Reviews

After Dark with the Duke by Julie Anne Long

Only show reviews with written explanations

opheliabedilia's review

3.0

Marianne might have warmed to Blackmore, but I never did. He was just so self-righteous and judgmental, and I never really felt he saw the error in that. He came around about her, specifically, but not in general.

kelseyreadshr's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

After Dark With the Duke is the fourth book in the Palace of the Rogues series.

I adored this book and loved getting to see the starchy Duke and struggling Opera singer fall in love. Not so much of an enemies to lovers as it is the MMC has preconceived notions of the FMC that he doesn’t mind voicing. Of course, once he understands the reasons and actions leading up to the duel he starts to see the heroine as she is. I enjoyed how the language lessons allowed them to get to know one another. There is also an almost running joke by the end where the FMC can’t seem to figure out what to write in a letter to her mother - and thought it was a sweet tie-in at the end.

This ended up leaving me with a warm fuzzy feeling that I love after reading a romance.

This is a slow burn with five encounters that are all delightfully steamy. They’re fairly short scenes but some occur close together so I’ve combined those into one. I also really liked that the MC intentionally chose their encounters. The first two books in this series both occurred after an emotional scene or conversation so it was nice that this was done differently and also why I found it steamier.

kaileylebrun's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Content Warnings

mostlyfated's review against another edition

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5.0

My second 6 star read for the year!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

amlibera's review against another edition

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4.0

Probably the final COVID book - this one is much more like it. Despite all of the potential for ickiness (he's older, she's an opera singer) it ends up being about people who genuinely care for each other. I would say that the only issue I have is that I was hoping that she would help him write his book. There's a bit early on where she's very quick and clever improvising song lyrics and it seemed as if her way with words would someone pay off beyond her gifts as a singer. But all in all a really good read. Oh, and definitely open door sex on this one.