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sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Death of parent, Racism, Murder, and Death
kaitrates's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
jennireadsmaybe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Anthony Bridgerton who? There's a new Anthony in town and you'd better step aside.
In all seriousness, I thoroughly enjoyed The Duke Gets Desperate. Raya and Strick are the epitome of "I hate that I'm attracted to you" and it's freaking delightful. Raya completely flips Strick on his head by masterminding several ways for the failing castle to make money. She's gorgeous, business savvy, and the exact match to Strick's attitude. Chef's kiss.
I love an inheritance plot, throw in the shenanigans around saving the castle, and the forced proximity of it all and I was ready to devour this book. I wasn't Strick's biggest fan, but he won me over by the end with just how much he believed in Raya. Their chemistry had me giggling and kicking my feet.
The mystery/suspense plot felt ridiculous but in the best way. It definitely added a bit of tension that I felt was missing in the last third of the book. Can't wait to keep reading in the series.
In all seriousness, I thoroughly enjoyed The Duke Gets Desperate. Raya and Strick are the epitome of "I hate that I'm attracted to you" and it's freaking delightful. Raya completely flips Strick on his head by masterminding several ways for the failing castle to make money. She's gorgeous, business savvy, and the exact match to Strick's attitude. Chef's kiss.
I love an inheritance plot, throw in the shenanigans around saving the castle, and the forced proximity of it all and I was ready to devour this book. I wasn't Strick's biggest fan, but he won me over by the end with just how much he believed in Raya. Their chemistry had me giggling and kicking my feet.
The mystery/suspense plot felt ridiculous but in the best way. It definitely added a bit of tension that I felt was missing in the last third of the book. Can't wait to keep reading in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Racism, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, and Death
sydapel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
3.0
While Diana Quincy writes really incredible histroms, this didn't work for me. While I found the characters endearing and the premise interesting, the murder mystery element felt like an extremely forced and unnecessary plot element, which took away from the character development.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Murder
Minor: Racism
shaynicole's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Xenophobia, and Racism
auteaandtales's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
This book is not flawless, by any means, there were a few things I had issues with, but none of them feel like they matter that much because I loved the rest of the book so much and I cannot WAIT to read the rest of the series as it’s released.
Their chemistry was fantastic, it was enemies-to-lovers done perfectly. I love the Arab culture woven in, how much Anthony wanted to make sure she felt at home and the cute little things he did for her, and Raya was such a great character. She had so much depth and strength, and could definitely hold her own ground.
The side characters were awful and added so much extra tension, and the bonus mystery was unexpected but fun. It was predictable but I don’t think that hindered the experience at all, and not everyone would find it predictable, I’ve just read SO many thrillers and mysteries in my reading history that there’s very little that takes me by surprise anymore, I can still enjoy the ride.
Well, my only real issue with it was the drama and it felt a little over the top at times, and I’m a fan of slow burn so I think it could have been dragged out a little bit longer.
But while I wait for the next instalment in the series, I’ll have to read Diana Quincy’s other works!
Their chemistry was fantastic, it was enemies-to-lovers done perfectly. I love the Arab culture woven in, how much Anthony wanted to make sure she felt at home and the cute little things he did for her, and Raya was such a great character. She had so much depth and strength, and could definitely hold her own ground.
The side characters were awful and added so much extra tension, and the bonus mystery was unexpected but fun. It was predictable but I don’t think that hindered the experience at all, and not everyone would find it predictable, I’ve just read SO many thrillers and mysteries in my reading history that there’s very little that takes me by surprise anymore, I can still enjoy the ride.
Well, my only real issue with it was the drama and it felt a little over the top at times, and I’m a fan of slow burn so I think it could have been dragged out a little bit longer.
But while I wait for the next instalment in the series, I’ll have to read Diana Quincy’s other works!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexism, Abandonment, and Misogyny
Minor: Racism, Alcohol, Islamophobia, and Murder
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This is my least favorite of Quincy's romances I've read so far, but I think it's primarily because I struggled to feel true emotional connection (beyond physical infatuation) between the main characters. The rapid transitions between arguing with each other and fantasizing about each other felt forced, and I felt like we didn't have enough banter or even just conversation in the first half to support the eventual relationship.
My favorite element in any Quincy romance is the female main character's profession - she always writes interesting and unique backgrounds and career interests for the women in her stories - and Raya is no exception. I wanted more insight into Raya's family dynamics, though, and more development for her as she establishes her own path.
The murder mystery felt like it intruded unexpectedly at times and affected the pacing for me a bit as well.
I read this via audio and would note it is dual narration. I loved the narrator for Raya's POV, Venah Assadourian, but didn't enjoy the narrator for Strick, Timothy Campbell. The two narrations also felt like they were produced differently? It was a bit jarring each time we transitioned, as the sound quality was noticeably different.
My favorite element in any Quincy romance is the female main character's profession - she always writes interesting and unique backgrounds and career interests for the women in her stories - and Raya is no exception. I wanted more insight into Raya's family dynamics, though, and more development for her as she establishes her own path.
The murder mystery felt like it intruded unexpectedly at times and affected the pacing for me a bit as well.
I read this via audio and would note it is dual narration. I loved the narrator for Raya's POV, Venah Assadourian, but didn't enjoy the narrator for Strick, Timothy Campbell. The two narrations also felt like they were produced differently? It was a bit jarring each time we transitioned, as the sound quality was noticeably different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, and Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Grief
lizzie_b99's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Cute, but has way too much repetition and limited romantic development. It felt like one moment they hated each other and the next they were in love, which didn't feel super realistic. The twist was pretty good, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Death, Racial slurs, Islamophobia, Murder, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Confinement
bethehart's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
While I liked the book overall there were moments I became frustrated. I’m not a major fan of misunderstandings but I can handle one or two. This one was like one misunderstanding after another. It got better once they actually admitted their feelings and I enjoyed the end, but the middle was a little rough for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Racism, Murder, Xenophobia, and Sexism
jackiepreston's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent and Murder