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lololovesthings's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 stars!
I don't read much Regency romance, but if they are all as good as Alexandra Vasti's "Ne'er Duke Well," consider me a fan! I loved every second of this book. I had such an amazing time reading it! It has been a long time since I laughed as hard as I did while reading something. This story has some of the best banter I have read all year. I absolutely adored the main characters, Peter and Selina, both separately and together. They are wholly endearing individuals, and their dynamic made me want more, more, more of them! Selina is such a strong, amazing female character. I admired her resilience, her strength, and her spunkiness. I loved her from the second she was introduced on the page. I appreciated her covert job and why she does what she does (in an effort to educate women at a time when they were not allowed to be enlightened!). Peter is a pure soul who loves his siblings more than anything and is willing to go to the ends of the earth for them. His charm and adoration are palpable, and I found myself smitten with him just like Selina was. And he's a dirty talker! Alexandra Vasti has such a terrific, seamless, swoony writing style. This book sparked so much joy. I cannot wait to read her next novel!! I also totally loved Mhairi Morrison's absolutely stunning, perfect narration for both characters. She helped me enjoy this book even more than I already did.
Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Vasti, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
I don't read much Regency romance, but if they are all as good as Alexandra Vasti's "Ne'er Duke Well," consider me a fan! I loved every second of this book. I had such an amazing time reading it! It has been a long time since I laughed as hard as I did while reading something. This story has some of the best banter I have read all year. I absolutely adored the main characters, Peter and Selina, both separately and together. They are wholly endearing individuals, and their dynamic made me want more, more, more of them! Selina is such a strong, amazing female character. I admired her resilience, her strength, and her spunkiness. I loved her from the second she was introduced on the page. I appreciated her covert job and why she does what she does (in an effort to educate women at a time when they were not allowed to be enlightened!). Peter is a pure soul who loves his siblings more than anything and is willing to go to the ends of the earth for them. His charm and adoration are palpable, and I found myself smitten with him just like Selina was. And he's a dirty talker! Alexandra Vasti has such a terrific, seamless, swoony writing style. This book sparked so much joy. I cannot wait to read her next novel!! I also totally loved Mhairi Morrison's absolutely stunning, perfect narration for both characters. She helped me enjoy this book even more than I already did.
Thank you to NetGalley, Alexandra Vasti, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
analenegrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Amazing! Iconic! Wonderful! What more can I say about the brilliant Alexandra Vasti and her debut novel? I am so lucky to be in the same book club with her and have witnessed her amazingness in person for the last year as I waited desperately for this book to come out!
I adored Peter and Selina! I loved how most of their relationship issues came from outside rather than from within. Peter and Selina loved each other dearly, and once they knew the other had returned their affection, their relationship moved quickly. Even before, anything preventing them from interacting was by outside design. They had fantastic communication and, in almost everything, told the truth. They cared for each other deeply; how could I not grow to love them, too?
The supporting characters in this book were amazingly written. Every character feels fleshed out, although I can tell who's going to the MCs in the next two books, lol! I loved the children and how Peter cared for them, even when they didn't want him and were very difficult.
Plotwise, I think a library for the sexual awakening of ladies in the Ton is iconic! Selina genuinely cared for her community in that respect.
Peter's anti-slavery plot was terrific, especially since that is a topic often ignored in histrom. As someone from contemporary New Orleans, I found it great to see a fictional historical character who loved his home but acknowledged its profound evils. Today, we continue to look back on these things, and fiction is an important way to do that.
Alexandra Vasti has written a perfect gorgeous novel and I can't wait for books 2 and 3!!!!
I adored Peter and Selina! I loved how most of their relationship issues came from outside rather than from within. Peter and Selina loved each other dearly, and once they knew the other had returned their affection, their relationship moved quickly. Even before, anything preventing them from interacting was by outside design. They had fantastic communication and, in almost everything, told the truth. They cared for each other deeply; how could I not grow to love them, too?
The supporting characters in this book were amazingly written. Every character feels fleshed out, although I can tell who's going to the MCs in the next two books, lol! I loved the children and how Peter cared for them, even when they didn't want him and were very difficult.
Plotwise, I think a library for the sexual awakening of ladies in the Ton is iconic! Selina genuinely cared for her community in that respect.
Peter's anti-slavery plot was terrific, especially since that is a topic often ignored in histrom. As someone from contemporary New Orleans, I found it great to see a fictional historical character who loved his home but acknowledged its profound evils. Today, we continue to look back on these things, and fiction is an important way to do that.
Alexandra Vasti has written a perfect gorgeous novel and I can't wait for books 2 and 3!!!!
hellodiana's review
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
mollyelli's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hollitha's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
felicitydane's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
rosh's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
aashini93's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Very heartwarming book! I loved the focus on the guardianship of half-siblings and running of a erotic library. The characters are endearing, and I loved the strong FMC and adoring MMC.
kkumaki18's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0