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True Love Fades Away When the Contract Ends (Light Novel) #2
True Love Fades Away When the Contract Ends - Music of the Flower Gardens and Heavens (Light Novel) Volume 2
THE ART OF DECEPTION
Fiona Clayburn is one lucky girl. Not only does she have a job she loves, working with fine art at Gallery Roche, but she's also managed to catch the eye of one of the most desired bachelors around—Giles, son of the Earl of Bancroft—and they're madly in love. Well, that's what everyone thinks, anyway. Little do they know it's all but a ruse to help the pair achieve their individual dreams and goals. After all, Fiona couldn't have possibly melted the Icy Scion's heart...right? But fake-love pacts aside, the two find themselves saddled with a case to crack when they pay a visit to Giles's godmother, the Marchioness of Heyward, to appraise a painting—only to discover it hides a terrifying secret!
Fiona Clayburn is one lucky girl. Not only does she have a job she loves, working with fine art at Gallery Roche, but she's also managed to catch the eye of one of the most desired bachelors around—Giles, son of the Earl of Bancroft—and they're madly in love. Well, that's what everyone thinks, anyway. Little do they know it's all but a ruse to help the pair achieve their individual dreams and goals. After all, Fiona couldn't have possibly melted the Icy Scion's heart...right? But fake-love pacts aside, the two find themselves saddled with a case to crack when they pay a visit to Giles's godmother, the Marchioness of Heyward, to appraise a painting—only to discover it hides a terrifying secret!
- GenresLight NovelRomance
Audible Audio
Published April 21, 2025
6 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 18, 2025
This was going great until the MC h decided to do the exact OPPOSITE of what everyone was basically begging her not to do, which was head into danger.
The MC h just does NOT listen OR learn from those around her or her past mistakes. She does dangerous things, such as climb a tree at age five to get a kitten out instead of getting an adult to help, so she falls out of the tree and breaks a leg.
She seems to wear it as a badge of honor that every five years she dramatically hurts herself and ignores those around her who care about her and plead with her to take better care of herself and to not to dangerous things.
She was key in foiling a counterfeiting artwork plot, that led to a plot to overthrow the Crown Prince, so shady politics stuff that could be dangerous. Her fiancée and all of those who love her tell her, “Stay away from the Bad Guy’s Lair. We are going there to find evidence and it is dangerous.”
She decides that her fiancée and the others are being high handed and goes anyway. Her ONLY ability is running fast, she can’t protect herself and she’s obviously dumb so she will only be in the way and cause the MC H and others to have to protect her once she’s in danger, but NOOOOOOOO, she just HAD to see the BG Lair for HERSELF because her art knowledge would find ALL DA CLEWS!!!1!1!
🤦♀️
Sadly, she probably will too, so she won’t learn anything from this experience and I’m sorry, but life is too short for MC h who are TSTL.
2, not QUITE a rage quit but definitely a DNF and not continuing with this series, stars.
The MC h just does NOT listen OR learn from those around her or her past mistakes. She does dangerous things, such as climb a tree at age five to get a kitten out instead of getting an adult to help, so she falls out of the tree and breaks a leg.
She seems to wear it as a badge of honor that every five years she dramatically hurts herself and ignores those around her who care about her and plead with her to take better care of herself and to not to dangerous things.
She was key in foiling a counterfeiting artwork plot, that led to a plot to overthrow the Crown Prince, so shady politics stuff that could be dangerous. Her fiancée and all of those who love her tell her, “Stay away from the Bad Guy’s Lair. We are going there to find evidence and it is dangerous.”
She decides that her fiancée and the others are being high handed and goes anyway. Her ONLY ability is running fast, she can’t protect herself and she’s obviously dumb so she will only be in the way and cause the MC H and others to have to protect her once she’s in danger, but NOOOOOOOO, she just HAD to see the BG Lair for HERSELF because her art knowledge would find ALL DA CLEWS!!!1!1!
🤦♀️
Sadly, she probably will too, so she won’t learn anything from this experience and I’m sorry, but life is too short for MC h who are TSTL.
2, not QUITE a rage quit but definitely a DNF and not continuing with this series, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2025
This remains the light novel series you could give to Regency romance fans and they'd feel right at home and probably enjoy it.
February 1, 2025
Just a little warning—there might be some minor spoilers ahead, but nothing major.
I really enjoyed this volume, and now I’m fully hooked on this series. The mystery in particular kept me guessing the whole time—between Otto Gordon, the counterfeit paintings, and the lingering questions surrounding Poiret, there was always something to theorize about. I love how the story keeps unfolding piece by piece, making me feel like I’m figuring things out alongside the characters. It’s not just a romance—it’s a story that has me constantly thinking and second-guessing my predictions.
That said, while I like the romance, I have to admit that the slow-burn is a little too slow at times. Fiona, Giles, and even Norman are far too oblivious to their own emotions, which gets frustrating when the writing makes it obvious to everyone but them. I know this kind of emotional naivety is a common trope in Japanese light novels, web novels, and manga, and while I understand why it’s used, it’s not my favorite aspect of these stories—especially as a reader in my mid-thirties. I don’t mind slow-burn, but there’s a difference between gradual development and characters being completely clueless about their own feelings. I would have liked at least a bit more self-awareness from them at this point in the story.
The side characters add just the right balance to the story, enhancing it without taking up more space than necessary. Their involvement helps flesh out the world and add depth without shifting focus away from Fiona and Giles. I also appreciate how the book continues to feel faithful to its time period (which, while not explicitly named, is very much Regency). There are a few moments of lapsed propriety, but nothing that pulls me out of the story. It all feels consistent with how the world was presented in Volume 1.
I don’t really have any complaints, aside from the fact that I have to wait for the next volume. And the official translation hasn’t even been announced yet, so I have no idea how long I’ll be waiting. (Which means I’ll be hunting down the web novel version because patience is not my strong suit.)
If you like a well-developed mystery woven into your slow-burn historical romance, with strong character work and a plot that actually makes sense for the setting, this is absolutely worth reading. Now excuse me while I try to pass the time with other reads while wishing the next volume would magically appear.
I really enjoyed this volume, and now I’m fully hooked on this series. The mystery in particular kept me guessing the whole time—between Otto Gordon, the counterfeit paintings, and the lingering questions surrounding Poiret, there was always something to theorize about. I love how the story keeps unfolding piece by piece, making me feel like I’m figuring things out alongside the characters. It’s not just a romance—it’s a story that has me constantly thinking and second-guessing my predictions.
That said, while I like the romance, I have to admit that the slow-burn is a little too slow at times. Fiona, Giles, and even Norman are far too oblivious to their own emotions, which gets frustrating when the writing makes it obvious to everyone but them. I know this kind of emotional naivety is a common trope in Japanese light novels, web novels, and manga, and while I understand why it’s used, it’s not my favorite aspect of these stories—especially as a reader in my mid-thirties. I don’t mind slow-burn, but there’s a difference between gradual development and characters being completely clueless about their own feelings. I would have liked at least a bit more self-awareness from them at this point in the story.
The side characters add just the right balance to the story, enhancing it without taking up more space than necessary. Their involvement helps flesh out the world and add depth without shifting focus away from Fiona and Giles. I also appreciate how the book continues to feel faithful to its time period (which, while not explicitly named, is very much Regency). There are a few moments of lapsed propriety, but nothing that pulls me out of the story. It all feels consistent with how the world was presented in Volume 1.
I don’t really have any complaints, aside from the fact that I have to wait for the next volume. And the official translation hasn’t even been announced yet, so I have no idea how long I’ll be waiting. (Which means I’ll be hunting down the web novel version because patience is not my strong suit.)
If you like a well-developed mystery woven into your slow-burn historical romance, with strong character work and a plot that actually makes sense for the setting, this is absolutely worth reading. Now excuse me while I try to pass the time with other reads while wishing the next volume would magically appear.
July 20, 2025
This volume revealed more incidents which all pointed towards a bigger conspiracy... which didn't get resolved in this volume obviously.
It frustrated me a bit that the ML left the MC in the dark for a lot of things, but given the circumstances, I can understand... it's not like the MC had any self-defense capability to beat any would-be criminals, so I actually agreed with the ML's approach.
Romance still progressed, even if it's taking a backseat to the plot. But the bits and pieces that did happen, was so lovely that I forgave everything.
It frustrated me a bit that the ML left the MC in the dark for a lot of things, but given the circumstances, I can understand... it's not like the MC had any self-defense capability to beat any would-be criminals, so I actually agreed with the ML's approach.
Romance still progressed, even if it's taking a backseat to the plot. But the bits and pieces that did happen, was so lovely that I forgave everything.
January 28, 2025
Another very good update to this series! I already desperately need to read the next volume. Can’t wait!!
September 27, 2025
4.25 ⭐️. I think I liked this one more than the first. Super cute story that's great for those who like their mysteries and romances on the cozy side. Looking forward to reading the next one.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews