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winterreader40's review
5.0
Cornelia needs to put together an auction for her latest art showing to raise money for her women's rights institute she and her friends are putting together when her secret husband of 20 years Rafe suddenly shows up on her doorstep having become a duke since she last saw him. She needs to marry well to get her inheritance from her uncle and since they already are he needs her to allow him to tell everyone and things get more interesting from there.
I've really enjoyed both books in this series so far, fingers crossed book 3 is just as steamy, political and fun as the first two.
I've really enjoyed both books in this series so far, fingers crossed book 3 is just as steamy, political and fun as the first two.
plottrysts's review
3.5
I have a complicated relationship with Scarlett Peckham's novels. On the one hand, I appreciate what she's trying to do with historical romance. Her emphasis on sex positivity, and especially sex positive feminism, is welcome in a genre that can still be focused on a woman's "purity." On the other hand, I'm not sure I think that she can fully delve into all of the different ideas she wants to in a 350-page book. I also find myself absolutely loving some books (The Lord I Left, anyone?) while really not liking some of the others (The Duke I Tempted is not handsome enough to tempt me...).
Which brings me to today's review of The Portrait of a Duchess. What's it about? Cornelia and Rafe were married 20 years ago but have never lived together. Cornelia's uncle died and a codicil of his will requires her to be married to receive her inheritance. Luckily, she's already married. Unluckily, her husband is now a duke (unexpected heirs FTW) - but worse than that, he's a duke who used to be a radical who's now making nice with the conservatives in power. But don't worry, it's all a ruse: he's still a revolutionary at heart, so the idea of presenting a radical feminist artist as his duchess fills him with glee. Rafe falls in love easily, with men and with women. He fell for Cornelia back when they were married (when she was 18 and he was - ahem - 30). This is her biggest issue with their getting back together: she does not want to be in love, nor does she want to be faithful to anyone. She's willing to claim her marriage to get her rightful monies, but not to actually stay married.
There were portions of the book I absolutely adored: I loved that Peckham has an MMF scene included in a mass market historical romance. I love the emphasis on progressive politics. And (slight spoiler!) I loved that the solution to the relationship conflict wasn't married monogamy 5-ever!! the way it is in so many historical romances. But the book can feel more like a writing exercise than a romance. I was never moved by emotions while reading it, and the characters and their concerns felt like stand-ins for political ideals.
It's worth checking out, especially if you're a jaded HistRom reader like me looking for something new in the genre! I just wish I /liked/ it a little more.
Which brings me to today's review of The Portrait of a Duchess. What's it about? Cornelia and Rafe were married 20 years ago but have never lived together. Cornelia's uncle died and a codicil of his will requires her to be married to receive her inheritance. Luckily, she's already married. Unluckily, her husband is now a duke (unexpected heirs FTW) - but worse than that, he's a duke who used to be a radical who's now making nice with the conservatives in power. But don't worry, it's all a ruse: he's still a revolutionary at heart, so the idea of presenting a radical feminist artist as his duchess fills him with glee. Rafe falls in love easily, with men and with women. He fell for Cornelia back when they were married (when she was 18 and he was - ahem - 30). This is her biggest issue with their getting back together: she does not want to be in love, nor does she want to be faithful to anyone. She's willing to claim her marriage to get her rightful monies, but not to actually stay married.
There were portions of the book I absolutely adored: I loved that Peckham has an MMF scene included in a mass market historical romance. I love the emphasis on progressive politics. And (slight spoiler!) I loved that the solution to the relationship conflict wasn't married monogamy 5-ever!! the way it is in so many historical romances. But the book can feel more like a writing exercise than a romance. I was never moved by emotions while reading it, and the characters and their concerns felt like stand-ins for political ideals.
It's worth checking out, especially if you're a jaded HistRom reader like me looking for something new in the genre! I just wish I /liked/ it a little more.
mariathelibrarian's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bumblehui's review against another edition
3.0
The polyamory aspect of their relationship was interesting and honestly could have been fleshed out more but I really disliked the age gap. 16 years difference is fine in present time when shes 38 and he’s 54 but ugh, 18 and 34 is just too large for me. I would have DNFed but the age gap was only made clear when I had gotten 40% in and figured I might as well finish.
ladyofspringdreams's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an interesting one for me.
I love and have read all of Scarlett Peckhams’ books so buying this was a no brainer.
Firstly, I always enjoya second chance romance and older protagonists. Our female lead is late 30’s and the male lead is early to mid 50s. The problem is I hate age gap romance (though our leads are fully grown adults during the bulk of this book, there are flashbacks to an 18 fmc and 32 mmc including an on page sex scene) and when the book takes place in the real world, I generally don’t enjoy open relationships (there’s an on page MMF threesome and talk of taking other partners.)
And yet, I still liked this. I didn’t LOVE it, but I liked it.
This is a 3 star read because the romance didn’t move me. Usually I enjoy an opposites attract, but for most of the novel I felt like these two were fundamentally different and couldn’t *see* the love they kept *saying* they felt for one another.
The ending goes a long way towards fixing thatI really like that Cornelia stepped out of her comfort zone for Rafe and Peckham didn’t give us a married with babies ending , but it came a bit too late to change my rating.
I love and have read all of Scarlett Peckhams’ books so buying this was a no brainer.
Firstly, I always enjoy
And yet, I still liked this. I didn’t LOVE it, but I liked it.
This is a 3 star read because the romance didn’t move me. Usually I enjoy an opposites attract, but for most of the novel I felt like these two were fundamentally different and couldn’t *see* the love they kept *saying* they felt for one another.
The ending goes a long way towards fixing that
beyondevak's review against another edition
1.0
Quick Summary: A twisted love, open romance
My Review: The Portrait of a Duchess by Scarlett Peckham is volume 2 in the Society of Sirens series. It features a multicultural couple.
About the Book: This period piece introduces readers to Cornelia Ludgate and Rafe Goodwood. The couple have been separated for two decades. Upon the death of a family member, the two lovers are reunited. As such, unresolved desires, past frustrations, and overdue discussions are revisited.
My Final Say: This novel is an acquired taste read. I did not care for it at all. The direction it took was not where I thought it would lead, and I confess that I was highly disappointed by that.
Question to Consider: Did this couple really resolve their issues, at the end of the day? (There is more that should be considered where they are concerned.)
Rating: 1/5
Recommend: No
Audience: A
Series: Yes
Other: MMF relations
Status/Level:
My Review: The Portrait of a Duchess by Scarlett Peckham is volume 2 in the Society of Sirens series. It features a multicultural couple.
About the Book: This period piece introduces readers to Cornelia Ludgate and Rafe Goodwood. The couple have been separated for two decades. Upon the death of a family member, the two lovers are reunited. As such, unresolved desires, past frustrations, and overdue discussions are revisited.
My Final Say: This novel is an acquired taste read. I did not care for it at all. The direction it took was not where I thought it would lead, and I confess that I was highly disappointed by that.
Question to Consider: Did this couple really resolve their issues, at the end of the day? (There is more that should be considered where they are concerned.)
Rating: 1/5
Recommend: No
Audience: A
Series: Yes
Other: MMF relations
Status/Level:
amyjoy's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
FANTASTIC. I loved this one. Everyone told me it was better than The Rakess (which I also loved), and it did not disappoint. I loved that the MMC is casually bisexual, and no one in his group of friends says anything about it. The heroine is such a competent badass, and I adore her tight knit friend group (though I absolutely could have had more of the Sirens in this one!) The sex scenes are HOT (that threesome!!!!! ), and I am so excited for the next book in the series, but also wish I could read this one again for the first time.
andrea_author's review against another edition
4.0
Cornelia must wed to claim her inheritance. The twist? She secretly married twenty years ago. Seeing her husband again brings back old feelings. Can she learn to trust again?
This is a steamy, character-driven, feminist novel with likable characters. The romance is a slow burn and includes an FMM scene.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is a steamy, character-driven, feminist novel with likable characters. The romance is a slow burn and includes an FMM scene.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
xandrarama's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The subversion of tropes was interesting, as was the premise of the story. But the characters didn’t feel fully developed, the parallel structure of the book (with flashback chapters interspersed with present day chapters) didn’t work for me, possibly because the big plot points revealed in the flashbacks were underwhelming, and overall I wasn’t emotionally invested in the characters or particularly interested in either their journey or the wider storyline around the Society’s fight for radical political and social reform. None of it was nuanced enough to be as engaging as I’d hoped it would be.
There were lots of promising elements to this book but ultimately perhaps too many for the author to weave together successfully. I appreciate the author’s desire to address intersectionality, but if she’d focused on fewer themes instead of trying to cram in race, gender, sexuality, class, etc., these could perhaps have been explored in a less superficial and ultimately more satisfying manner.
averagebee's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0