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briesespieces's review
4.0
No one in the history of fiction dukedom has pulled the “i’m a duke” card more than this guy lmao. Enjoyable enough, but kinda slow at times.
katyanaish's review
4.0
Don't know why I didn't initially give a review, but I just finished a re-read, and really enjoyed it. Anthony is a dick at first, but man does he do some quality groveling. And I just love Daphne - she's got more self-respect and sense than most HR heroines, and she doesn't let him walk all over her. He has to earn his redemption.
My only sad quibble is that I wish there was an epilogue.
Anyway, I picked up this re-read because I saw someone reading a later book in the series, in my feed. And I couldn't remember why I didn't go on, given that I seemed to enjoy this one. Well ... the refresher let me know why - I wasn't thrilled with the intro to Dylan Moore in this book, and I don't think a book about a drug-addicted manwhore is a thing that would ever appeal to me. Bleh. Then in book 3, we get a second-chance (a book type that I nearly always hate) with a cheating douchebag husband. Nope. No thanks. No.
So I liked this one, but this is a series that is full of NOPE for me. I won't read onward.
My only sad quibble is that I wish there was an epilogue.
Anyway, I picked up this re-read because I saw someone reading a later book in the series, in my feed. And I couldn't remember why I didn't go on, given that I seemed to enjoy this one. Well ... the refresher let me know why - I wasn't thrilled with the intro to Dylan Moore in this book, and I don't think a book about a drug-addicted manwhore is a thing that would ever appeal to me. Bleh. Then in book 3, we get a second-chance (a book type that I nearly always hate) with a cheating douchebag husband. Nope. No thanks. No.
So I liked this one, but this is a series that is full of NOPE for me. I won't read onward.
hunters_moon's review
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
3.75
pleasantandminty's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
sejcone's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stuffandwhatnot's review
4.5
"Why Miss Jones, you're beautiful!" the novel. Dowdy, glasses-wearing Roman antiquities expert Daphne nurses an unrequited crush on her employer, Anthony (a hot young duke, natch). One night she overhears him describing her in incredibly unflattering terms and decides she cannot remain in his employ.
She hardens her heart and starts to speak her mind during the last weeks of their work, and Anthony starts to notice things. Like, she's pretty when she takes her glasses off and dresses her hair in something other than a utilitarian bun. Like, she's got a smokin' bod under that boxy dowdy work apron (the 19th-century equivalent of overalls with *gasp* paint on them?). Like, she's smart and funny and cool and way better than any of those other girls. But Anthony is suffering from stoic MMC syndrome: he cannot allow himself to love! Because of childhood trauma! Whatever shall be done?
A sweet, funny, enjoyable historical with likable characters and a good grovel.
She hardens her heart and starts to speak her mind during the last weeks of their work, and Anthony starts to notice things. Like, she's pretty when she takes her glasses off and dresses her hair in something other than a utilitarian bun. Like, she's got a smokin' bod under that boxy dowdy work apron (the 19th-century equivalent of overalls with *gasp* paint on them?). Like, she's smart and funny and cool and way better than any of those other girls. But Anthony is suffering from stoic MMC syndrome: he cannot allow himself to love! Because of childhood trauma! Whatever shall be done?
A sweet, funny, enjoyable historical with likable characters and a good grovel.
asnyder331's review
2.0
Eh, it was fine but him taking away her glasses because they aren't pretty, even though she can't see without them was ick.
carlacbarroso's review
4.0
It's true that all women have a guilty pleasure, for me is this kind of novels. They may not be the 8th wonder of the world, they may not require you to use your brain nor do they feed your intellect, but if there's one great thing about them is that they make me forget my problems and give me a happy ending. Yes, I am easily pleased. :P
This is the first book I read by Laura Lee Gurhke and it came to me, once again, through Slayra. I asked her to borrow some romance novels she particularly enjoyed and this was one she highly recommended. It also inaugurates the Guilty Series which so far has 4 books, but it is not necessary to read them all since the only point of contact is the characters. For example, this book focuses on the relationship between Daphne and Anthony, but we also get to know (though very lightly) Dylan, a composer who is Anthony's friend, and Viola, Anthony's sister, who take the lead in the second and third books, respectively.
But getting back to the book in question... Daphne, a very intelligent antiquarian who sees herself orphan and without contacts in England (having spent her entire life in the Middle East), begins working for Anthony, Duke of Tremore, who is conducting archaeological excavations at his property. Daphne quickly falls for the boss, knowing that she's not corresponded, but she never thought herself to be so insignificant in his eyes. After hearing, by accident, a conversation between the Duke and his sister, Daphne decides to accept the proposal Viola made before, to be introduced to the London social circle, and radically change herself. Anthony, confronted with Daphne's sudden change and desiring her to stay to work on the unearthed artefacts, tries everything to keep her next to him. The rest of the story is easy to guess...
As Slayra says, this is like brain candy, but it's good! I loved the information concerning the excavation, but more than that I truly enjoyed the witty dialogue and the relationship building between the characters, even if the end is predictable. It's easy to see ourselves as the protagonist (archaeologist, yay!) and there's the alpha male, with muscles and such, but still sensitive and willing to do the right thing according to the standards of the time. The last third of the book seemed a little boring, but still it corresponded to my expectations and I recommend it for when you feel a bit blue or for a sunny day on the beach. :)
This is the first book I read by Laura Lee Gurhke and it came to me, once again, through Slayra. I asked her to borrow some romance novels she particularly enjoyed and this was one she highly recommended. It also inaugurates the Guilty Series which so far has 4 books, but it is not necessary to read them all since the only point of contact is the characters. For example, this book focuses on the relationship between Daphne and Anthony, but we also get to know (though very lightly) Dylan, a composer who is Anthony's friend, and Viola, Anthony's sister, who take the lead in the second and third books, respectively.
But getting back to the book in question... Daphne, a very intelligent antiquarian who sees herself orphan and without contacts in England (having spent her entire life in the Middle East), begins working for Anthony, Duke of Tremore, who is conducting archaeological excavations at his property. Daphne quickly falls for the boss, knowing that she's not corresponded, but she never thought herself to be so insignificant in his eyes. After hearing, by accident, a conversation between the Duke and his sister, Daphne decides to accept the proposal Viola made before, to be introduced to the London social circle, and radically change herself. Anthony, confronted with Daphne's sudden change and desiring her to stay to work on the unearthed artefacts, tries everything to keep her next to him. The rest of the story is easy to guess...
As Slayra says, this is like brain candy, but it's good! I loved the information concerning the excavation, but more than that I truly enjoyed the witty dialogue and the relationship building between the characters, even if the end is predictable. It's easy to see ourselves as the protagonist (archaeologist, yay!) and there's the alpha male, with muscles and such, but still sensitive and willing to do the right thing according to the standards of the time. The last third of the book seemed a little boring, but still it corresponded to my expectations and I recommend it for when you feel a bit blue or for a sunny day on the beach. :)
razzoot's review
3.0
3.5/5
Pretty cute book. I worried it was gonna be her completely changing her appearance for him in a “She’s All That” sorta way but nah, the only thing she did to her appearance was not wearing her hair in a severe bun as much. It was her standing up for herself and telling him to go to hell that attracted him. Like every time she insulted him he was like, “pls stop I will fall in love with you if you continue to put me in my place.” The ending felt a little rushed though. I didn’t want multiple chapters but maybe a few more pages would’ve felt like a more natural ending for me. Or better yet just cut out some of the material and replace it with other shit we care about.
I’d also like to add that I really didn’t get the title cause she only spied on him excavating shirtless once, unless the guilty pleasure was that his kink was being told he was an idiot then I guess it makes sense. Or something else that would spoil it but I’m sure y’all can imagine what it is, haha.
Pretty cute book. I worried it was gonna be her completely changing her appearance for him in a “She’s All That” sorta way but nah, the only thing she did to her appearance was not wearing her hair in a severe bun as much. It was her standing up for herself and telling him to go to hell that attracted him. Like every time she insulted him he was like, “pls stop I will fall in love with you if you continue to put me in my place.” The ending felt a little rushed though. I didn’t want multiple chapters but maybe a few more pages would’ve felt like a more natural ending for me. Or better yet just cut out some of the material and replace it with other shit we care about.
I’d also like to add that I really didn’t get the title cause she only spied on him excavating shirtless once, unless the guilty pleasure was that his kink was being told he was an idiot then I guess it makes sense. Or something else that would spoil it but I’m sure y’all can imagine what it is, haha.