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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Okay, but if you’re a fan of romance at all you need to read this book. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Portia in the first book. But this was exquisite. I was so invested in her story. I teared up at times. But it was still flirty and steamy. And the side characters and community were so fun. I adored this.
I *loved* Portia and Tav (the leads), as well as the book's contemporary setting (urban Scotland) and ambitious scope (sword making/aristocratic etiquette/ social media marketing/ immigration reform/ ADHD/ sibling rivalry & guilt/ empanadas). However, I did not for one minute believe anything about the story's central Reason For Being: a three-month-long sword making apprenticeship, which is what brings wealthy young New Yorker Portia to a struggling historic armory in a small Scottish city. Did not believe that Portia would have ever applied for this apprenticeship, no matter how many advanced Art History degrees she holds or how often her family calls her a dilettante. Did not believe that Jamie (Tav's younger brother, business partner, and creator of the apprenticeship) would have left Tav's petulant assigning of Portia to SPEND A WHOLE MONTH REDESIGNING THE ARMORY'S WEBSITE WITHOUT MAKING ONE SINGLE SWORD, DURING A THREE-MONTH APPRENTICESHIP, unchallenged. There is SO MUCH great writing in this book, but I felt blocked from truly connecting with it due to its many logistical incongruities. For instance in lieu of swordsmithing, I learned an incredible amount of useful information about social media marketing, which Portia excells at and which made me wonder why *that* conceit wasn't the Macguffin to get her to Scotland in the first place. The extended interior angst of both Portia and Tav to delay their HEA was unconvincing, and in short I just wanted all of the book's smart, funny, sexy, and self-aware characters to be allowed to run free and not be hemmed in by questionable plot conventions. All of that said, I really did enjoy reading this book, but had trouble getting past its many logistical roadblocks.
4.5 stars!
Alyssa Cole delivered another sweet and heartfelt romance with A Duke by Default! She continues to be one of my go-to contemporary romance authors these days. There's just something about her stories and her characters that speaks to me as a reader. And this book, is a great example of what this talented author can do!
Portia Hobbs might be my favorite Alyssa Cole heroine to date. When she was introduced, she was a bit of a hot mess. She has a truckload of issues that made her an interesting character to me. I didn't like her that much in A Princess in Theory but I was curious about her. And I knew that Alyssa Cole is going to do her story justice.
I was so right. Alyssa Cole not only made me sympathize with Portia, she made me love her. I wasn't even halfway in when I knew without a doubt that Portia would become one of my favorite contemporary romance heroines. No joke. Cole did a fantastic job exposing all of Portia's wounds, her hopes and dreams, and things that make her what or who she is. And I loved everything I read about her.
But it wasn't just Portia who made this book for me. The hero, Tavish MacKenzie was Portia's boss, and he's grumpy and hot as hell. And if you've been following me for long enough, you'd know that I have a weakness for hot, grumpy heroes. Tav is a world-class grump, and he is perfect for Portia. Oh, he did some knuckleheaded things and had put his foot in his mouth a couple of times but he is a great hero.
Her boss acted like a gruff, annoying jerk, but dammit there was something about a man who could casually mention Middle Cornish at dinner conversation without sounding pretentious that Portia found irresistible. It didn’t matter—she would resist.
I loved these two characters individually and as a couple. Their romance was emotionally rich and compelling. It tugged at my emotions without being manipulative. The interaction between Tav and Portia is taut with sexual tension and chemistry, I had to stop and fan myself a couple of times because their chemistry was off the freaking charts.
But it wasn't just their chemistry that drew me in. It was also the fact that these two characters genuinely liked and respected each other. Their banter and how they related to each other was just as satisfying as their red-hot chemistry.
Not only that, I also loved the way Alyssa Cole wrote the secondary characters in this book. None of them felt like throwaways. Even that librarian who was in the book for like two pages, made me smile. Cole makes you notice them. She has a knack of elevating secondary characters that makes you genuinely interested in reading about them. I adored Jamie and Cheryl as well as Tavish's parents. His interactions with them is probably my favorites, outside of his interactions with Portia, of course.
We also get to know Portia's accomplished twin, Reggie. Although, I wish there was more of her. Two other standout characters that I really liked was Nya and Johann. Eeep! Oh my gosh, there's so much I want to learn about these two. Again, I don't want to spoil anything but, you guys, I'm even more excited to read the third book in this series. I cannot wait!
My only gripe about this book was the lack of epilogue. I mean, it doesn't even have to have an epilogue but I wish the ending was longer. It felt abrupt to me and there were some confrontations that I wanted to happen. I'm going to spoiler tag them, so enter at your own risk:
One, I wish Portia get to confront her parents! I was really upset about the things they said, albeit they don't realize how hurtful they were. But still, they really did a number on Portia.
Two. I wish Portia had told Tavish and Reggie and her parents about her ADHD diagnosis. I understood why Portia might have reservations but still, I wish she had told someone.
However, those things did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. Overall, A Duke by Default was fabulously charming read. You really won't want to miss this one. I know some readers are worried about Portia because of the things she did in the first book, but guys, trust. Alyssa Cole made me love this imperfect character and if she can do that to me, I reckon, she has a chance of making you love Portia as well.
An ARC was provided for review purposes.
“You’re my liege. You’re the person I’m fighting for.”
Alyssa Cole delivered another sweet and heartfelt romance with A Duke by Default! She continues to be one of my go-to contemporary romance authors these days. There's just something about her stories and her characters that speaks to me as a reader. And this book, is a great example of what this talented author can do!
Portia Hobbs might be my favorite Alyssa Cole heroine to date. When she was introduced, she was a bit of a hot mess. She has a truckload of issues that made her an interesting character to me. I didn't like her that much in A Princess in Theory but I was curious about her. And I knew that Alyssa Cole is going to do her story justice.
She was done with fuckboys, and fuckbosses for that matter, no matter how sexy their accents were.
I was so right. Alyssa Cole not only made me sympathize with Portia, she made me love her. I wasn't even halfway in when I knew without a doubt that Portia would become one of my favorite contemporary romance heroines. No joke. Cole did a fantastic job exposing all of Portia's wounds, her hopes and dreams, and things that make her what or who she is. And I loved everything I read about her.
But it wasn't just Portia who made this book for me. The hero, Tavish MacKenzie was Portia's boss, and he's grumpy and hot as hell. And if you've been following me for long enough, you'd know that I have a weakness for hot, grumpy heroes. Tav is a world-class grump, and he is perfect for Portia. Oh, he did some knuckleheaded things and had put his foot in his mouth a couple of times but he is a great hero.
Her boss acted like a gruff, annoying jerk, but dammit there was something about a man who could casually mention Middle Cornish at dinner conversation without sounding pretentious that Portia found irresistible. It didn’t matter—she would resist.
I loved these two characters individually and as a couple. Their romance was emotionally rich and compelling. It tugged at my emotions without being manipulative. The interaction between Tav and Portia is taut with sexual tension and chemistry, I had to stop and fan myself a couple of times because their chemistry was off the freaking charts.
But it wasn't just their chemistry that drew me in. It was also the fact that these two characters genuinely liked and respected each other. Their banter and how they related to each other was just as satisfying as their red-hot chemistry.
Not only that, I also loved the way Alyssa Cole wrote the secondary characters in this book. None of them felt like throwaways. Even that librarian who was in the book for like two pages, made me smile. Cole makes you notice them. She has a knack of elevating secondary characters that makes you genuinely interested in reading about them. I adored Jamie and Cheryl as well as Tavish's parents. His interactions with them is probably my favorites, outside of his interactions with Portia, of course.
“We were attracted to each other, we kissed, you humped my leg a little, and everything’s fine now.”
We also get to know Portia's accomplished twin, Reggie. Although, I wish there was more of her. Two other standout characters that I really liked was Nya and Johann. Eeep! Oh my gosh, there's so much I want to learn about these two. Again, I don't want to spoil anything but, you guys, I'm even more excited to read the third book in this series. I cannot wait!
My only gripe about this book was the lack of epilogue. I mean, it doesn't even have to have an epilogue but I wish the ending was longer. It felt abrupt to me and there were some confrontations that I wanted to happen. I'm going to spoiler tag them, so enter at your own risk:
Two. I wish Portia had told Tavish and Reggie and her parents about her ADHD diagnosis. I understood why Portia might have reservations but still, I wish she had told someone.
However, those things did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. Overall, A Duke by Default was fabulously charming read. You really won't want to miss this one. I know some readers are worried about Portia because of the things she did in the first book, but guys, trust. Alyssa Cole made me love this imperfect character and if she can do that to me, I reckon, she has a chance of making you love Portia as well.
“You can think what you want about yourself, but I’ve two eyes and a brain in my head and the view right now? It’s bloody brilliant.”
An ARC was provided for review purposes.
I loved this! As usual Alyssa Cole did an incredible job. I related to Portia and her ADHD a lot.
*4.5 stars
One of the best romances I’ve read in a while! An absolute delight that actually touches on lots of issues rarely addressed in romance novels, while still delivering on swoons galore. *heart eyes emoji*
However, I can’t write a review without mentioning that the audiobook quality was ridiculously subpar. The narrator was great and handled multiple accents with ease. But the editing was atrocious. There were quite a few long, awkward gaps of time where there shouldn’t have been. Once the quality of the narrator’s voice VERY clearly changed mid-paragraph like they had switched microphones or picked up the next day with different audio settings. And worst of all, once, the narrator pronounced a word incorrectly, corrected herself on the pronunciation (not in-dialogue, and clearly not an on-purpose thing), and then went on. Obviously not judging the narrator - this is bound to happen! But not something I should hear in the final product.
Dreamscape needs to step up their game. Alyssa Cole deserves better.
One of the best romances I’ve read in a while! An absolute delight that actually touches on lots of issues rarely addressed in romance novels, while still delivering on swoons galore. *heart eyes emoji*
However, I can’t write a review without mentioning that the audiobook quality was ridiculously subpar. The narrator was great and handled multiple accents with ease. But the editing was atrocious. There were quite a few long, awkward gaps of time where there shouldn’t have been. Once the quality of the narrator’s voice VERY clearly changed mid-paragraph like they had switched microphones or picked up the next day with different audio settings. And worst of all, once, the narrator pronounced a word incorrectly, corrected herself on the pronunciation (not in-dialogue, and clearly not an on-purpose thing), and then went on. Obviously not judging the narrator - this is bound to happen! But not something I should hear in the final product.
Dreamscape needs to step up their game. Alyssa Cole deserves better.
I loved the first one in this series and the second installment did not disappoint. Can't wait for the next one!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes