Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - After Dark with the Duke

In this latest adventure at The Grand Palace on the Thames, I enjoyed the shift towards a heroine who is rebellious and subversive. While all our previous leading ladies have tested boundaries in their own ways, Mariana feels the least willing to be hemmed in by arbitrary social rules. Down with the damned epithet jar, honestly. I love the team-ups between her and Delacorte or her and Dot because Mariana doesn't feel she's above them. Where many previous leads look on our comedic side characters with a degree of long-suffering benevolence, Mariana dives in with them. She and Dot play chess with a flair for the dramatic and teach each other fancy new words, and with Delacorte, there are no holds barred on the types of jokes they might tell. The banter is perfection, as always.

James, Duke of Valkirk has a very Darcy energy. He's firmly on the moral high ground and makes immediate and incorrect assumptions about Mariana from the beginning. I liked getting to know him and became less irritated with him over time. I do wish his privilege was interrogated a bit more since his role as a white man (and a duke, specifically) allows him to take that position as the defender of honor and good behavior.

While I enjoyed the romance at face value and found this to be the swoony/steamiest entry in the series so far, some lingering background concerns kept me from full, immersive enjoyment. For one, the story flirts with the idea of deconstructing the virgin/whore dichotomy without fully engaging. Mariana's internal struggle with her own categorization comes to an end because of true love, etc. rather than reaching any real kind of resolution about how society has treated her or even better, women in general.

Also, there is so much unnecessary gendering, starting with referring to generic character traits as either masculine or feminine. I most love historical fiction that challenges gender norms and practices, but in this series, the men go off to the smoking room after communal time in the sitting room so they can fully be men or whatever. They're never gross about their discussion, but it still follows strict gender lines. In addition, the civilizing power of women is a big theme of the series, and I find it completely unromantic (but maybe realistic?) that all these men can't function as kind, empathetic beings without a woman's interference.

Mixed feelings overall for this reviewer. The romance itself is maybe my favorite of the series, but my other concerns have been steadily growing throughout. Regardless, thanks to Avon for my copy to read and review!

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