seen her relationship with the Duke of Whitfield, Sebastian Brooks, teased throughout the series, and their enemies to lovers vibe has been so delicious to watch.
I would recommend this one to fans of slow burns, rebellious women, and sisterly bonds! I really loved that this series centered around historical events in Mexico, and would love to read more set in a similar time frame, especially books set in Mexico!
Ruby Hunt narrates the whole series. I loved her voices for all of the characters, and the consistency of having the same narrator so the characters sound the same in each book! These books were easy for me to follow on audio.
Thanks to @berkleypub and @berkleyromance for the free published copy and e-ARC and to @prhaudio for the review copy of this audiobook!
I feel like I needed books one and two to get the dynamics between the characters. The enemies stage was over way too fast and the lovers stage took over too soon. Even the only one cabin was resolved too quickly with very little tension. There were almost too many spicy scenes. Also I didn’t buy the MMC as a rake. He was too kind and caring and attentive. The miscommunication at the end that led to the third act breakup was really ridiculous. Quit keeping secrets! Especially those that aren’t that earth shattering.
I did like the FMC’s spunk and kindness. And the Mexican history was fascinating.
This was an excellent ending to this series, and although not a bunch happened the chemistry between Sebastian and Gabby filled the pages beautifully. As always this series does such a great job informing you of the history but still keeping it grounded in realistic characters. I loved that we got to go to Mexico in this one again, and how passionate Gabby was about the political landscape despite everyone thinking she’s just an empty-headed beauty. I adore the sisterly relationship between the 3 Luna girls, and I think this book really highlighted their lasting love and support for each other. Both Gabby and Sebastian have some real daddy issues here, and this really brings them together in a surprising way. Watching Sebastian defend Gabby to her horrid father was hella satisfying.
Their flaming hot chemistry and sexual tension steeped in animosity was delicious. Sebastian and Gabby can’t stand each other, but they also can’t stand their attraction and with close proximity and so many instances of only one….these two were bound to create explosions. Their animosity very quickly melts to this care and defense of each other that was beautiful to witness. And a gorgeous epilogue to leave me in happy tears, I love these sisters.
The thing I didn’t like about this book is that now that it’s over it means the Luna Sisters series is over.
I love the Luna sisters so much. Maybe because I am one of three sisters but also because each one is so unique and wonderful. I saw myself in each sister. Ana Maria is a leader, Isabel is smart and a reader, and now we have Gabriela, who is fiery and a fierce defender of those she loves but is also overlooked sometimes. I am all of the Luna Sisters.
Gabriela, as has been set up for two books, is finally finally sparking that romance with the Duke. Helped by an only one cabin on a ship moment. Only one cabin? I am sat.
I adore historical romance and I adore this series all the more because the women aren’t pale English roses. I loved the talk of Mexican history. I loved the discussion of colorism. I loved Gabriela passionately loving her country but also seeing a future beyond what her father set up for her.
I truly am so sad this is over. I need a few more sisters to show up that we didn’t know about.
Gabriela and His Grace is out August 26, 2025.
Thank you to the author, Berkley, and NetGalley for the advanced review copy 🩷
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f historical romance -frenemies to lovers -slow burn -forced proximity
I just love this series so much. The politicla intrigue, the relationship of the sisters and the family dynamics. Just so dissapointed this series is over. I loved getting the glimpses of the other sisters happily ever afters while we got Gabriela's and her rakish love. How these two shifted from not so friendly to flaling for each other. The sexual tension was delicious.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The Luna sisters are great main characters and I enjoyed reading as the bond between them grew. It was fun to finally meet their parents on page, especially their father. It was like when Fire Lord Ozai finally showed up in the third season of "Avatar: The Last Airbender." I also enjoyed learning more about the history of the French invasion of Mexico and the leaders/politicians involved. This setting spanned from London to Mexico to a ducal English estate, and it never felt too rushed or like the author was trying to cram too much into too few pages.
Gabriela and Westfield had a very strong romance story, and I appreciated the back-and-forth between them as they began to learn more about each other. They definitely were NOT enemies-to-lovers, FYI. (Does no one know what that trope is anymore? If Gabby had fallen in love with a French captain who was taking part in the military campaign in Mexico, THAT would be enemies-to-lovers. This was just two people who annoyed each other. Didn't-get-alongs to lovers, I guess.)
I read this on audiobook and the narrator was okay at the beginning, but I soon found her annoying. Her man voice just isn't masculine enough and it took me out of a lot of the scenes between Gabby and Westfield.
So, why three stars? The sex scenes are 🤮. In fact, nearly every new historical romance I've read has had ick sex scenes. I'm done with characters turning into completely different people the second they hit the sheets. These two read like modern-day pornified hornballs, and it ripped me right out of the story.
You're telling me that a sheltered heiress — who has only kissed a few men up to this point — is pulling out a man's dick in the middle of the day and giving him an expert blowjob? You want me to believe that a smart woman who has had to spend the last few years of her life dodging fortune-hunting peers would make out with some dude she's not married to in public? Multiple times????
Ruination was a thing at the time. Single women got NO sex education. Married women were essentially told that their husbands would show them what to do. I know that these concepts sound like they'd take the fun out of these scenes, but I actually think they add interesting complexity to them. Intimacy scenes in historical novels are more tense than those in contemporaries because of these concepts. How will they sneak away? How will they prepare for when they're together? How will they protect each other from social fallout? Gabby giving the duke a quick blowy at his desk in the middle of the day is not congruent with her character. Her requesting (or even demanding) instruction on how to please him that way in their bedroom is.
It feels like historical romances are turning into contemporaries in historical cosplay. I love historicals because they typically lean more into the slow burn: little touches and kisses mean so much more and play a bigger role leading up to the big intimacy scene. Here, we got one kiss before they were humping in a shared bed. ☹️ I've read others with weird kink play that doesn't fit the time. Others where the previously sheltered FMC is talking like she worked for one of those chat lines from the '90s.
IDK, maybe I'm nitpicking. Maybe I'm a prude. (I don't think I'm one, but subjective.) Maybe this is just a bigger symptom of the TikTokification of the romance genre. Spice at the expense of everything else.
2⭐️ This should have been 3 stars and it was for about 80% of the book, but then: the ending.
First of, this is not an enemies to lovers. I‘m sorry, it‘s not. More slight dislike to lovers. I did not care for the way the MMC has been endeared to us: playing with children and the underclass, he must be a great guy… Could have lived with that, would have been fine.
Then he does the same to her than the other guy and traps her and she is basically okay with it. Oh and then the absolutely unnecessary conflict beginns and in the end it is so cheesy that I had to roll my eyes.
Many thanks to Berkley for the e-ARC. I appreciate the Hub for Underrepresented Voices as a way to get these books in the hands of the right readers.
The end of an era for the Luna Sisters. This conclusion was fitting for both Sebastian and Gabi. After two books worth of banter and tension, these two had a fair amount of preconceived notions and assumptions to overcome when it came to their eventual coupling. And because of this couple’s relationship arc, that slow burn is just a little bit more agonizing as you work your way through book 3. This book moves slowly but carefully.
I will admit, however, that this installment has much lower political stakes or intrigue. If you’re hoping for more action in line with Isabel and The Rogue, you won’t find that here. The stakes here are all personal. For Gabi, it’s learning to assert and advocate for herself as an overlooked youngest daughter consistently told that her value is only in what she can do as a wife in a political marriage. Indeed, Gabi has the much stronger development through line in the story. She is inspired by the passion, intellect, and independence of her older sisters, and her inner turmoil and opportunities for growth make themselves known throughout the book. For Sebastian, it’s achieving financial solvency and providing a safe and loving home for his much younger half brothers. While the pace moves slowly, the story is filled with lush descriptions of place settings—the story mostly takes place in Mexico—and so much history. De la Rosa also brings in timely and relevant challenges resulting from the multiple waves of colonialism in Mexico: colorism, the caste system, anti-indigenous sentiment, patriarchy, and of course white supremacy. There is a lot of travel in GAHG: the couple travels from England to Mexico and back again, from the coast to San Luis Potosí, from London to the north of England to the ducal seat. For such a slowly moving narrative…this felt a touch odd.
A dark moment in the third act showed that there was still room for these characters to grow. Though I did find myself groaning aloud at every missed opportunity for Sebastian to reveal his big secret. (C’MON MAN! 🙄🫣) Gabi’s response though? Definitely made sense for her character arc. And I liked that she’s called out for it by her sister Ana and former chaperone Lady Yardley.
Did I enjoy this finale and sense of resolution to the series? Yes. Was it my favorite of the three? No, and that’s ok!
the chemistry between gabby and sebastian?? freaking amazing. these two might just be my favourite couple of the entire series—the banter, the tension, the tenderness—chef’s kiss.
but that final conflict? saw it coming from a mile away, and it still managed to annoy the hell out of me 💀 this book was so close to being perfect, but as soon as sebastian chose to hide a few truths, i knew this would be a setback for me. gabby and sebastian actually had a decent amount of trust built up between them—it's not very strong ofc, but definitely more than the other two couples. i really thought that would carry them through the third-act drama. alas, secrets and miscommunication had to make their grand return.
that said, this is definitely my favourite book in the series. the characters, the chemistry, the emotions—the romance was just better, and i'm really glad i read the first two books before diving into this one.
huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! 💕
—4.25 stars
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pre-read:
i got this arc mainly bc i loved the cover so much 😭😭 but it's the third book in a series and now i'm debating whether i should read the earlier books or not
This book was soooo good, until I had to toss my eReader because OMG WTF Sebastian!! Men, am I right?!
So like the first 80% was swoony, flirty, go get her my duke. There was romancing on a boat (while crossing the Atlantic), there was romancing in Mexico (where Gabriela was in her element and surrounded by family, for better or worse), and then there was England and SECRETS. Nooooo! I mean we find out why, and fine sure, but also trust your lady and USE YOUR WORDS!
But I still loved it. I haven't yet read Ana María's book, I know I know, but this felt like a fantastic wrap up to The Luna Sisters series, and a very much deserved HEA for Gabriela.
I read via audiobook and Ruby Hunt did a fantastic job of the narration. Highly recommend!