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Boys and Burlesque
They were my whole world—four boys who morphed from best friends to lovers. They were my biggest fans, and my quiet strength.
Until they left me.
What I once gave freely became my weakness. Judged, shamed, alone, and with no one to count on, I found I’d do anything to survive. I never bared my soul, but my body was my ticket to success.
And fame.
Burlesque might not have been the type of dance I dreamed of, but it rocketed me to the top. My body was mine to own. If people wanted to see me, they had to pay for a ticket.
But all my carefully laid plans and rebuilt dreams crash when the spotlight lands on the boys who used to be mine.
Josh, Brant, Wes, and Landry are back, standing at the edge of the stage and holding the pieces of my heart.
They want forgiveness. A second chance.
But when I handed them my heart once, they shattered it. And I might not survive giving it to them again.
Until they left me.
What I once gave freely became my weakness. Judged, shamed, alone, and with no one to count on, I found I’d do anything to survive. I never bared my soul, but my body was my ticket to success.
And fame.
Burlesque might not have been the type of dance I dreamed of, but it rocketed me to the top. My body was mine to own. If people wanted to see me, they had to pay for a ticket.
But all my carefully laid plans and rebuilt dreams crash when the spotlight lands on the boys who used to be mine.
Josh, Brant, Wes, and Landry are back, standing at the edge of the stage and holding the pieces of my heart.
They want forgiveness. A second chance.
But when I handed them my heart once, they shattered it. And I might not survive giving it to them again.
476 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2019
499 people are currently reading
967 people want to read
About the author
Ripley Proserpina
50 books520 followersRipley Proserpina spends her days huddled near a fire in the frozen northern wilds of Vermont. She lives with her family, two magnificent cats, and one dog who aspires to cat-hood.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
October 15, 2021
2.5-3 Because I Can't Decide Stars
I’ve had to sit on writing this review for a few days because this book has pissed me off so much. I hate to say it too because the beginning of the book was wonderful and I was totally invested. That is until the inevitable split between them all. This book literally had me stress cleaning in a way even this mandatory pandemic outbreak has yet to.
In the start we meet the heroine who is besties with this group of guys. They are around 17-18 and they live in a very small rural community where everything is straight laced. One of the boys fathers is even a minister and a nasty old d-bag if you ask me. When we meet them all, they’ve pledged themselves to the heroine and have been friends since grade school. They’ve only fooled around until this day in which she has sex with all the guys (5) one after the other. Pretty unrealistic and painful dor a virgin if you ask me, but whatev's! Anyways I loved this part of the book while they were young and skirting the rules to be together, it was easy to accept their already blossoming relationship as they just worked. The group was amazing together and you couldn’t help but hope for the best for them.
Unfortunately shit hits the fan and as the blurb explains the guys break her heart and they separate. Only shit is not that easy and this is where I have to hold back my raging anger. Two of the guys’ very influential fathers decide to blackmail them into breaking up with the heroine and threaten the livelihood of the other two guys families. They see the heroine as trash, not worthy enough of their sons' based on her own familial past. The reasoning was beyond ridiculous and what made it soooo much worse was how they behaved. Oh yeah, wait, that would require work. She clearly didn't mean enough to these guys as they just up and left. Rather than even breaking up with her they just disappeared overnight. They NEVER officially break up with her or even say goodbye, they fucking left and left it to one of their fathers to break her heart when she came looking for them the next day. What the ever loving hell?!?! Now to be blunt the heroine has no one. The guys were all she had. Her family has basically shunned her and wants to turn her over to social services and so does the town. The guys abandoning her is just so much worse because of this, she had no one left, no one, her entire life was centered around them as was her future. At the time she was living with one of their fathers and he let her stay for a small amount of time, (how awkward for her) but at eighteen she had to go. She thought they had so many plans for a future together but instead they abandoned her and she was left floundering. Off she went penniless and set into the world alone, scared and betrayed. For nine months she messages them daily. And not one (I believe there were five guys) ever responded...... in wait for it....... EIGHT FUCKING YEARS. They only show up after seeing her in the spotlight as a burlesque star. Not once in all those years did they even secretly check on her, you know to see if she was fucking alive. Apparently they’ve all been devastated over missing her and just immediately insert themselves back into her life. They are demanding that they want her back. Umm what?!? As if that’s not enough, the guys admit the reasoning behind the threats became obsolete a year or two after they left, as one of the guys family didn’t even want their business anymore and the other remarried and moved on. Did one of them even try looking for her after this point, absolutely not smh. Meaning all that 'blackmail' material was a moot point 6-7 years ago. But still they never came for her. In 8 years no one came back for her or even tried to contact her, hell nobody even looked for her on social media. They left her cold turkey and show up like they weren't the biggest dickshits the world has ever seen. Not one even ever sent a simple “I’m sorry” message to her. I mean how is this OK. I can understand being young, dumb and foolish but I cannot forgive 8 years of silence when they've all thrived and had each other while she was stranded and alone.
Another thing that ticked me off was they seem to have all this rage over being “forced” to end their relationship. But after all these years they’ve yet to seek revenge and in the end they still just let it go because it’s just not worth it. WTF?!?!?!?!?! Get some revenge make the world bleed what are you doing smh.??!?!?! At least do this on her behalf. Bet things would be different if they were treated how she was! I mean in my opinion it's the least they could do for some sort of retribution. I’m just so livid and I would be blasting the bad deeds of their fathers on billboards or some shit for the world to see. You'd think they'd at least put on an act and try to redeem themselves somehow and show the heroine they cared. Because of their behavior I could never see or feel even an ounce of real love for any of them. Nor could I feel they had true feelings for her at all. The way they treated her is unforgivable. The way they walked away without a backward glance did not signify love to me at all and it was far too easy for them to drop her like dirty laundry.
One thing that’s never discussed is if they moved on and how long it took for them to sleep with other ppl. To me that’s a big deal. It’d show if they really had intentions to return to her or truly cared for her after all. (But again I mean 8 years, that's more than enough time guys!!) She mentions she’s had sex with others but can you blame her, after all she was abandoned. For the guys I really wanted to know if they moved on because if it was explicitly stated that they had sex with anyone else then it'd prove they gave her up and had no true intention of returning to her, just my personal opinion because after eight damn years come on. It's a long damn time and I never would have given them a second thought if I was her.
Sometimes these separation books can win me over when the heroine makes them work for it or vice versa. I didn’t get any groveling here, there's no real remorse either if you ask me. They made a woe is me moment as if they suffered so much too while they were off living their lives, still keeping contact with one another, remaining friends and having each other backs. Yet they ignored her so completely that I want to rent one of those room where you pay to break everything in it. When the reasoning behind a breakup makes sense in some books and there isn’t almost a decade between them I can sometimes get over it. This group never won me back, not even a little. In fact just rehashing this for the review has me pissed off all over. The heroine went through so much, even lost a baby (and it’s referenced something worse possible happened to her but it’s not explicitly stated) and yet she berates herself for letting her pride stop her from being with them. Um no it’s your common fucking sense saying don’t be a gosh damn idiot smh. Honestly aside from being pissed (if that wasn’t obvious), I’m just let down. The beginning had so much promise but once the separation happened I just continued to get more enraged. The heroine needs to grow more of a backbone and get herself a new harem that she should flaunt in their face. They never deserved her and their LONG EXTENDED time away only proved that. Honesty I'm surprised I finished the book lol and while I still enjoy this author, this was sooooooo not for me.
I’ve had to sit on writing this review for a few days because this book has pissed me off so much. I hate to say it too because the beginning of the book was wonderful and I was totally invested. That is until the inevitable split between them all. This book literally had me stress cleaning in a way even this mandatory pandemic outbreak has yet to.
In the start we meet the heroine who is besties with this group of guys. They are around 17-18 and they live in a very small rural community where everything is straight laced. One of the boys fathers is even a minister and a nasty old d-bag if you ask me. When we meet them all, they’ve pledged themselves to the heroine and have been friends since grade school. They’ve only fooled around until this day in which she has sex with all the guys (5) one after the other. Pretty unrealistic and painful dor a virgin if you ask me, but whatev's! Anyways I loved this part of the book while they were young and skirting the rules to be together, it was easy to accept their already blossoming relationship as they just worked. The group was amazing together and you couldn’t help but hope for the best for them.
Unfortunately shit hits the fan and as the blurb explains the guys break her heart and they separate. Only shit is not that easy and this is where I have to hold back my raging anger. Two of the guys’ very influential fathers decide to blackmail them into breaking up with the heroine and threaten the livelihood of the other two guys families. They see the heroine as trash, not worthy enough of their sons' based on her own familial past. The reasoning was beyond ridiculous and what made it soooo much worse was how they behaved. Oh yeah, wait, that would require work. She clearly didn't mean enough to these guys as they just up and left. Rather than even breaking up with her they just disappeared overnight. They NEVER officially break up with her or even say goodbye, they fucking left and left it to one of their fathers to break her heart when she came looking for them the next day. What the ever loving hell?!?! Now to be blunt the heroine has no one. The guys were all she had. Her family has basically shunned her and wants to turn her over to social services and so does the town. The guys abandoning her is just so much worse because of this, she had no one left, no one, her entire life was centered around them as was her future. At the time she was living with one of their fathers and he let her stay for a small amount of time, (how awkward for her) but at eighteen she had to go. She thought they had so many plans for a future together but instead they abandoned her and she was left floundering. Off she went penniless and set into the world alone, scared and betrayed. For nine months she messages them daily. And not one (I believe there were five guys) ever responded...... in wait for it....... EIGHT FUCKING YEARS. They only show up after seeing her in the spotlight as a burlesque star. Not once in all those years did they even secretly check on her, you know to see if she was fucking alive. Apparently they’ve all been devastated over missing her and just immediately insert themselves back into her life. They are demanding that they want her back. Umm what?!? As if that’s not enough, the guys admit the reasoning behind the threats became obsolete a year or two after they left, as one of the guys family didn’t even want their business anymore and the other remarried and moved on. Did one of them even try looking for her after this point, absolutely not smh. Meaning all that 'blackmail' material was a moot point 6-7 years ago. But still they never came for her. In 8 years no one came back for her or even tried to contact her, hell nobody even looked for her on social media. They left her cold turkey and show up like they weren't the biggest dickshits the world has ever seen. Not one even ever sent a simple “I’m sorry” message to her. I mean how is this OK. I can understand being young, dumb and foolish but I cannot forgive 8 years of silence when they've all thrived and had each other while she was stranded and alone.
Another thing that ticked me off was they seem to have all this rage over being “forced” to end their relationship. But after all these years they’ve yet to seek revenge and in the end they still just let it go because it’s just not worth it. WTF?!?!?!?!?! Get some revenge make the world bleed what are you doing smh.??!?!?! At least do this on her behalf. Bet things would be different if they were treated how she was! I mean in my opinion it's the least they could do for some sort of retribution. I’m just so livid and I would be blasting the bad deeds of their fathers on billboards or some shit for the world to see. You'd think they'd at least put on an act and try to redeem themselves somehow and show the heroine they cared. Because of their behavior I could never see or feel even an ounce of real love for any of them. Nor could I feel they had true feelings for her at all. The way they treated her is unforgivable. The way they walked away without a backward glance did not signify love to me at all and it was far too easy for them to drop her like dirty laundry.
One thing that’s never discussed is if they moved on and how long it took for them to sleep with other ppl. To me that’s a big deal. It’d show if they really had intentions to return to her or truly cared for her after all. (But again I mean 8 years, that's more than enough time guys!!) She mentions she’s had sex with others but can you blame her, after all she was abandoned. For the guys I really wanted to know if they moved on because if it was explicitly stated that they had sex with anyone else then it'd prove they gave her up and had no true intention of returning to her, just my personal opinion because after eight damn years come on. It's a long damn time and I never would have given them a second thought if I was her.
Sometimes these separation books can win me over when the heroine makes them work for it or vice versa. I didn’t get any groveling here, there's no real remorse either if you ask me. They made a woe is me moment as if they suffered so much too while they were off living their lives, still keeping contact with one another, remaining friends and having each other backs. Yet they ignored her so completely that I want to rent one of those room where you pay to break everything in it. When the reasoning behind a breakup makes sense in some books and there isn’t almost a decade between them I can sometimes get over it. This group never won me back, not even a little. In fact just rehashing this for the review has me pissed off all over. The heroine went through so much, even lost a baby (and it’s referenced something worse possible happened to her but it’s not explicitly stated) and yet she berates herself for letting her pride stop her from being with them. Um no it’s your common fucking sense saying don’t be a gosh damn idiot smh. Honestly aside from being pissed (if that wasn’t obvious), I’m just let down. The beginning had so much promise but once the separation happened I just continued to get more enraged. The heroine needs to grow more of a backbone and get herself a new harem that she should flaunt in their face. They never deserved her and their LONG EXTENDED time away only proved that. Honesty I'm surprised I finished the book lol and while I still enjoy this author, this was sooooooo not for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2020
1.5 stars
Oy. This book pisses me off so fucking bad. Careful: rant incoming.
There was SO MUCH Potential. The writing was rather Good For a Reverse harem, all in all it was, what kept me hooked until the end.
But boy, was I angry while reading. First it just made no sense AT ALL how the Boys handled the break up. Since you know, they didn‘t handle anything, they just ran away. They were Young, scared, way in over their head and basically just stupid teenagers, I totally get that. But they were also EIGHTEEN years old, not ten. How they did it, just felt so forced and unnatural, added drama for dramas sake, and that is not how you handle such situations. This could have been handled in a hundred different ways better, that ghosting. What the hell.
Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the “They had to grow up, before they can handle such a relationship” trope, but the way it is done here is just stupid.
Because sure, all of them are supposedly miserable for 8 years, but did nothing about it. They wouldn’t have done anything, if she didn’t turn up a burlesque star.
I started to read this book, because it got recommended in a group, because “She made them work for a second chance”. Yeah. No. She didn’t. She really didn’t. She tells them no for about five seconds, before her panties melt away, since yo know, they are a bunch of hot guys and we women always think with our vaginas, aaaaand we are book to the I love yous. Sure they don’t know shit about each other, but who cares? Perhaps if it was two books and A LOT more communication happened, I’d buy it. This way? Not so much.
They took the opportunity when she was weak and vulnerable and dived back into her live and ... well her vag. Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is how you build a relationship. Not.
There were a few more things that annoyed me, her FUCKING TSTL behavior at the MOTHERFUCKING STUPID end, the ridiculously bad “suspense” part, that she calls grown ass men boys, that the characterization of the men could have been better, that the authors makes an effort to portray body positivity and self-esteems, but ultimately fails, because the FMC doesn’t feel as if she owns her job, even even the author tries to tell us - but all in all this is just adding to what annoyed me the most.
I am angry. I am angry because this COULD have been good, but was missing so much ... I don’t know, experience, editing, common sense, all of it? - it leaves behind a very unsatisfied taste.
Reverse harem stories tend to be bad. A lot of them feel and read as if a fifteen year old vomited a lot of thought diarrhea on her pages and then sent it to amazon without double checking or proof reading. If a book is bad, I give it one or two stars and be done with it, chance is high I forget about it the minute I type in my review. This one I wanted to give more stars, I wanted for it to be better, but I just can’t, because I am grumpy and disappointed.
Oy. This book pisses me off so fucking bad. Careful: rant incoming.
There was SO MUCH Potential. The writing was rather Good For a Reverse harem, all in all it was, what kept me hooked until the end.
But boy, was I angry while reading. First it just made no sense AT ALL how the Boys handled the break up. Since you know, they didn‘t handle anything, they just ran away. They were Young, scared, way in over their head and basically just stupid teenagers, I totally get that. But they were also EIGHTEEN years old, not ten. How they did it, just felt so forced and unnatural, added drama for dramas sake, and that is not how you handle such situations. This could have been handled in a hundred different ways better, that ghosting. What the hell.
Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the “They had to grow up, before they can handle such a relationship” trope, but the way it is done here is just stupid.
Because sure, all of them are supposedly miserable for 8 years, but did nothing about it. They wouldn’t have done anything, if she didn’t turn up a burlesque star.
I started to read this book, because it got recommended in a group, because “She made them work for a second chance”. Yeah. No. She didn’t. She really didn’t. She tells them no for about five seconds, before her panties melt away, since yo know, they are a bunch of hot guys and we women always think with our vaginas, aaaaand we are book to the I love yous. Sure they don’t know shit about each other, but who cares? Perhaps if it was two books and A LOT more communication happened, I’d buy it. This way? Not so much.
They took the opportunity when she was weak and vulnerable and dived back into her live and ... well her vag. Ladies and gentlemen, THAT is how you build a relationship. Not.
There were a few more things that annoyed me, her FUCKING TSTL behavior at the MOTHERFUCKING STUPID end, the ridiculously bad “suspense” part, that she calls grown ass men boys, that the characterization of the men could have been better, that the authors makes an effort to portray body positivity and self-esteems, but ultimately fails, because the FMC doesn’t feel as if she owns her job, even even the author tries to tell us - but all in all this is just adding to what annoyed me the most.
I am angry. I am angry because this COULD have been good, but was missing so much ... I don’t know, experience, editing, common sense, all of it? - it leaves behind a very unsatisfied taste.
Reverse harem stories tend to be bad. A lot of them feel and read as if a fifteen year old vomited a lot of thought diarrhea on her pages and then sent it to amazon without double checking or proof reading. If a book is bad, I give it one or two stars and be done with it, chance is high I forget about it the minute I type in my review. This one I wanted to give more stars, I wanted for it to be better, but I just can’t, because I am grumpy and disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2024
By 25% - I will deeply despise these men, with everything in my being and then I will wonder how they could be so cruel. While wondering this I will also think about how I am going to ever forgive these TRASH men.
By 37% - I will hear how much they destroyed the FMC and how they affected her 8 years later. I will feel like a protective best friend and will hate them an equal amount or more.
By 43% - I will think they are totally selfish for drawing unnecessary attention to her for their own gain.
At 46% - I will hate the men a little more after one of them says ‘Be the person I wasn't Betsy, call me back’. I will think that was extremely manipulative and wtf is with this reverse psychology?
At 50% - I will be bored of the excuses for why they didn't call her. I will be shocked after they say they didn't reach out because she stopped reaching out. This is after they ghosted her for 6 months and she was forced into some terrible situations.
At 52% - I will understand their reasoning more and acknowledge that they were stupid 18-year-olds (but really age shouldn't have mattered). Ultimately I will decide that she deserves better and dnf.
Feel free to replace all the ‘I’s’ with ‘you’. 😂
I’m giving it 3 stars as the writing was still very good and I can't say I wasn't drawn into the story because I definitely was. The FMC is also very strong and her story is heartbreaking. You are rooting for her success throughout. However, I am a grudge holder and after hearing what she went through, I think a HEA without these men would be better. No matter how remorseful they are.
By 37% - I will hear how much they destroyed the FMC and how they affected her 8 years later. I will feel like a protective best friend and will hate them an equal amount or more.
By 43% - I will think they are totally selfish for drawing unnecessary attention to her for their own gain.
At 46% - I will hate the men a little more after one of them says ‘Be the person I wasn't Betsy, call me back’. I will think that was extremely manipulative and wtf is with this reverse psychology?
At 50% - I will be bored of the excuses for why they didn't call her. I will be shocked after they say they didn't reach out because she stopped reaching out. This is after they ghosted her for 6 months and she was forced into some terrible situations.
At 52% - I will understand their reasoning more and acknowledge that they were stupid 18-year-olds (but really age shouldn't have mattered). Ultimately I will decide that she deserves better and dnf.
Feel free to replace all the ‘I’s’ with ‘you’. 😂
I’m giving it 3 stars as the writing was still very good and I can't say I wasn't drawn into the story because I definitely was. The FMC is also very strong and her story is heartbreaking. You are rooting for her success throughout. However, I am a grudge holder and after hearing what she went through, I think a HEA without these men would be better. No matter how remorseful they are.
December 26, 2019
God it took me forever to read this book... it started off strong but as it went along it got a bit boring and the ending was very anticlimactic to say the least.. kinda waste of time... (raspberry at the whole damn book)..😛
Overall rating:
2* ~ Okay Read
Overall rating:
2* ~ Okay Read
January 6, 2020
Why, oh why, is there not actual groveling???
February 7, 2025
i'm soooooo happy to be done,you don't undestand😭
April 29, 2023
Wait! I thought they should Redeem themselves to Her not the other way round!!
Someone suggested this book
Boys and Burlesque by Ripley Proserpina
As a grovel RH
And naturally, As a Grovel magnet, I downloaded and read it
I Didn't love it
There was a lot of hurt and betrayal for sure
I loved how she became successful without them
Even more successful than them
Usually the h is dealt the bad hand money wise
But grovel wise??
I don't think they groveled
Tbh, I felt like she was apologetic to them
They just showed up after 8 years with lame excuses and she just took them book
And they were like "oh we wrote you a bunch of UNSEND emails which proves we were thinking about you 😒🙄"
I hate this trope btw : the "I wrote you letters but did not send them. Here, read them and forgive me"
So 4 boys are in love with one poor girl (typical RH)
Their fathers' threaten them so they ghost her for 8 years
She message them for one year
While suffering a miscarriage and bad life
Then she loses hope
Picks up her self and strive to success
While she's at they top, they show up
No excuse whatsoever to why they ghosted for 7 years
Offered nothing except I am sorry
Add to that, someone was trying to hurt her by ruining her career
I really hoped it was the fathers and the boys would take revenge
But no, we get an extra twist and SHE comes to the rescue
Why is this a RH again? Isn't one clueless man enough here????
Anyway, 2 stars goes to Betsy because on top of everything she went through she now gained 4 babies to take care of.
Someone suggested this book
Boys and Burlesque by Ripley Proserpina
As a grovel RH
And naturally, As a Grovel magnet, I downloaded and read it
I Didn't love it
There was a lot of hurt and betrayal for sure
I loved how she became successful without them
Even more successful than them
Usually the h is dealt the bad hand money wise
But grovel wise??
I don't think they groveled
Tbh, I felt like she was apologetic to them
They just showed up after 8 years with lame excuses and she just took them book
And they were like "oh we wrote you a bunch of UNSEND emails which proves we were thinking about you 😒🙄"
I hate this trope btw : the "I wrote you letters but did not send them. Here, read them and forgive me"
So 4 boys are in love with one poor girl (typical RH)
Their fathers' threaten them so they ghost her for 8 years
She message them for one year
While suffering a miscarriage and bad life
Then she loses hope
Picks up her self and strive to success
While she's at they top, they show up
No excuse whatsoever to why they ghosted for 7 years
Offered nothing except I am sorry
Add to that, someone was trying to hurt her by ruining her career
I really hoped it was the fathers and the boys would take revenge
But no, we get an extra twist and SHE comes to the rescue
Why is this a RH again? Isn't one clueless man enough here????
Anyway, 2 stars goes to Betsy because on top of everything she went through she now gained 4 babies to take care of.
December 16, 2019
Boys and Burlesque is an extra-long standalone contemporary reverse harem (RH) - about double the length of a lot of the RH's I have read in the last couple of years. Since I love long books and am getting burned out on series this was a huge plus for me. The story is one of my favorite tropes - second chance - and the heroine and her heroes are already in love when the book opens. Normally this would bother me as I like to see and experience the relationship development on page but it worked fine - I felt the angst of their situation and even though parts of the first half were difficult to read (I hate injustices done to good people!) I flew through it and really felt emotional for Betsy and her boys. A lot of the typical elements of this type of second chance romance trope were present so I knew they were coming but still enjoyed them. I didn't enjoy the second half quite as much as the first - the heroes melded into one character for me, and I felt a little underwhelmed by the forgiveness and romance following it compared to the emotions of the first half. I did love that Betsy was a strong heroine (typical for this author) and what she had done with her life - she was as inspiring as all of this author's heroines. I hope she feels inspired to write more long books like this in the future.
November 14, 2020
Southern towns have big hearts, narrow minds, and long memories. Truer words have never been uttered. Elizabeth Lauren Belle Bartlett knows this better than anyone because once upon a time she was a girl madly in love with four boys in a small southern town. But when the town found out, she was judged, shamed, and the boys took off, leaving her alone. She needed them and they failed her. But Betsy was a survivor. A trained ballerina with dreams of Julliard, she turned to another style of dance to make her way in the world. Burlesque. She used her body to become a success. To become Betty. She found fame and fortune, and now the boys have found her. Josh, Brant, Wes, and Landry broke her heart, destroyed the girl she once was and now they want her forgiveness, a second chance. They want a life with her. Betsy is gone, Betty survived. If she lets them close to her and they hurt her again there may be nothing left of Elizabeth Lauren Belle Bartlett at all.
I've been asked several times in the last few weeks what makes my review a 5 star vs a 4 star. It's hard to explain but the final star always comes down to the characters. Many times the difference can come down ot one character. The character who becomes real to me; follows me off of the pages, lingers in my mind days, weeks, months later. It may be a character I connect with, am horrified by or intrigued with. They make me feel something. If I become obsessed with a character, it's a 5 star. Betsy is that character in this book. In her youth, she was so open. She offered her love freely and wholly. She exuded goodness and naivety. She paid enormously for this. Her circumstances in a small town were so realistic. No place can destroy you like your hometown can. The pain caused by the town's judgment and shunning of her was nothing compared to the betrayal and hurt she felt over the boys abandonment. It was palpable and I grieved with Betsy. I was hurt, disappointed, and angry with the boys. I doubt their relationship would have survived if the didn't follow their own paths but the immature way the boys went about the breakup was cowardly and cruel. I struggled with their return. Is it a matter of pride or self-preservation? Forgiveness or foolishness? Inevitability or ruination. Despite my reservations, however, Josh, Brant, Wes, and Landry wormed their way back into my heart.
This book is a simple love story, times four. But we all know love is never simple. It's messy, sometimes hurtful and ugly and in some cases forever. I was a messy ball of emotions throughout this book. It's a love story that exposed all of the characters. As I have come to expect from Ripley Proserpina the character arcs in this book were extraordinary. From childhood, through their coming of age years, to adulthood. Every last thought and emotion were revealed in multiple clever ways. Betsy was the star from beginning to end on every level. She knew who she was and owned it. She was unapologetic and proud. She was kind even after she closed off a part of herself. It took the boys much longer to become men worthy of her. It was beautiful when they finally started earning the love she once freely gave. They repaired the cracks in her broken heart. They made me believe.
Keep these classic-inspired stories coming. First Jane Eyre, now Camille. Who is next? Rebecca? Anne? I am in awe that you can take my favorite women from literature and turn them inside out to create these incredible RHs. You give new meaning to The Scarlet Letter.
I've been asked several times in the last few weeks what makes my review a 5 star vs a 4 star. It's hard to explain but the final star always comes down to the characters. Many times the difference can come down ot one character. The character who becomes real to me; follows me off of the pages, lingers in my mind days, weeks, months later. It may be a character I connect with, am horrified by or intrigued with. They make me feel something. If I become obsessed with a character, it's a 5 star. Betsy is that character in this book. In her youth, she was so open. She offered her love freely and wholly. She exuded goodness and naivety. She paid enormously for this. Her circumstances in a small town were so realistic. No place can destroy you like your hometown can. The pain caused by the town's judgment and shunning of her was nothing compared to the betrayal and hurt she felt over the boys abandonment. It was palpable and I grieved with Betsy. I was hurt, disappointed, and angry with the boys. I doubt their relationship would have survived if the didn't follow their own paths but the immature way the boys went about the breakup was cowardly and cruel. I struggled with their return. Is it a matter of pride or self-preservation? Forgiveness or foolishness? Inevitability or ruination. Despite my reservations, however, Josh, Brant, Wes, and Landry wormed their way back into my heart.
This book is a simple love story, times four. But we all know love is never simple. It's messy, sometimes hurtful and ugly and in some cases forever. I was a messy ball of emotions throughout this book. It's a love story that exposed all of the characters. As I have come to expect from Ripley Proserpina the character arcs in this book were extraordinary. From childhood, through their coming of age years, to adulthood. Every last thought and emotion were revealed in multiple clever ways. Betsy was the star from beginning to end on every level. She knew who she was and owned it. She was unapologetic and proud. She was kind even after she closed off a part of herself. It took the boys much longer to become men worthy of her. It was beautiful when they finally started earning the love she once freely gave. They repaired the cracks in her broken heart. They made me believe.
Keep these classic-inspired stories coming. First Jane Eyre, now Camille. Who is next? Rebecca? Anne? I am in awe that you can take my favorite women from literature and turn them inside out to create these incredible RHs. You give new meaning to The Scarlet Letter.
August 29, 2020
I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I was with this book, especially with so many people raving about it... I was fuming at the actions of the guys, could see no reason why Betsy should forgive them or why I should want her to, and couldn't believe she let them back in so easily. I think it was about 60% that I gave up cause I was just so angry at them all and had no desire to keep reading.
The book started out pretty good - I liked Betsy, felt so much for her and what she had to go through, and liked her relationship with the guys at the start.
It just all fell apart when they discussed leaving.... and then there were just too many things I hated..
Each to their own, and I know others have loved this book, but I honestly didn't find the guys behavior redeemable, didn't like them, and didn't like that she forgave them so easily.
The book started out pretty good - I liked Betsy, felt so much for her and what she had to go through, and liked her relationship with the guys at the start.
It just all fell apart when they discussed leaving.... and then there were just too many things I hated..
Each to their own, and I know others have loved this book, but I honestly didn't find the guys behavior redeemable, didn't like them, and didn't like that she forgave them so easily.
July 24, 2022
Love it! ❤️
A very nice well-written contemporary second chance RH!
I laughed, cried, and loved with Betsy! You will love her and be so proud of everything she accomplished and she had to face.
Abandoned and betrayed by everyone at only 18 years old, Betsy endured so much on her way to celebrity. But is she happy? She refused to really think about it, especially when it's about the four guys who broke her heart and left her without contacting her during 8 years! But all it took was one show, one look, and Betsy is put in front of her past.
The only one negative thing is that Betsy forgave a bit too quickly. Ok, not as quickly as any other book but still, considering all what Betsy suffered, I was expecting her making the guys more miserable...(I'm mean, I know😈).
Otherwise it's a very good book, enjoyable, interesting, a page turner for me!
A very nice well-written contemporary second chance RH!
I laughed, cried, and loved with Betsy! You will love her and be so proud of everything she accomplished and she had to face.
Abandoned and betrayed by everyone at only 18 years old, Betsy endured so much on her way to celebrity. But is she happy? She refused to really think about it, especially when it's about the four guys who broke her heart and left her without contacting her during 8 years! But all it took was one show, one look, and Betsy is put in front of her past.
The only one negative thing is that Betsy forgave a bit too quickly. Ok, not as quickly as any other book but still, considering all what Betsy suffered, I was expecting her making the guys more miserable...(I'm mean, I know😈).
Otherwise it's a very good book, enjoyable, interesting, a page turner for me!
March 17, 2022
4 Stars
This was good good ngl. I very much enjoyed this book. The harem in it was very different than others that I’ve read about, because all the guys were pretty chill, nice and actually good guys. I liked that. I also liked Betsy. She was just a sweetheart but also really freaking strong.
Now, let me tell you all, I really wanted to give this book 5 stars. The thing is, I got annoyed several times throughout the book in the second part of it. Why? This is because I wanted more groveling from the boys jeje. I’m petty like that, ok? I felt like Betsy forgave them way too quickly. Maybe it’s just a me thing 🤷♀️.
Another reason why I couldn’t give this 5 stars, is because I felt like the ending was rushed. It was like everything happens and then it’s like "10 years later" without any context. I don’t know, I didn’t really loved that.
Anyways, I actually had a blast with this book. It was not perfect and I didn’t love absolutely everything but I enjoyed it. If you’re into RH, country boys and burlesque, give this a try! Toodles!
This was good good ngl. I very much enjoyed this book. The harem in it was very different than others that I’ve read about, because all the guys were pretty chill, nice and actually good guys. I liked that. I also liked Betsy. She was just a sweetheart but also really freaking strong.
Now, let me tell you all, I really wanted to give this book 5 stars. The thing is, I got annoyed several times throughout the book in the second part of it. Why? This is because I wanted more groveling from the boys jeje. I’m petty like that, ok? I felt like Betsy forgave them way too quickly. Maybe it’s just a me thing 🤷♀️.
Another reason why I couldn’t give this 5 stars, is because I felt like the ending was rushed. It was like everything happens and then it’s like "10 years later" without any context. I don’t know, I didn’t really loved that.
Anyways, I actually had a blast with this book. It was not perfect and I didn’t love absolutely everything but I enjoyed it. If you’re into RH, country boys and burlesque, give this a try! Toodles!
December 19, 2019
The account where I'd held all their love had been overdrawn long ago, and I hadn't made a deposit in years.
Ripley Proserpina is one of those authors that I don't necessarily always give high ratings, but I'll still probably read her books. Her Midnight's Crown series was super enjoyable for similar reasons as this book. The tone.
While I think this book could've done more and less, RP's tone always gets me. It's hard to explain unless you've already read her books. Morose or sullen are words I'd use, but I mean that positively. I truly enjoy her stories. I'm actually really looking forward to book two of Daylight's Crown.
I may have also enjoyed this book because I put on Lucky by Britney Spears while I read. It was very fitting.
May 22, 2021
DNF 50%-ish. I had many problems with this book. But first and foremost:
There is a trope going around these days, sorta like a romance book STD. A young woman falls in love with a young man (or in the case of RH, young men). Everything is dandy, THEN SUDDENLY. The boy(s) disappear without a trace, essentially ghosting his/their one true love, and maybe sending a half-assed 'We Out' text to the girl. Or something like that.
THEN SUDDENLY, ~10 yrs later, he/they inevitably show up. In each and every case that I have read, they give a whisper of an apology, with a joke of an explanation, and a hint of appropriate regret (usually veering at most towards light chagrin). Inevitably, the girl-now-woman is righteously pissed after years of painful emotions...for all of 0.25 seconds. Because she can't help her attraction towards the guy(s). No sex has compared in the years that have passed, if she's had any at all. And if she has, the men were meaningless, the dicks were small, etc.
Anyway, at 0.26 seconds she's DTF and we're on to HEA.
This general idea is so fucking annoying to me. At the very least, if the guy(s) can't muster up an appropriate apology and true regret, and the woman really can't take the meaningful time to consider, forgive, and thoughtfully decide on next steps....fine, whatever....but could the guy(s) at least provide a cogent explanation? Even an emotionally compelling excuse that justifies the YEARS of ghosting beyond whatever initially caused them to flee.
I mean, really. In the case of Boys and Burlesque, I can forgive the guys' adolescent panic and misguided attempt to protect her and each other. But in no way did their reasoning justify almost a decade of refusing to find her. And they basically decide to eventually because she's famous? Or something? And meanwhile, she has almost died alone from miscarrying their child, AND STRAIGHT UP WAS UNABLE TO GET A HOLD OF ANY OF THE FOUR OF THEM.
At that point, I tried to continue on, but I was just too annoyed. I'm all about suspended disbelief for the sake of a riveting story. But this, this was not that.
There is a trope going around these days, sorta like a romance book STD. A young woman falls in love with a young man (or in the case of RH, young men). Everything is dandy, THEN SUDDENLY. The boy(s) disappear without a trace, essentially ghosting his/their one true love, and maybe sending a half-assed 'We Out' text to the girl. Or something like that.
THEN SUDDENLY, ~10 yrs later, he/they inevitably show up. In each and every case that I have read, they give a whisper of an apology, with a joke of an explanation, and a hint of appropriate regret (usually veering at most towards light chagrin). Inevitably, the girl-now-woman is righteously pissed after years of painful emotions...for all of 0.25 seconds. Because she can't help her attraction towards the guy(s). No sex has compared in the years that have passed, if she's had any at all. And if she has, the men were meaningless, the dicks were small, etc.
Anyway, at 0.26 seconds she's DTF and we're on to HEA.
This general idea is so fucking annoying to me. At the very least, if the guy(s) can't muster up an appropriate apology and true regret, and the woman really can't take the meaningful time to consider, forgive, and thoughtfully decide on next steps....fine, whatever....but could the guy(s) at least provide a cogent explanation? Even an emotionally compelling excuse that justifies the YEARS of ghosting beyond whatever initially caused them to flee.
I mean, really. In the case of Boys and Burlesque, I can forgive the guys' adolescent panic and misguided attempt to protect her and each other. But in no way did their reasoning justify almost a decade of refusing to find her. And they basically decide to eventually because she's famous? Or something? And meanwhile, she has almost died alone from miscarrying their child, AND STRAIGHT UP WAS UNABLE TO GET A HOLD OF ANY OF THE FOUR OF THEM.
At that point, I tried to continue on, but I was just too annoyed. I'm all about suspended disbelief for the sake of a riveting story. But this, this was not that.
December 23, 2019
2,5 stars
December 17, 2019
There are so many things to love about this book. First off, it's a standalone. With all of these series these days that leave you hanging on over and over again (not complaining but you know it's true), sometimes it is nice to just pick up a book and get the entire story. A long, intense, emotional, complete story. I knew from the beginning that this book was going to break my heart and it did. Even when you know it's coming, it just rips your heart right out. But our girl, she is a strong one. She may have wanted the men in her life but she learns she doesn't NEED them in her life. She can stand on her own two feet. And she does. She makes something of her self. She uses her heartbreak and pain and accomplishes something for her. So when these boys show back up, she doesn't let them walk right back in. Which was just plain amazing. So many times you have a weak heroine who tries to come off as strong but as soon as the man says so much as I'm sorry, they let them right back in. Not our girl. She makes them work for it. Makes them prove themselves after the crap they pulled. We had some really amazing side characters in this book as well. I mean, there were just so so many good things going on in this book. While this isn't my favorite "story" by Ripley (Briar still holds that spot right now) but I think it was the most well written book that Ripley has. Everything just flowed so smoothly. It was all balanced out perfectly.
So yea, bottom line. You need to read this book.
So yea, bottom line. You need to read this book.
January 22, 2020
A solid 4 stars
I am actually pretty impressed with this book. I read all 400+ pages in 5 hours and totally don’t regret it (even tho I have 2 finals tomorrow and I should be studying). Anyways let’s get into my likes and dislikes.
Good parts of the book-
• I really liked the FMC. She was strong and stubborn. She did not let life beet her down, and trust me it tried.
• World building was solid. Wasn’t the best, wasn’t the worst.
• I also really liked the fact that this book was semi-realistic. It mentioned the problems that real life polyamorous couples face, and how to overcome them.
• I liked how her job was a little bit more unique than were used to seeing in normal RHs.
Now onto the bad-
• The men. They had enough individuality that I could tell them apart but just barely. They just weren’t unique enough for my standards.
• The extra conflict was not needed. On one hand the book is about the girl and her boys falling in love. On the other hand we have this action of someone targeting her and trying to kill her. This action seemed kind of unnecessary to me.
Overall pretty good. Would recommend if you’re wanting something a bit heavier to dedicate your time to.
I am actually pretty impressed with this book. I read all 400+ pages in 5 hours and totally don’t regret it (even tho I have 2 finals tomorrow and I should be studying). Anyways let’s get into my likes and dislikes.
Good parts of the book-
• I really liked the FMC. She was strong and stubborn. She did not let life beet her down, and trust me it tried.
• World building was solid. Wasn’t the best, wasn’t the worst.
• I also really liked the fact that this book was semi-realistic. It mentioned the problems that real life polyamorous couples face, and how to overcome them.
• I liked how her job was a little bit more unique than were used to seeing in normal RHs.
Now onto the bad-
• The men. They had enough individuality that I could tell them apart but just barely. They just weren’t unique enough for my standards.
• The extra conflict was not needed. On one hand the book is about the girl and her boys falling in love. On the other hand we have this action of someone targeting her and trying to kill her. This action seemed kind of unnecessary to me.
Overall pretty good. Would recommend if you’re wanting something a bit heavier to dedicate your time to.
December 11, 2019
I thought that this was a excellent read. I felt that this story was quite compelling and if I am 100% honest, that was kind of a nice surprise. In my opinion, all too often this trope is simply used as a vehicle for heat and steam. I love a steamy read as much as anyone but I love it more when there is an actual story to sink your teeth into and plenty of emotions to enrich the experience and that is exactly what this book delivers. Heartbreak, anger, regrets, friendship, passion and romance all must be addressed and worked through as the story line unfolds. I found the characters to be complex and well written. It was very easy to become engaged in this book and be invested in these characters. This is my truthful review that I am freely choosing to post.
December 17, 2019
This book! I enjoyed every min. Like all of this authors works this did not disappoint. I felt for Betsy (Betty) all through her journey. Her strong personality and the way she survived. Her guys! Ugh I wanted to smack them upside their head in the beginning. In the end I’m glad they got their HEA. So enjoyed this read. Nice between series book as it is complete. :)
Received an ARC for my honest review ***
Received an ARC for my honest review ***
December 19, 2019
Burrrrilliant
This book starts with first love, the innocence, the all encompassing feelings and beliefs that you are unstoppable and able to accomplish anything and everything because you have found love. But as reader we already know that love is a journey no matter who you are and not what a journey the guys and Ripley takes you on. It's emotional, raw, addictive, empowering, heartbreak and beautiful. I couldn't put this book down.
This book starts with first love, the innocence, the all encompassing feelings and beliefs that you are unstoppable and able to accomplish anything and everything because you have found love. But as reader we already know that love is a journey no matter who you are and not what a journey the guys and Ripley takes you on. It's emotional, raw, addictive, empowering, heartbreak and beautiful. I couldn't put this book down.
December 19, 2019
Loved this story
Such a good read! I can’t express how very much I loved this book!! Such a wonderful love story...so happy to they got the HEA they deserved!
Such a good read! I can’t express how very much I loved this book!! Such a wonderful love story...so happy to they got the HEA they deserved!
Read
January 30, 2021well I certainly did purchase this book, sit down, open my kindle, and read straight for five hours.
next day edits --------------------
This book sucked me in—I'm not sure how I feel about the execution of the RH trope (mostly because I'm piecing together my thoughts on that subgenre in general), but I empathized with Betsy so much. The time jump was perfect—I didn't need to see the intervening years, and the story picked up at a key moment in Betsy's life.
One thing I'm still grappling with after the ending is the messaging about dreams. Everyone's dreams are completely shattered. Everyone eventually finds what they are searching for, but it was never what they dreamed of as kids. Example:
Spoiler
Betsy doesn't go to Julliard and become a famous ballerina, but she does become a famous dancer who founds her own traveling company. I struggle a lot with reconciling my high school dreams of the future with where I am now, and the underlying commentary on how we define our own success and happiness was a truly unexpected gut punch.
Looping back to the plot, there was a very obvious Chekov's gun that went off but the characters didn't notice when it did. I thought it was obvious, then a red herring, but then the villain was obvious after all. That pulled me out of it somewhat.
All the characters were round. I particularly liked Steven, Betsy's manager, and the exploration of their friendship and professional partnership. I was worried at first he would end up being sleazy, but he wasn't—and very late into the book it's shown that he is gay, removing him as a competitor for Betsy's affections. (Do I wish the author didn't feel the need to make a character gay so they didn't threaten the relationship? Yes. But it was so fleeting I could also pretend that one sentence didn't happen.)
I'm going to mull over my thoughts on the central romance and either word vomit about it in my newsletter (obligatory plug) or update here.
next day edits --------------------
This book sucked me in—I'm not sure how I feel about the execution of the RH trope (mostly because I'm piecing together my thoughts on that subgenre in general), but I empathized with Betsy so much. The time jump was perfect—I didn't need to see the intervening years, and the story picked up at a key moment in Betsy's life.
One thing I'm still grappling with after the ending is the messaging about dreams. Everyone's dreams are completely shattered. Everyone eventually finds what they are searching for, but it was never what they dreamed of as kids. Example:
Spoiler
Betsy doesn't go to Julliard and become a famous ballerina, but she does become a famous dancer who founds her own traveling company. I struggle a lot with reconciling my high school dreams of the future with where I am now, and the underlying commentary on how we define our own success and happiness was a truly unexpected gut punch.
Looping back to the plot, there was a very obvious Chekov's gun that went off but the characters didn't notice when it did. I thought it was obvious, then a red herring, but then the villain was obvious after all. That pulled me out of it somewhat.
All the characters were round. I particularly liked Steven, Betsy's manager, and the exploration of their friendship and professional partnership. I was worried at first he would end up being sleazy, but he wasn't—and very late into the book it's shown that he is gay, removing him as a competitor for Betsy's affections. (Do I wish the author didn't feel the need to make a character gay so they didn't threaten the relationship? Yes. But it was so fleeting I could also pretend that one sentence didn't happen.)
I'm going to mull over my thoughts on the central romance and either word vomit about it in my newsletter (obligatory plug) or update here.
January 1, 2020
I genuinely enjoyed Boys & Burlesque. It gave me major White Trash Trilogy vibes because we've got this leading lady who is looked down on and judged by the community around her, and she's got to figure out how to reopen her heart after her world has been totally rocked, all while battling the opinions of the outside world and her own confidence and ability to be different from what people expect.
Like Kendall, Betsy is this smart, strong, sassy girl that the world tries to beat down. I swear, if Proserpina and Brandy Slaven decided to do a contemporary co-write a la Betsy and Kendall, I would bawl my eyes out. But I'd also totally just throw my money at them.
Boys & Burlesque is not a sprint; it's intended to be a marathon. It's a standalone, and Proserpina does her due diligence in giving us a story that has the body to be by itself without leaving holes that need to be filled. We start off with a look into the past, getting an idea of what it's like for Betsy and her boys to have an unconventional relationship in a VERY conventional Southern town where whispers have the power to reduce your dreams to ruins.
I loved the beginning because it's sweet, and a little flustered, and filled with all of the manic kisses and proclamations that you want out of young love. BUT I was also wary because we couldn't have the rest of the story unless it all got majorly f**ked up. And oh yes, it does get f**ked up. EVEN BIGGER BUT- rest assured, in the tradition of second-chance romance, it does all wind up HEA in the end, so don't let the heartbreak discourage you from giving B&B a try.
Even though time passes for the other 2/3 of the book, jumping into the present day, we get little glimpses, through Betsy, through her guys' perspectives, through little windows into the messages and attempts that were made or never sent to reforge the connection between them. Each one gives another little peek into how much they were all damaged when their relationship was torn apart.
Prosperpina does a great job on the guys, and they all have a nice depth to them and individual backstories that I was satisfied with (I'm always afraid that standalones won't give me the character development I crave). They're sweet, a bit bossy, definitely protective, completely repentant, and most of all, just desperate to have Betsy back. What I liked most about this book was Betsy.
Betsy is a phoenix (not literally, this is NOT PNR or UF)- she rises from the ashes of her ruined romance, ruined reputation, and a (somewhat) predictable circumstance that I won't spoil, but it's heartbreaking nonetheless, and she becomes a strong, sassy businesswoman who takes her talents and her body and gives that delightful F*U* to the people who burned her down in the first place.
Overall, if you couldn't tell, Boys & Burlesque really hit the spot of what I enjoy, and I am all the more delighted because I have a chronic fear of standalones and generally avoid them like the plague. While I DO want more, it's because I loved the characters, the dynamic, the overall tone and mood of this story. I want more because I want to spend a bit more time in this little world that made my reader heart so happy- not because Prosperpina or the story was lacking.
That, to me, is why I think B&B deserves each of these stars.
Like Kendall, Betsy is this smart, strong, sassy girl that the world tries to beat down. I swear, if Proserpina and Brandy Slaven decided to do a contemporary co-write a la Betsy and Kendall, I would bawl my eyes out. But I'd also totally just throw my money at them.
Boys & Burlesque is not a sprint; it's intended to be a marathon. It's a standalone, and Proserpina does her due diligence in giving us a story that has the body to be by itself without leaving holes that need to be filled. We start off with a look into the past, getting an idea of what it's like for Betsy and her boys to have an unconventional relationship in a VERY conventional Southern town where whispers have the power to reduce your dreams to ruins.
I loved the beginning because it's sweet, and a little flustered, and filled with all of the manic kisses and proclamations that you want out of young love. BUT I was also wary because we couldn't have the rest of the story unless it all got majorly f**ked up. And oh yes, it does get f**ked up. EVEN BIGGER BUT- rest assured, in the tradition of second-chance romance, it does all wind up HEA in the end, so don't let the heartbreak discourage you from giving B&B a try.
Even though time passes for the other 2/3 of the book, jumping into the present day, we get little glimpses, through Betsy, through her guys' perspectives, through little windows into the messages and attempts that were made or never sent to reforge the connection between them. Each one gives another little peek into how much they were all damaged when their relationship was torn apart.
Prosperpina does a great job on the guys, and they all have a nice depth to them and individual backstories that I was satisfied with (I'm always afraid that standalones won't give me the character development I crave). They're sweet, a bit bossy, definitely protective, completely repentant, and most of all, just desperate to have Betsy back. What I liked most about this book was Betsy.
Betsy is a phoenix (not literally, this is NOT PNR or UF)- she rises from the ashes of her ruined romance, ruined reputation, and a (somewhat) predictable circumstance that I won't spoil, but it's heartbreaking nonetheless, and she becomes a strong, sassy businesswoman who takes her talents and her body and gives that delightful F*U* to the people who burned her down in the first place.
Overall, if you couldn't tell, Boys & Burlesque really hit the spot of what I enjoy, and I am all the more delighted because I have a chronic fear of standalones and generally avoid them like the plague. While I DO want more, it's because I loved the characters, the dynamic, the overall tone and mood of this story. I want more because I want to spend a bit more time in this little world that made my reader heart so happy- not because Prosperpina or the story was lacking.
That, to me, is why I think B&B deserves each of these stars.
October 12, 2021
This one is a 3.5 for me.
I wanted to give it 4 stars because, well, I just wanted to. However, if I’m going to be perfectly honest, I was too damn angry to give it 4.
Eight fkn years and not a peep? Seriously. I get that characters sometimes do dumb shit but eight fkn years and no proper explanation as to why they couldn’t contact her in all that time - especially when you factor in her heartbreaking txts? I just can’t even. I need the dumb shit characters do to be explained or justified to a degree at some point. Sigh.
While I did (somewhat begrudgingly) like it, this book left me with a very heavy feeling in my chest that is going to take some ridiculously over the top insta-love smut to erase.
Eight fkn years.
*flicks through her tbr list angrily*
I wanted to give it 4 stars because, well, I just wanted to. However, if I’m going to be perfectly honest, I was too damn angry to give it 4.
Eight fkn years and not a peep? Seriously. I get that characters sometimes do dumb shit but eight fkn years and no proper explanation as to why they couldn’t contact her in all that time - especially when you factor in her heartbreaking txts? I just can’t even. I need the dumb shit characters do to be explained or justified to a degree at some point. Sigh.
While I did (somewhat begrudgingly) like it, this book left me with a very heavy feeling in my chest that is going to take some ridiculously over the top insta-love smut to erase.
Eight fkn years.
*flicks through her tbr list angrily*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2021
As much as I liked the way all her ex-boyfriends grovelled I still didn't like the fact that they didn't have a solid reason as to why they didn't contact her for 8years. After everything she had to go through (including her miscarriage) I expected the heroes to have an explanation for their absence.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2020
Enjoyed it
I enjoyed this, but the format was just off for me. I liked the guys here, but didn’t totally love Betsy. No big deal, there’s usually a character I don’t connect with. I’d still say to give it a shot. I know my preference isn’t always the majority.
I enjoyed this, but the format was just off for me. I liked the guys here, but didn’t totally love Betsy. No big deal, there’s usually a character I don’t connect with. I’d still say to give it a shot. I know my preference isn’t always the majority.
December 31, 2024
It lost me 60%. Wash, rinse, repeat.
January 1, 2020
👍🏻 I enjoyed reading 👍🏻
Boys and Burlesque is a standalone contemporary RH, and a surprisingly a good read!
The book is written in two parts. The first part is set before their break up. You get to read about their dynamic and backstories; what led to the break up. The second part is how they reunite and what lives they led when separated. I liked how it was written; using the POV of each main character. I also fell in love with story from the moment I read the blurb and I devoured it so quickly! This story is about redemption and fighting for love, and although it’s centred predominantly around Betty and the guys relationship this also follows Betty following her dream becoming a successful dancer. We know that with success there is always something that tries to ruin it, so I enjoyed the bit of action as well.
Sometimes when I read books like this I secretly wish there’s no HEA just so I can see what the alternative would be for the main female character. I felt Betty was well justified not to let them back in her life and I think the only flaw in her character was letting them off the hook so quickly (or at all) she just kept pushing and pulling, she let them past her walls too easily. I think the guys characters whilst redeemable at the end they were cowards and right to the very end were selfish; always making decisions without Betty but excepted her to fall in line. Yes their love for her was all consuming but each time they took her decision away from her and she had to deal with the fall out alone.
Boys and Burlesque is a standalone contemporary RH, and a surprisingly a good read!
The book is written in two parts. The first part is set before their break up. You get to read about their dynamic and backstories; what led to the break up. The second part is how they reunite and what lives they led when separated. I liked how it was written; using the POV of each main character. I also fell in love with story from the moment I read the blurb and I devoured it so quickly! This story is about redemption and fighting for love, and although it’s centred predominantly around Betty and the guys relationship this also follows Betty following her dream becoming a successful dancer. We know that with success there is always something that tries to ruin it, so I enjoyed the bit of action as well.
Sometimes when I read books like this I secretly wish there’s no HEA just so I can see what the alternative would be for the main female character. I felt Betty was well justified not to let them back in her life and I think the only flaw in her character was letting them off the hook so quickly (or at all) she just kept pushing and pulling, she let them past her walls too easily. I think the guys characters whilst redeemable at the end they were cowards and right to the very end were selfish; always making decisions without Betty but excepted her to fall in line. Yes their love for her was all consuming but each time they took her decision away from her and she had to deal with the fall out alone.
January 8, 2020
Really enjoyed the beginning.
A really nice sickly sweet read. The beginning and the middle had a really good flow and story line, was really enjoying it for sure. The writing was brilliant, and the characters were really well developed.
I just want to conclude by saying in my opinion she forgave to easily, and every time I read the boys POV, I just cringed, it was too much for me and all 4 was just repetition. Also with the boys, I felt their POV’s were fairly rushed and at some areas, pointless, what I mean is it didn’t really add to the story. I didn’t feel I NEEDED and craved to hear what the other boys were feeling/ thinking.
All in all, a good read but nothing extraordinary.
A really nice sickly sweet read. The beginning and the middle had a really good flow and story line, was really enjoying it for sure. The writing was brilliant, and the characters were really well developed.
I just want to conclude by saying in my opinion she forgave to easily, and every time I read the boys POV, I just cringed, it was too much for me and all 4 was just repetition. Also with the boys, I felt their POV’s were fairly rushed and at some areas, pointless, what I mean is it didn’t really add to the story. I didn’t feel I NEEDED and craved to hear what the other boys were feeling/ thinking.
All in all, a good read but nothing extraordinary.
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