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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Child death, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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:
No
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At times hot with longing. I liked how it hit all the usual conflict beats, but still had characters who could communicate.
Last year, I read around twenty romance novels, and they shared a commonality– the couple committed to one another by the end of the story. While I long for a literary happy ending, sometimes I wonder what occurs after their moment of coupling. Yes, epilogues are occasionally provided, but I consider them to be a post-story highlight reel rather than a glimpse into a relationship with its natural ebbs and flows. A notable aspect of Ne’er a Duke by Alexandra Vasti is the continuation of the plot beyond the couple’s (Peter and Selina) unification.
Main character Peter’s quest for guardianship of his half-siblings transpires throughout the story, reframing the romance in a unique and family-oriented manner. The journey of adoption also allows Peter and Selina to fall in love amid hardship, suggesting that love does not occur in a vacuum, but in conjunction with other relationships and personal difficulties. Seeking guardianship acts as a framing device for the story and allows Peter and Selina’s relationship to go beyond marriage and into family life. Because I am so accustomed to marriage as an ending, moving past their wedding hooked me, stimulating my curiosity about the additional tricks Vasti may possess.
Vasti is a bookish world-building magician. Characters Peter and Selina live in the rich historical background of nineteenth-century London. Vasti knows her stuff– I mean really knows it, given her status as a British literature professor– and covers complex topics such as historical custody laws, abolition, and social customs and expectations of the time. A significant storyline revolves around Selina's secret library enterprise, through which she loans books on sexual and reproductive health to women of the ton. While Selina is portrayed as beautiful, she and her female friends are also repeatedly described as smart and capable, an emphasis not always seen in this genre. Vasti highlights Selina’s experience as an excellent problem solver, as well as her friend Lydia’s political knowledge.
Ne’er a Duke highlights the importance of family (by choice and by blood) and community. Exploring themes beyond the conventional romantic portrayal serves as a refreshing reminder of the varied nature of love.
Through Selina’s secret library business and Peter’s quest for guardianship, Vasti sheds light on pressing social issues of the time while weaving a captivating love story that resonates due to its themes of acceptance, personal growth, and community. Ne’er a Duke is a sweet yet multifaceted narrative I recommend to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced read, strong female characters, realistic relationships, and a complex historical setting.
Main character Peter’s quest for guardianship of his half-siblings transpires throughout the story, reframing the romance in a unique and family-oriented manner.
Spoiler
With the help of Selina, Peter gains guardianship, a sweet plot point.Vasti is a bookish world-building magician. Characters Peter and Selina live in the rich historical background of nineteenth-century London. Vasti knows her stuff– I mean really knows it, given her status as a British literature professor– and covers complex topics such as historical custody laws, abolition, and social customs and expectations of the time. A significant storyline revolves around Selina's secret library enterprise, through which she loans books on sexual and reproductive health to women of the ton. While Selina is portrayed as beautiful, she and her female friends are also repeatedly described as smart and capable, an emphasis not always seen in this genre. Vasti highlights Selina’s experience as an excellent problem solver, as well as her friend Lydia’s political knowledge.
Ne’er a Duke highlights the importance of family (by choice and by blood) and community.
Spoiler
Selina receives support for her library business amidst town scandal from her family and Peter. Despite the secrets she previously hid from them, they convey unconditional love and acceptance.Spoiler
Relationships throughout the novel demonstrate the realities of a recent marriage. Peter and Selina scrutinize their own shortcomings critically, yet extend grace and understanding towards each other as they recognize and empathize with each other's perspectives. These discussions deepen their relationship and add layers of complexity and understanding to their dynamic. They navigate their nuptials by allowing each other time to adapt to their new reality while reminding one another of the value they add to the relationship.Through Selina’s secret library business and Peter’s quest for guardianship, Vasti sheds light on pressing social issues of the time while weaving a captivating love story that resonates due to its themes of acceptance, personal growth, and community.
Spoiler
Peter and Selina make an untraditional but unified family unit, especially with the addition of Peter’s recently adopted half-siblings.
funny
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:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
This was so much fun. I know a lot of people think the Regency and Jane Austen and think romance, but to me it is very much the era of the comedy of manners. What I like so much about this book is that it delivers on both of those fronts. Skewering society while watching two interesting characters you can’t help but root for dance around one another was spectacularly entertaining. I laughed. I smiled. I just genuinely enjoyed myself the entire time I was reading this novel. A well rounded cast of supporting characters makes the world that much more colorful, and a historically reasonable plot about correcting the education and miseducation of women makes this one a winner in my eyes. My favorite part may have been learning that every book mentioned is real.
Another positive point to add, is that despite the location and time period, the novel takes Bridgerton tv series style route of representation. While slavery is a plot point, specifically support for the abolitionist movement, the ton is not only an Anglo society and the diversity is matter of fact rather than an obvious exception.
So many romances end on a wedding like that’s the end of the story rather than the beginning of one so I very much enjoyed the fact that the novel’s major wedding takes place about halfway through and life (with its joys and its challenges) continues on. Some unresolved plot threads, nothing major, make me feel like this must be the start of a series. If that’s the case, I would love to see more of these characters and very much look forward to it.
Another positive point to add, is that despite the location and time period, the novel takes Bridgerton tv series style route of representation. While slavery is a plot point, specifically support for the abolitionist movement, the ton is not only an Anglo society and the diversity is matter of fact rather than an obvious exception.
So many romances end on a wedding like that’s the end of the story rather than the beginning of one so I very much enjoyed the fact that the novel’s major wedding takes place about halfway through and life (with its joys and its challenges) continues on. Some unresolved plot threads, nothing major, make me feel like this must be the start of a series. If that’s the case, I would love to see more of these characters and very much look forward to it.