My heart is saying 4.5 stars because 4 isn’t right but neither is 5 but also both are right and I’m confu✨Poseidon is very good at making things wet.✨
My heart is saying 4.5 stars because 4 isn’t right but neither is 5 but also both are right and I’m confused. My first impression is that I can’t wait to reread this book. My expectations were so high I think I played myself. I also found myself comparing this one to the previous books. In a vacuum, this is a great book, but as part of the series—the conclusion no less—I’m not sure it was all that it could be.
I seriously loved Nellie and Andrew like my god punch me in the face I want to feel pain too. They’re both so hot. Lockwood was so much dirtier than any of the books even HINTED at (save for the best, most unhinged teaser at the end of The Bride Goes Rogue). Rereading the series is going to be so much fun now that we’re in on the secret.
✨
Me @ Nellie [image] [image]
Me @ Lockwood [image]
Nellie was a lot softer than I thought she was going to be. She was still a force, but to be blunt, she was less of a top than I would’ve guessed. Andrew was very dominant and consistently wanted to take care of her…by fucking her into next Tuesday. She definitely owned her pleasure though and he was ultimately so in love with her at all times that she always topped his heart ❤️
Lockwood has been waiting four books to have his duke gone wild moment and have he DID. He was the epitome of buttoned up in the streets and absolutely backbreaking in the sheets. Also Lockwood + the beard he wears for Nellie has me going absolutely out of my mind. He’s just so polished that the little bit of roughness unleashed something so feral in me. What are broad swimmers shoulders for if they’re not pushing thighs apart? What is hair if it’s not being pulled?? What is a beard if it’s not leaving a mark??? Well let me tell you this book left a MARK.
Andrew absolutely fell first here and I’m such a sucker for all of the wooing and seduction that happens after the “oh shit I love her and I WILL be marrying her so now I just need to figure out how to be what she needs” realization. I know some people may want more plot, but there’s something so hot to everything in the book being dedicated to deserving the heroine.
Nellie’s family definitely added an extra edge to this book that was PERFECT. She had ties to a prominent Irish gang and of course Lockwood had to prove himself. We got a fun drunk scene and just a very lovely family dynamic. Andrew also delivered the best line to her cousins Finn and I just—ₙₑₑ...more
✨Why is it always “adrenaline rush from having to speak in front of people” and never “adrenaline rush because we’re on a spy mission and nearly got c✨Why is it always “adrenaline rush from having to speak in front of people” and never “adrenaline rush because we’re on a spy mission and nearly got caught out so now we’re gonna bang against this very public tree in a very vigorous manner” ????✨
Wow. I mean WOW. I was not ready for this book I really wasn’t. Amalie told me there was a tree scene but that hardly prepared me at ALL. This book was so very spicy and delicious. Valentine pretty much despised Bronwyn and was he a dick about it? Absolutely. Was I obsessed with it? Absolutely.
✨
Bronwyn had been putting on a front with polite society for a while and did an incredible job scaring the daylights out of Valentine with her simpering and fake laughter. Obviously Valentine was still incredibly possessive and rock hard whenever he was around her, but that’s just because he’s her brother’s best friend! Totally normal reaction, that rock hard business!
**SPOILER**I also just love that Bronwyn was pining for this man for YEARS. And when he proved to be sexually skilled? What a win for her. Valentine always tried to ignore her because she was his best friend’s sister which is delicious. But that’s incredibly hard to do when she smells like apple pie and he’s got a sweet tooth—very delicious.
I’m just such a fan of her reading romance novels while thinking about him, only to get railed so hard by him. I love poetic justice. One of my favorite tropes methinks.
✨
And now this is where I talk about the steam because my god it was the gift that kept on giving. Commanded masturbation—in a carriage, taunting masturbation—in the bath, up against a tree—in public, in an alcove—in public, in the epilogue—in handcuffs*, in a bed. Each sex scene was brilliant and scorching because their passion was so fevered. It was all very intense and explosive. The high stakes from the spy plot perfectly translated to “I may die tomorrow so I want to live worshipping your body today.”
- *my only note on the handcuffs is that it was teased SO MUCH. (Along with her wanting to ride his face like a jockie.) And while I’m happy we weren’t completely shut out of that scene at the end, I did want the full scene. He unlocked her in the part that we saw, and I wish she would’ve stayed restrained.
✨
**SPOILER** I’m sorry but I’ve never read a deflowering scene better than this one. From behind against a tree in a public park after nearly dying where one character is actively bleeding???? God I love spy books. When he was like “I won’t be gentle”—oooWEE a true hero.
Also I just love that Bronwyn was wet like 24/7 for this man. He was always like “is this all for me?” and her very logical reply was always “duh.”
This scene absolutely gave me A Daring Pursuit by Kate Bateman vibes. If I had a penny for the number of adrenaline fueled sex scenes I’ve read this year, I’d have the two cents to become a spy and/or get chased by a bear.
✨
Overall, it’s no surprise that I loved this book. Amalie Howard is quickly becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors, and she’s already an auto-read. Her heroines are always so strong and, frankly, I want to be every single one of them. Bronwyn and Valentine had such dynamic chemistry, and the extra brother’s best friend element was so juicy. The third act breakup was also handled differently here and I really appreciated it. The Duke in Question was so easy to love, and an even easier five stars.
Elevator Pitch: 20-year-old Eleanor is running away from her arranged marriage to local ducal heir and wet towel. She mee✨The Chasing of Eleanor Vane✨
Elevator Pitch: 20-year-old Eleanor is running away from her arranged marriage to local ducal heir and wet towel. She meets the current silver-fox duke and falls in love like I fall up the stairs (promptly and without much grace). He saves her from a rain storm and decides the only way to warm her up is *friction.*
This one was fine, although it was the second age-gap one I’d read here and I am just not that into major age-gaps. He kinda pissed me off because he was really going to leave the duchy (and I’m assuming the tenants) to a spoiled sourpuss nephew, as well as saddle poor Eleanor to the jackass. To be fair, he didn’t know for sure that the nephew was as resembling of a donkey as he was, but it was still shitty.
The lead up to them getting together was longer than the time spent with them together. I would have rather had this a full length book. The whole Second Kingdom was interesting but not explored thoroughly to make it nothing more than a tease. Give us orgies or give us death! I did like how he was conscientious of her losing her virginity because he had *experience.*
I’m so sad the last third just completely fumbled the pass I can’t believe I’m so unsatisfied. I loved ✨Many kinks but self-sacrifice was one of them✨
I’m so sad the last third just completely fumbled the pass I can’t believe I’m so unsatisfied. I loved the first two-thirds and overall recommend this because I ~don’t~ think others will care about this as much as I do, but a major villain gets to live hunky dory at the end and it makes me sick. Another villain basically got off with a slap on the wrist. UGH. Silas didn’t go down on her and the brother just got to sit there and be ugly. If you’re able to ignore some very annoying plot things [historically I’m not great at ignoring very annoying plot things] it’ll be a good time. I like Jordan’s writing style and there were nice moments of humor and love.
This book was good. I liked a lot of it. And at many points I thought it was a 5⭐️ read. I loved the sex and the steam and the rake’s thorough ravishment. I loved how he had a cute little farmer journey. I loved when he comforted Mercy and the animal out in the field. Read: I just really loved his character. He was very wholesome for being a baddie and he was absolutely gone for Mercy. As for her, I loved Mercy at the beginning. I love that the book didn’t hold back on the sex right away and it delivered on that promise.
Seriously, the sex was wonderful. Women are rarely the pursuers in historical romances so this was super fun and sexy. Watching Silas lose his mind and beg was a beautiful beautiful thing to have happen. It was also super HOT. Especially the second scene. He dabbled in dirty talk and I loooooved it. It gave something the first scene didn’t which I think was super important. Since the first one gave a LOT (if it was a tree, it would be the giving tree), there needed to be something to achieve and look forward to. They achieved many many things.
Some people didn’t like that she knew how to seduce him because she read erotic novels but I didn’t mind. (I did mind how they were never brought up again but yolo.) I thought it was hot and I had a wonderful time reading that 20-page sex scene. I can suspend my disbelief when it’s happy times but when shit goes wrong, I can’t shake it.
This had two tropes I just really hate and if they’re not done in a certain way…all that was once well does not end well. 1. Self-sacrificing to such an extent that makes ZERO sense. There’s looking out for your family and then there’s giving up your entire future for no reason because all you have to do is just ask your big, beautiful brown-eyed lover for help. 2. Terrible, horrible, Very Bad, useless villains or characters who face zero consequences or actually gain something at the end of the book. I’m good with a bad villain, but either that villain needs to be thoroughly ruined or thoroughly killed (on page, not off like a wimp).
I’d also prefer the self-sacrificing character (these characters normally go hand in hand) to be a part of the villain’s demise. I want that self-sacrificing character to lose all of their shit and let the bad person have it. Another thing I don’t like is when a character has all of these thoughts but they never speak their mind. I’m fine with that happening for a while, but they gotta go ballistic at some point. Mercy never did. She never yelled at characters who deserved it. Her one act against her brother happens off the page in the epilogue, because of something Silas did. Her character was too forgiving and peace-keeping. She never had that breakthrough I wanted.
She never told him she read dirty books (the whole reason she was able to seduce him…which I was honestly fine with them being her education bc idc it was hot) and he never told her his tragic back story. It was WEIRD. Why were those things left out??? We knew them but the characters didn’t. (If you’ve read this, let me know if you remember either of these convos because I’ll totally eat crow.)
He also said at the beginning that she wasn’t to his tastes. But we never found out what his tastes were? I thought it was gonna mean something opposite like you are too much my taste so I can’t sample your charcuterie board lest I fall in love. Was it just that his tastes weren’t flings and that’s what she “wanted”? I suppose, but that’s not fun or sexy.
Silas also didn’t have a POV until page 60 and he was give scraps in this book. I loved his character but we were barely in his head. And like I mentioned, Mercy never even learned about his past. The ending could’ve handled a lot of loose ends but decided to go in a predictable yet so unsatisfactory direction that distracted me from the overall story. I don’t even think we got a sex scene from his POV. She kept wanting his beard all over her body and that also didn’t happen. This was a hot hot book but some choices were so weird??
Overall, yeah I’ll probably reread this via audiobook when I need something spicy in the background, but it ultimately didn’t make me happy like book one. The Duke Goes Down just really focused on the main couple and didn’t bother with much else. Some people didn’t like that, but it really worked for me. It was easy, breezy, covergirl. The Rake Gets Ravished was super hot, but the relationship got buried by family drama and Mercy’s self-sacrifice kink.
I WAS CLUTCHING MY PEARLS. IF YOU DON’T HAVE PEARLS, AQUIRE PEARLS IN WHICH TO CLUTCH
THE BAN✨AHHHHHHHHHHHH✨
THIS WAS SO GOOD
BUTTERCUP AND WESLEY VIBES
I WAS CLUTCHING MY PEARLS. IF YOU DON’T HAVE PEARLS, AQUIRE PEARLS IN WHICH TO CLUTCH
THE BANTER
THE SICK SCENE
THE PINING
AHHH
AHHHHHH
AHHHHHHHH
THE EPILOGUE
WHY WAS THIS SO CUTE I WASN’T PREPARED
I was never annoyed by her beauty; Linnet was such a great character. She never annoyed me how could she she was FABULOUS. YES QUEEN OWN THAT BEAUTY. MAKE THE MAN SUFFER. DRAG HIM THROUGH THE COALS. KISS IT BETTER. DO. IT. AGAIN.
PIERS. The humor. The irritability. The denial. The reckoning. The caring. The penis.
The two were PERFECT for each other. I couldn’t have imagined a better couple if I tried. Favorite Beauty and the Beast retelling EVER. The supporting characters were amazing. It was just so fun. And touching. I’ve been touched!
✨The feminine urge to make eye contact with my crush of 15 years and 6 months across the dance floor at a ball.✨
To sum the situation up Devlin saved O✨The feminine urge to make eye contact with my crush of 15 years and 6 months across the dance floor at a ball.✨
To sum the situation up Devlin saved Ophelia from a carriage accident when she was 8 and he was 12. They had to fend for themselves in a cottage for many days because a river swept them away. Devlin was very positive she was the girl he would marry and Ophelia was happy about it too. When they were rescued Devlin was basically banished from her life because she was of the upper class and he was a son of a carpenter. Fast forward 15 years and 6 months to a very handsome and successful Devlin (he did it all for her) who spots Ophelia on the street. He’s like 0.O ₒₕ ₛₕᵢₜ ₒₕ ...more
✨But losing everything is like the duke going down on . . .✨
This is one of those books that you hope is gold simply because the cover is absolutely ra✨But losing everything is like the duke going down on . . .✨
This is one of those books that you hope is gold simply because the cover is absolutely ravishing. I mean really, I want to use it as wallpaper. As for the story, I found myself just as wrapped up. It was funny, hot, low angst, and absolutely lived up to its name: the duke indeed went down.
I read this one incredibly fast and simply took it all in. There wasn’t much more to the story than the romance, and I actually found that quite refreshing. There’s a bit with a bar renovation that, in a number of other books, would have taken a chunk of the plot but it was entirely scaled back here. The conflict was resolved very quickly and it didn’t disrupt my enjoyment at all. I got everything I wanted: a hot duke with the lungs of a swimmer and a not-so-proper vicar’s daughter.
Both characters were making questionable decisions at the beginning and I found it fun for each of them to get a reality check. The first half of the book was extremely funny and the second half was entirely swoon worthy. I didn’t think the spreading of rumors lasted too long or was overdrawn and I wasn’t really bothered by the antics. I know Imogen harbored a grudge for a long time but Perry wasn’t all peaches and cream to begin with so it all evened out in my book.
Overall, The Duke Goes Down was a Very Good Time and gave me everything I was craving. I enjoyed getting to see the two go from enemies to lovers to actual friends and the steam was just right. Unsurprisingly, I’m still desperate for more of the couple in the second book. I will absolutely reread again because it was the kind of story I want to bask myself in on a lazy afternoon.
✨That moment when a calls-her-by-anything-other-than-her-name guy calls her by her name during sex✨
Simply put, I would die for these two googlybears. ✨That moment when a calls-her-by-anything-other-than-her-name guy calls her by her name during sex✨
Simply put, I would die for these two googlybears. I really don’t know how else to convey my feelings for both Colin and Minerva. My unproblematic FAVS. They were both incredible and wonderful and light and fluffy and vulnerable and deep and so. full. of. love. These two could each punch me in the face and wish dishonor on my cow and I would thank them for the privilege and bake them a cake for their exertions.
Simply put, I am in love. A disgusting, over the top, smiling at nothing, montage on city sidewalks kind of love. This book has changed me. There’s just something so lovely about finding a book that speaks to you, heart and soul. Colin and Min just really really really loved each other. They loved each other too much to be separated at the end. Colin wanted to be better for Min because he knew she deserved it, but he didn’t leave her so she could be with “someone better.” No! They talked about it! He worked his ass off and tried to be better himself, for her. He knew he was worthy of her and that she wanted him so he needed to stay and not run. They made it work—together. A concept!
Speaking of together, they were with each other the entire book and they really held that shit DOWN. It was a cinematic road-trip adventure and really highlighted all the wonderful ways they fit together. Their woven tales to people they met along the way added such brevity and charm. “She is a first rate sword swallower.” I mean, my GOD. The way I choked (lol)! It was all just so cleverly written and fresh. Simply put, I had so much fun with these honeybuns.
The biggest thing about this book was all of the little things that meant so much to the characters, but also to me as a reader. There was always a surprise or a heartwarming little fact that popped up at just the right time. Minerva wouldn’t leave Colin alone in the cave; he didn’t tell her to take off her glasses, in fact, he put them back on her. I don’t want to spoil the surprise so I’m not even going to put in a spoilers section, but just know that there is a gem of a reveal that happens at 80%. Josh-painting-his-bedroom-walls-in-The-Hating-Game kind of reveal. Breathtaking and adorable and proof of how gone the man was for Min. I do hope someone told her just how much of a lovesick puppy cinnamon roll he was when she got back. He also kissed her nose at one point and I swear I found religion.
You also got a bit of narration from other characters back in Spindle Cove while the cuddle muffins were on their way to Scotland. It added an extra element to the storytelling and it also revealed information in such a fun way!!! I was never ever bored and always only besotted and excited for the next chapter. Like I briefly mentioned, there was no useless separation or fight or replastering torn down walls at the end. It simply would have not made sense for the story or the couple and I was so relieved.
Oh, also this book was HOT. Like holy shit I’m listening to this audiobook during work and am literally getting paid to hear multiple glorious sex scenes kind of HOT. One Paris Hilton ᵀʰᵃᵗ’ˢ ʰᵒᵗ for me please and thank you. I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: enemies make the best lovers. There is simply no debate. Nothing can touch the way the sexual tension, pent-up emotions, and forbidden fantasies DO. ME. IN. The cherry on top was the scene where Min had to pretend to be Colin’s mistress. He was in awe and I was in SHAMBLES.
It seems that I have a thing for books with wicked in the title. Overall, I think this book was an excellent example of how to make compelling and interesting characters with interests and passions that bolster the romance, rather than overshadow it. Minerva loved rocks and was proud of her dinosaur discovery, but we weren’t buried by an avalanche of random musings. Her love of it actually made Colin grow and try to be the best version of himself for her. It was interesting and kept pace and purpose really really well. I also loved that Colin was a bit of a math man? A binomial babe? A statistics stud? The boy really did NUMBERS. And lest I forget, the sensual math terms!! Like I’ve said, this book did many things and it did them all so so well.
I’m totally buying this I loved the narrator It was HOT The plot was fun and a mix of cute and angsty I will immediately be listeniOh sweet merciful yes
I’m totally buying this I loved the narrator It was HOT The plot was fun and a mix of cute and angsty I will immediately be listening to every book available and reading the rest by Grace Callaway I apparently got a kindle copy of this for free during a sale so go me for being incredibly smart I want it to be Wednesday every day...more
Okay so long story short, I absolutely did not vibe with the narrator. She was fine for Jess, but lord save me from that No✨Not the audiobook for me.✨
Okay so long story short, I absolutely did not vibe with the narrator. She was fine for Jess, but lord save me from that Noel voice. It was so . . . squeaky, stuck up, bad. Imagine the voice of Mr. Collins in Pride and Prejudice remarking on the excellence of boiled potatoes. Then imagine him trying to talk dirty to you. It just reaaaaally did not do it for me.
Thus, I couldn’t get fully into this book. I also just really didn’t care about the business conversations and all of that jazz. (Louis Armstrong would have been proud.) There was no real enemy or source of tension besides Jess’s lie, which, when it finally unraveled, wasn’t surprising or shocking.
I probably would have eaten this book up like pasta salad on the Fourth of July if I’d have read the paperback. Jess and Noel’s chemistry could fry an egg on the sidewalk at midnight. I loved how Noel gave himself over entirely to Jess and the trust that existed between them. Their power dynamic was unique and the consent was always there. There was intense dirty talk and the language felt very modern.
I think I’m going to read the other paperbacks in the series because I am SO intrigued by the two friends of Noel who DEFINITELY woke up cuddling when they had to share that bed. I do also believe I would have enjoyed this book far more if I had either liked the narrator or read the paperback. There still would have been issues, but nothing that would stop me from reading the next book.
She was an author. He was a publisher. Can I make it any more obvious? I adored the beginning of this b✨ Penetrated her . . . soul? AHAHAH okay sure.✨
She was an author. He was a publisher. Can I make it any more obvious? I adored the beginning of this book!! It was so fun and HOT and light. The middle of the book got a bit too angsty for my tastes and she made a choice I was NOT a fan of but it was resolved quickly and they were back to banging most deliciously. After that minor skirmish was resolved, I was back to rooting for the two.
The end was super cute, super sweet, and super well paced—we got to see them be married for a good chunk of time and THEN he got very creative with finger placement . . . and raspberries. If every historical romance contained this type of spice, I’d perish! If that’s ever the case, make sure to bury me with a few mass markets because a ghost’s gotta eat too.
As for particulars, Jack was down BAD for a part of this. She broke that man good lord. Sophia was the WORST and such a cockblock. I liked the revelation at the end about Jack, I thought that added some humor back into the story. Oo they also recreated some sex scenes from a dirty memoir of sorts.
This shaped up to be very cute and it’s my favorite Kleypas so far—granted I’ve only read a few of hers (in the Ravenell series which I’ve decided isn’t for me). I read this one because I heard it had Christmas in the background—which it did! Ho Ho Ho and all that jazz.
Wow okay this was absolutely lovely. I do greatly appreciated that the back cover copy told us what would happen in the middle o✨Once upon a hot damn✨
Wow okay this was absolutely lovely. I do greatly appreciated that the back cover copy told us what would happen in the middle of the book. Scoundrel of my Heart is basically split into two halves, each being uniquely different and equally alluring.
The first part gives you the backstory on Griff and Kathryn, making you root for both of them with your whole heart. I love that it began with Griff’s point of view because I love a good besotted male specimen in the throes of denial. I would have been perfectly content if the entire novel stayed in that manner, but surprisingly I really liked the fallen Griff we were present with in part two. This half also got precisely steamier (multiple times) but it was never so angsty that all bets were off and it became a challenge to finish. The epilogue was seriously adorable and did I mention there were multiple sex scenes? The scandal!
This was the kind of book that I constantly set down for a few minutes at a time because I was loving it so much and didn’t want the spell to be broken via a page turn. No need to worry, the magic was everywhere. I loved both of the characters and appreciated where Kathryn’s character went in the second half. Girl power!
The next book is going to be a gem, I already know. Despite always rooting for Griff, I’m totally down to fall in love with Kingsland. To be honest I’m probably already halfway there. His one chapter point of view gave such a tantalizing glimpse at the character underneath the ice. I also am excited to see where Marcus’s story ends up as that was an end unwoven in. This one had me from the very beginning and still hasn’t let me go. Utterly charming.
And reader? I’d risk it all. This book surprised me. We all know I’m a ✨A simple what-would-I-do-if-Chris-Hemsworth-put-me-in-this-scenario situation✨
And reader? I’d risk it all. This book surprised me. We all know I’m a very bothered person. So when I like a book that could have TOTALLY bothered me but it didn’t, I have to wonder why. Why was THIS the book that spoke to my soul? Especially when I can see valid critiques in negative reviews and understand exactly where those reviewers are coming from. I really don’t have an answer, but I’m going to try to describe exactly why I liked this book and why it worked for me.
The writing style really felt like a slightly moodier, darker version of Tessa Dare or Eloisa James. There was wit and dry humor and I laughed and swooned many times. I think I would have believed you if you told me that either of those authors wrote it. My attention was ALWAYS on this book. It’s a thick beast but I read it super quickly in two sittings. I always wanted to be reading this book. It was a very emotional ride and by the end I was ready to fight for these two. I liked that they were rarely apart and how the road trip romance set up some crazy scenarios.
The only time it slightly lost me was the third act breakup, but even then, I found it worked for me. It was dramatic and angsty and made me angry, but it also made the characters reckon with their actions and desires and made them even better as a couple. I loved there reconnection. On that note, I loved the side characters, especially James and Andrew (forever shipping them, I hope they get their own book), Richard can fuck me up. And her father? Wow okay slay my vagina.
Now talking about slaying my vagina, the sex!!! Ugh I love Minerva’s dirty dancing. The voyeurism of Eva watching Godric get off was just about the hottest thing I’ve read in a while. It was such a long scene and we were given so much. I do wish he would’ve brought it back up in a sex scene or she would have touched him like he touched himself (he was feeling himself up above the waist and it was really hot). These two were very sexually compatible but it was never just sex (despite what they believed). There was true emotion, passion, and connection influencing every scene. I loved how he got off on her touching herself and that she knew what she wanted. The man was down real bad at the end and that is Very Hot to me.
The kidnapping didn’t bother me because I didn’t feel like it forced these two to get together. I think her reason for kidnapping him made sense (maybe I’m unhinged too idk), and I think his treatment of her when the roles were reversed wasn’t coercive. There were actually a lot less one bed situations than there could’ve been, and they really tried to deny their attraction. The kidnapping was never done for ransome or anything. I understand it pretty much meant they’d have to marry and that’s taking consent away. Buuuut there were many avenues that they could’ve taken after the initial kidnapping to prevent marriage, but they said screw it. So I too say screw it!
The heart wants what it wants and my heart wants to kidnap and/or be reverse kidnapped by a large, sexy, Adonis who I’m choosing to believe looks like Chris Hemsworth. I think the enemies to lovers REALLY worked here and I loved the character arcs of our main characters. They were flawed and he was literally a VILLAIN, but I fell for them anyways.
And yes, I understand he was going to kidnap Drusilla at the beginning, but I just don’t believe he was ever going to hurt her. Yes, he was a rat bastard in book one and horrible to these people. No, I do not care about that anymore because getting to know him really melted my heart. He was such a softie and this book was also very funny and witty and that helped me a lot. Am I a hypocrite for probably hating this exact plot or these exact characters in other books? Sure. I don’t deny that this book just hit different. And selfishly, I’m really fucking tickled that I loved it.
Was the age gap completely necessary? No. I think she could’ve been 25 instead of 19 and the book would’ve been the same. But ultimately this is the book the author wanted to write and I can’t fault her for that. Age gaps aren’t normally my thing, but again, WWIDICHPMITS? If Chris “Adonis” Hemsworth wanted to do dirty things to me at age 19, I would have canceled all my plans.
I also never felt like he was fetishizing her age. He actually disliked he was so much older than her. I understand people being skeeved by him calling her “little girl,” “child,” and “young” but to me it was always in reference to her actions, not her sexual appeal. He was never like wow you look like a child and that gets me hot. She was clearly of age and had desires and I can’t fault him nor her. But I also don’t discredit other contrary opinions and don’t think you should either. Again, it’s about what you’re comfortable with!
Overall, if you’re like hmmm this book COULD be for me, I’d say give it a try. There aren’t a lot of reformed villains out there and I loved Godric and Eva. It may take you out of your comfort zone, but all I can say is this book created a new zone in which I’d like to live in. And that is the Emotionally Slaying My Vagina Zone.
✨ “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. And not in a Prince Charming way. In a naked way.” ✨
Okay, so I never stopped laughing while reading this one. I✨ “I couldn’t stop thinking about you. And not in a Prince Charming way. In a naked way.” ✨
Okay, so I never stopped laughing while reading this one. I lost all of my wits during the goat birthing scene (yes, a goat birthing scene) and just about every moment between Ash, Chase, and Gabe tickled me pink. Those pages reminded me of the camaraderie between all of the Bridgerton brothers—entirely and throughly entertaining.
This book was absurd and insatiable and just wildly lovable. I was reminded of both Snow White and Sleeping Beauty and I’m not sure if that’s just me? Because book one totally had Beauty and the Beast vibes so maybe I’m not totally nuts and berries? Anyhoo, I adored both Penny and Gabriel and would have liked even more animal content. The animals drew me in from the back cover and I knew this was going to be such a romp.
Basically, Penny fostered a bunch of animals and needed to re-home them, so her new (sometimes naked) neighbor (trying to sell the home next door) agreed to help her (everything went according to plan, obviously). I thought most of the humor would come from the re-homing, but honestly that whole bit went pretty smoothly. It was a fun side plot though and still created some sticky situations (yes, I sure do mean sex situations).
The crowning achievement of this book for me, however, was the writing. Tessa Dare is a master of word play and is just really, really funny. ‘The Duchess Deal’ was also witty and humorous, but this was another level. I mentioned absurd before and I’ll say it again—it was absurd, charming, and very clever. Here are some of my favorite out-of-context lines:
✨“No one sighed languid sighs while making soup.”
✨“I don’t want a dead gentleman. I’d prefer a living bastard, thank you.”
✨“Watch yourself. Marigold’s not that kind of goat.”
✨“You cursed pigeon with pretensions.”
✨“Fancy a foxglove?”
Do you have a favorite line in the book you’re reading?
My family and I were watching Brian Williams one night and he had one of the best lines I’ve ever heard: “Seems to be the act of a disgruntled employee. It certainly didn’t seem to be the act of the gruntled.” I got those same vibes from a line in this book: ”There was nothing off-putting about her whatsoever. She was . . . on-putting in every way.” I just love love love the word play. 10/10.
✨Italian sunsets, road trip traveling, and a hot professor—need I say more?✨
Okay fine, if you insist—only one bed; childhood friends to enemies to lov✨Italian sunsets, road trip traveling, and a hot professor—need I say more?✨
Okay fine, if you insist—only one bed; childhood friends to enemies to lovers; and hot, secrety spies. Right off the bat I was hooked on this book. I love when the heroine and hero are immediately present on the page together. As soon as we meet Alec five pages in, the sticky sweet tension between the two never falters. I loved the Italian setting because not only was the imagery sparkling, but I also found it fascinating to read about other countries from the perspective of Victorian English characters.
While this is a debut novel, it reads so polished and organized. I loved Sullivan’s voice, the dual POVs, and the way she interwove some of the childhood memories into the narrative. I am rather new to the childhood friends to lovers trope and I am so, so happy that it wasn’t all smooth sailing on the Mediterranean. I loved that there was a definite enemies to lovers moment. I don’t like when the romance is too easy or fast, which I find happens when one or both of the characters don’t mistake love for hate at least five times. Alec and Lottie’s chemistry was electric throughout the book, and I ate up their character development.
I have an unfortunate propensity to get to the sex scenes as soon as I sit down for supper. My sister eats very slow so there is normally time to read after I’m done . . . well safe to say this book is NSFDT—not safe for dinner table. You have thus been warned.
I audibly whooped when I found out who the sequel would follow and I can’t wait to see cameos from Alec and Lottie. Thank you so much to Emily Sullivan and Forever for sending me an early review copy!
✨Frost me up and let me make a cake of myself at society evUpon second reading:
✨Hang it in the Louvre.✨
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✨Frost me up and let me make a cake of myself at society events because wow I am in love!✨
When Erica reached out to ask if I wanted to review, ‘The Duke Heist,’ I’ve never been more excited to get my hands on a book. Historical romance is my favorite genre and with a cover like this one? I knew I was in for such a treat--I mean her dress is practically caramelized and her hair is a pastry.
I absolutely adored ‘The Duke Heist’ and I was not prepared for the connection I would have to the characters and the story and the relationships. The vulnerability of both Chloe and Faircliffe added such a decadent layer to this story. Their hidden desires were so heartfelt and meaningful. Both characters were authentic and each trait was imbued deep in their personalities. I just loved their love so much. Furthermore, the cast of side characters--siblings and friends--were just as colorful. I can’t wait to learn more about Phillipa, Gracie, Tommy, and the others.
About halfway through the book, I truly did not know how it was all going to shake out. I felt Chloe and Faircliffe’s anguish over not being able to be together, and when Faircliffe said he had never been anyone’s favorite person before, I broke down in tears. Seriously, I’ve read countless books about lonely and misunderstood men, but this one just hit me differently. His longing for a family like Chloe’s was just so endearing and sentimental I melted.
I need to start my own “Ladies of Lusty Literature Book Coven” because that is such an incredible concept. I love the acceptance Chloe found within her new group of friends, and I can’t wait to meet more of them in book two. But I also love that Chloe accepted herself first and foremost.
‘The Duke Heist’ is an unyielding romance with just a touch of Shakespearean comedy and Ocean’s 11. I truly don’t know how to describe Chloe’s family except that they’re so marvelously chaotic. It may take you a moment to get the full scope of their situation, but I promise it’s such a welcoming story once you encounter the duke. The narration style was witty and charming, and told from the perspectives of both Faircliffe and Chloe.
Gwenyth Paltrow truly said it best: I laughed, I cried a number of times, I sweat, I danced, I got a shot, I ate . . . and I had many epiphanies.
Thank you so much Erica, ‘The Duke Heist’ is now one of my favorites and I’ve been thoroughly enchanted.
Do you brie-lieve in love at first fail? When I saw the pun in her dedication I really hoped this would be a pun✨”Candy is sweet but dick is better.”✨
Do you brie-lieve in love at first fail? When I saw the pun in her dedication I really hoped this would be a punny book and Denise Williams did not disappoint. The cheesiness of this book was ✨grate✨ and I added a few new jokes to my arsenal.
The connection between Naya and Jake was so sweet and genuine. I loved the little things and short moments in their time together that really revealed the depth of their emotions. The book brought to mind the “bouquet of sharpened pencils” visual from ‘You’ve Got Mail’ as well as the “it’s not personal, it’s business” mantra.
I laughed out loud more than a few times and my vow to “just read ~this~ chapter and then I’ll go to bed” went ignored. How to Fail at Flirting was a fast and enjoyable read, yet the book’s shining moments were the ones that made me slow down. Understanding Naya’s trauma and reveling in Jake’s swooniness demanded more time from me, which I willingly gave.
Both characters made mistakes and handled things rashly but they were held accountable right there on the page. It was so refreshing to see actions and words have consequences and to have friends call Naya out when it was necessary. Both her and Jake admit to their errors with walls torn down and defenses disarmed.
*I must clarify I’m talking only about Naya and Jake’s relationship above, not Naya and Davis’s.* Further, the second photo is the recommend content warnings directly from the author!
Overall, this book was deliciously romantic and wonderfully written, tackling both the sweet and bitter, as well as the cheesy. You feta believe I loved it!
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