Roslyn Sinclair

The Lily and the Crown

Renee

I regret not writing a review when I first read this book. It would have been nice to compare my first and second reactions to the story. I’m a big fan of Roslyn’s Truth and Measure, which is rated number one on my all time faves list. Like Truth and Measure, this story is a spin on the popular The Devil Wears Prada fanfic. This age gap, romantic tale is a mixture of opposites attract, ice queen versus old-fashioned sweetness, and good guy, bad guy role-reversals. There’s sweet, adorable, naïve, quirky, and seriously green-thumbed Ari on one end of the character spectrum. On the other end, there’s Ari’s “Assistant” who is witty, confident, cerebral, and mysteriously perceptive. The chemistry between Ari and Assistant is clear the moment they meet. (Or, maybe it’s just me! I have a weakness for the sexy, silver forelock look coupled with steamy sex scenes with said person with sexy, silver forelock.) Moving on, the story is well-paced, which adds to the believability of Ari‘s feelings for Assistant. In addition, given a stun-gun mishap and the thievery of a one Dr. Phylyxas, it’s obvious Assistant cares a great deal for Ari. The whole "Don‘t ask me to let you go" statement still makes me shudder, in a good way. The situational irony component of the story did not ruin my HEA expectations because for me, it’s all about the journey which I thoroughly enjoyed, again. Overall great story, great characters, and a satisfying ending.

ROSLYN. SINCLAIR

Botanist Ari lives an isolated life on a space station, tending a lush garden in her quarters. When a woman is given to her as a slave, Ari's ordered life shatters. Her slave is smart, sexy, and seems to know an awful lot about tactics, star charts, and the pirate queen, Mir. A lesbian romance about daring to risk your heart.

Lucia Correa

4 Stars. Loved it. It is a romance on a space station between two very opposite characters. I won't say too much as I'm late to read this published version and others such as Lex Kent, Jem, lov2laf etc. have written excellent reviews.

I first read this about 4 yrs ago when it was a fanfic by Tenalu. At the time I just thought it was OK. I can't remember enough to compare the two stories but it felt different. This started out as a Devil Wears Prada Uber fanfic. Uber fanfic if you are not familiar with the term takes the essence of the characters and places them in another time, another place, or another reality (Wikipedia). This was a quintessential Uber. However, in this novel, it reads more like an original story and I liked it much more. I wish I could tell you what changes Sinclair made but I would have to re-read the original and I would rather just re-read this book!

I will also say that I loved the characterization of the two main characters, especially Ari. She is a brilliant scientist yet very introverted and focused, sequestering herself in her quarters that contains a massive garden that she tends and studies on the space station. Her plants and her pet insects are her only companions. Although she grows in this book, becoming more aware of the politics and life outside her quarters, her essence doesn't change. Circumstances devastates and disillusions Ari, yet she remained kind as she gained strength. 

Anyway, I'm late to the party. If you haven't joined - I highly recommend you give this a try.

The Lily and the Crown

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