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katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
***3.5***
While Prudence was naive to a frankly ludicrous degree (seriously, for a 28 year old, she was more oblivious to the world than your average 6 year old), and Rhys was mercenary to an almost intolerable degree in the first half of the book, I still enjoyed it. Guhrke is just brilliant at weaving a story that wraps me right up, even if some of the details are just a little over the line.
While Prudence was naive to a frankly ludicrous degree (seriously, for a 28 year old, she was more oblivious to the world than your average 6 year old), and Rhys was mercenary to an almost intolerable degree in the first half of the book, I still enjoyed it. Guhrke is just brilliant at weaving a story that wraps me right up, even if some of the details are just a little over the line.
hendriana's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
bonzaklibo's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, this book is pretty all over the place. The heroine is supposed to be 28 but acts like a petulant 15 year old. Additionally, she is supposedly to be a heavier heroine (emphasis on "supposedly") and her waist is 28". Thats..... actually considered to be slender? Like seriously: https://www.shapefit.com/calculators/waist-to-height-ratio-calculator.html And I get it, "but in those times!!" whatever. I doubt the other women she surrounded herself with had that ideal 20" waist. And honestly, considering how desperate her situation sounded at the beginning of the book I seriously doubt she would have the time or energy to be worrying about the measurement of her waist. Except, oh yeah, she's like a petulant teenager so maybe she's just really bad at prioritizing?
The hero in this book, oh man the hero. He's like a stereotypical college frat boy. I say stereotypical, because he doesn't have the depth of a real human being. He has the token dark past, but honestly, it's not tackled well, especially given how heavy and serious of an issue this past is (no spoilers here). He's even more annoying than the main character. He's selfish, manipulative, and crass.
Their "romance" is honestly more gross manipulation than love. I had to skim the last half of the book because the manipulation made me so uncomfortable. For a woman of 28, Prudence apparently knows NOTHING of the world. She has been yelled at, mistreated, and overworked by the upper classes for A DECADE. And yet somehow, has NO IDEA about how they operate and the societal intricacies at play here. She is supposed to be totally naive and innocent and EASILY fall prey to the manipulative hero. That..... makes no sense???
Additionally, Rhy's progression makes NO sense. He's super blunt about his need for money and that he wants to screw Prudence.
Honestly, I think the biggest problem this book had was it was all tell and no show. For example, we are told by Prudence that Prudence's family are awful uncaring people. But we're never shown that. In fact I had a hard time reconciling Prudence's version of them with what I was reading. It would have been easy to do too, maybe Prudence catches a look when they think she's not looking, or hears them whispering something nasty under their breath. HONESTLY, IT'S NOT HARD. But instead we only have Prudence's word to go off of, and she really doesn't come off as that like-able or trustworthy. The previous points are also good examples of that. We're TOLD Prudence is 28, but are shown she's 15. We're TOLD Rhys is in love with her, but are shown he is shallow and doesn't care for anyone but himself.
That being said, the flow of the book is really fluid. Ghurke makes very readable books, and I actually quite liked the first book in this series. Additionally, the very last part was quite sweet and nice to read. It just made no sense in the context of the rest of the book.
The hero in this book, oh man the hero. He's like a stereotypical college frat boy. I say stereotypical, because he doesn't have the depth of a real human being. He has the token dark past, but honestly, it's not tackled well, especially given how heavy and serious of an issue this past is (no spoilers here). He's even more annoying than the main character. He's selfish, manipulative, and crass.
Their "romance" is honestly more gross manipulation than love. I had to skim the last half of the book because the manipulation made me so uncomfortable. For a woman of 28, Prudence apparently knows NOTHING of the world. She has been yelled at, mistreated, and overworked by the upper classes for A DECADE. And yet somehow, has NO IDEA about how they operate and the societal intricacies at play here. She is supposed to be totally naive and innocent and EASILY fall prey to the manipulative hero. That..... makes no sense???
Additionally, Rhy's progression makes NO sense. He's super blunt about his need for money and that he wants to screw Prudence.
Spoiler
This pretty much doesn't change throughout the first half of the book. If he does feel any guilt, it's super negligible and he easily brushes it to the side. And then suddenly he's in love with her???? And he can't live without her????? WHERE DID THAT EVEN COME FROM??Honestly, I think the biggest problem this book had was it was all tell and no show. For example, we are told by Prudence that Prudence's family are awful uncaring people. But we're never shown that. In fact I had a hard time reconciling Prudence's version of them with what I was reading. It would have been easy to do too, maybe Prudence catches a look when they think she's not looking, or hears them whispering something nasty under their breath. HONESTLY, IT'S NOT HARD. But instead we only have Prudence's word to go off of, and she really doesn't come off as that like-able or trustworthy. The previous points are also good examples of that. We're TOLD Prudence is 28, but are shown she's 15. We're TOLD Rhys is in love with her, but are shown he is shallow and doesn't care for anyone but himself.
That being said, the flow of the book is really fluid. Ghurke makes very readable books, and I actually quite liked the first book in this series. Additionally, the very last part was quite sweet and nice to read. It just made no sense in the context of the rest of the book.
somasunshine's review against another edition
For most of the book I wanted to punch Rhys so bad. The way he had absolutely nooo consideration whatsoever for Prudence's feelings. The groveling was convincing but tbh it could have been longer. I think Prudence forgave him rather quickly.
sharonwb's review against another edition
3.0
I think the H didn't have enough storytime to fully redeem himself and the heroine forgave too easily so was an unsatisfying ending.
gotobedmouse's review against another edition
4.0
Great little way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I bought it Friday from the used bookstore...spent less than a dollar on it when you add all the trade in I did. It was well worth it. I noticed it is part of a series and I am going to have to see if they have the others next time I go in. Sweet little fluffy read...the Duke Rhys reminded me a lot of Viller in the Desperate Duchhesses series by Eloisa James.
My pet peeve is this...if the woman on the front of the cover is suppose to be "plump" then there is no hope in this world.
My pet peeve is this...if the woman on the front of the cover is suppose to be "plump" then there is no hope in this world.
shagdalen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
laurenjodi's review against another edition
1.0
The Wicked Ways of a Duke
1 Star
This is one of my very rare one-star reviews and it all comes down to the hero. There is absolutely nothing appealing about him, and as such, the romance falls completely flat.
Rhys de Winter, Duke of Cyres, is financially and morally bankrupt. In addition to being self-absorbed, elitist, and lazy, he is also a liar, a cheat, and a thief. It is completely anathema to me how the heroine, Prudence Bosworth, could possibly entertain the notion of forgiving him, and the fact that she does makes her stupid and pathetic.
The previous book in this series is excellent, but this one is truly awful.
1 Star
This is one of my very rare one-star reviews and it all comes down to the hero. There is absolutely nothing appealing about him, and as such, the romance falls completely flat.
Rhys de Winter, Duke of Cyres, is financially and morally bankrupt. In addition to being self-absorbed, elitist, and lazy, he is also a liar, a cheat, and a thief. It is completely anathema to me how the heroine, Prudence Bosworth, could possibly entertain the notion of forgiving him, and the fact that she does makes her stupid and pathetic.
The previous book in this series is excellent, but this one is truly awful.
ashlobro's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5