Scan barcode
noellelovesbooks's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
***This review was first posted to my blog***
Content Warnings:
-Racism
-Loss of parent discussed
Do you ever get frustrated with a character because they share some of your more frustrating qualities? *insert nervous laughter* I found myself, through the first part, becoming frustrated with how oblivious Chloe was to Jeremy’s feelings. Jeremy practically spelled out to her that he cares deeply for her and wants to marry her and yet Chloe keeps telling herself he’s looking to marry someone similar to her but definitely not her. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her for missing huge signs.
The more I thought about it I realized I was increasingly frustrated with Chloe because, like her, I can be completely oblivious to what someone is telling me. Someone can say something plain as day to me and my brain re-arranges it entirely. Honestly, I’ve had many occasions where it was like, the person right in front of me, was having a different conversation in a different room, with the way my brain interpreted what was said.
Let’s just say picking up social cues and even understanding someone means exactly what they’re saying…well it’s hard for me to comprehend at times. This is why in life I attempt to avoid confrontation because I don’t always understand the situation that caused it let alone how to resolve it. Anyways, enough about me and my social awkwardness let’s get back to talking about this sweet story!
I have to say my favorite character from this book wasn’t actually Chloe or Jeremy but in fact, was Chloe’s dad. Honestly, though not many, the interactions between Chloe’s dad, Mr. Fong, and Jeremy always had me cracking up. You can easily picture Mr. Fong a strong and stubborn man who fiercely loves his daughter though he doesn’t express his love with words…instead he shows her through food.
This whole story was so sweet and I love that we were able to live in the bubble that is Wedgeford. Jeremy discusses the racism he, and his mother, have faced and how Wedgeford became a place he looked forward to visiting every year. Wedgeford was made up of so many mixed families he never felt out of place, like, he was constantly made to feel, back in London.
The author’s notes were also a lot of fun to read through as Courtney discusses her own family history and how she was inspired to write this story. She’s also listed a part of her site where we can see some recipes of the yummy food she mentions throughout the book. To find that list CLICK HERE to be directed to her site.
After reading this book I’m so excited to see what other couples join this series and what other cultures we might be able to explore through the sweet town of Wedgeford.
Content Warnings:
-Racism
-Loss of parent discussed
Do you ever get frustrated with a character because they share some of your more frustrating qualities? *insert nervous laughter* I found myself, through the first part, becoming frustrated with how oblivious Chloe was to Jeremy’s feelings. Jeremy practically spelled out to her that he cares deeply for her and wants to marry her and yet Chloe keeps telling herself he’s looking to marry someone similar to her but definitely not her. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her for missing huge signs.
The more I thought about it I realized I was increasingly frustrated with Chloe because, like her, I can be completely oblivious to what someone is telling me. Someone can say something plain as day to me and my brain re-arranges it entirely. Honestly, I’ve had many occasions where it was like, the person right in front of me, was having a different conversation in a different room, with the way my brain interpreted what was said.
Let’s just say picking up social cues and even understanding someone means exactly what they’re saying…well it’s hard for me to comprehend at times. This is why in life I attempt to avoid confrontation because I don’t always understand the situation that caused it let alone how to resolve it. Anyways, enough about me and my social awkwardness let’s get back to talking about this sweet story!
I have to say my favorite character from this book wasn’t actually Chloe or Jeremy but in fact, was Chloe’s dad. Honestly, though not many, the interactions between Chloe’s dad, Mr. Fong, and Jeremy always had me cracking up. You can easily picture Mr. Fong a strong and stubborn man who fiercely loves his daughter though he doesn’t express his love with words…instead he shows her through food.
This whole story was so sweet and I love that we were able to live in the bubble that is Wedgeford. Jeremy discusses the racism he, and his mother, have faced and how Wedgeford became a place he looked forward to visiting every year. Wedgeford was made up of so many mixed families he never felt out of place, like, he was constantly made to feel, back in London.
The author’s notes were also a lot of fun to read through as Courtney discusses her own family history and how she was inspired to write this story. She’s also listed a part of her site where we can see some recipes of the yummy food she mentions throughout the book. To find that list CLICK HERE to be directed to her site.
After reading this book I’m so excited to see what other couples join this series and what other cultures we might be able to explore through the sweet town of Wedgeford.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
cheye13's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was beautiful, I quite literally couldn't put it down. Made me giggle, made my cry, made me happy to have read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent and War
marylinaris's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Duke Who Didn’t is a fun book with a lot of heart.
Both of our main characters, Chloe and Jeremy, were lovely people and I loved, loved, loved their romance.
Their set up reminded me of the “I like women who read” scene from P&P, but drawn out to 200 pages, with ‘Lizzie’/Chloe being roped in to help find a well-read woman. The author managed to draw this out without making the characters look dumb/naive or like they are bad at communicating. That made it all the more fun and engaging.
Chloe also knew what she wanted, when she made the “there is only one room at the inn”-trope happen for her - good for her!
I’m also a huge fan of Chloe’s relationship with her father, it was just perfectly heartwarming, supportive and real.
I genuinely love how the author integrated Asian characters into the normally overwhelmingly white regency literary setting. They are not magically there with everyone being colorblind and accepting. These characters are not only servants and face racism every day but they rather live in this believable corner of the world where they build a safe place.
While the romance and family relationships take center stage, the book does discuss serious topics. The characters have faced racism and they discuss unfair treatment in school systems, exploitation of immigrant workers, the feelings of mixed-race children trying to fit in with their parents’ cultures and societies.
Somehow this book manages to give these topics the seriousness and space they deserve and yet the book overall managed to not take itself too seriously. We got two characters having a meta conversation about the “there is only one room at the inn”-trope, a Duke forgetting to collect rent for decades, and a main character who makes jokes as easily as he breathes.
Both of our main characters, Chloe and Jeremy, were lovely people and I loved, loved, loved their romance.
Their set up reminded me of the “I like women who read” scene from P&P, but drawn out to 200 pages, with ‘Lizzie’/Chloe being roped in to help find a well-read woman. The author managed to draw this out without making the characters look dumb/naive or like they are bad at communicating. That made it all the more fun and engaging.
I’m also a huge fan of Chloe’s relationship with her father, it was just perfectly heartwarming, supportive and real.
I genuinely love how the author integrated Asian characters into the normally overwhelmingly white regency literary setting. They are not magically there with everyone being colorblind and accepting. These characters are not only servants and face racism every day but they rather live in this believable corner of the world where they build a safe place.
While the romance and family relationships take center stage, the book does discuss serious topics. The characters have faced racism and they discuss unfair treatment in school systems, exploitation of immigrant workers, the feelings of mixed-race children trying to fit in with their parents’ cultures and societies.
Somehow this book manages to give these topics the seriousness and space they deserve and yet the book overall managed to not take itself too seriously. We got two characters having a meta conversation about the “there is only one room at the inn”-trope, a Duke forgetting to collect rent for decades, and a main character who makes jokes as easily as he breathes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Colonisation, Death of parent, Racism, and Sexual content
relin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
Minor: Death of parent
nyertryingtoreadeverything's review against another edition
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? No
5.0
This book was just an absolute joy. It was adorable, the characters were interesting, and I could not read it fast enough. Such a good read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
emeraldalchemist's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
firefly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Racism and Chronic illness
Minor: Death and Death of parent
More...